Generally speaking, a regional Champion is incredibly busy—it's not like you can just meet them whenever you want.
But—
But exceptions exist.
After contacting Chairman Rose and expressing their desire to meet the strongest Champion, Leon, Rose gave it some thought and approved Hayashi and his group's request.
Once the call ended, Sabrina asked in surprise, "It was that easy?"
Hayashi shrugged. "Let's just say… regional characteristics."
Other regional Champions wouldn't be this easy to meet, but in Galar, if you had the right connections, seeing Leon wasn't too hard—especially when those connections led straight to Chairman Rose.
"But, the strongest Champion?" Hisako blinked curiously at Hayashi. "Is Leon really that strong?"
"Very strong. Ridiculously strong," Hayashi nodded emphatically.
Though Leon was essentially an "officially designated strongest" Champion "dropped in" after Galar's introduction, based on his official character design, he was undeniably a filthy, top-tier competitive battler.
Not to mention anything else, just the moveset (Fire Blast + Ancient Power + Dragon Pulse + Air Slash) that Leon gave his Charizard in the episode against Alain alone demonstrates his sheer versatility and skill.
Moreover, Leon's character is undeniably "golden standard." To develop the Galar region, he shoulders the heavy burden of being the "Undefeated Champion," facing every battle with utmost seriousness and using his influence to promote Galar.
Leon: Can other Champions do that?
Sabrina raised an eyebrow curiously and asked, "How strong is he? Compared to Lance, Steven Stone, and Cynthia, who's stronger?"
"Hmm—" Hayashi crossed his arms, tilting his head in thought. "It's really hard to say! But personally, I lean toward Leon being stronger."
Leaving aside the Pokémon World Championships where Ash and Alain participated in Journeys, at least in the previous World Championships, Leon did defeat Lance in the finals to become the strongest Champion.
Sabrina looked at Hayashi in surprise. "You hold Leon in such high regard?"
Hayashi shrugged. "Well, he's a Champion with both strength and integrity!"
Who wouldn't like a tan-skinned guy in white thigh-highs?
Even if he's a dude.
...
...
Although Chairman Rose agreed to arrange a meeting between Hayashi's group and Leon, it took three days before Leon finished his duties and finally came to see them.
"I'm truly sorry—"
Standing beside his Charizard, Leon looked apologetically at Hayashi and the others. "I kept you waiting."
"He's way too polite"—Sabrina observed Leon, noticing that this "Champion" carried almost none of the expected "Champion's aura." Instead, he felt as warm and approachable as the guy next door.
Weird.
"Ah, don't worry about it. Our business isn't that urgent," Hayashi waved it off casually. "Just getting to meet the strongest Champion is an honor in itself!"
"The strongest Champion, huh—" Leon smiled bashfully, yet with a hint of pride, raising his right hand. "Thank you for your faith in me. I'll keep winning!"
Hayashi couldn't help but clap. "Mr. Leon, you wouldn't mind taking a photo with me, would you?"
"Of course not!" Leon nodded, then grinned. "But the reason you went through Chairman Rose to meet me probably wasn't just for a photo, right?"
"Definitely not—" Hayashi shrugged, taking a Fire/Flying-type Pokéblock from Erina and tossing it to Leon. "Before I make my request, why not let your Charizard try this Pokéblock first?"
"This?"
Leon looked down at the crystal-clear Pokéblock in his hand, then turned to his Charizard. "Charizard, you… huh?"
When Leon saw Charizard's reaction, he froze.
Charizard had already leaned in close, nostrils flaring as it sniffed the Pokéblock's aroma eagerly—as if it couldn't wait to devour it.
"Really want it?"
"Rawr!"
Without further ado, Leon tossed the Pokéblock towards Charizard, who immediately opened its mouth and swallowed it whole before blissfully narrowing its eyes.
It felt like the pinnacle of dragon life. The absolute zenith.
"I've never seen Charizard react like this before," Leon turned to Hayashi with an amazed expression. "Not even top-tier Pokéblocks made by elite breeders have ever made Charizard lose its composure like this!"
Hayashi wrapped his arm around Erina's waist, pulling her forward as he declared proudly, "Of course! My Erina's culinary skills are second to none! I'd wager even legendary Pokémon couldn't resist her cooking!"
