Gurgle gurgle—
Throughout Ever Grande Stadium, a chorus of stomach rumbles echoed.
"This is too much! Way too much!"
"This isn’t the ’Champion Road’ - this is clearly a picnic!"
"Picnic? What picnic has food this good!"
"I can’t take it anymore, I’m hungry. Can I get a grilled eel rice bowl please!"
Today, the vendors walking through Ever Grande Stadium were doing exceptionally well.
Too bad Team Rocket’s trio couldn’t seize this opportunity, or they’d definitely have made ridiculous profits.
The reason...
Was because of Johan and his Pokémon having a al on the big screen.
Others challenging the "Champion Road" were cautious, keeping food simple to minimize unnecessary trouble.
And Teacher Johan?
Good grief!
Ovens, refrigerators, induction cookers, grills, coffee machines - whether electric or not, he had everything.
He’d even brazenly set up a table, laid out a picnic cloth, and filled it with various delicious foods: grilled lamb chops, braised pork ribs with potatoes, blanched fresh shrimp, vegetable tempura, golden pork cutlets...
Even through the screen, audiences seed to sll those rich aromas.
Compared to Johan’s feast, viewers looking at their own lunch boxes suddenly felt unappetizing.
No wonder they all looked indignant.
We ca to watch Teacher Johan’s picnic and enjoynt?
We ca to see Teacher Johan struggle!
A stark contrast between inside and outside the screen.
anwhile, Johan on the "Champion Road."
Full and satisfied, he continued his journey.
Snivy had evolved into Servine, consuming slightly more energy, so Johan let it rest in its Poké Ball while Tyranitar ca out to be active.
After leaving "Sleeping Forest," they’d reached an area of scattered rocks called "Boulder Forest."
Mostly inhabited by Rock, Ground, or Steel-type Pokémon.
Perfect for Tyranitar’s "ho field."
"Tyranitar~"
Tyranitar walked ahead looking fierce, holding diamonds and crunching them like sunflower seeds while alertly "watching" their surroundings.
"Tyranitar."
Johan suddenly held his forehead.
"Tyranitar?"
Tyranitar looked back puzzled, seeing Johan pointing at its feet.
"Tyranitar?"
Looking down, Tyranitar saw...
A Graveler that had just sensed movent and poked its head up, now being stepped on by Tyranitar.
"Tyranitar? Tyranitar!"
Tyranitar jumped in surprise, quickly lifting its foot and showing the Graveler an embarrassed smile.
Sorry, sorry, didn’t see you...
Graveler’s face darkened.
Without a word, brilliant white light burst from its body, blazing energy surging as if about to explode.
Good grief!
Self-Destruct at the slightest provocation?
Johan’s eye twitched as he imdiately shouted: "Tyranitar! It’s going to Self-Destruct - throw it away!"
"Tyranitar!"
Hearing this, Tyranitar was startled, imdiately lifting its foot and kicking with full force!
Bang!!!
The massive Graveler shot into the air toward the sky.
"Tyranitar?"
Tyranitar, Johan, and Indeedee-F simultaneously shaded their eyes, following the kicked Graveler’s trajectory.
BOOM!!!
A massive, terrifying explosion suddenly erupted in mid-air, raining countless rock fragnts and debris.
"Tyranitar!"
Aerial kick, perfect shot!
This scene made viewers still indignant about the earlier al feel sowhat regretful.
Too bad.
Didn’t get to blow up Teacher Johan.
But that violent explosion seed to open "Pandora’s Box" in this "Boulder Forest."
Rustle rustle rustle— Sand sand sand—
The already chaotic rocky ground began shaking and sliding at various levels.
Graveler after Graveler, Golem, even Electrode, Voltorb, Weezing, Solrock, and Lunatone erged from every corner.
Seeing these Pokémon, the area’s atmosphere suddenly beca tense.
A drop of cold sweat rolled down Johan’s forehead.
A bad suspicion imdiately ford in his mind.
"Tyranitar~"
Tyranitar still happily waved at the wild Pokémon, giving a "friendly" greeting.
