"Steven, it's up to you."
In the Hoenn League Champion's office, Johan said with a serious expression to Steven.
"Teacher..."
Steven's expression was somewhat embarrassed.
His teacher had just become Champion and was already preparing to "run away" after only two days?
Anyone would be confused facing this situation.
And as the teacher's student, his coursework wasn't even finished yet, but he had to handle Champion duties?
Johan's expression was serious as he gently patted Steven's shoulder.
"Steven, teacher is doing this for your own good. Haven't you always been conflicted about being a trainer versus family business? This time, let you experience it properly - I believe you can make a better role choice."
League Champion or Devon Corporation president.
"Teacher, I'm actually not conflicted anymore..." Steven said helplessly in a small voice.
Johan directly pretended not to hear.
"Don't worry, there's actually not much to do right now. Elite Four Glacia is still mainly handling Hoenn League's affairs. You just need to attend some meetings in my place when you have time."
That's because he'd been avoiding responsibilities quickly, so work redistribution was temporarily postponed.
However...
Steven was already someone Hoenn League planned to focus on cultivating. Whether in strength or ability, he was absolutely top choice.
It was only because of Johan's sudden emergence that, otherwise, within a year at most, the Hoenn League Champion position would definitely belong to Steven.
Though Johan was currently Champion and Steven only a reserve Elite Four member, if he temporarily helped Johan as proxy, Elite Four Glacia would probably be happy to let Steven shoulder more responsibilities.
But this had little to do with Johan.
Good luck, Steven! Johan silently cheered for his student.
"That's what you say."
Steven obviously understood this point, but current Johan was both Champion and teacher - couldn't argue with him.
Johan didn't give him another chance to refuse, saying:
"I now have to handle something important."
Hm?
Something important?
Steven's thoughts were attracted by this statement, following Johan to the desk.
He saw Johan solemnly pull out a blank document, then begin writing.
The title was - "Teacher Johan's Pokémon Psychology Research Platform and Ecological Environment Construction Project Application"
This was...
Steven was stunned.
Research facility?
He suddenly remembered.
His teacher, besides being an educator and League Champion, was also a researcher of considerable reputation.
Was teacher establishing his own research facility?
But watching, Steven's expression gradually became strange.
Good grief, this was an island construction project application!
Though he had to admit, some project clauses and objectives Johan wrote were quite constructive.
For example, building a safe, stable, and peaceful ecological zone that could make wild Pokémon emotions more stable, verifying wild Pokémon psychological changes under different environments, researching wild Pokémon psychological cognition and changes toward ecological zones, etc.
But this was... island construction!
After writing several pages eloquently.
Johan briefly reviewed it and felt satisfied.
Then...
Teacher Johan changed pens, using the same handwriting to write "Approved" in the final column and signed his name.
Steven: "..."
What an eye-opener.
Self-filling project applications and self-approving?
Left hand to right hand?
"Help me give this application to Elite Four Glacia later." Johan coughed lightly.
After all, Elite Four Glacia was still serving as Hoenn League's "financial manager."
Financial power was certainly tempting, but those dense numbers were daunting.
Johan felt perhaps his other student Penny might be a good choice, just unsure if her father Peony would agree to Penny working for Hoenn League after graduation.
"I'm going?" Steven pointed to himself.
"You understand this area better than me."
Steven took the document and couldn't help looking skyward.
Actually, in other Leagues, Champion and Elite Four duties weren't so numerous, because besides Champion and Elite Four forming the military structure, Leagues also had presidents and directors forming administrative structures.
But in Hoenn League, this "administrative structure" was more like a subsidiary system to Champion and Elite Four.
Mainly because there wasn't a strong League president.
Like in Galar region, with strong League Chairman Rose, the Champion's authority was much smaller, so Elite Four assistance wasn't needed.
Facing such a strong chairman, Peony, who already had conflicts with him, couldn't stand it and resigned from Champion position.
This situation only improved after the Eternatus incident when Rose fell and Leon took over.
In Paldea region, Nemona served as both League Chairman and League Champion, with more concentrated authority.
More commonly was like Kanto League.
Chairman and Elite Four jointly handled affairs - Chairman responsible for administrative matters, Elite Four responsible for battle affairs and dangerous events requiring combat.
Sinnoh League was similar to Hoenn League.
This was why Sinnoh League's Elite Four Bertha, like Elite Four Glacia, desperately needed more "workhorses."
"Overtime Lucian" emerged accordingly.
