"The visitor comes with ill intent."
Looking at the woman before him, Johan immediately recognized her—it was Rose's prized discovery in the Galar region, his chief secretary Oleana.
She was also Rose's right-hand woman.
It wasn't an exaggeration to say that Rose's ability to simultaneously hold the important positions of Galar League Chairman and Macro Cosmos Group President was largely due to Oleana's contributions.
"Ka-kaah~"
Gengar whispered by Johan's ear.
We're the ones who came here.
Johan glanced at his purple fatty. I told you to watch less TV.
However, facing an invitation from the Galar League Chairman, Johan didn't have much reason to refuse, especially since...
They were providing food!
So Johan followed Oleana to the luxurious restaurant atop Wyndon Tower.
The enormous restaurant was empty, but the lights were bright, and while the décor wasn't particularly extravagant, it exuded the unique historical atmosphere of the Galar region.
When Johan followed Oleana here, he saw a middle-aged man wearing a brown-gray suit with a large belly, standing by the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, gazing out at the entire city—or rather, the entire Galar region.
However, compared to the Galar region's tallest building, the "Rose Tower," Wyndon's Wyndon Tower still fell a bit short.
"Chairman Rose, Teacher Johan is here," Oleana said.
Hearing this, Rose, who had been standing by the window with his hands in his pockets, turned around. His face bore a warm but confident smile as he said:
"Teacher Johan, I finally get to meet you in person. I apologize for not being able to personally invite you, as I was just finishing up some work—this was my oversight."
As he spoke, Rose even bowed slightly with sincere apology.
"Chairman Rose is too kind. I've long admired the Chairman—this is my first time meeting you in person," Johan replied with a standard smile.
After the pleasantries, the two stood by the massive floor-to-ceiling windows.
Rose spoke again: "This was once the most central and prosperous city in the entire Galar region. To the left is the Galar region's largest 'Galar Mine,' which has provided this city and the entire Galar region with a steady supply of minerals and energy."
He then looked toward the other side and continued:
"And to the right is the recently developed and excavated 'Galar Mine No. 2,' which will continue to supply the entire Galar region with minerals and energy materials, essentially continuing the legacy as 'Galar Mine' approaches depletion."
He looked at Johan with a smile and asked:
"Teacher Johan, do you think our Galar region can discover a third massive mine?"
Before Johan could respond, Gengar tugged at his clothes, then touched its own belly, showing a "withered" expression.
"Ka-kaah~"
I'm hungry~
Seeing this, Johan said somewhat "embarrassedly": "Sorry, Chairman Rose, my Gengar..."
Rose was also stunned for a moment, then quickly realized, "I should be the one apologizing. But I've already had Oleana make preparations—it should be ready soon."
As they spoke, Oleana had already brought the restaurant staff pushing food carts into the room.
Smelling the aroma, Gengar's eyes immediately lit up as it floated over.
Johan swept his hand across the Poké Balls at his waist, and his Pokémon appeared one by one.
"Chairman Rose is treating us today, everyone—don't be shy."
"Draaa~!"
"Garrr!!"
Hearing that someone was treating them, the little ones immediately became ravenous and excited, especially Tyranitar.
Seeing this scene, Oleana's eye twitched.
This was going to be trouble.
But when Chairman Rose was treating guests, there was no reason not to let them eat their fill, right?
Rose also brought the topic back, "Teacher Johan, you should understand that resources are limited. Under intensive development, no resource can last a hundred years."
"The Galar region isn't small—perhaps we can discover other mines later, but what about hundreds of years from now, or even a thousand years?"
Johan finally spoke, smiling: "The concerns Chairman Rose has seem far too distant, don't they?"
Rose smiled slightly and sat across from Johan. "One who lacks foresight will have immediate troubles."
"But in all things, excess is as bad as deficiency."
Actually, Johan didn't think there was anything wrong with Rose worrying about the Galar region's future resource depletion.
It was just that Rose was thinking too far ahead—so far that from their current perspective, they couldn't even see what that time would look like.
Would people from a thousand years ago have imagined that modern society would become so advanced?
A thousand years was an incredibly long and distant time for humanity.
Perhaps by then, humans would have discovered new energy sources? From space, or from the void, or even... infinite energy?
Looking at a thousand years in the future with current technology and understanding would inevitably make everything seem problematic.
If he were considering decades or even over a century into the future, Johan wouldn't find anything wrong with that.
Rose was simply thinking too far ahead.
It was precisely because of this that Rose wanted to capture Eternatus, using its infinite energy to provide the entire Galar region with a continuous energy supply.
Rose smiled without saying more.
He believed that his foresight wasn't necessarily something everyone could understand.
"Actually, when I was young, my father was just an ordinary miner, and I was just a penniless kid. Every day, my biggest concern was what to eat for the next meal."
If Johan remembered correctly, Chairman Rose's father was indeed an ordinary miner, but he encountered an accident while mining ancient energy in the Galar region and never returned.
It was precisely because of this childhood trauma that Rose didn't want anyone else to experience the same tragic fate, which led to his plan to harness infinite energy.
