April 15th, Thursday.

The second day of the All-Around Contest.

The bright sunshine and dry, comfortable weather heralded the arrival of spring.

"In Sinnoh, weather like this is quite rare," Bruno said, shirtless with his black belt and white pants, lying on a chair while speaking into his phone.

"I asked you to investigate the situation in Sinnoh, not to go on vacation," Lance's exasperated sigh came through the other end. "If Arceus is about to awaken, other league champions and elite four members should be involved too."

"Since we're already participating in the competition events, might as well go all out," Bruno said while chewing on a steamed bun. "I also found a place here that makes amazing Angry Steamed Buns, even more authentic than Cianwood Town's version."

"Are you sure those aren't just knockoffs?" Lance asked.

Bruno fell silent for a moment before taking another big bite. "Who cares... as long as they taste good."

"Whatever," Lance said, his cape fluttering as he rode on his Dragonite over the ocean, pressing the communicator. "Teacher Lu is also participating in this competition. You can coordinate with him."

"I've already met him," Bruno said seriously.

"Oh?" Lance's tone carried a hint of curiosity. "He and that A-Jin kid didn't get into a fight, did they?"

Bruno slowly stood up, his muscular physique glistening in the sunlight as he said solemnly:

"This afternoon is my match against Teacher Lu."

After a brief silence, Lance said: "Just keep it friendly. At least save some strength for the potential crisis ahead."

"I understand."

A sharp glint flashed in Bruno's eyes as long-dormant fighting spirit burned in his chest, just like when he'd challenged Red all those years ago.

Now, Red stood atop an unreachable peak. But my back... no longer feels any restraints either.

"I'll ask him for advice about the tactics for the giant Onix I caught at Mt. Moon."

"And."

Bruno wrapped his three-section staff around his neck, his mountain-like silhouette walking toward the roaring stadium.

"A duel between two fighters."

......

"Contestant A-Jin's Politoed is way ahead in the obstacle course!" the commentator announced.

Lu Ye sat in the spectator stands, cheek propped on his hand as he chewed on a hotdog with complete apathy.

"Gengarrr~" The chubby Haunter sat in the seat beside him, happily sipping coke through a straw.

After the slurping sounds stopped, Haunter lifted the lid and scooped up all the ice cubes with its tongue: "Gengarrr~(￣～￣)"

"Teacher Lu, are you alright?" Ami asked softly, sitting primly in her white dress.

"Nothing serious," Lu Ye sighed. "Just feeling a bit stuffy."

Ami nodded thoughtfully with a gentle smile. "If you're not feeling well, you can cancel this afternoon's event. Just rest if you need to, it's completely fine."

"It's okay, I should feel better by afternoon," Lu Ye said. "Let Ash and A-Jin compete for the gold in this jumping event."

The jumping event required trainers and Pokémon to synchronize their movements to leap over hurdles together while wearing some high-tech brainwave monitoring device.

Teacher Lu decided it wasn't worth the risk. With his luck, what if that brainwave device exploded?

He didn't have Ash's plot armor where explosions just meant a quick "hair styling" before bouncing back to normal.

Moreover...

Lu Ye looked down at the seven gleaming badges in his case and sighed deeply.

Another badge acquired... he really wasn't in the mood for early morning competitions!

"You seem to be missing just one more badge?" Ami asked gently.

"No, it's my last life," Lu Ye said gloomily.

"Huh?" Ami tilted her head in confusion, finger on her chin before remembering. "But I think the final Beacon Badge is actually quite easy to get."

Lu Ye's heart skipped a beat. "How so?"

"Because I'm interested in lighthouses, I've learned a bit about Sunyshore City," Ami explained with a smile. "Apparently the Electric-type Gym Leader Volkner doesn't really like taking challenges, so he just leaves the Beacon Badges by the gym entrance for anyone to take~"

Lu Ye: ?

Both Johto's Olivine City and Sinnoh's Sunyshore City were famous for their lighthouses.

There was also the lighthouse near White Cape where the mad scientist Ritchie lived, rumored to be connected to the "Giant Dragonite" legend.

While Lu Ye had a soft spot for lighthouses, he'd gladly pass on the badges.

"I'll just avoid Sunyshore City during my travels," Lu Ye mused. "Otherwise Haunter might just bring the badge back on its own!"

"Gengarrr~(⁎˃ꌂ˂⁎)" Haunter had already opened its lunchbox on its belly and was politely breaking apart chopsticks.

Inside were vegetable salad, seaweed sushi, golden crispy fried chicken, and beef-shaped Pokéblocks.

Ami glanced over, sitting up straight as she unconsciously pursed her lips, cheeks flushing red.

Just the aroma alone made her body react uncontrollably - she desperately wanted a taste...

But Ami was too embarrassed to ask, and Teacher Lu failed to notice.

In the end, Ami bought some dry white bread from a passing vendor, nibbling on it slowly.

"Mmm..." Ami's eyes lit up, her face slightly red. "I-it's good!"