Speaking of which League was most relaxed for Champion or Elite Four, definitely Kalos League.
Kalos League's chairman wasn't strong, but Kalos League's former Champion and Elite Four weren't strong either - more like a clocking-in work cooperation model.
So...
If someone strong and power-loving served as Champion in Hoenn League, it would be extremely satisfying.
Like being a country's prime minister, controlling both military and government.
People like Johan...
Actually more suited to Kalos League's "leisurely style."
But overall, in the Pokémon world, truly few people were enthusiastic about power.
Mainly because though the Pokémon world had constant minor disasters, there were no truly powerful opposing forces. If there were powerful enemy countries comparable to entire Leagues, or multiple ones, things would be different.
"Teacher Johan!"
"Champion Johan!"
"Champion!"
Walking through League headquarters building, everyone who saw Johan greeted him respectfully and politely.
The "Champion Road" was the most orthodox Champion inauguration "ceremony," and Johan's "Champion Road" demonstrated his extreme strength, earning everyone's heartfelt respect.
Johan smiled and nodded in response to all greetings.
"My face is getting stiff."
After leaving the League building, Johan rubbed his cheeks.
But just as he left the building, alarm sounds suddenly rang throughout, red warning lights flashing in every corner.
Hm?
Level one alert?
Johan looked back at the lobby, where originally composed League staff immediately became tense, quickening their movements and pace.
Just became Champion two days ago and already encountering level one alert?
Johan's cheek twitched.
Then his phone rang.
The caller ID showed Elite Four Glacia.
"Johan." After answering, Glacia's serious voice came through.
"What happened?" Johan couldn't help asking.
What major incident could occur in Hoenn region?
"Command center." Glacia said. "Come see for yourself!"
Call ended.
Johan took a light breath, sighed, and quickly walked toward the command center.
"Champion Johan!"
"The Champion's here!"
Seeing Johan push through the door, command center staff and League officials visibly relaxed.
This was the difference between a League having a Champion versus not.
With Champion present, the backbone was there. Champion represented not just a position, but a League's highest combat power.
Steven, Phoebe, Sidney, and Glacia were all currently in the command center.
"What's wrong?"
Johan didn't bother with pleasantries, walking to the group while asking.
"Teacher, it's Groudon and Kyogre..." Steven's expression was serious.
"Display the scene footage." Glacia told staff.
Groudon and Kyogre?
Johan was stunned.
Then on the command center's large screen, he saw live-filmed footage of a Hoenn region sea area.
The entire sky was divided into bright and dark halves - one side with dense clouds and heavy rain, the other with blazing sun and intense light.
On the sea surface.
One side had turbulent waves rolling dozens of meters high, atop which a blue-headed, massive fish-like Pokémon looked menacing.
Wasn't that the fat-headed fish, Kyogre!
On the opposite side.
The sea had rising water vapor and churning magma, with a colossal being half-submerged knee-deep in the ocean - the flightless Groudon!
"Groudon—!!!"
"Kyogre—!!!"
The two directly faced off on the ocean.
After all, this wasn't some anime, game, or manga where after plot resolution, these two would never clash or conflict again.
Hoenn region wasn't small, but truly speaking, wasn't that large either.
Even counting sea area, the possibility of these two giants meeting existed.
For Hoenn region.
The biggest trouble was probably these two who inevitably fought whenever they met.
Glacia said gravely: "For a while, Groudon and Kyogre hadn't encountered each other. Don't know how they met again this time."
Legendary Pokémon Groudon and Kyogre in the vast ocean - Hoenn League couldn't conduct real-time monitoring.
Though Groudon couldn't fly, its swimming ability... was surprisingly good.
After all, it once slept in underwater caverns.
Listening to Glacia's explanation, Johan's face showed embarrassment.
They hadn't met before because Kyogre had been active in Alola region's waters.
Later Johan beat it up and sent it back to Hoenn.
Just didn't expect them to meet so soon after returning.
Technically, this was his fault.
Fortunately they met at sea with no surrounding islands or land, otherwise several small islands sinking would be considered light.
Need to establish rules for these two...
"Johan, can you still contact Rayquaza? Or other legendary Pokémon?" Glacia looked at him, asking.
"Regardless, we should stop these two from fighting, otherwise they might affect all of Hoenn." Steven said.
Phoebe and Sidney nodded, Sidney also abandoning his casual attitude: "Elite Four Drake is on scene, but he alone can't handle these two giants."
Even without Primal Reversion, Groudon and Kyogre's power was beyond most trainers' ability to face.
