novelraw Chapter 773: After the Great Battle, Conference Approaches
Chapter 773: After the Great Battle, Conference Approaches
After the Super Demon incident, Barren City faced a long road to recovery.
Lance coordinated with alliance personnel and organized immediate aid;
Rocket Delivery, under Giovanni’s direction, cooperated with the alliance to transport massive supplies;
Devon Corporation, Pokémon Company, and other major firms all offered assistance.
Balza and Meyali, using the power of the Punishment Jar, restored Hoopa to its smaller form and prepared to take little Hoopa back to Genesis Valley.
To make amends for Hoopa’s wrongdoing, Genesis Valley offered generations’ worth of ivory, gold, and other valuables to help compensate for Barren City’s losses.
Little Hoopa tried to scoop coins out of the teleportation ring, but Meyali stopped it. Sulking, it muttered,
“Okay, okay, Hoopa knows… you can’t take other people’s stuff, you have to rely on yourself…”
Teacher Lu returned the Fairy Plate, Togepi’s ability and moves received Arceus’s blessing, but Sylveon’s power had declined somewhat.
Still, relying on an item’s power was never really the big sister’s style.
“Bu-bii…(`皿´)” Sylveon made a quiet resolution.
It’s decided — once I return to Miare City, I’ll go to Prism Tower and keep grinding AI Clemont-Tro solo!At this moment, Teacher Lu left Desert Tower to meet the Eastern League’s ambassador and learned the decision of the joint conference.
In light of the shocking performance during the Super Demon incident, and with unanimous approval from the major leagues, Lu Ye was awarded a lifetime title:
Battle Legend!
This title ranks far above Champion;
it showcases strength and symbolizes honor.
Currently, Dan Emperor’s Gigantamax Charizard has Battle Legend-level ability, but he hasn’t officially earned the title.
After all, being champion restrained Dan Emperor. In the game, after being defeated, he climbed the Battle Tower and became a legend.
Faced with the title, Teacher Lu wasn’t surprised and accepted it graciously.
After all, he’s fought his way this far with countless scars and has faced more legendary Pokémon than he could count…
The Fighting Man Red was frozen twice, petrified once, drowned twice, injured countless times, and faced Mew and other legendaries to earn Battle Legend.
Teacher Lu resurrected with Sacred Ash and solved several movie-level crises;
his record is arguably even more harrowing.
In addition, the major leagues offered substantial material rewards.
With the Battle Legend title plus backing from his own Pokémon Company, Teacher Lu no longer had to worry about the little ones wrecking his place.
Instead, he had a bold plan.
“I intend to acquire the chains of renovation companies owned by the major leagues.”
On the phone he asked his secretary Olivia for advice: “Is this feasible?”
Olivia, wearing a white coat and holding a folder, the phone tucked to her ear, considered and said:
“The company’s cash flow is stable, but expanding into a new field with such a large acquisition — the current capital chain can’t support that.”
Lu Ye planned to inject the material rewards from this incident into the company as funding. After discussing specifics, Olivia said she would negotiate with the renovation chain.
“It’s true that cross-regional infrastructure business looks promising,” Olivia said, “Galar and Alola are relatively underdeveloped;
it’s a good area to expand into.”
Lu Ye was briefly taken aback.
Come to think of it, I still haven’t unlocked the two renovation leader forms from Galar and Alola.
But if the acquisition goes through… next time we meet, the renovation company will be part of my business…
Lu Ye bit his lip.
A one-shot purchase, pay all the renovation fees upfront!
…
The great battle had ended.
Lu Ye refused Nurse Joy’s suggestion to stay in the hospital for observation and returned to Miare City with Bamboo Lan.
Lance tended to his wounds while handing over alliance duties, busy to the point of exhaustion.
After all, among the four… no, five champions on site, he was the most capable in terms of handling affairs.
Suddenly, Lance began to understand Elite Four Lucian’s sensibilities a little… perhaps this is what they call sympathy among those who share similar burdens.
