The stadium roared with cheers as the big screen replayed the recent battle, prompting fresh gasps.

After the handshake, Lu Ye and Champion Alder exited the stage, followed by Bamboo Lan and Caitlin’s exhibition match.

With two champions’ shining performances just shown, the proud Sinnoh Champion naturally wasn’t going to be outdone.

After a short halftime, the arena erupted again, and Team Rocket took the opportunity to hawk a batch of drinks and snacks.

Ash also bought a plum rice ball from Meowth, happily taking a huge bite.

“Mmm… tasty!”

“Pikachu!” Pikachu stood on a seat, clutching the rice ball with both paws, its ears wobbling back and forth.

“Thanks for your patronage, meow~” Meowth rubbed his hands together with a roguish grin.

Nobody recognized the Trio’s disguise at all…

“After Bamboo Lan’s exhibition match, the main tournament will officially begin.” Alice said, “The group stage matches start this afternoon!”

“How many days does the schedule last?” Ash asked vaguely.

“One week, and then the Vertress Conference will follow right after!” Alice replied.

Ash glanced to the side: “Paul, are you entering the Vertress Conference?”

“No. The level at Vertress doesn’t meet my expectations.”

In front of his teeth-grinding teammate Trip, Paul, with deadpan eyes, said, “I plan to travel to Kalos to attempt to master Mega Evolution… anyway, the exhibition match is starting.”

The cheers swelled as spotlights illuminated the rising platform. The noble, beautiful blonde lowered her head and placed her hands on her hips.

Then Cynthia looked up at the big screen;

her gray eyes shimmered and a corner of her mouth lifted.

In an instant the stadium buzzed—there was no doubt about the Sinnoh Champion’s popularity.

“White cabbage sis!!”

“So everyone showing up today is here with their partner?”

“Aww… that’s just perfect!”

Cynthia raised a faint smile. The champion was normally warm toward others and exuded a commanding aura in battle.

“Kyao!!”

A beam of red light burst from a Poké Ball. Garchomp swung its twin scythes and erupted into a roar. Cynthia smiled and crossed her arms, eyes focused.

The arena fell silent;

after a heartbeat the cheers grew louder as the other elevator platform took position.

The platform’s barrier bloomed like petals, revealing a sleepy, languid Caitlin with a white round cap, who gave a small yawn.

Red light flashed across the field as Gothitelle, like a loyal maid beside a princess, bowed to the audience.

“After watching that earlier fight, I’m looking forward to this match.” Cynthia said.

“No matter how hard I tried before, I couldn’t beat you, Bamboo Lan.” Caitlin said softly. “But the point of defeat is to reflect on one’s shortcomings. That’s what I learned after becoming the Unova Elite Four Champion.”

“Then… show me how you’ve grown!” Cynthia’s gaze turned fierce;

she lifted the corner of her mouth. “Garchomp, Fire Blast!”

“Use Thunderbolt.” Caitlin said in a steady voice.

The orange-yellow Fire Blast collided with the bright-blue Thunderbolt with a thunderous ‘boom’ that reverberated through the stadium!

Lu Ye watched from a floor-to-ceiling window on the second level, stroking his chin as he said:

“Bamboo Lan’s Garchomp also runs a two-pronged move set. As for Gothitelle… she didn’t go for Perish Song;

she just charged in with Thunderbolt!”

“Gengarrr~” Haunter, having just endured a ‘gruelling’ fight, sat on a small stool sipping cola.

Victini hovered beside Lu Ye, eyes shining, watching the match: “Nimi~!”

Sylveon sprawled across the sofa, deep blue eyes fixed on the screen;

Togepi was sitting in front of the TV playing games, a big bottle of cola and chips nearby.

“Dooey~ (ﾉﾟ▽ﾟ)ﾉ”

Sirfetch’d was dozing under the air conditioner;

Blastoise was doing push-ups;

Arcanine lazily bared its teeth.

Two big eyes blinked from the Pupitar’s burrow, staring at Lu Ye.

Lu Ye: “……”

My Pupitar is actually pretty well-behaved…

Knock-knock!