Rose continued:
"Now, as Galar League Chairman, I naturally have to consider more distant matters from the Galar region's perspective. After all, thinking more ahead is never wrong."
Johan shrugged and stopped arguing with Rose, focusing on eating instead.
It had to be said, Rose certainly had style—this restaurant's food was excellent, completely comparable to his own cooking, and you could tell at a glance that it was expensive.
Seeing Johan stop talking, Rose also politely stopped speaking further.
The two began eating quietly.
Compared to their calm side, the other side was much more lively.
"Garrr!"
Tyranitar held minerals in one hand and half a roasted lamb chop with the other, alternating between lamb and minerals—typical side dish with main course.
Although minerals were delicious and satisfied its daily needs, occasionally improving its diet was quite nice.
"Ka-kaah~ Ka-kaah~"
Compared to it, Gengar had to consider much more.
While eating, it also had to direct Oleana and the chefs.
Serve more dishes, keep serving—don't stop~
All the restaurant's chefs were currently busy, sweating profusely.
Honestly, even when the restaurant was at full capacity, they had never been this busy.
No, they were more than twice as busy as during full capacity.
And more importantly...
They were running out of prepared ingredients!
The only consolation was perhaps that these "customers" weren't picky about the dishes.
"It seems Teacher Johan has quite an appetite."
Rose's own appetite was substantial, but he found it somewhat surprising that when he finished eating, Teacher Johan was still eating with relish.
"I've always had a good appetite. You sleep well when you eat well," Johan said without any embarrassment.
Rose gently wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Dining with Teacher Johan is truly a delightful experience."
Johan's peripheral vision glanced toward Gengar and the others, smiling: "Same here."
"Actually, I invited Teacher Johan here today mainly because there's something I wanted you to know," Rose said.
Finally getting to the point.
After all that small talk, he was finally going to reveal the reason for this dinner invitation.
Johan put down his knife and fork, wiped his mouth, and assumed a listening posture.
Rose slowly said:
"I have a 'premonition' that something major may happen in our Galar region in the near future."
Hearing this, Johan raised an eyebrow.
Something major?
Did he mean the Eternatus awakening incident?
Rose continued: "I know Teacher Johan has considerable experience and ability in 'handling' certain major events—more precisely, in handling events related to legendary Pokémon."
"Not at all, that's just others exaggerating. I just have a few methods," Johan gestured with his pinky finger.
"But Teacher Johan, you know I like to consider things comprehensively, so this is within my preparation range."
His fingers lightly tapped the table.
"Therefore, I hope that if such a major event really occurs, Teacher Johan, you could leave the matter to our Galar League to handle ourselves."
Listening to Rose's words, Johan suddenly understood.
I see...
In Rose's plan, after he awakened Eternatus, Leon would capture it.
At that point, as long as Leon successfully captured Eternatus, the Galar League would completely possess and control this powerful Pokémon capable of producing infinite Galar particles, and the Galar region wouldn't need to worry about energy for the next thousand years.
So Rose was worried that after Eternatus awakened, the "famous" Teacher Johan would act first and capture Eternatus, making all his efforts benefit someone else.
From this, it wasn't hard to see that Rose was quite confident in the strength of Leon, whom he had trained.
But clearly, he overlooked a Champion's sense of responsibility toward their region.
Under Rose's gaze, Johan said very naturally:
"Of course, I'm not someone who likes trouble. If the Galar League and Chairman Rose can solve problems yourselves, I certainly wouldn't force my way in."
Hearing this, Rose smiled.
But then Johan continued:
"I came to Galar partly for the 'Pokémon World Championships,' and partly because I promised some friends certain things."
"Friends?"
"Very good friends."
"If there's anything I can help with, please feel free to ask," Rose said politely.
"It's fine." Johan waved his hand with a smile. "It's just a 'small matter.' Chairman Rose, you know I've always... respected promises between friends."
Rose was somewhat puzzled by Johan's words.
Did this mean... Johan considered him a friend, so he was promising what he'd just agreed to?
Or did it mean...
Johan offered no explanation.
Could he really tell Rose that he'd already promised Calyrex and the sword and shield duo that he'd help them deal with Eternatus, so Rose would have to wait in line?
Anyway, he'd given his meaning. Whether Rose could understand it depended on him.
Johan stood up, putting down his napkin: "Regardless, thank you for your hospitality tonight, Chairman Rose. If there's nothing else, we'll take our leave."
"Gengar, Tyranitar, that's enough—let's go!"
Pulling along the still reluctant little ones, Johan quickly left.
The ingredients were all gone—were you planning to eat the serving carts too?
Watching Johan and his group quickly leave, Rose straightened his suit, though his large belly was still hard to hide.
"Chairman, according to the schedule, you should be on a diet," Oleana said.
"Haha, I know, I know," Rose replied dismissively.
With that, he waved his hand: "Let's go."
"Chairman, I'm afraid you'll need to pay the bill first."
"Pay the bill?"