Karine, after confirming she had no “role” to play, went back to catch a scheduled appearance.
She had been part of the Super Demon incident yet felt utterly unremarkable.
While resting, Karine thought, considering that even with her presence she could not help Teacher Lu much, and felt at peace with it.
Steven returned to Hoenn, sometimes mining, sometimes watching Wallace’s Mikuri Cup, sometimes giving Mega Stones to rookie Hoenn trainers.
The word dull seemed fitting.
Giovanni, gravely injured and nearly fainting from sweat, was found healing in a stone hut outside Barren City by Silver.
No one knows the details of the father-son conversation, but it’s certain Silver again declined the offer to become leader.
Giovanni aged almost instantly;
after a few days he struggled back to his secret base and confronted the trembling Rocket Trio.
“You three…” Giovanni’s gaze was sharp, “performed very well.”
“We couldn’t possibly!” The Trio shook their heads frantically.
“I’ve watched the footage… Wobbuffet… hmph.” Giovanni said. “I won’t break you three apart, but from today on, you will no longer operate in Kalos.”
“Noooo, Boss Giovanni!” The Trio teared up and tried to cling to his leg, only to be shooed away by Cat Boss’s look.
“What I mean is…” Giovanni’s voice hoarse, “you have three months of paid leave. Go to Alola or wherever, it’s up to you… both people and machines need rest.”
“Huh?” Team Rocket said in a daze, “So that means…”
“We get a vacation?!”
Giovanni lightly nodded and tapped his temple, signaling that the Trio was too noisy, then kicked them out the door.
The Trio stood outside, looking at each other.
“Three months of… paid long vacation meow?”
“Sunshine, sea, sand, and delicious food?”
“I can focus on preparing for the Triple Princess competitions!”
“This feels amazing~”
“Swoosh, nyaa!”
Mt. Silver, Kanto region.
Red and Green learned about the Super Demon incident and the newly minted Battle Legend almost simultaneously.
Commanding Mega black Rayquaza, summoning many legendary Pokémon to assist, and defeating the Super Demon Hoopa with Haunter…
Even these two battle-hardened veterans were astonished.
Green recalled their first meeting with Teacher Lu, hands in pockets, frowning:
“He’s… stronger than six months ago.”
“Six months can yield nothing at all or a qualitative leap.”
Red, in his black tank top, flexed his wrist and smiled: “In any case, Teacher Lu has always been a challenger worth facing!”
Green said blandly: “But you’ve never battled him even once.”
“There’ll be a chance.”
Red looked at his wrist. The Ice Dolls injury was nearly healed;
his gaze sharpened:
“A proper, all-out duel!”
Green, watching Red’s serious face, felt inexplicably annoyed and said casually:
“You won’t have the qualification to enter the World Championship next year.”
“What?!” Red was shocked.
“Because…” Green put one hand in his pocket, eyes cold, brown hair swaying slightly:
“Only someone who has won the World Championship can qualify to battle you.”
Dan Emperor, Lu Ye, Lance… none of them will be.
Who battles Red… must be me.
…
Miare City, the café.
“Hoopa’s ready to dig in!”
Little Hoopa shouted and gleefully scooped a spoonful into its mouth: “Ah-woo~”
“Mmm… so delicious!”
Little Hoopa cupped its cheeks, its gray tail kicked twice in the air, and it floated up.
The long table was filled with delicious dishes, the aromas of cooking and Pokémon food rich and tempting.
“Thank you for the trouble, Teacher Lu.” Meyali sat to one side of the table and apologized.
“No trouble at all, you and Hoopa are always welcome to visit the shop.”
Lu Ye smiled and glanced at the eager little Hoopa, warning:
“But you can’t sneak away from Genesis Valley.”
Little Hoopa had just absorbed the shadow energy and its state wasn’t fully stable;
it needed the valley’s barrier to be controlled.
