NFBE Chapter 547 - 545
Chapter 547 - 545
[You defeated "Unova Elite Four Shauntal." You defeated "Unova Elite Four Marshal."][You defeated "Unova Champion Alder"!]
[Your emerging power has been strengthened! The growth potential of you and all your Pokémon has increased dramatically!]
[The six Pokémon that participated in battle learned new moves!]
[The Tree of Connection sensed an enormous release of power! It has granted the "Champion Ribbon"!]
[You obtained the lost power of ancient times, "Hyper Training" - you can now help any Pokémon undergo Hyper Training! This is a training method that raises a Pokémon's abilities to the highest values attainable when its IVs are maxed out!]
[You obtained the Berry "Ancient Enigma Berry."]
[Description: An extremely precious Berry. Its intensely powerful astringency makes all other ingredients taste sweet by comparison. It seems to be a fruit that came from the Sinnoh region, but after being shaped by the local environment, its effects in the present era differ slightly from those of ancient times.]
[This ancient fruit cultivated by the Tree of Connection seems to be hiding some special secret.]
[Effect: When the holder's HP drops below one-fourth of its maximum HP, it activates, and the accuracy of the next move it uses is multiplied by 1.2.]
[Ancient effect: The next move ignores changes to the user's accuracy and the opponent's evasiveness.]
It was a very unusual Berry. Its name came from "miracle" and "mystery," and it was something only event-distributed Pokémon would carry. Aside from that, there was no other way to obtain it. Not until the Scarlet and Violet era, when various raising methods had all been simplified, could this Berry be repeatedly obtained in Kitakami.
And Kitakami's local environment was similar to Hisui, Sinjoh, and Sinnoh.
At the very back of the Champion Room was a spatial transfer panel. After stepping onto it, light flashed, and Alder brought Hikaru to a room even deeper within.
Hikaru said, "So this is the room where you register in the Hall of Fame... the so-called Hall of Champions."
From the look of it, they should be somewhere underground in the Unova League, or perhaps far behind it. At the very least, this area lay deeper than the Champion Room.
Alder said, "This place hasn't been opened in many years. Though a long time ago, there were people who challenged me and reached this room too. This is the place where Trainers with true strength and the kindness that shines from the bottom of their hearts, along with their Pokémon, leave their names in history."
"Their names will be recorded here and passed down from generation to generation. Every Trainer who comes after them will use these champions as examples and keep pressing forward."
Hikaru asked curiously, "Mr. Gate?"
Alder blinked. "Gate?"
Hikaru smiled and explained, "Professor Juniper told me about him. She said there was once a Trainer who trained on Victory Road and talked about how the inside and outside of a gate were two different worlds. I don't know his name. I only heard he was very strong."
Alder thought for a moment. "Oh! That young man! He did indeed make it all the way to the Champion Room."
"But he lost to me. That's probably why he said something like that."
"A gate is what divides one space from another, so behind a gate lies another world. That's what he said, right? He was a very strong young man!"
Now that Hikaru had a definite answer, he shook his head a little regretfully.
He had thought that Mr. Gate had successfully made it through this place, but apparently not. Still, anyone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Alder really was extraordinary. No wonder he appeared using the Veteran Trainer model and stood before the gate on Victory Road to warn those who came after.
"I'm not very good with machines, but this is the one machine I know how to operate perfectly well. Day after day, I kept using it over and over, hoping that someone would finally enter the Hall of Champions."
"That's right. More than anything, I think of myself as Unova's gatekeeper. Now, carve your names in here. The memories of your journey, and all the battles that brought you here, will be preserved together with them."
"I hope all of it, every last bit of it, will make the future you even stronger."
Alder brought Hikaru before that deep golden machine. "Then record the Pokémon who fought beside you all the way to this point into this machine!"
The machine was diamond-shaped and could hold six Poké Balls. Just as Hikaru began removing them from his wrist device, Alder suddenly said,
"When the machine records all of this, it will also synchronize with Pokémon Centers across every region. All of Unova will learn what happened in the Hall of Champions... And so, by convention, you can take over the position of Champion, and I can finally retire."
