Looking at the defeated Scolipede lying motionless on the ground—
Su Yi hesitated.
"…Should I catch it?"
The truth was—
He wasn't particularly interested in Scolipede.
And more importantly—
Poké Balls were still a limited resource.
Every single one mattered.
…
"Not going to catch it?"
A voice came from behind.
Leon walked over casually, hands in his pockets.
Su Yi scratched his head.
"I didn't fight it to capture it."
"It was for Chansey…"
He briefly explained the situation.
Leon nodded, smiling.
"So you defeated it… to protect others."
Su Yi let out a breath.
"If I catch it… I have to take responsibility."
"…But if I don't…"
His gaze fell on the unconscious Scolipede.
"…it might keep hurting others."
"…Sigh."
He took out a Poké Ball.
"Fine."
"I'll catch it."
Thunk.
The ball struck—
Absorbing Scolipede instantly.
This time—
No resistance.
…
For a moment—
The nearby Pokémon froze.
Then—
They erupted into cheers.
A group of small Pokémon rushed forward—
Surrounding Su Yi and Kulu-Ya-Ku.
"Gah?!"
Kulu-Ya-Ku panicked slightly—
Suddenly buried under a pile of tiny creatures.
A Pichu climbed onto its back—
Laughing happily.
"…They're too enthusiastic."
Su Yi laughed awkwardly.
Leon crossed his arms, smiling.
"They're thanking you."
This time—
Su Yi didn't hold back.
He crouched down—
Gently interacting with them.
"…So this is a Pikachu's cheek…"
"Soft—"
"—AH! Sorry!!"
A spark jolted his fingers.
Pikachu simply laughed—
Rubbing its head against his hand.
Soon—
More Pokémon gathered.
"…A Goomy?!"
"So slimy—HAHA!"
Meanwhile—
Kulu-Ya-Ku had become a moving playground—
Carrying a swarm of Pokémon on its back as it ran in circles.
…
Leon watched quietly.
"…This is it."
"This is why I fight."
"Pokémon."
"People."
"This bond…"
"…is worth protecting."
His partner Charizard let out a low, approving growl.
…
At that moment—
Chansey approached.
Several Pokémon followed—
Carrying berries.
Lushui translated:
"They're saying this berry grove is their only food source…"
"They're thanking you for protecting it."
Even though—
It was everything they had—
They still chose to share.
…
Su Yi smiled softly.
He picked only four Oran Berries—
Then tossed them out.
"To you."
Lushui.
Kulu-Ya-Ku.
Leon.
"…That's enough."
He returned the rest.
Leon bit into one.
"…Sweet."
Su Yi nodded.
"…Yeah."
For some reason—
It tasted better than anything else.
…
After that—
They set off.
Kulu-Ya-Ku sprinted across wetlands—
With Su Yi and Lushui riding on its back.
In the water—
Drednaw surfaced briefly—
Watching them pass—
Before sinking back into the depths.
Above—
Charizard carried Leon—
Leading the way.
…
Soon—
Wetlands gave way to open plains.
Su Yi took a deep breath—
Then shouted toward the sky.
Several Fletchinder scattered in alarm.
Nearby Greedent scrambled up trees.
"…So this is Galar…"
Even if Leon had a terrible sense of direction—
Charizard clearly did not.
…
In the distance—
A massive structure came into view.
"…We're here."
"The dojo."
Isle of Armor.
A remote island—
Once home to a Champion.
Leon's master—
Mustard.
…
They arrived at the entrance.
Leon smiled faintly.
"…Feels nostalgic."
Su Yi looked around.
"…This place is huge."
An entire island—
Plains.
Wetlands.
Forests.
Caves.
Beaches.
"…This is basically a world of its own."
Leon pushed the door open.
"I'm back, Master!"
A cheerful voice echoed from inside—
"Well, well—if it isn't little Leon!"
An elderly man approached—
Smiling warmly.
Mustard.
Leon scratched his head awkwardly.
"Sorry… I've been busy."
Mustard laughed.
"Busy is good—but don't forget your health!"
Then—
His gaze shifted to Su Yi.
"Oh?"
"Brought a friend?"
Su Yi observed him carefully.
Old—
But sharp.
Even standing casually—
There was hidden strength beneath it.
Leon quickly diverted.
"Where's Honey?"
Mustard grinned.
"She's already cooking."
"Come on—let's eat and talk."
…
They entered the dining hall.
A refined woman was placing dishes on the table.
Honey.
"Leon's here—oh?"
"We have a guest?"
Su Yi nodded politely.
"Sorry for the intrusion."
Honey smiled.
"The more, the merrier."
Leon looked around.
"Where's Hyde?"
"He already ate."
"Resting in his room."
Then—
She smirked.
"…You're late."
"…Our lost Champion."
Leon froze.
"…Ah."
"…Sorry."
He had made them wait.
Mustard chuckled.
"No harm done."
Then—
Both he and Honey turned toward Su Yi.
"…And you?"
"You're Leon's friend?"
Su Yi scratched his head awkwardly.
"…Well…"
"I just met him."
"And as for why I'm here…"
"…I got lost."
…
Silence.
Mustard.
Honey.
Slowly—
They turned their heads—
And looked at Leon.
"…You too?"