Chapter 0712: Champions Assemble—The Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony

A purple-haired man with a stubbly beard, wearing a cap and a flowing cape.

Leon’s gentle smile masked golden eyes burning with sharpness—like the blazing sun.

Champion of Galar, number one of the Eight Masters, World Tournament Champion: Leon!

The crowd let out uncontrollable gasps. The people in the street were in a frenzy, soon realizing something else.

“Why is Leon here?”

“Could he be here for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, too?!”

“And that car still parked in the flowerbed—that’s so weird.”

No tow truck needed: Leon’s Charizard flapped its mighty wings, effortlessly lifting the sedan and lowering it gently to the ground—clearly a practiced move.

After the interlude, all eyes returned to Leon.

Surrounded by followers requesting group photos and poses,

Leon smiled: “Today’s not about me—the spotlight isn’t mine. Let’s save it for next time, everyone, thank you for understanding!”

“It’s really Leon in the flesh.”

“Natsume-sensei nearly gathered the entire Eight Masters!”

“This is a bigger opening than Siebold Restaurant’s launch…”

Every Champion, whether Leon, Lance, Steven… each had crowds of fans all across the various regions.

Compared to the brooding (secretly deadpan) Dragon Master Lance,

Leon drew even more followers and admirers.

This was both glory and a burden.

Countless people waited for the day Leon might be toppled from his ‘Undefeated Myth’ throne, so they could pounce with ridicule.

But Leon remained that sunny and heroic Champion, forever on Galar’s frontlines.

Natsume crossed his arms, gazing at Leon in the center of the crowd, thoughtful.

“Leon really does love battle,” Steven observed, watching the scene with a faint smile, “Wallace’s hobby is Pokémon Contests, mine is minerals… Leon always seems to walk the battle path.”

Natsume nodded. “That’s why Leon always reminds me of another Trainer.”

Both men fell silent, and the same image came to mind: a figure with cap brim lowered, hands stuffed in the red vest's pockets.

If not bound by the ‘Strongest Champion’ title… Leon might grow even stronger.

But he couldn’t—and could never—leave Galar, and go to Mt. Silver.

Even though Leon burns with the desire to face Red one day, his heavy mission, the Galar region upon his shoulders, hold him back.

Natsume remembered a past conversation with Leon and smiled wryly.

Maybe because I helped John achieve his dream, Leon was able to confide the things he could never say out loud to others.

But here and now, the purple-haired man in cape and cap before him was still the world’s strongest Champion!

“Welcome.”

Natsume greeted Leon as he approached, smiling. “Take a seat inside; the ceremony is about to start.”

“Ah, not a problem.” Leon smiled, introducing, “Sonia—you’ve met her.”

“Hi~” Sonia, sporting solar sunglasses and hugging a Yamper, reached her hand out cheerfully. “Natsume-sensei, good morning!”

“Good morning… Are you sure your car is all right?” Natsume couldn’t help asking.

Sonia scratched her cheek: “I’ve got repair tools in the trunk, all good, hahaha~”

Natsume: “……”

Looks like this road menace is a repeat offender!

“And this is Hammerlocke’s Leader Raihan,” Leon added.

“Yo, Natsume-sensei.” Raihan, one hand in his pocket and orange banduana round his head, grinned, “I’ve heard a lot about you!”

Natsume nodded back with a smile.

Raihan’s hobbies: fashion, selfies, and SNS—a community rather like Instagram.

Some people think he’s just a Dragon-type master, but really he’s the Weather King, a popular influencer—Raihan.

His strength is nearly Champion-level—a quasi-Champion contender—in non-Dynamax environments, though, there’s a bit of a discount.

On the other side:

“Mister Leon.”

Steven greeted Leon with elegance and a handshake, smiling. “It’s been a while.”

“Sure has, Mister Steven.” Leon shook firmly, laughing. “Last time must have been last year. Didn’t expect to meet here this time.”

Crowds gathered outside on Southern Street, seeing two Champions talking. People instantly took out their phones.

“The Champions of various regions have all come to Kalos!”

“So this is Natsume-sensei’s network…”

“Who’s missing? This is the most loaded guest list!”

Nobody expected little Southern Street to draw three Champions, never mind the golden-haired beauty—Sinnoh Champion Cynthia—inside the café who’d shown up earlier.

This lineup rivaled the World Tournament quarterfinals!

“I have to ask: is this a café I could even afford…?”

“Damn, it’s a battle café. Natsume-sensei obviously opened this just to stomp newbies!”

“If just stepping through the door gets me KO’d and sent to the Pokémon Center, I’ll take it!”

With ten minutes to go before the ceremony, more and more citizens packed the street. Luckily, Natsume had filed an application and got a permit.

“Wow, it’s crowded.”

Professor Sycamore emerged from the Research Institute, surveying the lively scene from down the street, stroking his stubbled chin. “It’ll be tough to get over there now.”

“Have Natsume send someone to pick us up.”

A white-haired, vigorous old man in a white lab coat joked, “After all, we’re not cheap celebrities.”

Any researchers present would have recognized, in a heartbeat, the towering figure of the Pokémon world, the idol of countless scholars: Professor Oak!

“I came expecting to see a battle, so I made a special trip today.”

