Dan Emperor.
To be honest.
Natsuhiko didn't expect to meet this person so soon.
After all, he is the future Champion of the Galar Region, a man who has never been defeated in official Alliance events.
Of course, just because he hasn't been defeated in official Alliance events doesn't mean he hasn't lost in other battles.
After all, everyone has their moments of weakness.
Natsuhiko had thought he might interact with Dan Emperor in the near future, but didn't expect it to happen so suddenly.
From the earlier conversation with Kikuno, it's not hard to understand the reason for Dan Emperor's appearance.
The Alliance has discovered the Galar Region.
But due to some special reasons, they are currently unable to establish themselves there.
It could be that the people of the Galar Region have a strong sense of resistance.
Or perhaps there are some local forces obstructing them.
So the Alliance wants to support a local spokesperson to gain more recognition and establish themselves better.
Dan Emperor is obviously one of the people chosen by the Alliance.
And Dan Emperor is very strong-willed and values the future development of the Galar Region greatly.
He travels to different regions to learn diverse battle techniques and gain a wealth of battle experience, all to better teach the people of the Galar Region once he returns.
So that the Galar Region can develop faster and better.
Especially during this period of traveling to different regions, Dan Emperor has witnessed the outstanding development conditions of various regions and the formidable strength of the Pokemon Alliance.
He knows that the Galar Region will inevitably be unable to prevent the establishment of the Pokemon Alliance, and that it's only a matter of time. This realization makes him even more eager to grow, to help his homeland develop.
Thus, Dan Emperor's first stop was the Kanto Region, the starting point of the Alliance, where he successfully received eight badges, participated in the competition, and won the Championship.
The second stop was the Hoenn Region.
The process and outcome were similar.
The only difference.
May have been the Pokémon sent out by the Dojo Trainers in each challenge that became steadily stronger.
Correspondingly, his strength has also steadily improved.
By chance, Dan Emperor saw the "Lily Youth Competition" on TV and realized that the Dojo challenges were far from the end; they were merely a starting point.
After hearing that the runner-up of this competition, Natsuhiko, had established a Dojo, Dan Emperor rushed to the Sinnoh Region.
He wanted to challenge Natsuhiko, and see the gap between himself and the top young trainers of the Alliance.
This might become one of the standards for him to assess and train Galar Region trainers once he returns.
So he values this challenge greatly.
He also hopes Natsuhiko will bring out all his strength to battle him!
...
...
After finishing the conversation with Kikuno, Natsuhiko walked toward his companions.
Thinking about a few things as he walked.
Among his current Dragon-type Pokémon, aside from Dragapult and Latios, who were not suitable to appear at the moment, the Gym Leader level Pokémon were Noivern and Duraludon.
But whether it is Noivern or Duraludon, they are not Pokémon he has trained from young, and thus the momentum is limited.
They should be enough to deal with ordinary Trainers.
But the opponent is Dan Emperor, and Natsuhiko feels they might fall short.
He also has a Turtonator at the Elite Candidate Level, which is also a Dragon-type Pokémon.
But Turtonator was the first choice Natsuhiko eliminated.
First, because an Elite Candidate Level Pokémon is a taboo for him right now, with the old Elite Four Ryuzi surely still watching them, and with so many reporters invited to this opening ceremony.
Once Turtonator appears, its Elite Candidate Level strength will inevitably lead to much suspicion.
Agatha can't protect him all the time, and if an old Elite Four wants to secretly deal with him, it's quite simple.
Second, because of his Gym Leader status.
Since he is a Dojo Leader, how can he use an Elite Candidate Level Pokémon to bully others?
Even if he wins, it would not be an honorable win and would be criticized by countless people.
After all, the duty of a Dojo Leader is to use Pokémon with similar strength to test the challenger's ability; if it results in an overwhelming victory in terms of strength, the Dojo Competition holds no meaning.
So.
Thinking it over.
