A purple-haired, bearded man wore a baseball cap and a cape.

Dan Emperor's smile was gentle, but his golden eyes were razor-sharp, like a burning sun.

Galar Champion, Eight Masters' lead, World Championships victor—Dan Emperor!

The crowd erupted in uncontrollable exclamations;

the street erupted, then people quickly realized something.

"Why is the Dan Emperor here?"

"Could he be here for the ribbon-cutting too?"

"That car is still stuck in the flowerbed—how weird."

No crane needed: Dan Emperor's Charizard flapped its wings and effortlessly lifted the car, gently setting it down on the road. Clearly, it had done this many times.

After that little episode, everyone's attention shifted to Dan Emperor.

Fans surged forward, asking to pose for photos.

Dan Emperor smiled, "I'm not the star today… so maybe next time. Please understand!"

"That's really the Dan Emperor."

"Teacher Lu sure pulled together a lineup of champions!"

"This is even bigger than Siebold's restaurant opening…"

Each champion had a sizable fanbase in their region—Dan Emperor, Doduo, Steven… all of them.

Compared to the stern, secretly serious Dragon Messenger Lance,

Dan Emperor had even more fans and followers.

That is both glory and burden.

Countless people hoped to see Dan Emperor toppled from his "undefeated legend" throne so they could ridicule him mercilessly.

But Dan Emperor remained the sunny, forthright strongest champion, always charging at the front lines for Galar.

Lu Ye crossed his arms and gazed toward Dan Emperor in the rounded crowd, thoughtful.

"The Dan Emperor really loves battling."

Steven looked to the crowd and smiled, "Wallace's hobby is contest performance;

mine is minerals… Dan Emperor seems to always be on the path of battle."

Lu Ye nodded, "That's why Dan Emperor reminds me of a certain trainer."

Both fell silent, picturing the figure with a lowered cap brim, hands in the red vest pockets.

If not bound by the title of "strongest champion"… Dan Emperor might have become even stronger.

But he could not—he could not leave Galar and go to Mt. Silver.

Even though Dan Emperor burned with the desire to fight Red, his heavy mission and Galar upon his shoulders blocked his steps.

Lu Ye remembered a past conversation with Dan Emperor and smiled faintly.

Maybe because I helped John fulfill his wish, Dan Emperor confided those unspeakable words to me.

But right now, the purple-haired man in a cape and baseball cap in front of him was the world's strongest champion!

"Welcome."

Lu Ye looked at Dan Emperor approaching and smiled, "Please sit in the shop for a bit. The ribbon-cutting will start soon."

"Ah, sure." Dan Emperor smiled and introduced someone, "Sonia, whom you've met."

"Hi~" Sonia, wearing sunshades and holding a Yamper, waved with a smile, "Teacher Lu, good morning!"

"Good morning… is your car really okay?" Lu Ye couldn't help asking.

Sonia scratched her cheek, "I have tools in the trunk. It's fine, haha~"

Lu Ye: "…"

Seems this road hazard is a repeat offender!

"And this is Kabu, the Gym Leader from Motostoke." Dan Emperor added.

"Yo, Teacher Lu." Kabu stuck one hand in his pocket, wore an orange headband, and grinned, "I've heard of you!"

Lu Ye returned the smile and nodded.

Kabu's hobbies were fashion, selfies, and social media—a kind of INS-like community.

Some people who look like Dragon masters are really trendsetters and popular influencers—Kabu.

His strength approached champion level;

without a Dynamax environment, his power would be somewhat discounted.

Elsewhere.

"Dan Emperor."

Steven politely shook Dan Emperor's hand and smiled, "Long time no see."

"Indeed, Steven." Dan Emperor shook firmly and laughed, "Last time was probably last year. Didn't expect to meet here."

Crowds gathered along the south street watched;

seeing the two champions talk, they couldn't help pulling out phones.

"The champions have gathered in Kalos!"

"Is this Teacher Lu's network…?"

"No one coming would be awkward!"

Who would've thought a small south street could gather three champions—not including the blonde lady who showed up earlier inside, Champion Cynthia.

This scale rivaled the top eight of the World Championships!

"I don't get it—can I even afford coffee here…?"

"Damn it, it's a battle café. Teacher Lu must've opened it to battle people's Pokémon!"

"If I go in and lose consciousness and end up at the Pokémon Center, I'll accept it!"

Ten minutes until the official ribbon-cutting;

the crowd on the street swelled, though Teacher Lu had already submitted applications and received approval.

"Oh, so many people."

Professor Sycamore stepped out of the institute and saw the coffee shop's spectacle, stroking his stubble, "This will make it hard to get in."

"Have Lu Ye send someone out to fetch us."

A white-haired, robust old man in a lab coat joked, "After all, we're not cheap."

Any researcher would immediately recognize this academic titan, the idol of countless scholars—Professor Samuel Oak!

"I thought there might be battles today, so I came over specifically."