Rose looked at Oleana strangely.
Oleana managed his meal expenses, and he couldn't remember the last time he'd paid a bill himself.
Oleana brought over the check, saying: "Sorry, because the bill exceeded the limit I applied for you this week."
Exceeded the limit?
Rose took it and glanced over it.
His eye immediately twitched slightly.
"Ha, haha, now I really... need to diet..."
After leaving Wyndon Tower, Johan prepared to find Flint and the others.
He figured Flint was probably at some battle venue fighting others to gain points.
But after leaving Wyndon Tower and walking just two streets, at a corner outdoor noodle shop, he saw Flint and others eating with their heads down, and...
"Bruno?"
That robust figure, that towering pile of "Rage Candybar" that stood out—who else could it be but Kanto Elite Four Bruno?
"Yo! Johan, long time no see. Want a candybar?"
Seeing Johan, Bruno greeted him enthusiastically and offered him a candybar.
Before Johan could respond, Flint said gloomily:
"Bruno, you don't know—Teacher Johan probably ate his fill already. Chairman Rose specially invited him to dine at a high-end restaurant."
"Oh?" Bruno was somewhat surprised.
When did Johan get involved with Galar League Chairman Rose?
Smack!
Johan irritably smacked Flint on the head: "When did you learn to be sarcastic? Is it my fault for not treating you to dinner?"
As he spoke, he took a bag from Gengar's hands and placed it on the table.
"Here, don't say I didn't bring you food."
Seeing this, Flint immediately beamed: "I knew Teacher Johan wouldn't 'eat alone'! There's even roasted lamb chops?"
He immediately prepared to dig in.
Compared to him, Flannery and Roxanne were much more restrained. As for Penny, she had already been taken away by Peony.
"Eh? Why are there bite marks?"
Looking at the bite marks on the roasted lamb chop, Flint asked curiously.
Johan glanced at his purple fatty.
"Ka-kaah~"
Gengar was looking up at a forty-five-degree angle, picking its teeth.
"You should be grateful for having food—you're being picky? If you don't want it, I'll feed it to the dogs."
"Eat eat eat!!"
He immediately started gnawing on it.
"By the way, Bruno, what brings you here...?"
"Gaining points."
Bruno seemed uninterested in the so-called delicacies Johan brought, focusing on his pile of "Rage Candybar." Facing Johan's question, he answered matter-of-factly.
"What's your current ranking?" Johan couldn't help asking.
"Twenty-four," Bruno said somewhat mumbledly.
"Twenty-four?!"
Johan hadn't even spoken when Flint, who was gnawing on Gengar's leftovers, jumped up first.
As fellow Elite Four members, although Bruno could be considered half a senior, they were actually not more than ten years apart in age—they could barely be considered peers.
But now Bruno was ranked twenty-fourth, and him?
After eating some "bad points" in Spikemuth, his ranking not only hadn't risen but seemed to be continuing to drop.
Flint hadn't felt anything without comparison.
But once there was comparison, he immediately felt something was wrong.
"What's wrong?" Bruno showed his white teeth in a smile.
"No, nothing," Flint shook his head, then suddenly suggested: "By the way, Bruno, aren't you going to challenge Teacher Johan? Beating 'Master Ball Tier' gives lots of points~"
Bruno rumbled: "No thanks."
He wasn't stupid.
Fighting current Johan had low win probability. Rather than challenging Johan now, he might as well wait for the "Master Replacement Battles."
It wasn't time to "fight desperately" yet.
Johan couldn't help wanting to flick Flint's forehead.
You're trying to play mind games with others?
Johan asked again: "Bruno, have you fought Raihan?"
"No," Bruno said helplessly. "I originally wanted to come to Wyndon to fight Raihan, but that guy is really working hard to gain points—he's already climbed to fifteenth place recently."
"Fifteenth place?!" Flint jumped up again.
Didn't that mean he was already in the final sixteen?
Johan was also somewhat surprised.
But thinking about it carefully, it made sense.
Raihan was already quite strong, and being in the Galar region locally, gaining points would undoubtedly be much easier. The earlier you gain points, the higher your ranking naturally becomes.
"Yeah," Bruno continued. "But that guy has been preparing for the Galar League's 'Champion Cup' recently, so he's temporarily refusing all matches and challenges."
Compared to rankings, Raihan was still more obsessed with fighting Leon.
"Then Bruno, aren't you considering fighting Flint?" Johan asked with interest.
Hmm?
Flint's eyes lit up.
Bruno glanced at him: "Him? His points are too low now."
Flint: (╥﹏╥)
"Besides, I've made an appointment with Marshal from the Unova League. I don't have time to fight Flint either," Bruno added.
"Marshal?"
Fighting specialist vs fighting specialist—this battle should be quite interesting.
"When? Tomorrow?"
"Right, tomorrow, at Wyndon Stadium!"
Johan and Flint exchanged glances.
Johan: Sounds entertaining, worth watching.
Flint: There'll definitely be experts in the audience—I'll pick a couple to challenge!
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Powerstones?
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