"Hello, I am Korrina's grandfather, Gurkinn."
Gurkinn, whose eyebrows were as long as Mustard's, greeted Lucas.
"Hello, my name is Lucas, and I am the owner of a Breeding House."
Lucas spoke up. Looking at Gurkinn's eyebrows, he couldn't help but think, "Why does it feel like all the elderly people in this world have such long eyebrows?"
After everyone had introduced themselves, Lucas looked at Bea. "Did you see the tournament schedule? What number are you in the lineup this afternoon?"
Bea glanced at her phone and said, "I am the first one."
"So soon?"
Lucas continued, "What about your opponent? Do you know who it is?"
Bea nodded, then said with a solemn expression, "Elite Four Bruno."
"?"
Lucas's eye twitched. "You're facing Elite Four Bruno already?"
Bea gave a hum of affirmation. Looking up at Lucas, she said with a serious tone, "Teacher, rest assured, I will give it my all and won't let you down."
Lucas looked at the exceptionally serious Bea and couldn't help but laugh. "I have always believed in you. Don't take momentary victories or defeats too seriously. As Elite Four Bruno is a renowned fighter, I hope you can learn earnestly from your battle with him and carefully consider the gap in strength between the two of you."
"Mm, I will."
Bea clenched her fists and spoke solemnly, "Then Teacher, I'll go prepare first."
"Alright."
"Bea, I'll be cheering for you from the sidelines."
Korrina cupped her hands around her mouth like a megaphone and shouted toward Bea's retreating figure.
Then she turned back. "Grandpa, Grandpa, I'm going in first too."
After saying that, she hurriedly skated in with her Lucario into the venue.
Watching Bea and Korrina walk into the venue, Lucas let out a breath. "Alright everyone, let's head in too."
Lucas walked with Mustard and Gurkinn.
"What does Mustard think of Bea?"
Lucas curiously asked Mustard for his opinion on Bea.
Mustard, with his hands behind his back, said, "Lucas, your eye for talent is as sharp as ever. That young girl possesses unyielding qualities, and through constant effort, she will eventually become a powerful fighter."
"Mustard is right. I can tell she has been climbing upwards, and sooner or later, she will reach the summit."
As an excellent Aura user, Gurkinn's strength was also not to be underestimated, and he also gave Bea a very high evaluation.
"By the way, Mr. Gurkinn, why aren't you participating in this Martial Arts Tournament?"
Lucas asked curiously.
Gurkinn's tone was full of regret. "I originally only intended for Korrina to come and participate in this competition to see if it could deepen the bond between her and Lucario, in preparation for future Mega Evolution."
"I didn't expect that for this competition, Mustard, Elite Four Bruno, Elite Four Lucian, and many Gym Leaders would all come. If I had known, I would have signed up too; I'm regretting it to death now."
Gurkinn truly didn't expect that a first-time competition, and one held in a small town like Twinleaf Town, would attract so many powerful fighters to participate.
"Mega Evolution?"
Lucas suddenly remembered that it seemed Korrina hadn't mastered Mega Evolution yet. It seemed it was only when Ash headed to Kalos that Korrina and Lucario obtained Lucario's mega stone.
"Mega Evolution is when the hearts of the Trainer and the Pokémon reach—"
Just as Gurkinn was about to introduce the relevant knowledge of Mega Evolution to Lucas, he suddenly saw Gengar float in front of him. With a curl of its tongue, a shining mega stone was resting peacefully on it.
"Gengar?"
"Is this what you're talking about?"
Gengar asked with a squinting smile.
Gurkinn looked at the mega stone on Gengar's tongue, stunned for a moment, before reacting. "So Lucas has already mastered Mega Evolution. No wonder I felt such a strong bond between you and Gengar."
"Gengar—"
"Gengar and Lucas are the best of friends."
"Cut it out, you even said you were breaking up with me at noon because I stole three of your chicken legs."
"Gengar"
"Hehe."
At this moment, Shauna also took out the wooden plaque pendant she was wearing around her neck. "Grandpa Gurkinn, little Shauna has one too."
Gurkinn turned to look at Shauna and discovered that what she was wearing around her neck was indeed a key stone.