Johan exhaled lightly.
"I'll handle it."
No one objected.
Last time Kyogre and Groudon clashed, Johan could be said to have resolved it.
"Are you planning to summon Rayquaza? The black and white dragons? Or..." Glacia couldn't help asking.
"No need."
Johan showed a confident smile.
"No need?"
Everyone was stunned.
"I am—"
Johan turned, striding toward the command room door.
"Champion!"
"Ka-kaah~!"
Gengar cooperatively emerged from shadows, holding the cloak representing Hoenn League Champion, draping it over Johan's shoulders.
Cloak fluttering, Gengar followed closely behind.
Everyone looked at each other.
Somehow, they suddenly felt... very reassured, as if the problem was already solved.
Phoebe's eyes filled with admiration.
This was... Champion!
Hoenn League's helicopter flew over the vast ocean.
The sea surface was turbulent, one side with dark clouds, the other with clear skies, forming a sharp light-dark boundary.
"Teacher Johan, why not fly directly?"
In the cabin, Phoebe asked curiously.
At Teacher Johan's Dragonite's speed, no helicopter needed, right?
"Don't ask."
Johan pulled open the cabin door with a "whoosh," nearly stumbling out, saying darkly.
Steven's face showed an understanding smile.
He knew his teacher's "characteristics."
"Dragonite!"
Johan threw a Poké Ball, summoning Dragonite.
"Dragonite—"
Leaping onto Dragonite's back, he flew toward the two giants below preparing to fight.
Steven, Phoebe, and Sidney also summoned Pokémon and descended.
"Kyogre!!!"
Massive water flows gathered before Kyogre.
"Groudon!!!"
Groudon showed no fear, roaring angrily as scorching firelight flickered.
Just as they were about to really fight.
"Groudon, Kyogre!"
Johan riding Dragonite descended from above, shouting loudly.
"Groudon?"
"Kyogre?"
Hearing the familiar voice, Groudon and Kyogre looked toward Johan in unison.
Splash—
The water flow before Kyogre dispersed, the flames before Groudon also scattered.
"Groudon..."
Groudon looked like a child caught by parents after making a mistake, showing embarrassment and scratching its head.
Kyogre looked at Groudon, then at Johan, the turbulent sea gradually calming, surging waves slowly subsiding.
"Groudon, Kyogre, we need to talk."
Johan released friendly aura, conveying his intent.
"Groudon?"
"Kyogre?"
Groudon and Kyogre looked at each other.
Next second both showed disdainful, mocking expressions.
Talk with this fat-headed fish (flightless guy)?
Johan's smile remained: "I'll treat you to food."
While speaking, Dragonite also descended.
Meanwhile, Phoebe, Sidney and others descending together couldn't help exchanging glances.
Really calmed down?
Last time when Groudon and Kyogre caused disaster, communication wasn't this easy.
Now they'd become so "reasonable"?
If Rayquaza, Groudon, and Kyogre - these three dangerous beings - all established good relationships with Teacher Johan, wouldn't Hoenn region become completely stable?
Everyone saw surprise in each other's eyes, then looking down again, they froze.
Ninetales had appeared beside Johan, standing on frozen sea surface.
And Kyogre and Groudon had both obediently... come onto the ice?
Moreover, a table was set before Johan with Gengar beside it...
"Tea-brewing?"
Phoebe looked stunned, watching Gengar use Polteageist and Sinistea to brew tea for Groudon and Kyogre!
The table also had energy cubes, macarons, Poffins and other treats.
Seeing this, everyone had the same thought - Teacher Johan's tea party?
After eating some food.
Groudon and Kyogre lowered their voices, describing the cause of this conflict.
Actually no real cause.
These two giants were fine when not meeting, but once they met, no reason needed - just fight.
The entire "conversation" lasted a long time.
Finally, Johan produced a map of Hoenn region, then used a pen to draw a line centered on Kanaz City or his island, dividing all of Hoenn into upper and lower halves.
"From now on, the upper half is Groudon's activity range, the lower half is Kyogre's activity range."
As "mediator," Johan directly assigned activity zones to the two legendary Pokémon.
"Groudon..."
"Kyogre..."
This made both Groudon and Kyogre dissatisfied. They were legendary Pokémon, indeed having decent relationships with Johan for whatever reasons.
But that didn't mean Johan could act like a "boss" and directly designate their activity ranges.
But Johan's words weren't finished.
He pointed his pen at his island, then said:
"Additionally, I'll periodically hold 'tea parties' on the island, sharing delicious food like this time, with naturally larger quantities."