"Cheep!" The Fletchling perched on Hayashi's head rolled its eyes. Shameless guy—it's not even your cooking, why are you so proud?
"Truly exceptional culinary skills!" Leon nodded in approval before continuing, "By the way, the matter you wanted to discuss with me must be related to these Pokéblocks, right?"
Erina nodded and stepped forward with a smile. "Yes! Champion Leon, we'd like to offer you a year's supply of Pokéblocks in exchange for an introduction to your mentor, Master Mustard."
Leon blinked in surprise, his brows furrowing slightly as he replied with mild seriousness, "What business do you have with Master Mustard? Without proper reason, I can't agree to this!"
Though Erina's Pokéblocks were undeniably impressive, that didn't mean Leon would compromise his mentor—not if these youngsters had ill intentions.
Hisako quickly interjected, "Please don't misunderstand, Mr. Leon! We only wish to meet Master Mustard because we've heard he can make Max Soup—we've already gathered all the necessary ingredients, so..."
Understanding dawned on Leon's face, and he chuckled wryly. "If it's just Max Soup you're after, there's no need to trouble Master Mustard—I can make it myself! You can just ask me."
"Eh?!" x4
...
...
"Oh right! Leon is Master Mustard's disciple—if Master Mustard can make Max Soup, of course Leon can too!"
Hayashi planted his hands on his hips and declared shamelessly, "Great, today I've made a fool of myself again!"
Sabrina pointed at Hayashi's back and said to the other two, "Why does this guy sound so proud about embarrassing himself?"
Hisako pondered for a moment before replying, "Perhaps... because Master Hayashi possesses courage unlike ordinary people?"
Sabrina: "Hah? Like what?"
Hayashi spun around, flashing a bright thumbs-up as he announced:
"The courage to admit he went after a girl eight years his junior!"
"The courage to admit he's a foot, leg, and stockings connoisseur!"
"The courage to admit he wants to prpr Erina!"
"The cou—"
"Waaahhh—!"
The next moment, accompanied by Erina's almost tearful cry, the young lady—who had been watching Leon prepare Gigantamax Soup in the kitchen—seemed to activate Ultra Instinct as she dashed toward Hayashi at lightning speed and stuffed a meat bun into his mouth.
"Huff—huff—"
After stopping Hayashi from speaking, Erina propped her hands on her knees, panting heavily as she said, "Y-you, just shut up already, ahhh!"
You don't need this kind of courage at all! Forget it, forget it!
"Om nom nom—"
Hayashi quickly swallowed the meat bun, wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth with his finger, and then declared righteously, "The courage to admit one's desires is the greatest courage of all! The hymn of humanity is the hymn of courage, yaaah!"
"Is this really the right context for that quote!? Apologize to the original speaker right now!!"
Erina covered her face in despair. Whoever originally said those words, I'm so sorry my boyfriend is using them like this!!
Hayashi shrugged helplessly, then pulled Erina down onto the sofa beside him and asked curiously, "So, how do you make Gigantamax Soup? Any ideas?"
Still not fully calmed down, Erina smacked Hayashi's arm and grumbled, "That Gigantamax Soup isn't even difficult. You just need to drop three Max Mushrooms into boiling water and wait until they completely dissolve."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
Hayashi scratched his head and muttered, "Feels like a rip-off."
Rounding it up, that's a loss of a hundred million.
Erina, however, didn't seem bothered. "Knowledge is priceless—it's not like we knew the recipe before."
"Fair enough."
Hayashi stopped dwelling on it and lazily leaned back against the sofa, lightly sniffing the scent of Erina's hair—it wasn't strong, just a faint trace of jasmine.
"Disappointed, huh?" Erina flicked her hair and said, "As a chef, I'm not the kind of girl who smells all perfumed like you might imagine."
Hayashi shook his head dismissively and mumbled, "I don't care how fragrant you are. I just want to cuddle with Erina—mm, Erina cuddles, cuddles!"
Nearby, Sabrina and Hisako watched as Hayashi pressed his face against Erina's, squishing her cheeks out of shape, and couldn't help but make disgusted expressions before letting out loud, satisfied burps.
Mm, tastes like dog food.
----------
For advance chapters join my Patreon.
[email protected]/Aarvan