"Since you're our 1897th customer today, this one's on the house~" the vendor said cheerfully while rubbing his hands.

"That's right! And we'll throw in a free glass of freshly squeezed berry juice! Enjoy the matches, meow!"

"Eh, are you sure that's okay?" Ami blinked.

"No problem! Well then, executive... I mean, goodbye!" The suspicious vendor quickly walked away.

Lu Ye looked up at the sky.

Sure, Team Rocket looked pathetic when they got blasted off, but their hardworking side hustle hustle was honestly kind of cool!

Suddenly, gasps erupted from the stands.

"An unexpected development! Contestant Ash and his Snorlax have fallen!" the commentator announced.

Seriously, why would anyone enter Snorlax in a hurdle race? Lu Ye wondered.

Did the promotional posters brainwash simple-minded creatures like Ash?

Ash's determined shout rang out: "Snorlax, show some fighting spirit!"

The commentator roared with excitement: "A-Jin crosses the finish line first! He and Politoed take the championship!"

The audience erupted in applause, with Ami clapping gracefully.

"I believe you're also competing in this afternoon's endurance event?" Lu Ye asked curiously.

"Ah, yes..." Ami nodded gently. "It's a team competition format. I'm paired with Ash."

"Who am I paired with then?"

Ami seemed surprised that Teacher Lu genuinely didn't know before answering quietly:

"You're paired with Fighting-type Elite Four member Bruno..."

Lu Ye froze for a moment, picturing that philosophical♂ muscleman.

Well, all fighters were like that - ready to tear their shirts off at any moment. Going shirtless was probably more convenient anyway.

Come to think of it, although he'd earned the Fighting Master title before...

Not getting that P1 Grand Prix championship belt still felt like unfinished business.

"If I beat Bruno, I advance to the next round," Lu Ye said. "Then face A-Jin?"

"Eh?" Ami gasped before nodding. "If A-Jin advances, then... yes, that's correct..."

"I see."

Lu Ye nodded slightly.

The breeze ruffled Teacher Lu's black hair as the notebook in his pocket felt warm to the touch.

Mega Evolution required about a week to recharge. It had been exactly one week since Haunter's last Mega Evolution.

So against a fighting specialist like Bruno, his best choice would be...

Gripping the Dive Ball tightly, Lu Ye murmured:

"In an endurance match, avoiding injury comes first! As long as we survive, it's a win!"

The Dive Ball shook slightly.

Blastoise adjusted its sunglasses with a boss-like demeanor.

"Blastoise...ヾ(⌐■_■)"

If Teacher Lu used his Aura abilities to sense its thoughts right now, his expression would be quite complicated.

Only the living get to scale.

If you're afraid of getting hit... then you'd better take out your opponent first!

......

The endurance event followed a group competition format where each trainer could field two Pokémon for sumo wrestling.

Teacher Lu suspected not knowing sumo rules didn't matter.

After all, in the anime, every sumo tournament eventually devolved into a Pokémon battle anyway. This probably wouldn't be much different.

Competitors could switch Pokémon mid-match, with the last Pokémon standing declared the winner.

The competition required following the rules while meeting weight class requirements. Thus Teacher Lu chose his Luxury Ball and Dive Ball.

The big doggo and tortoise were easily the tankiest members of Teacher Lu's team.

"The tortoise can tank hits alright..." Lu Ye said with a pained expression. "But it's so expensive!"

But since it was an endurance match, having Blastoise use Aqua Ring on itself for sustain should work.

Every penny saved counted... even though finances had improved recently, it was wise to save for rainy days.

In the chat group...

Brock said with narrowed eyes: "Bruno and Teacher Lu are both competing in this afternoon's endurance event... I'm really looking forward to it!"

"If I recall correctly," Lila said with a gentle smile, "Elite Four Bruno is your idol, isn't he, Brock?"

"Yes," Brock nodded. "He's the one I've been chasing after all this time."

Red adjusted his cap, remembering his past battles with Bruno as he smiled: "I'm also very excited!"

"My idol is definitely Red!" Ash declared.

"Ahaha," Red scratched his head. "Thanks for the praise~"

Celadon Anemone blushed: "M-me too!"

Green: "..."

Misty smiled: "My idol is Lorelei. That's why I've always wanted to specialize in both Water and Ice types."

"You're already outstanding, Misty," Lorelei said with a smile. "Just stay true to yourself."

Misty's eyes shimmered as she nodded slightly.

"When it comes to idols," Plantina said, "mine is Champion Cynthia."

Teacher Lu nodded silently in agreement.

Your idol looks adorable when she's asleep!

Ruby: "@Wallace@Saphira."

Saphira: "@Steven@Ruby."

The group suddenly filled with an overwhelming aura of PDA.

The icy Natsume fell into thought.

Idols huh...

Unconsciously, the image of a man in a black suit surfaced in her mind.

That figure seemed to overlap with Teacher Lu's shadow.

Natsume shook her head and took out her Destiny Spoon for divination, showing rare surprise.

"Why does the fortune say... it's unfavorable to go outside every day recently?"

......