"This—Lucas—could it be that this Miss Shauna also—"
Lucas shook his head. "She is also moving in that direction."
Gurkinn breathed a sigh of relief; that gave him a fright.
Leon and the others walked behind, mainly because Honey and Sonia couldn't help but buy things they liked at the nearby stalls, and Leon had to stay behind to pay.
Sonia wore a Celebi wooden carving that a grandmother had tied to her wrist, and she had forcibly tied one onto Leon's wrist as well.
"Lucas seems to be discussing Bea."
Sonia stood beside Leon and said.
Leon nodded. "According to Lucas, Bea seems to be working towards the position of Gym Leader."
Leon looked at the decoration on his wrist, feeling unaccustomed to it, but he didn't choose to take it off. Instead, he continued, "I reckon our Galar Region will soon have a Fighting-type Gym Leader."
"Leon, this."
Honey's voice rang out.
"Coming, coming."
Leon hurriedly ran over to pay.
Honey was truly becoming more and more satisfied with Twinleaf Town; the goods were high quality and inexpensive.
Lucas and the others sat in the stands, waiting for the afternoon's matches to begin.
Lucian walked up the stairs and sat beside Lucas.
Lucas glanced to the side and then asked, "Resolved?"
Lucian nodded. "Small matter. It was just some lingering Team Galactic members who wanted to cause trouble during the chaos. After I went over to resolve it, I left the rest for Gym Leader Byron and the others to handle."
"Thanks."
Reaching out to take the hot tea handed over by Mrs. Fujino, Lucian said thank you.
At noon, while eating at the Breeding House, Lucian had been called away halfway to Twinleaf Town to handle matters.
Sigh, our poor Lucian was already accustomed to this.
"I really envy your Sinnoh Region."
Leon looked at Lucian, his eyes full of envy.
"Why is it that only the Sinnoh Region has such excellent Elites?"
"The Galar Elite Four's ability to handle affairs simply couldn't compare."
"If the Galar Region also had Elites with such impressive capabilities, I wouldn't have to be so tired."
Leon sighed in his heart.
At this moment, Raihan, who was in the Galar Region handling affairs on Leon's behalf, sneezed several times in a row.
"Strange, could it be that someone is thinking of me? It wouldn't be that guy Leon, would it?"
Raihan rubbed his nose. "That guy said he was taking Mustard and the others out to participate in a competition and would be back soon, but then he suddenly told me he was planning to stay there for a few days and asked me to help handle affairs."
Raihan could no longer suppress the urge to kill Leon.
In the stands, Lucas glanced at Lucian beside him and said proudly, "With Elite Four Lucian here, we have always been very reassured."
While everyone was still chatting, the voice of the muscular referee rang out.
"So everyone, next up is our afternoon battle. I believe that after experiencing this morning's matches, you are all looking forward to the afternoon's matches, right?"
The venue responded with continuous affirmations, and cheers resonated throughout the entire arena.
"Since that's the case, we won't say much more. Let us directly invite the contestants for the first match of the afternoon to the stage."
"One is our talented Fighting-type girl from the Galar Region who shone brightly this morning, contestant Bea."
Bea appeared, and many people in the venue were shouting her name. It seemed that after the battle in the morning, many people had been completely won over by her.
"And her opponent is someone we are very familiar with, who is also extremely powerful—one of the Elite Four from the Kanto Region and Johto Region, and one of the world's famous fighters, our Elite Four Bruno!"
The shirtless Bruno walked onto the field, and the cheers in the venue became even more intense.
"Bea versus Bruno?"
Lucian looked at the two people on the field and couldn't help but frown. "That's a lot of pressure."
"I wonder how long Bea can hold out."
Lucas remarked.
As the muscular referee announced the start of the battle, Bea looked at Bruno opposite her and bowed seriously.
"I have always regarded you as my role model and have been constantly working hard."
Bea straightened her body. "I didn't expect that there would come a day when I could battle against you, so please, teach me."
Bruno smiled gently. He looked at this junior whom he thought very highly of and nodded. "Then give it your all and let me see it."
"Yes!"
Bea's expression was serious as she threw her Poké Ball.
"Let's give it our all, Machamp!"
"Nidoran!"
