Chapter 0711: Above Champion—Battle Legends(Two-in-One)

Galar Region, Wyndon.

Sunlight shone on the cloud-piercing Rose Tower, while wild cheers echoed from the distant Wyndon Arena.

“Come, let’s witness a Champion moment—!”

Leon, clad in a crisp black tracksuit, stood on the grass, eyes sharp as he raised his hand and withdrew Charizard’s Poké Ball.

The band on his arm gleamed with dazzling brilliance. Under the rush of Gigantamax energy, the Poké Ball expanded in his grasp.

“Let’s go, Charizard!!”

Leon hurled the enlarged Poké Ball.

THUD!

The towering, massive Gigantamax Charizard emerged, its wings wreathed in blazing fire, flames rolling from its neck and mouth, claws spread wide.

“Charizard!!” Gigantamax Charizard bellowed, head thrown back, purple-red Gigantamax energy surging out in wave after wave.

“Hmph, same trick again.” Raihan grinned, excitement and ferocity in his eyes. “How about something new, Champion!”

“Ah, I will.” Leon’s eyes burned as he smiled. “Charizard and I are fired up!”

“Duraludon—”

Raihan withdrew Duraludon, then hurled a supersized Poké Ball with force. “Gigantamax!!”

Duraludon’s form swelled, base solid as bedrock, upper half shaped like a skyscraper, metallic surface glittering diamond-hard.

Both Pokémon, gigantic in Gigantamax forms, stared each other down—viewers’ emotions, shouts, and cheers peaked into a frenzy!

Raihan suddenly clenched his fist and shouted:

“G-Max Depletion!”

Skyscraper-like Gigantamax Duraludon’s jaws surged with purple-red Dragon-type energy; the surrounding auras rapidly thinned, a dark energy beam blasting out!

“Charizard!” Leon yelled with a smile, arm extended. “G-Max Wildfire!!”

Charizard’s signature Gigantamax move: golden flames gathered and rolled in its maw.

Gigantamax Charizard’s fiery wings blazed brighter than ever. Its flames transformed into a massive golden bird, diving headlong, shrieking as it smashed into the dark beam.

Red and purple energies crashed, lacing together—flames battered the light, the skyscraper-sized Duraludon was instantly consumed!

BOOM!!

Explosion thundered.

Raihan slumped, thumped his forehead, then forced a grin at his “selfie mode” Rotom Mobile.

It’s another day of losing to Leon…

On the Master-level stage, he hadn’t managed a single win over Leon.

Returning to the locker room, after a shower and a fresh change of clothes, Raihan encountered Leon in the corridor, hands in his pockets, stepping in his way.

“Hey, rematch tomorrow!” Raihan’s eyes glinted.

Raihan was half a head taller than Leon. Leon looked up a bit, smiling, “Tomorrow won’t work.”

“Ugh, don’t tell me you’re playing games with the old man again.”

“No, it’s Natsume-sensei’s ribbon-cutting ceremony.” Leon explained, “He’s opening a café in Lumiose City; grand opening’s tomorrow.”

Raihan blinked.

Natsume-sensei……

The man who single-handedly repelled Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon, saving Hoenn on his own.

A year ago, he’d visited Wyndon to spar with Leon in a friendly match.

“He invited you, huh.” Raihan scratched his head, mumbling, “Well, in that case, go ahead… if you can actually find the way.”

“Want to come too?” Leon invited, “There’ll be several of the Eight Masters attending.”

The world’s top eight—known as the Eight Masters.

Rankings changed often in recent years, but Leon was always Champion, followed by Lance, Cynthia, Steven, etc.

Raihan had ranked eighth before, but those slots change fast; even “Old Man” Mustard knocked him out last year.

With the standardized format, legends like Red and Blue Oak hadn’t participated.

But Leon’s Gigantamax Charizard was already touching the realm “beyond Champion”—the domain of battle legends.

In the game “Ultra Sun and Moon,” Red and Green received invitations to Alola’s Battle Tree, their strength being “battle legend” level.

Beyond relentless training and battle, clever strategies, rich resources…

A love for Pokémon, and deep bonds, are keys to becoming a “battle legend.”