The next second.
Hum—
Hum—
One by one, the wild Pokémon began glowing with brilliant white light, identical to the earlier Graveler.
Smack!
Johan irritably patted Tyranitar’s arm. "Stop greeting them!"
Can’t you see the situation?
Fortunately, Tyranitar seed to realize sothing, counting on its fingers.
"Tyranitar..."
Can’t kick them all away...
Black lines appeared on Johan’s forehead.
"Stop counting - run!"
As soon as he spoke.
Johan imdiately took off running, Indeedee-F following closely with psychic power, and Tyranitar, after a mont’s confusion, roared and chased after them.
Boom! Boom boom!! Boom boom boom!!!
Consecutive violent explosions and rumbling continuously echoed through this "Boulder Forest."
Explosion!
Explosion!
Explosion is art!
"Good! Good good good! Excellent!"
"Explode! Blow them up hard! Blast away!"
The audience imdiately boiled over with cheers.
As if avenging the al incident.
"Damn it, this shouldn’t be called ’Boulder Forest’ - this should be ’Minefield’!"
Running Johan, feeling constant explosions behind and around him, couldn’t help complaining internally.
No wonder there were so many scattered, chaotic rocks here.
The wild Pokémon living here all Self-Destructed at the slightest disagreent!
"If only I had a Pokémon with the ’Damp’ ability, I’d have Tyranitar kick them all like balls!" Johan thought irritably.
anwhile.
From the audience’s perspective.
Through Rotom drone aerial footage, they saw in advance the "challenge" Johan was about to face.
On the highest stone pillar in "Boulder Forest," surrounded by mist, fierce eyes slowly opened as it crouched, spreading wings like a blood moon.
Salance!
But this particular Salance...
The audience’s initial impression wasn’t too concerning.
A pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
Teacher Johan had easily defeated a Hydreigon, also a pseudo-legendary, earlier.
The difference was Salance being the first pseudo-legendary registered in Hoenn’s Pokédex, one of Hoenn’s iconic pseudo-legendaries.
However.
When the aerial view changed, showing reference objects, audiences’ breathing gradually stopped, their throats moving.
Big!
This was everyone’s first impression of this Salance after having references.
Very big!
Far exceeding normal Salance size!
If comparing...
Its size was roughly three tis that of ordinary Salance!
Standing atop the towering stone pillar, majestic and domineering, overlooking the entire "Boulder Forest" like a king surveying his territory, radiating indescribable powerful pressure.
The forum imdiately exploded.
"This... this couldn’t be one of those Totem Pokémon from the Alola region, could it?"
"Looks a bit like those Alpha Pokémon from the Paldea region too..."
"This is too big, too exaggerated!"
"I don’t know why... I even feel it might be stronger than the Elite Four’s Pokémon..."
While the forum buzzed, Drake in the "Elite Four Fortress" couldn’t help laughing.
"Heh! Wonder if Johan will be satisfied with this guy."
Glacia, Phoebe, and Sidney all looked at the sowhat gleeful Drake, ntally complaining... old child, disrespectful elder, etc.
The "Champion Road’s" opening required planning ti because so especially powerful Pokémon on the "Champion Road" were actually arranged by the Elite Four.
For example, Sidney’s arranged Hydreigon, Glacia’s borrowed Slaking from Norman, and this... Salance Drake had requested.
On the vast ocean, there were Dragonite islands, Rotom islands, various mysterious and unknown islands.
As soone who sailed the seas year-round, Drake had established good relations with a mysterious "Dragon Island."
This Salance was one of the leaders from "Dragon Island"!
Leader Pokémon.
Being a bit larger was quite normal, right?
"Johan’s fault too." Glacia said softly. "Coming to challenge the ’Champion Road’ with a full Champion-level team - we really had trouble arranging things."
Phoebe nodded in agreent, mimicking Johan’s tone: "Eh? You an you don’t need a full Champion team to challenge the ’Champion Road’?"
Her imitation made everyone chuckle.
Actually.