"Do you want to take it?"
Rubbing his chin, Alder showed none of the disappointment one might expect from someone about to step down from the Champion's throne. If anything, he looked full of anticipation.
But after placing each Poké Ball into position, Hikaru shook his head without hesitation.
"You know I'm not going to take on the so-called Champion position. Maybe I've worked all kinds of side jobs, and even right now I'm carrying a bunch of roles and titles and collecting several paychecks."
"But the position of Champion is still too restrictive for me, and the responsibility is too great. Better to leave it to some later challenger whose ambition truly lies here."
"You said all of Unova will learn about this. That means those Trainers whose hearts burn for battle, and those who are truly preparing to challenge you for the Champion's seat, are about to come."
"Unova is the place where all things drift and converge. In other words, it is a gathering place!"
Alder's expression froze slightly.
At that moment, the machine lit up, and the six Pokémon were recorded in Unova's Hall of Champions.
The information began spreading like a web to every corner of Unova. On machines and devices all across the region, the news was recorded.
And one of Hikaru's words was entered into the Hall of Fame as well, preserved in history.
At the entrance to the Pokémon League, a message appeared on Nurse Joy's healing machine. After staring at it for a long while, she slowly raised her head and looked at the people gathered inside the Pokémon Center.
There were seasoned Trainers led by Taiga, Elite Trainers, Black Belts, Battle Medics, and the top Ranger, Keith.
"Congratulations!"
Nurse Joy's face was serious, but also visibly excited. The moment the Trainers from Victory Road heard those two words, the entire Pokémon Center burst into commotion.
"A challenger who kept pressing fearlessly forward has successfully passed Champion Alder's trial! Unova has a new champion!"
"He won!" Taiga slammed the counter and yanked off his trench coat in excitement, while the Trainers from Victory Road broke out into cheers.
Just as they had hoped, even if this wasn't some kind of relay race, every Trainer who had come to Victory Road had once reached the Elite Four's chambers. Some had even struggled their way into the Champion Room, only to be crushed in the end.
That peak which symbolized the top of the world, after so long with Champion Alder no longer actively battling, had finally reopened. The League's champion battle was open again, and in a glorious fight, Alder had been surpassed.
"No matter how strong the enemy is, they can be beaten!"
"No matter the suffering or sorrow, it can all be overcome together!"
"Looks like the Champion isn't unbeatable after all!"
"I'm going to sharpen my strength. The next person to enter the Hall of Champions will be me!"
"No, it'll be me!"
The Trainers shouted in a frenzy of celebration, throwing down challenges to each other as they did. Leaning against the entrance, Keith watched the heated scene with slight confusion.
"Uh... Pokémon Trainers, huh. Since Rangers aren't allowed to use Poké Balls to battle, it's hard for me to really understand..."
"But reaching the League and defeating the regional Champion... so that's something this thrilling. Something worth cheering and boiling over for!"
"Even if I don't understand the battle itself, I can still feel the mood, the atmosphere!"
As Keith looked at the excited crowd, just watching them made his own heart begin to stir. Joy and celebration seemed ready to burst straight out of his chest.
Inside the container he was holding, the Egg of the Prince of the Sea also sensed the Trainers' overwhelming joy. Laughing with people, grieving with them, celebrating with them, the Egg shone with brilliant light and sent Keith the feeling of: [I'm so happy.]
Keith froze for a second. He immediately sensed the change in the Manaphy Egg.
He lifted the container. "Was that you talking to me just now?!"
"...Ah! Prince, the Prince of the Sea is happy about this too!"
In Opelucid City, Drayden was the first to learn the news.
"A bright future has arrived."
What he meant was not merely that a new strong Trainer had entered the Hall of Champions. He had also foreseen what might happen next.
It had already been many years since anyone entered the Hall of Champions. Every time someone did, it brought new change to Unova.
Drayden switched off the machine and walked out of the room, looking at the two children staring dumbfounded at the news.
"Iris, Dray! Enough being shocked. You need to work hard too. Now, get ready for training!"