“I didn’t get an invitation, so count me out.” Raihan stuffed his hands in his pockets.

“Sonia didn’t either.” Leon grinned, “But Natsume-sensei said I could bring a couple of guides, so I’m bringing them along.”

Raihan sighed, “Seriously… Even he knows you’re hopeless with directions?”

“Haha.” Leon laughed brightly, “Just a little Champion’s flaw—like the Sinnoh Champion’s constant brooding, or Hoenn’s Champion being a neat freak.”

“Not wrong.” Raihan muttered.

That Old Man—definitely just has a gaming addiction.

“Who else is coming tomorrow?”

“Champion Cynthia, Mr. Steven, Lord Lance… and the Kalos Master,” Leon replied.

Raihan’s face twisted.

Natsume-sensei really has connections…

No, on second thought, it’s more that every top Trainer gives him respect.

“A Trainer that strong, not joining the World Championship, but opening a café…”

Raihan muttered, “I really wonder what he’s thinking…”

……

Lumiose City, Prism Tower.

“Acting Leader” Natsume was in the middle of a Gym Challenge.

“That’s weird… Isn’t this the Electric-type gym? Why is the starter Togepi?” asked a rookie, puzzled.

“Because my Togepi uses Thunder Wave.” Natsume looked perfectly serious.

Rookie: “……”

A mere Togepi? Watch me one-shot it!

Ten minutes later.

“Congratulations, challenge complete! Here’s your Prism Badge.” Natsume offered encouragement.

As Gym Leader, the main job is assessment, instruction, and encouragement.

Depending on a challenger’s badge count, the Leader chooses Pokémon of varying strength, hence they keep multiple teams.

The rookie looked blankly at the “Acting Leader,” recalling the Togepi’s sweep, questioning life as he accepted his badge.

Natsume: “Next!”

“Hello, I’m here for the Prism… wait, Natsume-sensei! Goodbye!”

Natsume watched the trainer spin around and dash for the exit, completely confused.

Strange… With me assessing and teaching, shouldn’t I be more popular?

Once Clembot finished rebooting,

Natsume retired from his afternoon as Leader.

However, the urban myth of “Prism Gym is Kalos’s hardest Gym” was beginning to spread…

As evening fell,

Natsume returned to the café. “Little Butler” Indeedee greeted him with a smile, hands folded.

Meowstic used Confusion to float the cups and served Natsume a glass of lemon water.

“No need for all that, just look after the café. We’re friends.”

The two little ones blinked, but went on as usual.

Natsume wasn’t rushed—after all, bonds take time, and there’d be more employees joining soon.

Maybe Piplup? Psyduck? Slowpoke?

Hmm… none of those seem very smart.

“Little chef” Alcremie was still in the kitchen, practicing cooking. Besides desserts, she could make coffee, milkshakes, and other café items.

Natsume tried a cream puff made with her fresh cream… The flavor was nothing but “happiness.”

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was set for tomorrow morning.

Plenty of group members said they’d drop by if they were free.

He’d still have to finalize the schedule.

With so many Champions and Elites coming… if they suddenly wanted to battle, the café couldn’t handle it.

Of course, Natsume-sensei had countermeasures.

Natsume rubbed his chin.

“I’d better ask Mew to reinforce the place with Light Screen…”

……

September 9th, Thursday, early morning.

Cynthia arrived early, passing through the courtyard into the back room.

Gengar enthusiastically opened the door for her, “Gengar~”

“Good morning, Gengar,” Cynthia said with a gentle smile.

“Gengar!” Gengar grinned, scratching his head.

“Breakfast is in progress! Just a minute!”

The sounds of pans and dishes clattered from the kitchen as Natsume’s voice floated out.

Cynthia’s lips curled unknowingly as she settled onto the sofa, picking up the book she’d left on the table last time.

“Sylveon~” Sylveon slipped into Cynthia’s lap and nestled down contentedly.

The little one was very attached to Cynthia now, though she still snarled at most outsiders.

Cynthia’s golden hair draped smoothly as she stroked Sylveon’s snowy back, balancing her book in one hand.

