When Bruno’s monstrous strength was swallowed by the dark red pillar of light.

The trainers watching the match showed various expressions, none of them able to hold back a breath.

“Grandpa,” Korrina whispered, “my Lucario and I… can our future Mega Evolutions also reach this level?”

Gurkinn was stunned for a moment, then quickly laughed loudly, “Silly girl, of course! As long as the bond deepens, it’s definitely possible!”

“Alright then~” Korrina’s eyes sparkled with little stars, “I will work hard to surpass that guy!”

Then prove to my master… I’m not weaker than my fellow disciple Ami!

In Galar, Ami exhaled deeply and barely managed to stand up on her numb, unconscious legs.

“Gah?” Her Sirfetch’d looked surprised as Ami walked out of the gym door.

“Keep going,” Ami’s calm voice came, “Training.”

In Pallet Town, Professor Samuel Oak’s laboratory.

Professor Oak sipped hot tea while watching Lu Ye on the screen, nodding repeatedly, “Just like me back in the day!”

“Grandpa.” Green spoke up.

“What is it?” Professor Oak glanced at Green beside him.

“Nothing,” Green stood and walked out with one hand in his pocket, “I’m heading to the Cerulean Gym.”

“I’m leaving too,” Red stood up.

“Ah, why are you leaving so hastily?” Professor Oak asked.

“Because I’m going to train at Mt. Silver.” Red lowered his cap, a smile tugging at his lips.

“After watching that kind of battle… I can’t remain indifferent.”

Professor Oak was slightly stunned, then nodded, “Alright then…”

He sat alone in the empty laboratory, slowly sipping his tea, and suddenly said:

“Oh right, I have free time today… time to compose a haiku for Blastoise!”

Professor Oak put down his teacup, pondered, then clapped his hands happily and stretched out his fingers.

“Blastoise hides safe, inside its sturdy turtle shell, feeling so cozy!”

……

The preliminaries ended, and the roaring cheers swept across the entire arena.

The fierce, punch-filled clashes and battles fought to the very last second ignited everyone’s passion.

“That’s not right… that doesn’t fit Teacher Lu’s sneaky personality!”

“I get it, actually Bruno is also one of Teacher Lu’s friends, that’s why he came to this friendly tournament!”

“So it makes sense! No wonder last time Bruno also reposted Onix’s Rage tactic!”

On the battlefield, Lu Ye recalled his battered Blastoise, his eyes flickering.

I share the pain with Turtle… its wounds hurt my heart!

“Gah…” Teacher Lu’s toothache started.

Bruno reined in his fierce aura. He squinted his eyes, his face gentle, and his mountain-like chest revealed his hidden strength.

Amidst the waves of cheers, the two walked to the center of the field. Bruno extended his right palm, wearing a spiked ring.

“I’ve learned a lot,” Bruno said in a low voice.

Lu Ye shook his hand, forcing a smile, “Me too.”

Bruno nodded slightly, then turned, leaving a broad back behind. A thoughtful expression lingered by his face.

The Rage tactic of the Giant Onix was inspired by Teacher Lu.

Straightforwardness is Bruno’s nature.

He intended to give Teacher Lu the secret technique “Essence of Steel” as a token of gratitude.

But now was not the right time.

Bruno stopped, looked back deeply at Teacher Lu’s silhouette walking toward the player corridor.

Bruno’s eyes were firm;

the fire of battle and respect burned in his chest.

This was exactly the champion at the ferry crossing who excelled at tactics, Teacher Lu…

Much obliged.

Rumble—

A thunderous stomach growl came from Bruno in the player corridor. He clutched his abs and smacked his lips.

“Alright!” Bruno’s eyes sharpened, “The next target is to clear out that shop’s steamed buns!”

“Tempered and honed, surpassing limits. Machamp, let’s go!”

“Roar!!”

Bruno and the battered Machamp happily walked away.

In the boiling arena, the rumbling still faintly echoed in the audience’s ears.

“Endurance event, Lu Ye advances to the next round!” the commentator announced.

On the big screen, Lu Ye smiled and raised his hand to the sky and audience.

Ash’s eyes burned as he clenched his fist, “So cool, Teacher Lu!”

Whitney was incredulous at her ‘idol’s’ loss, “He actually beat King Bruno!”

“Teacher Lu? Of course!” A-Jin wiped his nose, “After all, he’s even stronger than me!”

“Speaking of which—” Ash’s eyes sparkled, “Senior A-Jin, you must be very strong too?”

“Ahaha, of course, hahaha!”

“A-Jin.” Whitney patted A-Jin’s shoulder, “Guess who you face next round?”

“Who?” A-Jin’s voice distorted a little.

Whitney smirked and pulled out her phone, pointing to the tournament schedule, “Teacher Lu!”

A-Jin: “…”

“A-Jin, where are you going?” Ash asked.

“Stomachache, going to the restroom!”

“Ami,” Ash said softly as Ami turned seriously to look at Ash, “Next, it’s me versus you. Please… give it your all. I won’t hold back!”

Perhaps it was the recent battle between Lu Ye and Bruno that ignited Ami’s fighting spirit.

Ash grinned, tilting his cap backward, “Don’t worry, Gym Leader Ami, Pikachu and I will also give it our all!”

“Pikachu~!”

Lu Ye hurried from the player corridor. Haunter floated behind him, eagerly rubbing his shoulders, “Gengarrr~”

Hearing Ash’s words, Lu Ye was momentarily stunned.

Using Pikachu against a Steelix grounded type?