Besides, Balza and Meyali were little Hoopa’s guardians — their feelings also had to be taken into account.
“Understood…” Little Hoopa rested its chin on the table and stared at Lu Ye with a plaintive look.
“Actually…” Balza said, “we don’t intend to restrict Hoopa’s travel. Once Hoopa controls the shadow energy, we’ll let it regain its freedom.”
“Freedom?” Little Hoopa looked at Balza in surprise.
“Freedom means Hoopa can go anywhere it wants.” Meyali smiled and patted little Hoopa. “You won’t be bound by Genesis Valley or the Punishment Jar anymore.”
Little Hoopa looked serious: “Freedom means you can’t take others’ things, you have to rely on yourself.”
“Haha, not exactly the same, but close.” Meyali propped her face on her hand and smiled: “Whether you stay in Genesis Valley or go find friends, we’ll support you.”
Little Hoopa hesitated, glanced at the food on the table, then looked back at the sibling pair.
“My friends are you two.” Little Hoopa declared loudly, “And, and Louis!”
“It’s Lu Ye, not Louis.” The café owner wearily served a luxe bofuretsu, “Also, control the Punishment Jar’s power soon and you’ll be able to come out and play earlier. If you visit the shop, you might meet some interesting friends.”
“Interesting friends?”
“Um… Mew, Diancie, Celebi, that kind of thing.”
Little Hoopa cheered and raised a bofuretsu:
“Ah-woo~ mmm~ Hoopa is coming!!”
With the incident settling, little Hoopa and the siblings returned to Genesis Valley to continue training.
Hoopa and the siblings had grown up together for over ten years.
Lu Ye felt a bit reluctant but understood that kind of familial bond.
It’s not only game protagonists, champions, or Elite Four who have bonds.
A kid catching bugs by the roadside, a boy fishing for Magikarp, a girl taming Nidoran — they all have their own bonds.
Bonds aren’t about battles;
they’re about the small moments shared.
Even when the fighting journey ends, they’ve gained growth and emotion from the journey.
The café owner stretched;
winter sunlight warmed the shop.
Sylveon went out for a walk early, Arcanine lay guarding the door, and Sirfetch’d was chopping today’s ingredients…
Lu Ye propped his face on his hand and fell into thought.
If another big incident happens, we can summon Hoopa.
Little Hoopa’s teleport ring is more convenient for transporting than Giratina’s Reversed World…
…
Half a month quietly passed.
Teacher Lu convalesced in the café, declined media interviews, and enjoyed a peaceful life after the battle.
A few amusing incidents occurred in that time.
For example, Steven gave Teacher Lu a generous gift to thank him for saving lives during the Super Demon incident.
Two crystal-clear Mega Stones imbued with the power of “infinite Pokémon” — the evolution stones for Latias and Latios.
After much persuasion, Teacher Lu accepted Latias’s Mega Stone and returned the other to the generous donor.
“You’re too kind, Steven.” Lu Ye sighed.
“Just a small gift, don’t mention it.” Steven smiled.
Lu Ye: “……”
Just casually giving Mega Stones — classic you, Steven Stone!
In the Hoopa film, Latias could Mega Evolve without an item.
But in reality, Latias still needed a Mega Stone.
“Lati~” Latias happily fluttered in the café with a new necklace around her chest.
Two necklaces — the Heart Water Droplet and the Latias Evolution Stone — complemented each other beautifully.
By contrast, Latios, who followed the gambler Darkrai player Dactar, still had nothing.
Lu Ye stroked his chin and mused:
“No matter what, the little sister is indeed cuter than the brother…”
One day the green-haired youth N, wearing a baseball cap, visited the café and drank coffee with Teacher Lu.
They debated Pokémon matters fiercely, neither convincing the other, and in the end N fell silent, stroking Zorua.
When he learned Miare City lacked a Ferris wheel, a hint of regret flashed in N’s eyes.