Bruno nodded and also threw out his Poké Ball.
A Machamp wearing a gold championship belt appeared on the field, its physique much larger than Bea's Machamp.
"Let's go, Machamp, use Cross Chop."
Bea took the initiative to issue a command. Bea's Machamp rushed towards Bruno's Machamp, launching the first attack.
"Use Cross Chop to block it."
Bruno used the same move.
The Cross Chops collided, and Bea's Machamp was pushed back repeatedly.
"Launch an attack."
Bruno seized the moment and had his Machamp unleash a fierce assault on Bea's Machamp.
Bruno's Machamp's fists pounded relentlessly against Bea's Machamp.
Bea's Machamp struggled to cope while waiting for an opportunity to counterattack.
Seeing the performance of Bea and her Machamp, Bruno was satisfied, so he said, "I already understand your fighting style. If I'm not mistaken, it's similar to Lucas's, but do you know the difference between you and him?"
Bea was stunned for a moment.
In the stands, Lucas watched the match intently.
Bruno continued, "It's also about parrying an opponent's attack and then counterattacking. The difference between you and him is that he is full of confidence in himself. He believes that he will definitely win, so when he parries an attack, he always looks for opportunities himself and launches a counterattack. Even if he knows he will get hurt, he doesn't hesitate. He possesses the belief that he can shatter anything."
"If I'm not mistaken, you have received his guidance, which has led you to only learn the surface of his style, but not his inner core."
"Your current fighting style is waiting for an opportunity, waiting for that chance that will allow you to turn defeat into victory."
Bruno had carefully watched her battle with Lucas that morning. As an Elite, he could tell at a glance that Bea was a disciple of Lucas, but compared to Lucas, she was far behind.
Even though Lucas wasn't using his main Pokémon at the time, he remained calm and composed, his eyes radiating the light of certain victory.
"There is nothing wrong with waiting for an opportunity, but if you are facing absolute strength, will you still have that chance?"
"In the face of absolute strength, that opportunity will only be infinitely slim. Machamp, Dynamic Punch!"
Bruno roared.
Machamp's fist slammed heavily into Bea's Machamp, and Bea's Machamp was sent flying directly.
The terror of the No Guard ability was displayed vividly at this moment.
"The reason martial artists keep getting stronger is because they maintain that unyielding spirit in their hearts when facing powerful enemies, even those they cannot defeat. They strike fearlessly, always believing in themselves, always maintaining the mentality of wanting to shatter everything and daring to shatter everything."
Bruno's Machamp struck it hard in the stomach again while taking advantage of the gap as Bea's Machamp was getting up.
Bea's mind kept replaying Bruno's words, and at the same time, the scenes of Machamp teaching her and her Machamps surfaced in her mind.
What was in Machamp's eyes was — — — — Battle!
Constantly transforming through battle!
I understand.
Bea came back to her senses and found Bruno and his Machamp standing in place, looking at her.
"I understand, Senior Bruno. To repay your guidance, my Machamp and I will unleash our strongest blow."
Bea clenched her fists, punched the air twice, and then performed a high kick.
"Machamp, Focus Punch!"
Machamp began to charge up, a powerful Aura permeating the entire battlefield.
"That's the best way."
Bruno's lips curled up, and then he stomped his right foot heavily on the ground, "Machamp, let's use our full strength, Focus Punch!"
Bruno's Machamp also began to charge up, and a more terrifying Aura instantly swallowed the Aura emitted by Bea's Machamp. This Aura, in turn, pressured Bea and her Machamp.
The two Machamps closed the distance and threw their punches at the same time.
Boom!
The ground sank directly, and smoke covered the entire field.
Just as the venue fell silent, a figure flew out from the smoke and slammed hard into the wall behind Bea.
"This — — — — Contestant Bea's Machamp has lost the ability to battle, so this match is won by Contestant Bruno and his Machamp."
Cheers erupted again.
Bea recalled her Machamp into its Poké Ball, looked at Bruno opposite her, and bowed, "Thank you for your guidance."
Bruno recalled his Machamp into its Poké Ball and turned to leave.
"I look forward to your next challenge."
Bea nodded and walked silently toward the contestant passage behind her.
"You were already very strong."
