Thanks to Cynthia's explanation, everyone finally understood what a divine-mandate legend was.
No one expected this—
Even legendary Pokémon were divided into two tiers: those with divine authority… and those without.
[Lance: Divine-mandate legendaries really are terrifying!
I once fought a Moltres with divine authority—
Even my Dragonite struggled to win!]
Ah yes.
Lance had entered show-off mode.
He had just explained how horrifying divine Mandate Pokémon were…
only to turn around and say:
"Actually, divine legendaries… are weaker than me.
[Lorelei: Oh, please.
If you're that strong, how about trying to defeat me first?
Kanto's Flying-type Elite Four… 'Dragon Master' Lance.]
"YOU—!!"
Lance glared at Lorelei, who smiled sweetly at him.
This woman was snatching every bamboo shoot in sight—
First, tearing down his bragging, then calling him the Flying-type Elite again!
Damn it all!
Whether "Flying" or "Dragon," BOTH got destroyed by Ice-types!
And since their strength was close to equal, with a type disadvantage…
Lance had no way to refute her.
"Am I wrong?"
"…Fine. You win this one."
Ash glanced at Pikachu, eyes sparkling.
"Did you hear that, Pikachu?
There are still so many powerful Pokémon in the world!
We're going to beat them all—one by one!"
"Pika!!"
"ROAR!!"
Charizard stared at the frozen image of Tapu Koko, flames burning in his eyes.
Defeating a non-divine-mandate Articuno was just the beginning.
One day, he would become the strongest Charizard in the world—
Even divine legendaries would fall before him!
…
After a brief pause, the display lit up again.
This time, the footage cut straight to a massive stadium.
Crowds filled every seat.
The noise was deafening.
Among the audience, the people of Alola spotted familiar faces—
and even saw themselves!
Lana, Lillie, Mallow…
All of them appeared in the stands.
Everything indicated—
This stadium was located in Alola.
But… Professor Kukui racked his brain:
Since when did Alola have such a massive battle arena?
As the cheers rose to a crescendo, two figures walked out from opposite tunnels.
On one side—
A tan-skinned young man in a white coat, green shades, bare chest, and a confident smile.
Many spectators did a double-take—
He looked almost like an adult version of Ash!?
On the other side—
Red-and-white cap.
Yellow mouse.
Familiar face.
Ash Ketchum.
Ash. Again.
At this point, every tally besides the Tapu Koko preview had featured Ash.
What else could this be but:
"The boy chosen by the gods."
A normal person might see a legend once in a lifetime.
Ash met them like they were weekly groceries.
And not only met them—
He FOUGHT them.
The man standing opposite him—
ordinary folk might not recognize him.
But the world's powerful trainers certainly did.
Some had even battled him before.
Yet to 90% of the world…
Professor Kukui was just a friendly academic with average battle strength.
So why was he fighting Ash?
And Tapu Koko—
Was that his Pokémon?
The answer appeared on the screen:
[Tally: "Those Who Fight Gods With Mortal Bodies" (Part 4)]
[Battlefield: Alola Region – Manalo Stadium]
[Match Type: Kukui vs Ash — Full Team, Six-on-Six]
[Kukui's Team: Incineroar, Empoleon, Venusaur, Lucario, Braviary, Tapu Koko]
[Ash's Team: Rowlet, Torracat, Lycanroc (Dusk), Naganadel, Melmetal, Pikachu]
[Note: Tapu Koko holds divine authority.
Naganadel is an Ultra Beast—classified as a legendary-level Pokémon.
Melmetal is a Mythical Pokémon—also classified as legendary-tier.
Neither has divine authority.]
[Betting is now open:
Wager on either Kukui or Ash.
Time limit: 5 minutes.]
This time, the tally listed every Pokémon on both sides—
And even clarified who had divine authority and who didn't.
But the most shocking revelation was—
Ash owned TWO different legendary-tier Pokémon.
One was an "Ultra Beast"—unknown to most regions.
But the other?
A mythical Pokémon—
just like Celebi, Mew, and Jirachi.
People understood THAT.
Ash Ketchum—
who spent half his childhood getting electrocuted—
was now officially…
A legendary collector.
And the bet?
This time it wasn't about one Pokémon winning.
It was betting the entire trainer.
Six Pokémon apiece.
A full-team championship-level showdown.
"Ash… you actually have legendary Pokémon?"
Lance stared at him in awe.
A legendary Pokémon! Even he wanted one!
Especially a Dragon legendary…
His current team only had two Dragonites and an Altaria—
The rest weren't truly dragons at all, just "dragon-adjacent."
His hunger for a true dragon-type legendary was immeasurable.
"Ahaha… th-that's in the future, Lance!
I don't even know what's gonna happen yet!"
Ash scratched his cheek awkwardly.
Being admired by a Champion felt pretty amazing.
"I believe the future you will definitely obtain them.
After all… those Pokémon are destined to meet you.
Just like the Froakie in your hands."
Leon smiled warmly.
Ash Ketchum—
He wasn't just talented.
He was favored by fate.
…
Meanwhile in Alola—
Professor Kukui's students stared at him with shining eyes.
"P-Professor! You have Incineroar?!
How come we never saw him!?"
"And a Lucario too?!"
"What are you talking about! The important one is Tapu Koko!
Professor Kukui actually caught a divine-mandate legendary!
He's AMAZING!!!"
"Ash caught an Ultra Beast!? So cool!
And he even battles Professor Kukui!
Does that mean Ash is going to be our classmate someday?!"
A swarm of excited children surrounded him like fangirls.
Kukui could only raise his hands with an embarrassed smile.
He couldn't shake the feeling…
Things were about to get very complicated.
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