Natsume came out with two plates of sandwiches, set them on the table, and called,

“Sirfetch’d, help out—bring the food.”

“Sirfetch’d~” Sirfetch’d set down his shield, waddled into the kitchen, and soon trotted out carrying a dish.

Natsume had always wondered: without its leek, is Farfetch’d still a Pokémon?

After all, in the games, even newly-hatched Farfetch’d carry leeks.

But from the way Sirfetch’d could use chopsticks, it could wield other weapons too—like rotten swords, rotten shields… (crossed out)

Breakfast was black coffee, berry juice, butter cheese sandwiches, white sausage, and select apples.

“Juice or coffee?” Natsume lifted the tea tin.

Cynthia shot Natsume a look, laced her slender fingers under her chin, and said softly, “You choose.”

Bottom line: Moe-Moe loves sweets, so berry juice it was.

Yet with such good meals, Cynthia never gained weight.

Natsume’s eyes fell on Cynthia’s pale cheeks as she sliced her sandwich, smiling gracefully as the corners of her eyes crinkled.

His gaze drifted down her jawline, to the dewdrop-shaped pendant between her collarbones; Natsume nodded slightly.

Such a big… I mean—the black outfit against that snowy white skin.

He looked up, just as Cynthia’s deep gaze met his, freezing Natsume briefly.

“Do you like what you see?” Cynthia asked.

Natsume shook his head at first, thought for a second, then nodded.

“Make up your mind.” Cynthia raised her eyes slyly.

“Cynthia’s chest is as perfect as Cynthia herself.”

“That’s so half-hearted… and pervy.” Cynthia exhaled with closed eyes.

“What’s wrong with guys liking breasts?” Natsume replied, dead serious.

“You like them?”

Cynthia looked down at her chest, but didn’t think it was any different.

“Of course!” Natsume nodded vigorously.

She glanced at Natsume, murmured, “Then come… sit by me.”

Natsume moved to Cynthia, lifted her golden hair from the seat, saw her pale cheeks flush slightly.

“Are you feeling sick?” Natsume blinked.

Cynthia took Natsume’s hand, placed it on her chest, neckline pink.

“…So? How does it feel?”

Natsume’s mind froze, his expression blank.

Cynthia suddenly frowned, blushed, shot him a glare, and whispered, “Once is enough.”

“That was a reflex, not my fault.”

They looked in separate directions.

Cynthia, dignified and beautiful, golden hair flowing, cut her bread with an air of grace, blush not yet faded.

Natsume looked down at his hand.

He recalled that soft, round, wonderfully heavy sensation.

Natsume clenched his fist, eyes suddenly sharp.

Y-yes!!

……

Pokémon Café, ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Crowds of citizens gathered on Southern Street, peering from the edge out toward the streets.

Some took out mobile phones to snap photos, some chatted in whispers.

“It’s really Natsume-sensei…”

“And Steven! He’s actually here!”

Steven, in his suit, asked quietly,

“Natsume-sensei, is something on your mind?”

“Huh?”

Natsume snapped back, explaining, “Uh… I was just wondering when Leon would show up.”

“Lumiose City’s streets are so complicated, even with navigation, it’s a challenge,” Steven sighed.

Natsume looked to the sky.

The streets of Lumiose—pure nightmare for the directionally-challenged.

But with Sonia guiding… maybe it’ll be okay?

BANG!!

Suddenly, commotion rippled from the edge of the crowd.

Natsume glanced over—just in time to see a pink car planted headfirst into a flowerbed.

Natsume: ???

How on earth did that car end up there!

“Sorry!”

Wearing sunglasses under the sun, Sonia pushed open the car door and bowed to the citizens,

“I’ll call a tow truck!”

Meanwhile, Raihan crawled out of the backseat, groaning:

“Leon… Please, never let her drive again…”

One hopeless with directions, one a menace behind the wheel—

It’s amazing you childhood friends both made it through life in one piece!

Leon scratched his head. “Sorry, everyone—didn’t mean to cause trouble.”

Onlookers: (⊙□⊙)

“Whoa, it’s Leon!!”