The athletes' village was located west of the large stadium. According to the guide, the southern area was the vendor zone where souvenirs, gifts, drinks, and food could be purchased.

"After tomorrow's opening ceremony, we're going there to help Whitney, right?" Whitney asked.

"Can the food she makes really be sold?" A-Jin expressed doubts about Whitney's culinary skills.

"Probably just hot dogs, bread, and other fast food," Lu Ye said. "But generally speaking, bringing your own food is more economical than buying at these events, right?"

A-Jin &

Whitney: "..."

"Big Sis Whitney... should prepare staff meals... right?" Whitney said uncertainly.

A-Jin remained silent. Whitney—that was the same merchant who'd even scammed Senior Red before...

Lu Ye: "Alright, I know you two didn't bring anything... I'll prepare lunch boxes for you tomorrow."

"Awesome!" they said in unison.

"Of course, there'll be a charge," Lu Ye grinned. "Let's go with the pricing of a star-rated restaurant!"

"Huh?" A-Jin's pockets weren't exactly deep.

Whitney pondered: "Considering Teacher Lu's skills, this is actually quite reasonable..."

It seemed that compared to a certain breeder's assistant, the Goldenrod City Gym Leader had more money to spare.

Lu Ye contemplated for a moment.

After all, Haunter's fourth-dimensional pocket contained a refrigerator stocked with ingredients.

Preparing simple food in the morning before attending the opening ceremony would still be manageable.

Truthfully, Teacher Lu was quite curious about the mystery guest Lance had mentioned.

Checking into the athletes' village—a well-known chain hotel called Budew Inn.

The organizers provided professional athletic uniforms and running shoes as part of the 'star trainer' benefits.

The Team Rocket trio's phones remained unreachable.

Lu Ye suspected they'd either run out of credit or been suspended... typical behavior for those three.

[Arrive in Olivine City ASAP tomorrow. Have a mission for you.]

After sending the message, he topped up their phone credit. According to Meowth's forehead tracker, they were near a Pokémon Center where they could recharge.

Only then did Lu Ye relax and go to bed, sighing:

"Such troublesome people... not even the protagonist gets this much attention from me!"

Before sleeping, Mengmengda sent a message related to the previous spatial rift incident.

"It's not just White Poplar Town—the spatial rifts have also affected Mt. Coronet, Michina Town, and other locations."

"I'll need to keep handling these anomalies recently..." Cynthia said apologetically. "I might... not make it back to Masago Town for a while."

Lu Ye expressed understanding while frowning slightly.

To truly resolve these incidents... wouldn't they have to wait for Pikachu to hit Arceus with a Thunderbolt...

Wait.

Was Giratina also making moves, causing the spatial rift phenomena to increase?

"I've almost forgotten the plot of Giratina's movie."

Lu Ye looked up at the sky.

"I remember there was a Shaymin and a Gracidea flower field..."

Forget it. Lu Ye shook his head and remained vigilant.

If they really encountered Giratina, its temper was slightly better than those two dumb dragons—maybe they could negotiate.

It was already midnight. After setting the morning alarm, Lu Ye noticed the rare early bedtime of his Pokémon—likely because there weren't any strong wild Pokémon nearby.

Under the moonlight, Sylveon breathed evenly. Its snow-white fur glowed faintly, bringing sweet dreams to everyone.

"Surely they're not training in their dreams?" Lu Ye mused randomly.

A-Jin messaged asking if he wanted to play pool at the nearby billiards hall.

"Going out to play pool in the middle of the night!?" Lu Ye couldn't comprehend this.

"Haha, no problem, everyone's super enthusiastic!"

After utterly dominating the entire pool hall, A-Jin leaned on his cue under the complex gazes of the crowd and said smugly.

Lu Ye declined the invitation.

Teacher Lu had a sober understanding of his own pool skills.

Managing to sink the cue ball while trying to hit the black eight...

This wasn't just bad—it was pathological. You could even call it 'showing off.'

The all-around capable Teacher Lu seemed to have insurmountable hurdles in "snooker" and "Plants vs. Zombies."

......

The next day brought dry weather—a rare sunny day in Sinnoh.

"Gah!" Sirfetch'd was already on the balcony early in the morning, loudly chopping its leek, seemingly trying to slice the [Metallic Sheets] in half.