Hm?
Hearing this.
Groudon and Kyogre simultaneously stated - you're the boss, you decide.
"If you encounter disputes and troubles again, come near this island and I'll help resolve them, but no private resolution allowed. You understand my meaning."
Johan's attitude was quite firm this time.
No choice.
If Groudon and Kyogre fought every time they met... he'd really be busy.
Moreover, from Johan's understanding of these two, they'd definitely conflict when together, wouldn't rationally comply just because someone set rules or mediated.
Rayquaza had "mediated" so many times, beating them down each time, yet these two still continued fighting when they met.
So, simply assign them zones.
As for "Teacher Johan's tea party" expenses, naturally League would bear them.
Maintaining Hoenn League stability - such burden was far less than funds needed to restore Hoenn region damage.
"Take these with you."
Johan produced two exquisite devices - positioning trackers!
"Don't break them. With these I can find you immediately and notify you both about 'tea party' timing."
Hearing this, Groudon and Kyogre's eyes began sparkling, carefully storing these relatively tiny devices.
For the League, the hardest part was precisely locating Groudon and Kyogre's positions.
Knowing their whereabouts could prevent many incidents.
"Alright, dismissed."
Johan clapped, announcing the end of this "emergency tea party."
Groudon and Kyogre looked at each other again, then simultaneously snorted and turned away, heading toward their assigned zones.
After the two giants calmed down and surrounding seas and skies recovered.
All Hoenn League personnel who witnessed the process sighed in relief.
Good that they didn't fight.
After Groudon walked some distance on the sea surface, it suddenly heard sounds behind.
"Tyranitar!"
Old Johan's family Tyranitar was swimming, showing its dark green head, swimming toward Groudon.
"Groudon?"
Groudon looked puzzled.
It recognized Tyranitar - wasn't this the one that snatched weather control from it for a few seconds during its first awakening?
And learned its Precipice Blades!
"Tyranitar—"
Tyranitar created a sand platform beneath its feet, approaching Groudon under its puzzled gaze.
Then...
Thud thud thud—
Box after box of energy cubes were placed before Groudon.
"Groudon!"
Seeing these energy cubes, Groudon's eyes brightened with disbelief.
"Tyranitar!"
Tyranitar grinned, right fist hitting left chest, then pointing at Groudon with a "you understand" look.
"Groudon!"
Groudon mimicked, right fist hitting left chest, pointing at Tyranitar.
Understood, brother!
A thought arose—
Though Johan seemed fair before, he was still favoring me! These delivered energy cubes were proof of "friendship"!
"Groudon~"
Brother come here, let me tell you, Precipice Blades should actually...
Meanwhile.
"Ka-kaah~ gurgle gurgle gurgle~"
Deep in the ocean, Kyogre preparing to find a resting place was found by Gengar.
Like with Groudon, Gengar playfully produced masses of energy cubes from shadows, placing them before Kyogre.
"Kyogre?"
Kyogre immediately realized—
The wise adapt to circumstances. Johan still valued me! Last time I admitted fault, this time he's secretly "favoring" me. Should have joined Johan earlier!
Thinking this, its eyes rolled twice.
How did Groudon establish good relations with Johan?
Wasn't it because of Tyranitar and Groudon's relationship? Groudon could teach Tyranitar Precipice Blades, so what about itself...
What? Johan had no Water-type Pokémon?
No problem.
Anyway, its Origin Pulse was energy utilization, and this Gengar was also skilled in energy attacks.
Johan's Gengar was already unreasonable - being slightly more unreasonable had what problem?
Thinking this.
"Kyogre—"
Gengar, let me tell you, energy actually...
"Ka-kaah?"
Gengar's eyes rolled craftily, immediately understanding Kyogre's meaning, seriously "discussing" with it.
It had long felt its giant Shadow Ball, though powerful, had questionable continuity.
Small Shadow Balls could be released continuously, but not large ones.
Kyogre's Origin Pulse shooting six light beam bursts like a revolver was quite good...
Once again calming Groudon and Kyogre, preventing their near-fight.
More importantly.
Assigning them activity zones and placing tracking devices on both.
This finally allowed Hoenn League to monitor both legendary Pokémon's positions in real-time, preventing future crises.
For such results, Hoenn League personnel felt not just relief but surprise.
Johan finally left League headquarters, returning to Kanaz City.
"Really most comfortable at home."
Johan lay on his bed, comfortably closing his eyes.
