Chapter 75 — The Grudge of Ice Cream is Terrifying

"Hm?"

Seeing Sun Wuming as he walked over, Leon was about to greet him when he noticed the strange atmosphere.

Just as Leon was about to ask what happened,

He noticed Sonia peeking out from behind Sun Wuming, frantically waving and making gestures at him.

After a moment's confusion, Leon finally understood what Sonia meant and said to Cynthia's group:

"Champion Cynthia, please come with me. Chairman Rose has been eagerly awaiting your arrival."

Cynthia nodded, "Thank you for showing the way."

As she walked past Sun Wuming's shoulder, Cynthia shot him another resentful glance.

"Did something happen earlier?"

Sonia stepped forward to ask.

"Just a small matter, don't worry about it."

Sun Wuming explained that he had just been teasing, but he hadn't expected Cynthia's attachment to ice cream to be so intense - quite interesting

"Let's take Marnie to register first."

Sun Wuming changed the subject.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

On the way, remembering Lisia's cold attitude towards Viola earlier, Sun Wuming asked:

"By the way, Lisia, what's the issue between you and Viola?"

"Nothing much, just some minor conflicts over magazine covers and endorsements."

Lisia shook her head.

Sun Wuming hadn't noticed before, but upon careful comparison, he realized that Viola and Lisia's public personas were quite similar.

Both were top models in their regions while also serving as Gym Leaders.

And well, they were both similarly weak in battle.

Both classified as "high-class decorative pieces."

Though that sounds harsh, if making a real comparison,

Viola was still stronger.

At least when ranking the Gym Leaders of the Unova region, Viola wouldn't be dead last like Lisia.

This was the main reason why Lisia and Viola didn't get along.

Whenever their fans got into arguments online, as soon as Viola's fans gained the upper hand, they would immediately counter with "your idol is too weak" and "worst Galar Gym Leader."

Leaving Lisia's fans speechless.

Nothing could be done about it, since it was the truth.

The fans' behavior reflected back on their idols.

Given this situation, it was natural that Lisia couldn't develop any goodwill toward Viola.

"Just wait and see, I'm different this year!"

Arriving at the stadium registration desk, Lisia clenched her fists with determination.

...

...

At four in the afternoon, in the dimly lit Wyndon Stadium.

Unlike the traditional torch-lighting ceremony of the Silver Conference,

Chairman Rose of the Galar Pokemon League walked slowly to the center of the arena amid thunderous cheers from thousands of spectators.

"Hello everyone, welcome to Galar."

Adjusting his tie, Rose spread his arms to greet both the live audience and TV viewers.

The venue erupted in deafening applause.

"The annual Galar Star Tournament will be held again today. First, let's welcome with warm applause our pride of Galar - Leon!"

Bang!!!

The spotlights suddenly lit up, converging to form a sphere at the center of the arena.

And there stood Leon, the League Champion.

"Oh!!!!"

The venue instantly exploded with ear-splitting screams, many times louder than when Rose had appeared.

In the spectator stands.

Iris instinctively covered her ears and couldn't help but comment:

"Isn't this a bit over the top?"

Winona nodded in agreement, "Even among League Champions, this level of popularity is unmatched. Uncle Alder never gets this kind of response at events."

Viola raised an eyebrow, "Can't help it, audiences naturally prefer handsome men and beautiful women over a scruffy old man."

At that moment, at the Pokemon Center in Cerulean City, Kanto.

Many trainers gathered around the public TV, watching the live broadcast of the Galar Star Tournament.

Among the crowd, a boy wearing a cap with a Pikachu on his shoulder got goosebumps from hearing such thunderous cheers through the TV.

"So amazing! Is this person the Champion?!"

Ash exclaimed with excitement.

Misty and Brock, who had officially become Ash's traveling companions, both showed exasperated expressions.

Misty rolled her eyes and explained:

"To be precise, he's the Galar region's Champion, not our Kanto Champion."

Brock added:

"Leon is known as the 'Undefeated Champion,' while Lance is the 'Strongest Champion.' Which of them is actually stronger has been an endless debate among trainers."

"Lance is definitely stronger."

Ash declared with conviction.

As someone from Kanto, he naturally supported his region's Champion.

Meanwhile,

At Pokemon Centers in Dewford Town in Hoenn, Blackthorn City in Johto, and Vaniville Town in Kalos,

Other rookie trainers around Ash's age were also watching the tournament through public TVs.