Someone knocked on the suite door.

A staff member reported that Champion Alder invited him to discuss specific appearance fees.

After agreeing, Lu Ye lingered by the window for a bit longer;

Bamboo Lan and Caitlin’s match was nearing its end.

“Garchomp.” Cynthia said. “Dragon Rush!!”

The audience looked up at the field in shock.

Garchomp darted down like a jet, a deep purple dragon shadow rippling over its body!

That move clearly had some conservation behind it, mirroring Haunter’s earlier restraint with Dream Eater.

When the dust settled, it coincided with the ten-minute mark—the exhibition match ended in a draw!

The crowd praised and applauded in appreciation, fully immersed in the audio-visual spectacle.

To trainers with discerning eyes, however,

the fight’s rhythm was basically a replay of ‘Teacher Lu vs. Alder’!

When Caitlin saw Cynthia refrain from pressing the attack, an odd feeling crept into her heart.

So, couples… do they start to look more alike over time…

Whoosh!

The silver brazier in the center of the arena ignited. After two exhibition matches ended, the World Juniors ceremony officially commenced.

Unova’s sacred flame came from Volcarona, underscoring Volcarona’s revered status among the Unova people.

The field’s gigantic screen then lit up with the group draws, and the competitors all received match notifications on their phones at once!

Alice wanted to prove she deserved to inherit the championship in Unova;

Ash craved preparation before Vertress;

Manchong wanted to show Teacher Lu the progress he’d made…

Holding different beliefs, Paul’s deadpan gaze flicked toward Trip, who looked thrilled.

“Looks like we’ll clash in the first round.” Trip shook his phone and grinned, “I’m really lucky!”

Paul was a little puzzled.

This guy… has he always been this bold?

Never mind—results will tell later. Paul’s eyes hardened.

I’m different from Ash. My roster is all veteran members!

**

In the reception room.

Lu Ye sat down on the sofa, arm over the back, surveying the decor.

The cabinet displayed clay figurines;

the fireplace resembled a Darmanitan;

the handwoven rugs and Alder’s ethnic attire shared the same origin.

Champion Alder of Black and White was modeled after Native American tribes, and even today Unova still had ancient peoples like the earth folk.

Rapid technological development had produced a scene where tradition and modernity coexisted in Unova. Industrial growth brought pollution, population explosions, and issues like Pokémon abuse.

Trubbish survive on garbage, Timburr coexist with humans in construction, and there were stories of some plump creatures hunting humans…

Team Plasma’s ideology emerged in the gaps of such a society.

Alder, conservative and refusing to use Pokémon storage systems, couldn’t accept societal change. Immersed in grief over his deceased partner, he gave up the Unova Championship.

Alice, representing vitality, became the youngest champion in history, inheriting the title from Alder.

That’s Unova—where reality and ideals coexist—and why Black and White and Black 2 are hailed as masterpieces.

All of the above.

Were fabrications by Teacher Lu.

Who holds the Unova championship doesn’t matter;

what matters is the appearance fee!

Lu Ye: “These ornaments have a strong Unovan ethnic flavor.”

“They’re little trinkets I collected during my travels.” Alder sat on the sofa and smiled. “You can take your Pokémon out of their Poké Balls if you like;

it’s no problem.”

“Gengarrr!” Haunter was the first to leap from his Poké Ball, landing in Lu Ye’s shadow in a splashless ‘water leap’ pose!

Next was the sharp-eyed Sirfetch’d, who, on seeing the old man Alder, immediately lost interest.

“Come back!” Lu Ye called and recalled Sirfetch’d.

The other little ones had no wish to be thrown out. Alder studied the free-roaming Haunter and pondered:

“I know someone… he hates Poké Balls. His ideal is to free all Pokémon in the world from their containment.”

“N is that person?” Lu Ye smiled. “I’ve spoken to him. He’s an excellent student.”

Alder looked surprised—Teacher Lu had actually convinced such an obsessive figure as N—and smiled without pressing the point.

No doubt… that’s why they call you ‘Teacher.’

“What about your stance on Poké Balls?” Lu Ye asked.