Lu Ye patted the incubation tank, looking at the Pokémon egg inside, and sighed:

"Sorry... Ducklett's busy right now. We'll take you out when it's free."

The gray-green egg shook slightly in response.

"Teacher Lu!" Pink-haired Whitney stood downstairs, waving energetically.

Beside her, orange-braided Ami wore a white dress, holding bags in front of her knees, gentle and shy.

Black-haired A-Jin leaned on his pool cue, yawning incessantly.

"Let's go to the opening ceremony first," Lu Ye said as he walked downstairs, curious. "Who else is coming?"

"Lily," Ami said with a smile. "She's already at the venue waiting for the opening."

Lu Ye nodded, glanced at his vibrating phone, and said:

"You guys go ahead. I'll catch up."

The message was from Team Rocket: [Boss! We're already near Olivine City!]

"But I don't see them anywhere..."

Following the tracker, Lu Ye arrived at the southern vendor zone, muttering as he looked around.

Suddenly, something seemed to grab his ankle, sending a chill down his spine.

"What demon dares—Haunter, Shadow Punch!"

"Gengarrr!" Haunter flew out from behind Lu Ye, ready to unleash a barrage of mischief.

The trio quickly shouted: "It's us, Boss!"

Lu Ye recognized the three shadowy figures and froze: "Why are you guys in such a sorry state again?"

"It's a long story, meow..." Meowth wiped its face.

"We survived by sneaking food from the exhibition's dango, nom!" Musashi said with a skewer in her mouth.

James was happily drinking fresh Moomoo Milk from the Johto exhibition, showing the simple smile of a rich second-generation heir:

"Hehe, this is pretty good."

Lu Ye: "..."

"The truth is clear, Rotom!"

The Rotom Pokédex immediately flew up, pointing at Meowth.

"Frequent thefts at the festival—the culprits are Team Rocket, Rotom!"

Team Rocket: "We're not getting arrested, are we!? (இωஇ)"

"What a nasty feeling~!"

"If you want to redeem yourselves," Lu Ye continued, "set up a stall during the competition and earn back your recent expenses."

"A stall?"

"Exactly. The All-Around Contest is like the Olympics. Setting up a stall during the Olympics means guaranteed profits, right?"

Though they didn't understand what "Olympics" meant, the trio grasped their mission.

"So, where should we set up...?"

"I've already found you a spot," Lu Ye grinned. They'd not only cover the stall fee but also make a hefty profit.

The trio exchanged glances, bursting with determination as they vowed:

"Leave it to us, Boss!"

"We'll earn enough funds to build our super robot!"

"Sounansu~!"

Honestly, I'd love to ride the Gundam they make...

But to maintain his aloof boss persona, Lu Ye nodded:

"Good luck. I'm counting on you!"

......

The All-Around Contest opening ceremony.

Colorful flags waved as tidal waves of cheers filled the stadium.

Lu Ye and the others emerged from the tunnel as 'all-star representatives,' igniting another wave of cheers.

"Teacher Lu!!"

"Who's this handsome guy? Looks like he can't battle for crap."

"Miss Ami, we're your fan club!!"

Ami's fan club was especially fervent, waving Magnemite-painted flags as they chanted:

"Ami—Ami—"

Ami lacked confidence, smiling shyly with her head nearly bowed.

Standing beside her, Lily in a tank top energetically patted Ami's back straight:

"Be more confident, Miss Ami!"

"Ah, y-yes..." Ami said softly.

Whitney entered with Miltank, waving excitedly and blowing kisses occasionally.

The trainers present collectively looked pained.

Whitney was cute... but why did seeing her bring back unpleasant memories...

"Dammit, it's that Rollout Miltank!"

"Damn, bro, you got wrecked by Goldenrod Gym too?"

"So dirty! Only magic can defeat magic... time to study Teacher Lu's guides!"

Ash emerged from another tunnel, cap on, Pikachu on his shoulder, waving cheerfully.

Since this was a Johto regional exhibition.

When the mystery guest appeared, Lu Ye showed an expression of 'surprising but makes sense.'

Shirtless and muscular, Bruno stood with arms crossed, nodding at the crowd with narrowed eyes.

"Elite Four Bruno is competing in the endurance event!" Lily's eyes widened.

