Chapter 87 — So he was actually holding back?

The next day.

In the Sinnoh region, Celestic Town.

This town didn't have many distinctive features, but it had gained prominence in the Sinnoh region over the past two years.

The reason was simple - it was Champion Cynthia's hometown.

In an unremarkable small house.

A small, elderly person wearing a white lab coat sat on the sofa in front of the television.

On screen was the bustling Wyndon Stadium.

The elderly woman, known as "Professor Carolina," was a renowned historian in the Sinnoh region.

"Grandma."

At that moment, a beautiful blonde woman in casual clothes walked over and handed Professor Carolina a cup of coffee.

It was Cynthia!

"Thank you, dear granddaughter."

Carolina smiled gently, then asked with concern:

"How is... Garchomp doing?"

At the mention of this topic, Cynthia's delicate eyebrows twitched slightly again.

"It's mostly healed, but it seems there are still some lingering effects..."

Just then, on the TV screen, Chairman Rose of the Galar League slowly walked to the center of the stadium.

"Everyone! Today marks the closing ceremony of this year's Galar Star Tournament."

"All facilities in the city will be free to access today, so please enjoy this annual festival celebration."

"But before that, the Galar League has one more spectacular battle to present to you all."

Rose's voice carried clearly to everyone in the venue and watching on TV through the small microphone on his tie.

"Now, let us welcome our strongest trainers!"

"First, the pride of Galar, our 'Undefeated Champion' Leon!"

Rose raised his left hand high, turning toward the left player tunnel.

Confetti fell and colored smoke spread through the air

Leon, with his long purple hair and short beard, walked out with a smile.

The moment he reached the center of the arena.

Leon raised his left hand in a peace sign, tilted his head down to the right, striking his signature pose.

"Tch~"

Lance, at the Indigo Plateau, let out a scoff of disdain.

Not just at Leon, but at Rose too.

Strongest trainer?

Did anyone ask if he, Lance, agreed with that?

"Woah!!!"

Leon's signature pose instantly triggered passionate screams from his local fans.

"And our other contestant is someone who burst onto the scene just a year ago, completely defeating Sinnoh Champion Cynthia, the strongest martial artist and Galar's rising star - Son Wuming!"

Rose then raised his right hand high, gesturing to the other side.

It must be said that Rose, with his business background, was quite skilled at being passive-aggressive.

While promoting Son Wuming and his own Galar League, he also managed to severely put down both Cynthia and the Sinnoh League.

Many Sinnoh trainers watching the screen wanted to smash their TVs.

Even more Sinnoh residents went straight to venting online.

"Rose, you're just a shill! Remember what I'm saying, I'm calling you out right here from Sinnoh, just waiting for you!"

"Leon! Don't let me catch you in the Sinnoh League, I'll rip that cape right off you! Gonna punch you right in the face!"

"Listen here, monkey boy! Come to Sinnoh and see what happens! You won't like what's coming!"

"You're all nothing! Just the lowest of the low!"

"Bottom of the barrel!"

...

...

Son Wuming, wearing the Turtle School training uniform, slowly walked out from the other tunnel.

Hop: "Master! Show them what you've got!"

Marnie: "Go for it!"

Klara: "Win this beautifully!"

Sonia: "If you lose, no dinner tonight!"

Though far from matching Leon's popularity, after defeating Cynthia with overwhelming power, Son Wuming had gained considerable fame and recognition in Galar.

Originally, quite a few spectators wanted to cheer for him when he appeared.

However, after seeing Hop, Marnie, and the others cheering from the front row.

Many male spectators swallowed their cheers that had risen to their throats.

They couldn't help but steal extra glances at those four beauties, each equally gorgeous but with distinctly different styles.

Honestly, it was impressive they weren't booing.

Jealousy, pure and simple jealousy.

...

...

"Let me say this upfront, I have no interest in being your puppet champion."

Son Wuming said casually as he approached Leon and Rose.

A flash of disappointment crossed Rose's eyes, but his smile quickly returned, "No matter, the best candidate is already in our ranks. I'm sure your disciples will be very happy after this match ends."

"Oh?"

Before Son Wuming could ask Rose what he meant.

Rose had already turned and left, leaving the stage to Son Wuming and Leon.

"Ever since we met in Postwick six months ago, I've been looking forward to battling you."

Leon said with a smile.

"Unfortunately, I'm not very good at holding back."

Son Wuming replied with a composed expression.

Leon's smile widened, "In that case, even better."

Leon had no idea what he was about to face.

...

...

"Like the exhibition match at the opening ceremony, this will be a 1-on-1 battle!"

