Four days later, at the Motostoke Stadium.
“This is an unexpected turn of events!”
As both Duraludon and Obstagoon collapsed simultaneously,
The commentator on the dais shouted at the top of his lungs:
“Both Gym Leader Raihan’s Duraludon and Gym Leader Piers’s Obstagoon—their last remaining Pokémon—have fainted at the same time!”
“As a result, both of them are eliminated!”
“Therefore, this year’s challenger to the Champion Leon will be the other semifinal winner—Gym Leader Bea from Stow-on-Side!”
Both the live audience and the online chat erupted in chaos.
In previous years, Champion-level Raihan had almost completely monopolized the right to challenge Leon.
Piers was second.
But who would’ve thought that this time, Piers would go all out and tie with Raihan.
Unfortunately, he didn’t gain any advantage either.
Both were knocked out.
Which meant Bea got the benefit—
She directly earned the right to face Leon.
In the players’ lounge, watching through the public screen, Bea was stunned.
She never imagined she’d get the chance to battle Leon like this.
But at this moment, without a moment’s grief for Raihan and Piers’ elimination, the one rushing to the battlefield was—Galar’s [Karate Prodigy], Bea!
After leaving the stadium, Serena raised her right arm high and stretched.
Then she said in surprise:
“I never expected things to turn out like this.”
“No need to make a big deal out of it—the gap between Piers and Raihan’s strength wasn’t that large to begin with.”
Noah said calmly.
Although Raihan was Champion-level,
He was barely at the entry-level threshold.
Even the slacker Champions like Diantha and Wallace—one making movies, the other doing contests—were stronger than him.
It wasn’t surprising that he’d trip up against peak Elite Four-level Piers.
“Time to get ready to leave.”
Noah added.
Marnie blinked and said softly:
“But…
tomorrow is the final.”
“Leon vs.
Bea—that’s a foregone conclusion.
You won’t learn anything from this match, so there’s no need to watch.”
The reason Noah had stayed here with Serena and the others was to let them observe the battles and learn.
But now, that was clearly unnecessary.
Bea had done well to reach pseudo-Elite Four level at her age.
But reality was harsh.
She’d be lucky if she didn’t get swept six-to-zero tomorrow.
Nessa tugged at Sonia’s sleeve and whispered:
“Have you decided?”
Sonia once again looked conflicted.
Just then, the spectators around them, who had also just left the stadium, let out exclamations.
“Leon!”
“Champion Leon!”
“The pride of our Galar!”
“Leon, wait—”
Seeing Leon walking toward them, and recalling how Sonia had nearly gone dark last time,
Nessa raised her hand, ready to warn him.
“Professor Noah, are you leaving already?”
But this time, it wasn’t just her best friend—even Nessa herself was completely ignored by Leon.
Nessa’s raised hand unconsciously clenched into a fist.
‘Damn it—I gave you a chance and you blew it!’
Noah replied calmly:
“Yeah—a one-sided match isn’t really worth watching, is it?”
Leon’s eyes were eager:
“Stay one more day.
I want you to see the results of our training.”
As he spoke, Leon held up the brown Digivice that Noah had given him along with Hagurumon.
Seeing Leon’s gesture,
Noah immediately understood his intent, a smile creeping onto his face.
“Oh~ Mastering the Champion-level form isn’t easy, but to do it so quickly…
looks like you two get along well.”
Leon laughed heartily:
“I can feel that Hagurumon’s potential is far beyond this.
Thank you, Professor Noah, for giving me such an amazing Digimon.”
“I told you, no need to thank me—Chairman Rose paid for it.”
Noah said with a faint smile.
“I’m a man of money, not sentiment.
Pay me, and I deliver.
And remember—if you shortchange me by a single cent, I’ll never let it slide.”
Not catching the joke, Leon just chuckled awkwardly, waved, and walked off, shouting:
“Don’t forget to watch, okay?”
Not once did he say a word to his childhood friend he hadn’t seen in years.
Sonia’s F-cup battle tanks heaved with anger beneath her sweater.
Watching Leon’s quickly shrinking figure,
She turned her gaze to Noah—his left hand resting on Serena’s head, his right hand pinching a reluctant Marnie’s nose, with a smug grin on his face.
For some reason, she felt that playboys were better than straight guys.
And Nessa wasn’t defending Leon anymore either.
He’d done it once yesterday, and now he was doing it again today?
Hopeless.
…
The next day, fireworks shot up into the sky above Motostoke Stadium.
Then burst into brilliant blooms.
“Ladies and gentlemen!
This year’s Galar Star Tournament has finally reached its conclusion today!”
“Though it’s hard to say goodbye, please put aside your sentiments for now and look forward to today’s ultimate showdown!”
The commentator shouted into the mic:
“First, the challenger—from Stow-on-Side, our Galar’s [Karate Prodigy], Bea!”
From the left player tunnel,
Barefoot Bea walked out with a serious expression.
Her toned abs and youthful face created an extreme contrast that was adorable.
“Go Bea!”
“Leon’s nothing to fear—go for it!”
“Bea-chan!
Can I lick your abs?!”
Amid the cheers from the stands, a few heavy-hitting comments slipped through.
After Bea took her position at the center of the field,
The commentator raised his volume several notches:
“And the other—of course, our pride of Galar!
Everyone, say his name together—”
The atmosphere peaked instantly.
“Leon!”
“Leon!!”
“Leon!!!”
Leon made his entrance, striking his signature pose, waving as he walked up to Bea.
“This is our first time facing off here, isn’t it?”
Leon asked with a smile.
“I’ve trained hard for today!”
Bea’s eyes burned with determination.
Leon nodded, and they both turned to walk to their respective command stands.
“The battle is a 6-on-6 full battle.
When one trainer’s Pokémon are all unable to battle…”
The chief referee of the Galar League, Dan—riding atop an Aegislash—quickly explained the 6-on-6 rules, then raised both flags and shouted:
“Now, let the battle begin!”
The one who sends out first is at a disadvantage,
Because the opponent can then send out a counter.
That’s why in Gym battles, the Gym Leader sends out first.
But in official League tournaments like this, both trainers must send out their first Pokémon simultaneously.
Bea’s first pick was a Machoke from Kanto.
And Leon’s was—
“This is your debut!
Go!”
Leon excitedly tossed his Poké Ball.
When the Pokémon Leon sent out appeared,
Far away in Kanto, Ash and Gary;
In Hoenn, May watching with her family;
In Sinnoh, a trainer named Paul who had just released a newly caught Pokémon with a curse of ‘useless’— all of them, along with many other new trainers, were stunned.