According to the Hoenn League’s intention.
For six main Pokémon, having four or even three reach ordinary Champion main Pokémon level should be enough to challenge the "Champion Road."
After all, it was a transitional period - temporarily lacking strength wasn’t problematic.
The key was quickly stepping up to take over.
So whether Johan or Steven, they maintained supportive attitudes.
Who knew...
"Maybe Johan got used to ’baby cups.’" Glacia joked.
Treating the "Champion Road" like a "baby cup" before challenging?
"Ay!" Sidney crossed his legs casually. "Forget everything else - I really want to fight Teacher Johan soon!"
Slap! Slap! Slap!
Three palms hit the table.
Drake, Glacia, and Phoebe all looked at him, saying in unison:
"Then Sidney, you go first! Happily decided!"
Sidney: "???"
"Next ti..."
Johan caught his breath as explosions faded, his pace gradually slowing.
"Don’t let beco Champion, or I’ll definitely ’take care’ of you all later!"
Facing Self-Destruct moves, even the strongest people had no options.
After all, they just Self-Destructed regardless of themselves, losing battle ability afterward - what more could be done?
"Petty" Johan silently bore this "grudge."
As for whether he’d forget or rember later...
No problem - he still had Flint.
Whoosh—
Suddenly.
A fierce wind swept past.
Then.
A massive shadow completely covered Johan, Indeedee-F, and Tyranitar.
Hm?
Johan looked up sharply.
Then saw... a gigantic Salance!
"Tyranitar..."
Tyranitar looked up, hands shading from sunlight, couldn’t help pouting.
So scary~ (Kizaru face)
Seeing this, audiences imdiately perked up.
"Here it cos!"
"Giant Salance VS Teacher Johan!"
Instantly.
Sharp winds suddenly swept as the massive Salance beat its wings, bringing trendous pressure.
Intimidate!
No communication.
Directly declaring battle!
Tyranitar’s expression beca serious, feeling the giant Salance’s "Intimidate" and imdiately sensing threat.
This was probably... a Champion-level giant Salance!
"Tyranitar!!!"
But Tyranitar roared fearlessly, using "Desert Tyrant’s" rolling montum to directly face Salance’s "Intimidate."
I’m the Desert Tyrant!
Have you ever seen a frightened tyrant?!
"Drake really..."
Johan held his forehead.
"ROAR!!!"
Rolling roars echoed as Salance’s body imdiately erupted with powerful Dragon-type energy, enveloping itself while charging forward.
Dragon Rush!
"Tyranitar!"
Johan called lightly.
A Champion-level giant Salance - Indeedee-F was still lacking, but Tyranitar...
"Stone Edge!" Johan waved grandly.
"Tyranitar!"
Tyranitar quickly responded to Johan, stomping the ground forcefully.
Rumble!!!
Instantly, nurous stone spikes erupted from the ground, fearlessly eting the diving Salance!
Boom!!!
Massive rumbling exploded, countless rocks shattered and scattered, raising clouds of dust.
The next second.
Rustle rustle rustle—
Wild sand rose skyward, instantly covering and enveloping the entire field, sand grains scraping against rocks and stone mountains with harsh sounds.
Sandstorm!
"ROAR!!!"
The giant Salance beat its wings, dispersing smoke while briefly creating a vacuum in the sandstorm.
Violent roars beca rolling sound waves.
Hyper Voice!
"Take it, Dragon Dance!"
"Tyranitar—"
Tyranitar puffed out its chest, directly facing the giant Salance’s roaring sound wave impact, Dragon-type energy appearing on its body as montum wildly climbed.
Seeing this, the giant Salance raised an eyebrow.
Dragon Dance?
Boom—
Violent sound wave impact washed over Tyranitar’s dark green armor, which faintly showed tallic luster.
"Tyranitar!"
Hey! Doesn’t hurt!
Tyranitar grinned, patting its chest as if completely unaffected.
Sandstorm granted it stronger resistance to special attack moves.
Its fists clenched tighter.
"Counterattack, Tyranitar!"
