Chapter 289 - 289: Leon: I Heard Hoenn Has Produced a Top-Tier Champion?

After Steven's Aggron and Wallace's Gyarados both lost the ability to battle, the corners of Aiden's lips curled upward into a satisfied smile.

After all, the two of them had been talking behind his back earlier.

That was precisely why he had dragged them into battle in front of everyone at Hoenn League headquarters and used one of his newly acquired Legendary Pokémon to teach them a proper lesson.

Dusting off his hands, Aiden leisurely returned to his Champion's office.

Meanwhile, the staff members at League headquarters looked on in astonishment.

"Champion Aiden has become even stronger!"

"He actually defeated Vice Champions Steven and Wallace instantly!"

"He really is the strongest Champion our Hoenn League has ever had!"

"Exactly! Half a year ago, when Champion Aiden fought Steven and Wallace, the battle was still fairly even."

"But now the gap between them has become enormous."

"I envy Miss Joy so much."

"She actually found a boyfriend as incredible as Champion Aiden."

"Waaah... I want one too!"

Hearing the surrounding discussions, Steven and Wallace both twitched at the corners of their mouths.

Well...

From now on, they definitely wouldn't badmouth this psychic monster behind his back anymore.

Who knew whether he would overhear them again?

If something like this happened another time, the dignity of the two Vice Champions would truly be gone forever.

Regardless, both Steven and Wallace had once served as regional Champions.

Being beaten so thoroughly by the new Champion was embarrassing enough already.

Having successfully put the two of them in their place, Aiden leaned back comfortably in his chair.

When Steven and Wallace entered the Champion's office, they began reporting the recent affairs of the Hoenn League.

Most of them were insignificant matters.

The Gym Leaders in each city were more than capable of handling those on their own.

However, there were two issues neither of them could decide upon.

The first was that Galar had recently crowned a new regional Champion—

Leon.

For reasons unknown, Leon had heard that Hoenn's new Champion, Aiden Flint, possessed extraordinary strength.

He intended to come personally and challenge him.

Hearing that, Aiden smiled.

Leon...

He was certainly a formidable opponent.

The only question was whether he had already stepped into the Master tier.

The second matter concerned a newly discovered region.

The Pokémon League Headquarters had recently confirmed the existence of a brand-new region—

Paldea.

The League Headquarters was currently discussing how to formally incorporate Paldea into the League system, establish a Paldea League, and select its own regional Champion.

Of course, joining the League was largely symbolic.

Whether it was Hoenn, Sinnoh, Kalos, Unova, or any other region, the Champion was always a local Trainer.

Only the Elite Four could occasionally be appointed based purely on strength.

Officially, every regional League answered to Pokémon League Headquarters.

In reality, however, each region governed itself independently.

League Headquarters merely wanted the title of overall authority.

As long as each regional League acknowledged the League Headquarters in name, the actual governing power remained in the hands of the regional Champion.

That...

Was the Pokémon League.

"A newly discovered region like Paldea is bound to have many new Pokémon."

"When the opportunity arises, I'd like to travel there."

"As for Leon coming to challenge me…"

"When he arrives, I'll be sure to give him a very warm welcome."

Seeing the smile on Aiden's face, Steven and Wallace couldn't help shivering.

Knowing him as well as they did, they immediately understood.

Leon...

Was probably in for a rough time.

...

Meanwhile, in the Galar region...

Unlike the other regions, Galar did not have an Elite Four.

Its League consisted only of Gym Leaders and the Champion.

The newly crowned Champion, Leon, had already been hailed as the strongest Champion Trainer of the past century.

Having remained undefeated for so long, Leon had gradually developed the loneliness of someone without an equal.

So when he heard rumors that Hoenn had produced an extraordinarily powerful Champion, his competitive spirit was immediately ignited.

Without hesitation, he officially issued a Champion's challenge to the Hoenn League.

Only after Aiden returned to Hoenn was that request finally accepted.

"Hahaha!"

"I can finally battle that mysterious man!"

"I've heard he commands numerous Legendary Pokémon."

"Charizard..."

"This time, we may be facing our strongest opponent yet!"

Hearing Leon's words, his longtime partner, Charizard, let out a powerful roar.

It was as if he were saying—

No matter who their opponent was, he would stand beside Leon and defeat them together.

Leon smiled and gently rubbed Charizard's head.

"That's right."

"We've never been defeated."

"Even if our opponent is another regional Champion..."

"We'll still win, Charizard."

After receiving confirmation from Champion Aiden Flint, Leon departed with his Pokémon for Hoenn.

Before leaving, he temporarily entrusted the affairs of the Galar region to Professor Magnolia before setting off.

When people learned of the news, they couldn't help but sigh.

Leon truly was a man born for battle.

...

One week later, Leon finally arrived at the Hoenn League.

Following the official League navigation system, he eventually reached League Headquarters.

Stepping into the reception hall, Leon announced,

"Hello."

"My name is Leon, Champion of the Galar region."

"I've come to pay a visit to Hoenn's Champion."

The staff members immediately turned their attention toward the dark-skinned man standing before them.

He appeared to be in his early thirties—

The absolute prime of a Pokémon Trainer's career.

However, Galar was simply too far from Hoenn.

As a result, many of the League employees had never even heard of Leon before.

Still, he claimed to be the Champion of another region.

Naturally, no one dared neglect him.

They immediately relayed the news to Aiden.

"Champion!"

"A Trainer claiming to be the Champion of the Galar region has arrived."

Upon hearing that Leon had come, Aiden couldn't help but smile.

It was finally time.

He would personally see just how strong the man known as the greatest Trainer in the Pokémon world truly was.

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