...

...

"Thank you all for waiting!"

In Wyndon Stadium, under the spotlight, Leon spread his arms and announced:

"Today, we have gathered here brave challengers representing Galar!"

"In the past, I always faced myself, seeking strength through solitary training."

"But later I learned that true strength comes from having rivals and companions."

"Therefore, as Champion, I hope to discover more excellent trainers and make Galar an even more vibrant and energetic place!"

"Let's welcome them! Our trainers!"

At this point, hundreds of trainers who had collected eight badges this year and qualified for the Star Tournament walked in from the stadium's side entrances, standing behind Leon.

Naturally, this included Gym Leaders like Bea, Lisia, and Raihan who automatically qualified.

Besides them, there were also regular trainers like Marnie and Hop who had collected all eight badges.

Then, Leon raised his right hand, pointing his index finger to the sky.

"Now, I hereby declare! The Galar Star Tournament begins!"

...

...

"Ahhhhh! Go Leon! You're the strongest!"

"Been waiting a year! Let's start already!"

"Go son! Mom and Dad are watching!"

"Raihan, you must succeed in challenging Leon this year!"

The emotions of both the live audience and TV viewers were at their peak.

Seeing this, Leon smiled slightly and spoke again:

"The tournament proper will begin tomorrow. Tonight, please enjoy an exhibition match between two excellent trainers!"

Following Leon's words, the participants who had just entered quickly left through the competitors' tunnel.

Leon first extended his left hand toward the left entrance.

"First, from the Sinnoh region, the beautiful goddess of war - Champion Cynthia!"

Just hearing this name made countless male viewers' blood boil with excitement.

Unlike Lisia or Viola who were beautiful but weak in battle,

Cynthia, who combined both power and beauty, had numerous fans not just among men, but women as well.

Since League Champions hadn't faced each other in official matches yet, it was hard to determine which Champion was strongest...

But in terms of popularity, Cynthia was definitely among the top Champions.

The spotlight moved from Leon to illuminate the left entrance.

Wearing an elegant rose-colored cape, truly like a medieval valkyrie, Cynthia emerged from the tunnel.

She walked gracefully to the left command platform with a smile.

"Who will be my challenger?"

Cynthia asked with a charming smile that captivated both men and women as she faced the camera.

While the audience swooned, they also wondered the same thing as Cynthia.

Given the situation, her opponent wouldn't be Leon.

But it seemed Galar didn't have any trainer who could match Cynthia.

Raihan perhaps?

Though he was Champion-level, he still seemed... a bit inferior.

At this time, the Galar Gym Leaders including Marnie and others who had just left the arena had returned to the competitors' room.

They watched the situation inside through the TV broadcast there.

Then, Leon gestured toward the right entrance.

"Their opponent! Galar's rising star! A martial artist of unfathomable strength, mentor to Stow-on-Side Gym Leader Bea - Sun Wuming!"

The spotlight shone on the right entrance.

When they saw who emerged,

Cynthia on the other side of the arena, along with Iris, Diantha, Viola and others in the audience, all showed "are you kidding me" expressions.

Compared to the resounding cheers during Cynthia's entrance,

When Sun Wuming appeared, the venue fell into mysterious silence.

And on TV, whether it was Ash, Brock, and Misty in Kanto, May in Hoenn, Dawn in Sinnoh, or Serena in Kalos, along with countless other viewers,

They all fell into mysterious silence.

The same two words appeared in the minds of millions of viewers -

Who's that?

Meanwhile, Leon quickly walked away, leaving the field to the two of them.

"This should be interesting."

In the male competitors' room, Raihan suddenly said.

"I'll be commentating this match, please bear with me everyone."

Leon sat at the commentator's desk with a slight smile of anticipation.

"What a coincidence, but no matter what kind of opponent, I won't hold back."

Cynthia spoke up, still wearing a radiant smile, but looking closely, one could see a hint of horror beneath her golden bangs.

In the next moment, Cynthia threw off her rose-colored cape, revealing her signature black coat underneath.

"Let me, Cynthia, battle you with all my might!"

And after Cynthia finished speaking, Sun Wuming heard her mutter:

"I'll get my revenge for the Froslass ice cream now."

The voice was barely louder than a mosquito's buzz, something normal people definitely couldn't hear, but Sun Wuming could.

Tch, this woman was strangely easy to tease.

— — —

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