Then King AZ of Kalos, in tattered clothes, wandered into the café. Lu Ye mistook him for a vagrant at first.
Only when he saw the Eternal Flower on his shoulder did Lu Ye realize who he was.
He then sent him off to the bathhouse.
Within that month, Teacher Lu returned to the Eastern League to attend the Battle Legend investiture ceremony.
He also took the chance to visit the overlord Dragonite on Dragon Ridge, bringing carefully made bofuretsu as a gift.
The overlord Dragonite was moved: “Woo~!”
I thought you’d forgotten me already!
Finally, Olivia reported that the acquisition was proceeding extremely smoothly.
The reason: once the sellers heard Teacher Lu intended to buy, they voluntarily lowered the asking price.
The notorious origin, renovation team leader — Mo City form — laughed:
“Back then I admired Teacher Lu, so I recommended my relatives to enter this business.”
“Besides, I heard about Barren City’s deeds. Being able to work with a Battle Legend is our family’s fortune.”
“That’s the situation…”
Olivia’s cool voice betrayed curiosity: “How did you get most of a family’s members to agree to this acquisition?”
“Well…” Lu Ye’s voice grew deep, “that’s another story.”
Group members discussed the Super Demon incident for nearly a week.
Included were classic hyperboles from Ash, the chief Lu fan:
“Teacher Lu single-handedly smashed the Super Demon Hoopa, I saw it with my own eyes!”
And reckless remarks from A-Jin:
“I was on site. When the champions gathered, Karine was still on her way…”
Lu Ye glanced at the group list.
Karine joined the group yesterday and hasn’t posted yet.
When she sees A-Jin’s message, will she feel stabbed in the heart or mark him down?
Lu Ye remembered the fierce battle and thought:
“Still, Karine did kinda lack presence…”
As Christmas and the Miare Conference approached, big news arrived in the group.
Ash’s Greninja had achieved a special evolution, which Professor Sycamore called a “bond evolution.”
With two weeks until the Miare Conference, if Ash can master Bond Evolution, he could contend for higher ranks.
The Miare Conference was being prepared, and the organizers invited Battle Legend Lu Ye as a guest.
But Lu Ye was still undecided… if my undisciplined trainee Ash loses, my blood pressure will spike for sure.
This conference gathered many strong competitors. Paul, Alain, and Shota would all participate.
How Bond Greninja would perform… was anyone’s guess.
Lu Ye decided to set it aside for now and begin preparing his trip to Alola.
“Beep beep… incoming call, Rotom~” the Rotom Pokédex announced.
Lu Ye glanced at the caller, surprised, and answered. A projection appeared on the screen:
“What’s up, Professor Oak?”
“Lu Ye, I heard you’re heading to Alola.”
Professor Oak smiled: “I have a cousin who, because of a back injury, can’t take a post in Alola. He asked me to find a respected trainer to take over.”
“Respected…” Lu Ye was stunned: “You mean me?”
It felt like ten years had been added to his age in an instant!
“Your Battle Legend status is more than enough.” Professor Oak chuckled. “Let me finish… the job is easy and related to teaching, so you were the first person I thought of.”
“What exactly is the job?” Lu Ye asked curiously.
If he were only going to Alola to relax, Lu Ye wouldn’t be idle — a part-time job would be perfect.
It would be like Red or Green going to Alola for a vacation and taking a Battle Tree post.
“To an Alolan trainer school…”
Professor Oak cleared his throat and said:
“To serve as principal!”
Lu Ye pondered for a moment: “Allow me to consider it…”
Alola held many wonders — overlord aura, special Z-Moves, island gods — it was a great place to train a team.
Having the principal title would give him official access to local records and allow him to act legitimately.
“Of course, I await your good news.” Professor Oak nodded and smiled.
After hanging up, Lu Ye looked up at the sky and murmured:
“About to meet a Bewear… I’m kind of looking forward to it…”
…