If that can win… oh, it’s Ash, never mind!

“Where’s A-Jin?” Lu Ye looked around.

“After halftime, isn’t it me versus him?”

“He said he has a stomachache,” Whitney said, “Probably went to find the restroom.”

Lu Ye let out an “Oh,” suddenly realizing something was off.

Wait, could this be… the legendary pee escape!?

“Breaking news, Grand Slam player A-Jin, advancing to the second round, is unable to participate in the semifinals due to physical reasons.”

The commentator said, “Teacher Lu will advance to the finals to face the winner among the top four in the ultimate battle!”

Lu Ye: “…”

Well played, A-Jin!

“Teacher Lu, where are you going?” Ami blinked.

“Stomachache, going to the restroom,” Lu Ye replied.

……

During halftime of the endurance event.

The battle video between Teacher Lu and Bruno, broadcast live, had an even greater impact.

Some kind souls uploaded the recording to Bilibili’s battle zone, and within just one hour, the views surpassed 200,000.

The title was: “Teacher Lu VS Bruno! A Master Tournament Level Showdown!”

“Came in because of the title.”

“Teacher Lu’s new video?”

“Holy crap, mind blown, Teacher Lu and Bruno’s real PK!”

The top comment in the hot comments section was:

[“I had a bad feeling when I saw the battle zone. I clicked in and, wow, Teacher Lu is wrecking fools in the Master group!”]

The battle between Mega Blastoise and Machamp almost destroyed the entire arena. Fans twitched their eyelids.

“This arena destruction is terrifying!”

“Teacher Lu always streams games… is he afraid of being blacklisted by the organizers?”

“Because live demonstrations cost too much, he has to hide his identity to hang out with you all. Understandable.”

“Teacher Lu: I’m not pretending anymore, I’m laying my cards on the table!”

Some fans privately messaged Teacher Lu, suggesting he consolidate the live battle videos and start a new show in the ‘battle zone.’

Others thought it unnecessary.

After all, Teacher Lu already had Rotom live streaming… maybe next time we’ll see him livestream beating the Sinnoh Champion?

“Fast forward to the Palace Gate Arena, Teacher Lu bombarding Dan Emperor with Mega Blastoise cannons!”

“Be bold, it might be a Gigantamax Blastoise with 31 cannon barrels.”

“Impossible! Everyone knows Teacher Lu only participates in friendly matches and the Baby Cup!”

After a while, a new hot comment topped the list.

[“With the World Championships approaching, the organizers divided the events into the Youth Cup and the Master Cup groups.

Organizer: Now, those in the Youth Cup, please go to the left;

those in the Master Cup, to the right.”

Only one trainer stood still. The organizer asked why.

Trainer: Although I’m in the Master group, I signed up for the Youth Cup.

Organizer, shocked: Then you must be Teacher Lu! Come to the champion’s seat!”]

……

Going to the restroom was obviously an excuse;

it was too coincidental to run into A-Jin.

At this moment.

Teacher Lu walked through the empty arena corridor, heading toward the Pokémon Center.

“Gengarrr~o(*≧▽≦)ツ” Haunter leaned over, staring at the phone screen, laughing uncontrollably.

Lu Ye: “…You’re laughing way too loudly, Haunter!”

Haunter’s laughter wouldn’t stop, clutching its belly with a mischievous giggle.

Lu Ye rubbed his brow.

Although it was his idea to have Rotom livestream, his original intention was just to get a close-up camera angle.

Even if no one reposted to Bilibili, the official broadcast would have the same impact.

“No big problem,” Lu Ye nodded slightly, “Just keep streaming the game as usual… Next time I’ll have Rotom livestream again and earn double gift money—”

Lu Ye’s eyes brightened, slapping his thigh in excitement, “Perfect!”

……

Near the vendor area, Pokémon Center.

After a full checkup on Turtle, confirming the cracks would gradually heal, Lu Ye breathed a sigh of relief.

Nurse Joy smiled, “Taurine and other supplements can speed up recovery, and our friendly store here sells them~”

Lu Ye: “…I’ll buy!”

Joy held her cheeks, a bit shy, “Actually, I have a small favor to ask…”

After signing an autograph, amidst Joy’s thanks, Lu Ye left the Pokémon Center carrying a big bag of supplements.

“Who’s the genius who came up with merging the friendly store and the Pokémon Center?” Lu Ye gritted his teeth, “Damn capitalists!”

At the same time, cheers from a distant crowd caught Teacher Lu’s attention.

Looking over, the crowd surrounded Bruno and Machamp, who held a tall stack of steamed buns.

“Is that all?” Bruno frowned.

Meowth trembled, rubbing its hands, “All the shop’s stock has been sold to you, meow~”

Bruno and Machamp sighed.

With just this amount of Angry Steamed Buns… it’s not nearly enough.

After paying, Bruno and Machamp carried the packages and sat on a nearby park bench.

Immediately, he opened a big bottle of mineral water bought from a vending machine, chugging it down as he ate buns without a care.

The tourists saw Bruno had no intention of taking photos and gradually left.

The Team Rocket Trio sighed in relief.

Too scary… we thought someone was coming to rob the buns we worked hard to make!

They greeted him and sat on the destined bench.

Pulling out a pre-planned QR code, Lu Ye smiled,

“Friend, want to join the chat group?”

Bruno paused his bun chewing, swallowed blankly, then a gleam flashed in his eyes.

“Actually,” Bruno said, “I also have something to thank you for, Teacher Lu.”

……