Korrina comforted Bea.
Bea and Korrina returned to the stands together. Lucas stood at the stairs, looking at Bea in front of him.
"Teacher."
Bea lowered her head and called out.
Lucas placed his hand on her head and rubbed it vigorously.
"That was a wonderful battle."
Lucas said with a smile.
Gothitelle squinted at Lucas, then floated to Machamp's side.
"I lost completely."
Bea said.
Korrina was about to explain for Bea when she heard Lucas say: "I said, there is no need to deliberately care about winning or losing. After all, you were facing Bruno, the strongest martial artist in the world right now."
"Haven't you already found the source of your problem from it? Since you've found the problem, then we will solve it. It's a very simple matter."
"Look up, Bea."
Bea looked up at Lucas. Lucas had a faint smile on his face as he said to her: "Do you know why the cheers on the scene were so loud?"
"Because every battle is very passionate."
Lucas explained: "There is nothing in the world more burning and passionate than a head-on, fist-to-flesh duel! A Trainer's belief, persistence, and ambition are never empty talk; they are completely carved into every punch, every step, and every burst of their Pokémon. The collision of philosophies and the clash of wills all explode in the lightning-fast battle, giving birth to one peak duel after another that makes one's blood boil."
"And martial artists have engraved this passion into their bones and blood. They don't have double-dealing or scheming; there is only the purest fighting spirit and respect — facing every opponent equally, revering every confrontation. Once they step onto the battlefield, they are single-minded, fully focused, fighting only for the battle itself, fighting only to burn until the end in a hearty and thorough way!"
"It is precisely because of this passion in their bodies that martial artists keep getting stronger. For martial artists, if there is something blocking their way, then throw a punch and shatter it all."
"Shatter it all."
After Lucas finished speaking, he threw a punch to the side.
"Crush Grip."
"Ma Machamp!"
Right!
Machamp heard this, its blood boiling, and then suddenly threw a punch forward.
Gothitelle was prepared, its eyes glowing with an enchanting purple light.
Machamp's consciousness began to spin.
Hypnosis.
Even in a sleeping state, Machamp still threw a punch with force.
Gothitelle: ? ? ?
You can punch even while asleep?!
Gothitelle instantly opened Reflect. Machamp's fist slammed into the Reflect, and the Reflect was instantly covered with cracks.
Gothitelle used the force of Machamp's punch to fly backward for a distance.
Then it flexibly flipped its body in the air and floated back to the stands, its expression calm and indifferent.
Good thing I moved closer when Lucas said the first sentence.
Everything around was intact, a perfect job.
Gothitelle clapped its hands and nodded with satisfaction.
Sonia: ? ? ?
Sonia applauded.
"So — — — — so amazing, Gothitelle — — — —"
Mustard picked up his teacup and took a sip.
It really is — — — — I didn't expect that even at my age, I could still be stirred up by Lucas's words — — — —
Gurkinn: As expected of a powerful martial artist.
Leon: Want to battle — — — —
Lucian: Drinking tea ing
Korrina also seemed to have some realization and fell into silence.
Bea kept replaying Lucas's words in her mind, then nodded heavily, "I understand, Teacher."
"In the days to come, I will not forget your guidance. I will practice hard."
"No need for so much pressure."
Lucas nodded.
For the subsequent match arrangements, Lucas used Vex to defeat a martial artist from the Kalos region. Maylene and Marshal also advanced successively. Mustard met the Gym Leader of the Cianwood Gym, Chuck, but the final result was that Mustard won.
Mustard's strength is still very strong.
The first day of the Twinleaf Town Martial Arts Tournament ended perfectly. Every battle brought the audience a strong visual impact and satisfaction.
In the evening, Twinleaf Town even set off beautiful fireworks.
Lucas specially invited all the Elite and Gym Leaders present to the Breeding House for dinner.
At the time of parting, Bruno and Marshal both expressed their anticipation for battling Lucas.
After seeing everyone off, Lucas lay on the bed and talked to Cynthia about today's events.
***************************
Thoughts on where the plot is heading? Let me know in the comments! If you're enjoying the ride, please leave a quick review and toss a few Power Stones my way. Every bit of support means the world! 🙌