When Leon heard that Su Yi had ended up on the Isle of Armor simply because he got lost—
He froze for a moment.
Then burst out laughing.
"Mr. Su Yi—so you get lost too?!"
…
Su Yi went silent.
…Is that really the same thing?
I got lost because I didn't know where I was.
You get lost because you're just bad at directions.
…
"…Char."
Beside him, Charizard shook its head helplessly.
What exactly is there to be proud of?
…
Mustard stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"You're not from Galar, are you, lad?"
Su Yi nodded calmly.
"I'm not."
"I come from… a very distant place."
"A distant place, huh…"
Leon didn't press further.
Instead—
He watched Su Yi carefully.
Someone who—
Respected Pokémon.
Fought with passion.
And smiled sincerely among them.
Such a person—
Couldn't be bad.
…
"Yes."
Su Yi took a slow breath.
"I came from far away."
"To travel."
"To reach the end of the world."
"…That's my lifelong romance."
"I'll go with Su Yi, meow!"
Lushui leapt into his arms.
Su Yi laughed softly—
Fist meeting paw.
…
Mustard chuckled.
"Ah… youth."
"Full of fire. Full of dreams."
…
Meanwhile—
Honey had her eyes locked elsewhere.
"That Pokémon…"
"So cute—and it talks?!"
…
Suddenly—
Leon slammed his hand on the table.
"Su Yi—!"
"Battle me!"
"…Huh?"
Su Yi blinked.
"…Now?"
But then—
He saw it.
The fire in Leon's eyes.
Pure.
Simple.
Unrestrained.
The desire to—
Fight new opponents.
Discover new Pokémon.
Experience new battles.
This—
Was the heart of a true trainer.
And Su Yi understood instantly.
…
"…If it's a Champion's invitation—"
"I'd be honored."
His fist clenched.
A grin spread across his face.
…
Honey sighed.
"At least eat first."
"Let's eat!"
Su Yi & Leon spoke at the same time.
…
Mustard watched quietly.
His gaze distant.
"…Interesting."
He remembered—
A younger Leon.
Unrestrained.
Curious.
Hungry for the unknown.
But now—
Leon carried responsibility.
Duty.
And Su Yi—
Was what Leon might have been.
Free.
Unbound.
"…No wonder…"
"…he's excited."
…
After the meal—
Leon stretched.
"Still as delicious as ever, Master."
Su Yi nodded respectfully.
"Thank you for the meal."
Honey smiled warmly.
"Seeing young people full of energy is the best compliment."
…
Then—
Leon turned.
Eyes blazing once more.
"…Shall we?"
Su Yi smirked.
"I'm not just an adventurer."
"I'm a hunter."
"And a hunter—"
"…is also a challenger."
"I won't hold back just because you're the Champion."
…
Mustard laughed.
"Kids these days…"
He led them outside—
To a massive arena carved into the mountainside.
…
Leon adjusted his cap.
"How many Pokémon?"
Su Yi thought briefly.
"…1v1."
"I want to see…"
"…how far I am from the top."
"Fair enough."
…
Leon raised a Poké Ball.
Su Yi did the same.
Jagras.
His gaze sharpened.
…
Mustard stepped forward—
Taking the role of referee.
"You both know the rules?"
"Of course."
"Then—"
"BEGIN!"
…
"Go—Inteleon!"
A slender, elegant blue Pokémon appeared—
Standing upright.
Calm.
Precise.
Deadly.
…
"…Not Charizard."
Su Yi narrowed his eyes.
He's serious.
…
"Then—"
"Go! Jagras!"
BOOM!!
The massive creature slammed onto the battlefield.
"ROOOAAAR!!"
Its sheer size—
Its savage presence—
Drew immediate attention.
…
Leon's eyes lit up.
"Incredible!"
"Another Pokémon I've never seen!"
…
Mustard observed quietly.
"…Such raw instinct."
"…What kind of place produces creatures like that…?"
…
The battle began instantly.
"Let's warm up!"
Leon pointed forward.
"Inteleon—Snipe Shot!"
"Ta!"
Inteleon raised its hand—
Like a precision weapon.
FLASH—!
A razor-thin stream of water shot forward—
At terrifying speed.
…
"Dodge!!"
Jagras leapt sideways—
Barely avoiding it.
…
Leon smiled.
"Too slow."
"For a sniper."
"Inteleon—again!"
BANG—!
This time—
Jagras couldn't react.
The shot struck clean.
"ROAA—!!"
A deep wound tore across its side.
Blood.
Pain.
Shock.
…
Su Yi clenched his fist.
"…So fast."
"…So precise."
"That's Champion level…"
…
Then—
A smile slowly formed.
"…Good."
"Now it gets interesting."