Whoosh—
The giant Salance spread its wings, stirring fierce winds. Despite its massive form, it shot toward the sky at extre speed.
Creating distance!
"Rock Tomb!"
Nurous rocks of various sizes connected into chains, approaching the giant Salance from all directions under sandstorm cover.
Seeing this, the giant Salance beat its wings again.
Sharp white wind blades slashed out, severing all approaching rock chains.
"Rock Slide!"
Whoosh—
Breaking air sounds erupted.
A massive rock like a cannonball shot from below.
The giant Salance’s face tightened.
Though its agility wasn’t poor, and its massive body granted trendous strength, it was also a standard "target."
Couldn’t dodge.
The battle-experienced giant Salance imdiately decided, snapping its fierce jaws shut then open, spewing a violent water column.
Hydro Pump!
Boom!!!
The rock exploded, the water column continuing toward Tyranitar after destroying the rock.
During this.
Though countless sand grains provided interference, the water’s impact remained fierce.
Clearly.
The giant Salance originally wanted to succeed with a surprise Dragon Rush attack, then maintain distance using flying advantage when that failed.
Quite experienced with excellent tactical planning.
Almost unlike wild Pokémon battle thods.
But its tactics were "seen through" by Johan, who had Tyranitar tank Hyper Voice to gain Dragon Dance’s attack and speed boosts - focusing not on attack but speed enhancent.
After gaining speed, Tyranitar’s Rock Tomb blocked its takeoff, Rock Slide further blocked its ascent path.
The ssage was clear.
Co fight close combat!
Salance was naturally better at physical attacks anyway, right?
Therefore, after realizing it couldn’t take off, the giant Salance decisively attacked, wanting to regain initiative.
"Too bad I didn’t bring ’Weakness Policy.’"
"Champion Road" rules allowed only one held item, so naturally Tyranitar carried its ga Evolution Stone.
However beneficial "Weakness Policy" was, it couldn’t compare to ga Evolution Stones.
So even if the giant Salance’s attack was weakened by Rock Slide and Sandstorm, it wasn’t a good opportunity to tank.
However...
Direct confrontation was good!
Tyranitar excelled at frontal combat.
"Tyranitar—"
Johan took out his Key Stone.
His eyes suddenly sharpened.
Rare opportunity - then... one-shot it!
"ga Evolution!"
"Tyranitar!!!"
The Key Stone’s power unlocked the ga Evolution Stone’s restraints as Johan and Tyranitar established extrely close connection, ga Evolution power bursting from Tyranitar.
Boom!!!
Instantly.
Sand dust exploded, ga Evolution power intertwined with evolution’s white light, powerful aura spiraling upward!
The giant Salance’s Hydro Pump was completely blocked by this terrifying rising airflow!
The giant Salance was stunned.
Evolution invincibility?
Hum—
In the wild sand, the true "Desert Tyrant" ga Tyranitar stepped forward, the ga Evolution symbol flashing briefly.
Johan curved his arm: "Precipice Blades!"
"Indeedee~"
Nearby Indeedee-F imdiately coordinated, using Helping Hand.
"Tyranitar!!!"
ga Tyranitar roared fiercely, wild sand instantly filled the sky, ground shaking violently as a stone pillar wrapped in scorching magma instantly erupted from the ground.
Rumble—
The stone pillar shot skyward, piercing sand and dust, heat waves and blazing temperatures spreading.
Brief silence.
Sandstorm stilled, sunlight revealed.
Audiences and Elite Four all looked stunned.
Even Drake, who’d prepared for this, couldn’t quite maintain composure.
"This kid..."
anwhile, many audiences seeing this move for the first ti made the forum explode.
"What move is this?"
"Seems like Groudon’s..."
"Don’t ask! Friend taught it - you can’t control it!"
"Don’t question! Anyway, it’s an illegal move - get used to it!"
"..."
No matter how much explanation, "That’s Teacher Johan after all" made everything understandable.
On screen.
Rumble!!!
Fiery explosions filled the entire screen, rumbling sounds making even the "caran" shake violently, destabilizing footage.