Lu Ye froze momentarily.

This Bruno you speak of... does he slam tables?

"What's the endurance event about?" Lu Ye asked.

"Sumo wrestling," A-Jin said, chewing gum with his cue on his shoulder. "But with Pokémon."

"At my level," Ami whispered, "I can't beat Mr. Bruno..."

"Relax~"

A-Jin waved his hand, his gaze sharpening as he looked at Bruno.

"Against a meathead like that... just use tricks!"

Lu Ye looked at 'Gold the Fifth' in surprise.

In these unserious situations, A-Jin somehow became reliable...

Spectators whispered among themselves.

"With Elite Four Bruno competing, isn't the outcome obvious?"

"Not necessarily. The All-Around Contest depends on strategy too."

"But raw power difference! He's the only Elite Four here..."

As they spoke, two spectators suddenly froze.

True, there was only one Elite Four.

But speaking of Champions... wasn't there a certain trainer who loved crushing noobs in Baby Cups...

(Teacher Lu: Just read my ID number already.)

"Seems like it'll still be exciting."

"Duh! And you're forgetting a dark horse—Ash from Pallet Town!"

......

After the opening ceremony, the first speed event would take place that afternoon.

Lu Ye swung by the vendor zone.

Team Rocket's stall was already set up.

"Don't miss out, meow~"

"Johto specialty Angry Steamed Buns, Azalea Town dango, tasty and affordable!"

(Actually made by the trio, just repackaged.)

"Genuine Ptcg packs, chance to pull 'Red' and 'Teacher Lu'!" James advertised.

"Please, I've never seen anyone pull Red."

A student with a Poker-faced Hairstyle scoffed. "I only got my UR because Teacher gave it to me!"

Lu Ye froze momentarily.

This student... do I know you?

Soon, the student disappeared into the crowd.

Meanwhile, gasps erupted nearby.

Shirtless and burly, Bruno approached the trembling Meowth and bought a box of fake "Angry Steamed Buns."

"Y-your Angry Steamed Buns, p-please enjoy, meow," Meowth stuttered.

Bruno narrowed his eyes, casually stuffing a bun into his mouth.

Instantly, an electric current shocked Bruno. He stared at the box of buns and slowly nodded.

Delicious... he'd stick with "Angry Steamed Buns" from now on!

After this interlude, Bruno bought a huge pile of "Angry Steamed Buns," happily carrying them away.

"Seems Meowth's business is doing well..."

Lu Ye then checked Whitney's stall. Due to the dense crowd, her sales were decent.

After struggling for so long, she could finally make some money... poor girl.

Teacher Lu, completely unaware of being the 'root cause,' headed to the nearby island for the outdoor speed race.

The event was simple—a mix of "triathlon" and "riding competition," with the option to switch Pokémon mid-race.

A-Jin had previously won gold by using clever relay tactics—sending out Winged Boy for swimming and Explosion Boy for riding.

For this race, Ash had borrowed a Tauros from Professor Oak.

"What about the swimming part?" Lu Ye asked. "Don't you have a Lapras?"

"Released it back to the Orange Islands," Ash scratched his head and laughed.

Lu Ye: "..."

Classic Ash, the Release Master!

"But I can swim with Pikachu," Ash clenched his fist. "I won't lose to anyone!"

Lu Ye's eye twitched.

Honestly, you'd probably swim faster than most Pokémon...

The all-star for speed events was Whitney, riding atop Miltank, ready to go.

A-Jin wore goggles, mounted on Explosion Boy's back, grinning at Ash:

"I won't go easy on you, kiddo!"

"Give it your all, Senior A-Jin!" Ash looked fired up.

Unlike a standard triathlon, the Pokémon race order was: riding, swimming, running.

Teacher Lu leisurely climbed onto Arcanine's back.

If I recall, Ash is pretty talented at riding events—he usually wins.

A-Jin's a Grand Slam winner, so he's strong in these competitions too.

"Take it easy," Lu Ye patted Arcanine's big head. "Just don't lose to Miltank."

"Grr!凸(｀0´)凸"

Whitney silently glanced over.

Why do I feel like Teacher Lu holds a grudge against me...

Dodrio, Zigzagoon, Donphan, and other riding Pokémon surrounded them. The starting pistol fired.

Bang!