“Me? I don’t mind them.” Alder scratched his unkempt red hair. “But I don’t use the Pokémon Storage System… putting your Pokémon into that thing called a ‘computer’ feels a bit cold!”

“You don’t use other electronic devices either?” Lu Ye asked in surprise.

“No need.” Alder folded his arms and grinned. “We use letters. Tranquill will carry news to every corner of Unova!”

Little Rotom couldn’t help but blink:

“Beep-beep… do not compute, Rotom!”

“Oh! So this is what people call Rotom?” Alder inspected Rotom like an alien. “I don’t know much about it… but it looks like it’s troublesome to use!”

Actually I’m the one squeezing poor Little Rotom.

It’s not troublesome at all!

Views don’t change overnight. Lu Ye said:

“I don’t often use the Pokémon Storage System either… but ordinary trainers without a professor to keep their Pokémon safe can temporarily store them on the computer—there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Alder grew serious: “That’s why I always say… if you don’t have confidence to care for Pokémon properly, don’t capture them.”

“The League rules let trainers carry up to six Poké Balls because it considers the Pokémon’s feelings—more than that and you probably can’t manage them.” Alder said. “If you can handle it, carrying a dozen isn’t a problem!”

Lu Ye nodded thoughtfully.

Unlike in the games, Pokémon in reality aren’t cold data you can toss into a computer and ignore. If you capture a Pokémon, you must take responsibility: carry it with you or keep it in your yard. The computer is only a temporary transfer station.

Imagine if Pokémon were locked inside pitch-dark Poké Balls forever… even if the inside were luxury, it would feel eerie.

Lu Ye glanced at Alder.

Alder wore a string of Poké Balls around his neck—the ones holding his Pokémon.

That string of Poké Balls lets him be close to his partners… and during wild battles they’re very useful!

Throw a handful and you’ve got ten Pokémon out—whoever’s used it knows the advantage!

“Sorry, I drifted off-topic.” Alder said. “Back to business—about your appearance fee…”

“Gengarrr! (✪ω✪)”

Haunter hovered like a guardian spirit behind the sofa, eyes shining toward Alder.

Lu Ye waved a hand: “Hey! Really no need;

it was nothing.”

Alder: “……”

You practically have ‘stuff it in my pocket’ written on your face!

Alder stood and walked to the cabinet, opening a drawer to pull out a small box.

“Nimi~!” Victini unstealthed, smelling a surge of energy.

Lu Ye’s smile froze—something was wrong!

What’s inside that box? Surely not two diamond pigeon eggs?!

“I heard trainers who have mastered Mega Evolution are beginning to study Z-Moves.” Alder opened the box and said with feeling, “But I’m past the age to learn more new techniques… all I can do is find a suitable successor and pass on the championship.”

Alder shook his head. “Teacher Lu, these are two Z-Crystals, Fire Z and Bug Z. They fetch a high price on the market.”

“Or you could keep them for yourself,” Alder said. “I believe they’ll help you.”

They were indeed two crystals!

Lu Ye’s expression turned complex.

Two translucent Z-Crystals, one patterned with flame-like veins and the other with a deep grassy-gray sheen.

Teacher Lu had already obtained a Normalium Z and could easily sense same-source energy fluctuations.

But—

No matter the Z, you still have to do the awkward dance!

You old man are sly;

you claim you don’t want to research Z-Moves—I see you dodged it!

Still,

Alder’s words moved Teacher Lu.

Z-Crystals are extremely rare. Even trainers who passed island trials can’t sell their Z-Crystals. Only some naturally occurring variants—Dark Z, Flying Z, etc.—circulate on the market, and they’re scarce and pricey.

If you don’t use them, you can keep them as motivation for your students.

At the core, it’s another mainline quest.

Lu Ye silently opened the system and stared at the progress bar.

[Badge Collection: (6/8)]

[Quest Reward: Shiny Stone]

As long as the Shiny Stone isn’t unlocked, even if he collected eighteen and a full set of Z-Crystals, there’d be no issue!