"Hey hey hey!"
"This livestream isn’t professional!"
Under audience calls, violent shaking cald, smoke cleared, and the giant Salance... already lay on the ground with swirled eyes.
Unable to battle!
ga Tyranitar stood in the sandstorm, roaring skyward.
"Tyranitar—!!!"
The Desert Tyrant had fully matured!
Its ferocity and dominance fully displayed!
"Holy crap! One-shotted?"
"Such a huge Salance couldn’t take one hit?"
"Though, but, is this reasonable?"
Johan breathed lightly, releasing ga Evolution with Tyranitar.
Though this giant Salance had Champion-level strength, so did his Tyranitar!
Moreover, with Dragon Dance, ga Evolution, Indeedee-F’s help, plus Precipice Blades landing directly.
One-shot.
Very reasonable.
"Tyranitar..."
After releasing ga Evolution, Tyranitar took out diamonds and crunched them.
Crunch crunch—
Patting Tyranitar’s shoulder and rubbing Indeedee-F’s head.
Johan smiled:
"Let’s continue."
"After here, there shouldn’t be any bigger threats."
Honestly.
Drake had provided quite a few "surprises."
But that was about it.
Arranging ten Champion-level Pokémon like the giant Salance on "Champion Road" would an nobody could reach the "Elite Four Castle."
Moreover.
Johan didn’t believe the Hoenn League would empty their reserves to "target" him.
"It’s just to shut so people up - why so serious? I don’t even care."
He couldn’t help pouting.
At worst...
Based on so "barking" comnts online, he could trace through the network to find them.
This wasn’t difficult for Penny or Porygon2.
Then visit for proper "discussion."
Simple matter.
Making it so complicated.
Inside the "Elite Four Fortress."
"There we go. Predictably defeated." Drake smiled helplessly.
Johan’s growth speed was too fast.
Though that Tyranitar used ga Evolution, it... wasn’t even Johan’s first-tier Pokémon, right?
Sowhat frightening.
Clap clap—
Glacia stood up, clapping her hands.
"Regardless, let’s prepare. Shouldn’t be long now."
"Really amazing - finishing the ’Champion Road’ in one day?" Phoebe marveled.
From leaving Ever Grande Stadium until now was only most of a day, right?
Really fast.
But no choice.
Others tried avoiding trouble, evading wild Pokémon territories, preventing aningless battles to conserve Pokémon stamina.
This inevitably ant detours.
But Teacher Johan?
Direct shortest route!
Detour?
Detouring was impossible.
Only forceful direct breakthrough.
More importantly.
Even when battles erupted, his battle resolution speed was jaw-droppingly fast.
Only Hydreigon, Slaking, and giant Salance caused slight obstacles.
Phoebe seriously suspected.
Did Teacher Johan not know the "Champion Road" allowed detours? Did he... not fully understand "Champion Road" rules?
"Alright."
Drake’s expression now beca serious.
He ordered: "Sidney first, Phoebe second, Glacia third, final checkpoint... I’ll hold down the fort!"
Though Glacia temporarily managed the Hoenn League, at crucial monts, Drake made final decisions.
The old man swept his wide captain’s coat, laughing heartily.
"Though he’s soone we favor and truly has strength and ability to beco Champion, we can’t be underestimated either!"
Hoenn League Elite Four!
Sunset.
Golden evening light spread down. Johan, having crossed "Boulder Forest" and reached the final "Crescent Bay," walked on soft sand with Indeedee-F and Tyranitar, bathed in beautiful sunset.
Johan was quite familiar with "Crescent Bay."
After all, he’d done a mission here once.
In the distance.
He could already see the "Elite Four Fortress."
But Johan stopped at "Crescent Bay."
Lighting another fire, cooking again.
Finishing "Champion Road" in one day was certainly sensational.
But he wouldn’t skip rest for this so-called "sensation" and imdiately challenge the Elite Four.
Really treating the Elite Four like babies?
Forget everything else.
Just Drake alone posed certain threats to Johan.