If he really wants to defeat Dan Emperor.
Natsuhiko will either deploy his main Pokémon and no longer be restricted by the attributes of the Dojo.
Or...
He might really have to follow Elite Four Kikuno's advice and borrow Pokémon from Lance and Hilona.
Borrowing Pokémon isn't really a disgraceful act.
In the Pokemon Realm, there is a type of competition where the rules allow rental-based combat.
Where the event organizer provides the Pokémon and participants each choose.
After all, it tests the participants' ability to adapt to the combat situation, their knowledge of Pokémon, and their tactical skills.
Previously, Lance and Hilona had offered to lend him Pokémon.
Taking advantage of the remaining rest time.
Natsuhiko found these few companions.
"Cough, um... there's something, I want to trouble you all with." Natsuhiko coughed lightly and said.
"What is it?" Lance raised an eyebrow.
"My next challenger is named Dan Emperor."
"Dan Emperor?" Kona seemed surprised.
Noticing the puzzled glances from the others, Kona pushed up her glasses and briefly shared the information about Dan Emperor she had learned.
"Is that so? Does Hoenn have such a thing?" Flint blinked.
He's always been obsessed with collecting different types of stones and hasn't really paid attention to these matters.
"I've been busy with Investigator tasks and haven't paid much attention either," Lance added.
But Natsuhiko could clearly sense that Lance had developed an interest in Dan Emperor.
The kind of interest where he wants to have a battle.
Presently, Lance hasn't become an Elite Four and Champion yet, and he's quite enthusiastic about battling strong opponents.
"So, Natsuhiko, you want..." Hilona seemed to understand Natsuhiko's intentions.
Natsuhiko rubbed his nose, feeling a bit embarrassed, and said, "Elite Four Kikuno told me I must win this Dojo challenge, but concerning my Dragon-type Pokémon... you all know."
"Indeed, this is a Dojo Competition; Senior Natsuhiko, you can't use your own Pokémon," Kona thoughtfully nodded.
Exactly.
What restricts Natsuhiko is precisely the words "Dojo Competition."
If a challenger does not actively request changes in a Dojo Competition, the Dojo Leader is not supposed to initiate changes, even if it leads to a loss.
As for the reason Elite Four Kikuno insists on Natsuhiko winning, after hearing Kona's description of Dan Emperor, the others expressed understanding.
After all, nobody wants their region to lose face, right?
Even if this is a plan by the Pokemon Alliance Headquarters.
"Understood," Lance responded.
Removing his cape, he revealed the Pokeballs attached to his belt for Natsuhiko.
"Choose for yourself."
Natsuhiko's mouth twitched.
Choose what?!
How many legitimate Dragon types do you have here?
"Hmm, use my Garchomp," Hilona said, spreading her hands.
The Pokeball containing Garchomp lay quietly in her palm.
"After all, this is a matter involving our Sinnoh Region, and Kona mentioned Dan Emperor's ace is a Charizard, so Garchomp has a type advantage."
Hilona gently adjusted her hair and seriously said.
"Alright," Natsuhiko didn't shy away.
With the conversation already at this point.
The rest period ended.
Arriving at the battle venue.
At the referee's signal, Dan Emperor slowly walked down from the stands, looking serious.
Seeing Dan Emperor for the first time, Natsuhiko's feeling was...
This person looks quite old.
He should clearly be younger than the rest of us, yet he has a face more mature than theirs.
This might just be... the charm of a mature man.
Dan Emperor stood opposite Natsuhiko, eyes intense.
The first thing he said was...
"'Tactical Master' Mr. Natsuhiko, let me state clearly I am not an ordinary challenger, so I hope you can give it your all!"
The feeling of confidence was overwhelming.
————
I failed to get leave, yet managed to write 11,000 words; not everyone can do that.
If I don't finish the battle today, I won't keep you all waiting, and will finish it all in one go tomorrow.