Ding dong—
Doorbell rang.
"Ka-kaah~"
Gengar immediately stuffed the small Shadow Ball it had just formed into its mouth, making a muffled "bang" sound, floating to the door and peeking out its head.
After confirming the visitor, it playfully opened the door.
The visitor was Penny.
Sonia and Penny came to Hoenn to study together.
However, during summer vacation, Sonia returned to Galar region due to tasks and projects assigned by her grandmother Professor Magnolia, while Penny stayed since going to Galar wasn't better than staying in Hoenn.
Usually when free, she'd help at the café.
Or sit alone in corners, tinkering with her computer.
Her group of Eevees had become one of the "signatures" of Johan's café.
When Johan previously considered utilizing Penny's talents for Hoenn League financial matters, he'd contacted her.
"What's wrong, Penny?"
Johan emerged from the bedroom, seeing Penny's somewhat heavy expression, asking after brief confusion.
Since coming to Hoenn, Penny's introverted, taciturn nature couldn't be said completely improved, but had gotten much better. Usually her face occasionally showed smiles, and she spoke slightly more.
Penny, carrying her Eevee backpack and holding a small laptop, pursed her lips and walked to the coffee table.
Setting down the computer and opening it, she lightly tapped the keyboard.
Displaying a chat window.
Contents between Penny and her sister Peonia.
The last message was from Peonia - "We're in trouble!"
Hm?
Penny looked at Johan, hesitating before saying: "Teacher, I'm worried about them."
Speaking of which.
Recently when Johan visited Crown Tundra, whether at Freezington, Crown Shrine, Giant's Bed, or Split-Decision Ruins, he hadn't encountered Peony and Peonia.
He'd assumed Peony and Peonia had finished investigating Crown Tundra.
After all, Champion Peony's strength was there, so he didn't think much of it.
But now it seemed...
Peonia's message timestamp was three hours ago.
When Johan was handling the Groudon-Kyogre incident.
Penny's fingers tapped the keyboard again.
Displaying a Galar region map with a red dot marked in Crown Tundra.
"This is sister's last message location, but now..."
She pressed enter - the red dot disappeared.
"I can't track their location, and they haven't contacted me for a long time. This was the most recent."
Penny bit her lips, worry evident.
Johan gently patted her head twice, comforting:
"It's fine. Mr. Peony is Champion, and Champions... think about your teacher."
The comforting, joking words made Penny's expression relax considerably.
She naturally knew teacher's strength.
"I'm not worried about him, just sister... sister isn't strong."
True.
Johan inwardly agreed.
If Peony and Peonia accidentally separated, danger was possible.
"Don't worry, I have friends in Crown Tundra too. I can ask..."
Seeing Penny's eyes, Johan paused briefly, then smiled:
"Never mind, let's investigate the situation ourselves."
Penny was stunned.
"Ourselves?"
"You didn't go home to Galar during summer vacation. This time teacher will take you back for a visit." Johan's voice was gentle.
As a teacher.
Sometimes, he hadn't shown enough care for his students.
Penny wasn't like Steven, Roxanne, or Flannery - her inner self was more sensitive.
Seeing Teacher Johan wasn't joking, Penny packed her laptop, stood up, and nodded seriously.
"Mm!"
On the Champion's exclusive aircraft provided by Hoenn League.
"Mr. Peony said they'd investigate Crown Tundra, but didn't specify what exactly." Johan asked.
In games, Peony said he'd investigate legendary Pokémon in Crown Tundra, but was often possessed by Calyrex for communication, making Johan initially think Peony wanted to investigate Calyrex.
However, after contacting Calyrex and asking about Peony, he learned... Peony hadn't disturbed Calyrex's slumber.
And when Calyrex just awakened from sleep, despite possessing "omniscient" abilities, it actually didn't know much about things it didn't focus on.
"Supposedly, a... legendary Pokémon from legends."
But regarding Johan's question, Penny didn't know much either.
Legendary Pokémon - there were many in Crown Tundra.
Calyrex was legendary, the Regis were legendary, Galarian forms of the three legendary birds were also legendary.
Honestly.
Besides Calyrex, few others should pose major threats to Peony, right?
Couldn't be the sword-shield duo, right?
Those two weren't even awakened yet.
Once at Crown Tundra, asking Calyrex would reveal everything.
With Calyrex having recaptured the black and white steeds and restored its power, it should know Peony and Peonia's whereabouts.
----------
Powerstones?
For 20 advance chapters: patreon.com/michaeltranslates