Every champion of the Indigo Plateau Conference was granted the right to challenge the Indigo League's Elite Four. If victorious, they could directly take the fallen member's place and become one of the new Elite Four.
When Yozora first heard this news from Professor Oak, he refused without even thinking.
There was no need to court humiliation.
After all, in this world, while those at the Elite Four level were not common, they were by no means rare.
But the Elite Four themselves… there would only ever be four.
Without question, the Elite Four stood at the absolute pinnacle of strength among such masters. Each one wielded at least six Pokémon at the very peak of Elite Four level—otherwise, how could they possibly hold such an unshakable seat within the League?
Some, in fact, even possessed Champion-level power.
Yozora might already be strong despite his youth, but compared to those true giants, the gap was still vast.
Ever since the end of the Indigo Conference, Yozora had secluded himself in Taige Gym, dedicating his time to cultivation.
Red and Gary had each gone their separate ways in search of their own training, disappearing without a trace.
As for Ash, Professor Oak had entrusted him with the GS Ball mission—sending him off to the Orange Islands to find Professor Ivy. Along the way, he would travel through the archipelago, aiming for the Winner's Cup of the Orange League.
The Orange League was composed of only four Gyms. Its Leaders were known as the "Southern Cross," and collecting all four badges granted the challenger the right to face the chief trainer, Drake.
But Yozora had little interest in the Orange League. A round trip would take half a year at least. Rather than wasting that time, it was far better to hone his skills and prepare directly for the Silver Conference of the Johto League, six months down the line.
Time flew by quickly.
In these six months, many major events unfolded.
The Kanto League, led by the Elite Four themselves, launched a full-scale purge against Team Rocket, even sealing off several Gyms.
Team Rocket offered no resistance. Their bases were crushed one after another, forcing them to retreat and shift their operations to Johto.
"It's about time to leave."
One morning, Yozora awoke from meditation.
Half a year of training had changed him greatly. He had grown taller, now standing at a full 180 centimeters.
His features had become sharper, more refined, carrying the handsomeness of maturity and the strength of youth. His gaze was calmer, his aura gentle and composed.
Though he had yet to awaken the Mind's Eye, his practice had already grown more focused, more pure.
For those whose desires ran deep, heaven's secrets remained shallow.
And with secrets so shallow, one could not perceive truth—nor could one awaken the Mind's Eye.
Yozora's goal in cultivation was simple: to make his heart purer, simpler, so that he might one day open the Mind's Eye.
The simpler and purer a person, the easier it was.
According to Master Tyron, fools like Bruno—thick-headed as they were—often succeeded more easily.
Though they were nominally fellow disciples, Yozora barely knew Bruno. Yet when he thought of "pure and simple," the first who came to mind were Red and Ash.
From what he knew, Red had likely already opened the Mind's Eye.
And Ash… perhaps he had as well, though without realizing it, just as he unknowingly possessed Aura without being able to wield it.
"You rely far too much on Aura," Master Tyron had warned him. "Over the next year, you must rely on body and spirit to commune with nature. Only then may the Mind's Eye open to you."
"Yes, Master," Yozora had replied.
Carrying those words in his heart, he now set off once more.
The Orange Islands lay scattered between Kanto and Johto.
Yozora had no intention of challenging the Orange League. Instead, astride his Charizard, he descended upon a certain island—one said to house a Crystal Onix.
That was his goal.
When it came to rare Pokémon, Yozora could never suppress the desire to capture them. That too was a kind of craving.
"Maybe this is exactly why I'll never compare to Red or Ash," Yozora said to himself with a wry smile, letting out a long sigh.
For those who drowned in desire, heaven's secrets ran shallow. Burdened daily by their cravings, their energy drained away, leaving them unable to focus, unable to achieve.
But those without desires… their hearts remained clear and pure, allowing them to enter the realm of harmony between man and nature.
Such people succeeded effortlessly in whatever they pursued.
"And yet… this is the Pokémon world. If I just ignore rare Pokémon when they appear, then what meaning does my journey here even have?"
For half a year he had wrestled with this question. In the end, he chose to follow his heart.
Before long, he found it—the cave from the tales, its entrance marked by a statue of a Crystal Onix.
Inside was a beautiful underground lake.
Through his Aura, Yozora could sense the presence of many Pokémon in its waters. He couldn't tell their exact species, but he knew most were weak.
Only one aura stood out, powerful and unique—it had to be the Crystal Onix.
"This morning, Master warned me not to rely too much on Aura, and here I am again…" Yozora shook his head. If it were Red, he thought…
Even without Aura, Red could probably sense the Onix's presence.
That was the difference.
But then again—how many in the world could be as simple, as pure, and as gifted as Red?
If everyone were like him, any transmigrator would be doomed the moment they arrived.
"From this moment on… I'll seal away my Aura."
And so Yozora did exactly that. He cut off his Aura, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes, striving to sense the world with nothing but his heart.
But there was no response.
Soon, thoughts rose up, tempting him to once again use Aura to find the Onix.
Six months ago, Yozora would have fallen instantly, swept away by his own restless mind.
But now… he understood. The true self resided in the heart. Thoughts were false selves—mere desires.
To follow them was to deepen one's cravings.
With that realization, Yozora cut the thoughts down—shattered them.
But new ones rose. He cut them again. And again.
Five times he severed them, until sweat drenched his brow. And then—suddenly—silence.
The world grew still.
Warmth surged through his body, as if divine energy had filled him. For a brief instant, he felt one with the heavens.
"Grrrrhhhhh…"
And then—he heard it. The voice of the Crystal Onix, echoing clearer and clearer in his mind.
With a great splash, the magnificent Onix emerged from the lake. Its body gleamed like pure crystal, dazzling beyond words.
Yozora's eyes lit up with joy as he rose to his feet.
"Who is calling to me…?"
The Crystal Onix's will seemed to speak directly into his heart.
Yozora froze in shock.
He wasn't using Aura at all. Yet somehow… he could hear the Onix's very thoughts!
(End of Chapter)