The commentator exclaimed excitedly:

"Will we witness the continuation of Leon's legend as the 'Undefeated Champion' today, or will we see the crowning of a new king? I can't wait!"

In the arena, Leon threw aside his cape covered in Lego advertisements.

Showing he would give it his all.

"This opponent will definitely satisfy you!"

"Go! Charizard!"

As expected, Leon called out his strongest and most trusted partner.

"ROAR—!"

Charizard let out an imposing roar.

It was somewhat afraid of Son Wuming.

But it wasn't afraid of Son Wuming's Pokémon.

"There it is! Our champion's signature Charizard!"

The commentator shouted excitedly into the microphone, then turned his attention to Son Wuming.

"And on the other side, will the mysterious Son Wuming send out his godlike Urshifu again? Or will he bring us another surprise?"

Son Wuming took out an unremarkable Poké Ball, tossed it up and down, then threw it backward.

"Woof!"

A scarred but graceful large dog leaped out of the Poké Ball.

At its waist was a rusty sword with more than half its blade broken off.

Sonia quietly covered her pretty face, seemingly not wanting to see the brutal scene about to unfold, and muttered to herself:

"I knew he would call it out."

Zacian!

"Whoa—!!!"

The venue erupted in commotion.

The two true heroes who saved the Galar region 3,000 years ago weren't the ancient royal family.

But rather the two legendary Pokémon, Zacian and Zamazenta.

This fact had become known throughout the Pokémon world through Galar's official news reports and Sonia's thesis.

Photos of Zacian and Zamazenta had also been made public.

The public certainly knew their true identities.

However, Son Wuming calling it out from a Poké Ball now meant... didn't this mean Zacian had become his Pokémon?!

"Sigh..."

Rose, sitting back in his high chair, let out a sigh.

He had known all along that the Sword and Shield duo had become Son Wuming's Pokémon.

But his original plan was to have Son Wuming use these two to thoroughly dominate Lance.

This would achieve his goal of establishing Galar's clear superiority over Kanto.

Who could have imagined that Son Wuming's first battle with Zacian would be against one of their own.

And more importantly, once it became public knowledge that Son Wuming possessed Zacian.

When facing Lance in the future, he would definitely be on guard!

Alas, what a shame, what a shame...

...

At this moment, the Elite Four members and Champions watching on TV all widened their eyes.

"Zacian has been caught?!"

Iris, who had returned to Unova with Shauntal, Caitlin and the others, exclaimed in disbelief.

"So this is the legendary Sword King?"

Lance narrowed his eyes, "Hmph, very well, let me see just how powerful this legendary force is."

And in Celestic Town, Cynthia's beautiful eyes widened beneath her bangs.

Good grief, so in that exhibition match, this bastard was actually holding back?

"I suppose this counts as a blessing in disguise?"

Carolina glanced at her granddaughter and asked.

Cynthia didn't know how to respond.

Thinking back to that Urshifu that had broken her Garchomp's neck, and comparing it to this intimidating Zacian.

If Son Wuming had used this one back then.

It probably wouldn't have just been a broken neck, but a complete decapitation.

...

...

"Huff..."

Leon on the field let out a deep breath, his smile radiating even as his voice trembled slightly.

"Challenging a legend? I'm even more excited now."

As expected of a Champion-level trainer at their peak.

Rather than fear when facing a legend, he became more excited.

Though Ash had a similar trait, and Pikachu even dared to use Thunderbolt on Arceus.

The next moment, Leon shouted:

"Go challenge the legend! Charizard!"

Charizard flapped its wings and dove forward.

"Flamethrower!"

Leon raised his fist, launching the first attack.

Charizard opened its fang-filled mouth at the command, and scorching flames gushed forth, forming a fire pillar over five meters in diameter.

WHOOSH!

The fire pillar instantly engulfed Zacian, continuing to burn.

"It worked!"

His best friend Raihan cheered excitedly with a raised fist.

"Is a legend that easy to defeat?"

Wallace poured cold water on the idea from the other side of the TV.

Sure enough.

The moment those words fell.

SLASH! SLASH! SLASH!

Several slicing sounds rang out.

The massive fire pillar was cut into three pieces like a sausage, splitting apart.

And before the fire pillar could disperse into sparks, it fell to the ground like a solid object.

This showed just how sharp those sword strikes had been.

Everyone focused their gaze.

They saw Zacian holding a semi-transparent energy sword in its mouth, coldly staring at Charizard in the air.

"Is this the power of the Sword King?"

Leon's expression grew more solemn.

"No, no, no..."

Hearing Leon's words, Sonia in the front row of the audience shook her head repeatedly, looking at the corroded sword still at Zacian's waist, and muttered:

"They're just playing around."

— — —

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