If Drake didn’t want to be Champion, he’d be the Hoenn League Champion now.
Though titled Elite Four, his strength was definitely Champion-level!
As for Glacia, Phoebe, and Sidney.
Maybe not as exaggerated as Drake, but at least their ace Pokémon had Champion strength.
Becoming Elite Four in Hoenn, a fairly competitive region, was itself proof of strength.
And his side?
Though mainly Indeedee-F, Tyranitar, and Servine had exerted effort along the way, as a trainer he’d also consud considerable stamina.
The journey’s clashes and battles had also drained much energy.
Waiting while fresh versus tired could easily cause upsets.
So...
Eat well, soak in hot springs, rest beautifully overnight, recharging energy.
The "Champion Road" had many artificial terrain simulations, but "Crescent Bay" was natural, ford by ancient underwater volcanic eruptions.
Though the underwater volcano had cooled, it created natural hot springs.
With a pot of steaming curry...
Life couldn’t be more comfortable.
This made screen-watching audiences "curse" again.
"Champion Road"?
No, vacation road!
This made the Elite Four in the "Elite Four Fortress," prepared and ready, want to complain too.
They’d prepared everything, but Johan "retreated"?
"I understand! This is tactics! Teacher Johan’s psychological tactics!"
"Exactly! Previously the Elite Four had rested advantage, now it’s reversed - the Elite Four don’t know when Johan will challenge, so they beca the more nervous ones!"
"Right, seeing Teacher Johan eating delicious curry and soaking in comfortable hot springs, what do you think the fortress Elite Four feel?"
"Holy crap! Is that it?"
"So dirty! Psychology people have ’dirty’ hearts!"
"..."
Forum "experts" provided reasonable analysis of Johan’s behavior.
Really sounded convincing, as if it were true.
Splash splash—
Hot spring water flowed as Tyranitar "splash" burst from the surface, making fierce expressions.
"Alright, go play yourself."
Johan leaned against the pool edge, splashing Tyranitar’s face.
Since learning to swim, Tyranitar had beco very fond of playing in water and swimming.
A Desert Tyrant liking water was sowhat unreasonable, right?
"Tyranitar~"
Tyranitar grinned, swimming away.
The Magnemite caras and Rotom drones had returned.
After confirming Johan had no special habit of challenging Elite Four at midnight, today’s livestream ended.
Johan contemplated tomorrow’s Elite Four battle formations.
Dark, Ghost, Ice, and Dragon types.
The phone rang.
Caller ID showed Cynthia.
The whole world knew Johan was challenging "Champion Road" - how could his girlfriend Cynthia not know?
"Won’t disturb your rest, will it?" Cynthia’s voice remained gentle.
"Of course not, just Elite Four..." Johan grinned.
"Seeing your confidence reassures ."
"Watch tomorrow - I’ll demonstrate, then you can beat up Flint and the others this way..."
"Mm..."
The next day.
Sunny skies.
Having slept in and rested well, Johan erged from his tent with sowhat ssy hair.
As soon as he appeared, Magnemite caras and Rotom drones sward over.
Compared to yesterday’s journey completion, today’s "Champion Road" attention was higher.
Ultimately.
Though the pre-Elite Four journey was difficult, many people could actually complete it.
With enough caution and proper Pokémon stamina distribution, plus avoiding difficult Pokémon groups, even taking several extra days, one could walk from the conference venue to the "Elite Four Fortress."
The "Champion Road’s" true difficulty lay in challenging the four Elite Four!
No Pokémon Centers midway, limited recovery items, only successfully challenging all Elite Four and Champion counted as success!
This was the real test mont.
Thud!!!
The "Elite Four Fortress" gates were forcefully pushed open.
Properly dressed Johan stood at the entrance, light and shadow streaming in.
Clang clang clang—
Lights inside the fortress lit up one by one, completely illuminating the entire battle field.
By the second-floor railings.
Hoenn League Elite Four - Sidney, Phoebe, Glacia, and Drake - walked out smiling.
The true "Champion Road" officially begins!
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