“Gengarrr~ (￣▽￣)／” Haunter boldly took the box and bared his fangs in a grin.

These two stones are mine now~!

While Teacher Lu still weighed pros and cons, he caught Haunter’s nimble grab in the corner of his eye and was slightly stunned.

You care more about trainers’ matters than I do?!

Seeing the bond between trainer and partner, Alder relaxed and smiled: “I’ll negotiate Cynthia Champion’s appearance fee with her separately.”

“There’s one more thing… a personal question.”

Alder pondered for a moment: “What do you think of Alice?”

Lu Ye realized Alder was deciding who should inherit the championship.

“A good kid. Even if a bit rash, she’s much more mature than Ash.”

Lu Ye said, “Unova might be Alice’s starting point, not Ash’s.”

“I see…” Alder’s eyes flickered.

Lu Ye: “In short… I look forward to seeing them shine in this tournament!”

**

World Juniors, elimination round groupings.

“Paul’s Electivire has consecutively defeated Trip’s two Pokémon!” the commentator’s voice echoed across the battlefield.

Trip’s face fell, fingers whitening as he gripped his final Poké Ball.

He looked at the Electivire standing there, eyes narrowing and a provocation-like curl to its fingers, and Trip clicked his tongue.

What’s with this thing?!

I just beat Ash twice in a row… I shouldn’t be losing to one of Ash’s defeated opponents.

But Trip clenched his teeth, cold sweat tracing his brow.

Why is this Electivire so strong!

Trip, guilty of committing the sin of ‘arrogance,’ still didn’t understand why Pikachu was a god.

After beating Pikachu’s ‘show’ with a Snivy, Trip sneered;

such arrogant trainers are doomed to fall.

Actually Pikachu wasn’t outmatched by Snivy—Pikachu pulls back against cute Pokémon like Togepi.

Trip didn’t understand Pikachu’s careful intentions and jeered at Ash, feeding blindness and arrogance.

Pikachu didn’t show up directly, instead letting Paul’s Electivire act as its proxy.

This is divine mercy!

“Electivire, use Bolt Strike!!” Paul sneered.

Brilliant electricity rose on the field. Electivire’s Motor Drive-generated sparks crossed and it charged at Trip’s Serperior with incredible speed.

Boom!!

Under Trip’s sullen face, Bolt Strike tore through the Leaf Blade storm and struck Serperior’s body!

Sizzle!

Electric light flashed and faded;

Serperior’s charred body collapsed to the ground, eyes swirling.

Trip moved his lips, still not understanding the immense gap between them.

The referee waved the flag: “Victory goes to Paul!”

The spectators whispered among themselves.

“This is absurd… three-nothing in five minutes?”

“Gah… it’s a massacre!”

Paul, dead-eyed, hands in pockets, stood in front of the fierce Electivire.

“Too weak…” Paul said coldly. “Compared to that Infernape, you still have a long way to go.”

“Tsk…” Trip clenched his teeth and shouted toward Paul’s retreating back, “Hey, can you tell me who your teacher or idol is?”

Trip thought he should ‘unfollow’ Champion Alder and go seek out a stronger mentor…

Paul paused, then left the field without answering.

Ash, watching nearby, exclaimed: “Pikachu, Paul’s gotten so strong!”

“Pikapi…” Pikachu sighed helplessly.

Alice quipped: “It’s clearly you who got weaker!”

“What? Training a new team is part of growth!”

Ash argued: “Teacher Lu taught me this!”

……

“Winner: Manchong!”

Manchong wiped sweat from his green hair and looked at Gallade with a strong nod.

During the post-match interview, the host asked:

“Manchong, could you share how you comfortably won 3-0 in your first match?”

Manchong took a deep breath and mustered courage:

“Trust your Pokémon fully. Base it in emotion, then add tactical elements.”

“For example, Thunder Wave, Drain Punch, Hypnosis…”

The host smiled awkwardly at Manchong’s enumerated tactics: “You seem to have a thorough grasp of strategy.”

“Yeah!”

Manchong nodded emphatically, eyes shining.

“All of these were taught to me by Teacher Lu!”

…