Green—brown-haired, wearing purple and a pendant, hand in his pocket—said softly, "With so many people, looks like there won't be any fights."

"Since it's a battle café, maybe there's more going on inside." Professor Oak smiled.

Green gave a faint reply, then his gaze landed on a familiar figure;

he flinched slightly and called, "Hey, A-Jin!"

"Huh?"

The cap-wearing youth turned back, stunned, "No way—Green senior! You and Professor Oak came too!"

Professor Oak's smile froze;

Green's forehead faintly radiated a killing intent.

Kris hurriedly grabbed A-Jin's ear and apologized to the crowd, "Sorry, A-Jin's an idiot. Doctor, please ignore him!"

"Green senior." Red-haired Xiao Yin nodded slightly on seeing Green and then asked, "Where's Red senior?"

"Oh… he went with Ash to join a fishing contest." Green replied lightly, "Giving himself a break."

The girl holding a Ditto smiled, "Follow me—Teacher Lu set up entry zones, you don't have to squeeze in."

A moment later,

Professor Oak, Professor Sycamore, and five Pokédex Holders appeared like a research red carpet team, catching the citizens' eyes.

People were stunned for a few seconds, then erupted.

"Whoa, Professor Oak? Alive and well!"

"There's even more heavyweights here!"

"Oh my—Green, the legendary trainer!?"

"Hey? Honey, forget your fashion week—come see the gods!"

Teacher Lu, standing at the door to welcome them, was also taken aback.

"You're here, Professor Oak? I thought you were busy."

"I usually am, but today I'm researching Mega Evolution with Sycamore and Green, so I swung by." Professor Oak smiled.

Sycamore had been Professor Rowan's student;

Rowan was Oak's senior at Anistar University—so they were from the same lineage.

"Dan Emperor's here too…" Green's eyes moved to the shop window, thoughtful.

"So many champions…" Professor Sycamore whispered to Lu Ye, "If Karine doesn't come, is that really okay?"

"It'll be fine." Lu Ye smiled weakly, "The ribbon-cutting was just my spontaneous idea."

Sycamore's expression was nuanced.

The people of Miare City might not see it that way…

Oh well—Karine's main job is being a movie queen;

her reputation won't be harmed!

Among the crowd, reporters from the Metropolitan Evening News scribbled, already composing tonight's water-cooler jokes.

They imagined a photo of the lively champions—invincible Dan Emperor, perfect Steven, scheming Teacher Lu… (scratch that), tactically skilled Teacher Lu.

Headline: "Karine Filming Elsewhere."

Today's Kalos roasting was set!

Gym leaders free in Kalos arrived one by one: Teacher Lu's student Korrina, Master Fu who'd come to sip tea with Blastoise, photographer Violet…

With Professor Oak's presence, these gym leaders didn't create much stir.

But when Kalos's Water King Siebold arrived, the scene erupted again!

"He's coming? Siebold's here on ribbon-cutting day—his restaurant shows up to challenge the occasion!"

"You're overthinking… I think Siebold's just joining the fun."

"This is a three-star chef! Teacher Lu competing with his main business will be tough!"

Siebold, in pristine white chef attire, met Lu Ye for the first time and smiled,

"Teacher Lu, I've heard of you."

"Same here." Lu Ye wasn't being formal, "I grew up watching your cooking tutorials!"

Siebold blinked, seeing sincerity in Lu Ye's eyes, then chuckled, "Looking forward to the day we spar in the kitchen, Teacher Lu."

A food duel?

Lu Ye smiled, "Don't worry—there will be a chance!"

After Siebold's arrival,

All eyes turned back to the mysterious café, waiting for the ribbon-cutting in five minutes.

A surge of excitement and awe spread among the onlookers.

Professor Oak, Dan Emperor, Green… countless rumored scholars and trainers were right in front of them.

Since Teacher Lu arrived in Miare City, citizens had been repeatedly stunned by his innovations!

"Start already, Teacher Lu!"

A trainer in the crowd shouted.

"As long as I'm not carried to the Pokémon Center, I'll fight at that battle café!"

"I'm different—half-broken, I'd still go."

"My forehead's bleeding and I'll crawl in if I have to—what can top that?"

"…you win."

Just as curiosity peaked, someone pointed at the sky and shouted,

"Whoa, Dragonite!"

"That man came too?!"

A streak of cloud traced a flight path as Dragonite soared across the sky.

A stern-faced man rode Dragonite, his champion cape billowing—pure class!

The Dragon Messenger, Kanto Champion Lance!

The crowd went wild;

A-Jin, mixed in the throng, yelled,

"That's you, Doduo!"

"Haha, can't script all the champions like this."

"Pokémon jokes? I still haven't beaten Giovanni!"

"Pfft… sounds about right…"

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

Lance, coughing from wind in his throat, choked on a cough and inwardly winced.

His dragon-like, imposing gaze landed precisely on the cap-wearing youth in the crowd.

"Oh no…" A-Jin's smile froze.

This moment deserved BGM.

To be Continued……