Brown-haired, purple-clad, pendant-wearing Blue Oak had one hand in his pocket, muttering, “This many people… hardly the place for a fight.”

“Still, it’s a battle café—maybe there’s a hidden world in there.” Professor Oak laughed.

Blue Oak gave a low hum, then spotted a familiar figure and called: “Hey, Gold!”

“Eh?”

A cap-wearing young man turned around and blurted, “No way, Senior Blue Oak, you and Old Man Oak came too?!”

Professor Oak’s smile froze, and a vein throbbed on Blue Oak’s forehead.

Crystal quickly grabbed Gold’s ear, apologizing profusely: “Sorry! Gold’s a total idiot, Professor Oak please ignore him!”

“Senior Blue Oak,” a red-haired youth, Silver, nodded gently to Blue Oak, then asked, “Where’s Senior Red?”

“Oh… he’s at a fishing tournament with Yellow.” Blue Oak said flatly. “Giving himself a holiday, I guess.”

Green, hugging Ditto, smiled: “Come with me; Natsume-sensei set up an entrance so we don’t have to crowd.”

A moment later,

Professor Oak, Professor Sycamore, and five Pokédex Holders emerged into the public eye like a scientific research red carpet team.

For a moment, citizens stared blank, then the street exploded in excitement.

“Holy—Professor Oak? Alive and in person!”

“He’s even more heavyweight!”

“Oh my days, a legendary trainer—Blue Oak?!”

“Hey, wife, stop watching your silly fashion week and come look at these legends!”

Even Natsume at the door was stunned.

“You came too, Professor Oak? I thought you were busy.”

“I was, but since I was researching mega evolution with Professor Sycamore and Blue Oak today, decided to stop by.” Professor Oak laughed.

Professor Sycamore was Professor Rowan’s student; Professor Rowan was Professor Oak’s senior at Celadon University, so technically all colleagues.

“Leon’s here too…” Blue Oak’s gaze turned to the shop window, deep in thought.

“So many Champions…” Professor Sycamore whispered, leaning in to Natsume, “Is it really OK Diantha’s not here?”

“Of course it’s fine.” Natsume grinned. “The ribbon-cutting was just a spur-of-the-moment idea.”

Professor Sycamore’s expression was complicated.

Thing is, citizens of Lumiose City probably wouldn’t see it that way…

Oh well. Diantha’s main job is acting—nobody’s going to mock her battle strength anymore!

Amid the crowd, a reporter from Tokyo Evening News sketched notes, already planning tonight’s forum post:

Picture: heat of the moment with Champions—invincible Leon, perfect Steven, black-hearted Natsume-sensei (crossed out), the strategist Natsume-sensei.

Title: “Diantha’s at a film shoot.”

Today’s Kalos-roasting, accomplished!

One by one, Kalos Gym Leaders arrived: Natsume’s student Korrina, Ramos stopping by for tea with Blastoise, camerawoman Viola…

But after seeing Professor Oak’s aura, these leaders failed to cause a buzz.

Instead, when the Water Elite Four Siebold arrived—already a celebrity in Lumiose—the crowd went wild again!

“Is he really coming? Siebold Restaurant’s chef, challenging the café on opening day!”

“Doubt it… I think Siebold just came to join the fun.”

“He’s a three-star head chef! Natsume-sensei will have a tough time beating his menu!”

Siebold, decked in snow-white head chef attire, greeted Natsume for the first time, smiling slightly:

“Natsume-sensei, I’ve heard much about you.”

“Likewise,” Natsume replied, no false humility. “I grew up watching your cooking tutorials!”

Siebold paused at Natsume’s sincerity, then laughed. “I look forward to the day we duel as chefs, Natsume-sensei.”

Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma?

Natsume smiled: “Don’t worry. We’ll have our chance!”

After Siebold’s arrival,

Citizens all turned their eyes to the mysterious café, waiting for the ribbon-cutting five minutes away.

Excitement, awe, and exhilaration swept over the audience.

Professor Oak, Leon, Blue Oak… countless legendary scholars and trainers, all visible before their eyes.

Ever since Natsume-sensei arrived in Lumiose City, his innovations have left citizens in awe time after time!

“Hurry up, Natsume-sensei!” someone in the crowd shouted.

“Even if they carry me to the Pokémon Center after, I’m coming to challenge the battle café!”

“I’m different—being half-crippled is fine!”

“I’ll crawl through the door forehead bleeding—who could be more tragic than me?!”

“…Respect.”

Just as everyone’s curiosity was about to burst, someone pointed at the sky and yelled,

“Look, Dragonite!”

“That man is here too?!”

Across the sky trailed a flight path, Dragonite soaring aloft.

A red-haired man, face stern, rode atop Dragonite, Champion cape billowing—full marks for style!

The Dragon Master, Kanto Champion—Lance!

The crowd burst into chaos. Blending into the crowd, Gold exclaimed:

“No way, Lance the Birdbrain!”

“Haha, you can’t say that about a Champion!”

“From Pokémon, right? Haven’t even beaten Giovanni yet myself!”

“Pfft… But it’s kinda true though…”

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

Wind roared around Lance atop Dragonite, making him cough and nearly choke.

His dragonlike gaze zeroed in with laser focus—on the cap-wearing young man below.

“Oh crap…” Gold’s smile froze.