Iris said, "All right! I'm going to charge toward the Champion too. First, I'm going to become a Gym Leader!"
Dray said, "This is such a pain... How does something like this even happen? Regional Champion is way too much for me..."
In Nimbasa City, the lights of the amusement park illuminated the sky.
Elesa, who had been inspecting the Gym's machinery, paused for a moment, then smiled softly.
"In these peaceful days, someone has stepped back into the spotlight."
In Castelia City, skyscrapers towered overhead, and tides of people surged through the steel-and-concrete forest.
Burgh, in the middle of making art, switched on his Pokégear and stared in astonishment.
"I've got a feeling something intense is about to happen... my pure heart is telling me so."
In Driftveil City, ships rested in the harbor while cargo was being moved.
Clay, standing underground and directing workers during an excavation while glancing at his watch, turned serious.
"That kid really is something! To pull off something like this! I gotta tell Zinzolin about it."
In Mistralton City, vegetables were being loaded onto planes.
Skyla, just about to board, curled her lips into a smile. Humming in a voice as clear as wind chimes, she finished putting on her flight gear.
"Next stop: the open skies!"
In Icirrus City, though winter had not yet arrived, cold air already filled the surroundings.
Brycen sat on the ice. After hearing the news, he gave a quiet nod of approval.
"Calm your mind... We'll meet again at the world's greatest martial arts tournament. Train with spirit!"
In Virbank City, industrial smoke rose in heavy plumes, and the underground music venue roared with noise.
Then Roxy's dad, a bald man named Koffing-like Cook, suddenly saw the news. As a candidate Gym, Virbank Gym hadn't officially been completed yet, but Roxie had already passed selection, so all they had to do now was wait. Because of that, even their music venue was now under official oversight.
"Hey! Roxie!" Cook hurried over to where she was testing her bass. "Look at this!"
Roxie blinked. With a bang, she struck the bass so hard it sounded like a string had snapped.
"The Hall of Champions?!"
"Whoa, whoa! Doesn't that make us a champion band now?" Roxie grabbed her chin nervously and started thinking at top speed. "Should we raise ticket prices for future concerts? Hah, if there's really a champion behind the champion band, then we're double champions now!"
In Nacrene City, the city of art and warehouses, inside the museum...
Lenora, Hawes, and Viola all sucked in sharp breaths.
"Even Mr. Alder could lose? Wait, isn't Hikaru the guy who was here in the museum back then?!"
Viola said, "I-I have to go!"
Looking at the director and vice director, she said excitedly, "My head is full of dreams now... champion furniture. I'm using that as the theme for my next furniture line!"
In Striaton City, with its star-like arrangement of houses and snow-cleared stairways...
"That's so incredible! Just what you'd expect from our idol! This unbelievable, astonishing 'flavor'..."
Cilan, Chili, and Cress stared at the news in utter disbelief. Meanwhile, in another house, Fennel and Truffle were in the middle of hurriedly writing papers and material reports while squeezing in time to repair the storage system, and they received the same news too.
"What?! What happened?! Wow, Hikaru entered the Hall of Champions!"
"Hold on! Doesn't that mean I now have a Champion in my network? Hah! If I use a Champion's name when buying real estate outside town, do you think I could get a discount?"
Fennel was seriously considering this as she looked toward Truffle.
"Truffle, do you think if I move to Castelia City, I could borrow money from Hikaru? Would people be intimidated by the sheer power of my connections?"
Truffle spread her hands helplessly. "...Sis, once the C-Gear development is finished, you'll be rich. Why are you still thinking about borrowing money? And isn't that basically intimidation?"
Fennel answered with righteous conviction, "Real estate speculation! Do you know how high Castelia property prices are? I still need to build a gigantic research lab! How could one floor possibly be enough? I want to buy an entire building!"
"It's going to be bigger than every regional professor's lab! I'm going to be rich like Professor Park!"
"And Hikaru is still my deputy director. My lab is definitely going to become famous now! I'll become one of the pillars of academia overnight, reaching the same heights as veterans like Professor Oak and Professor Rowan!"
Truffle could only shrug.
Her sister was fantasizing again, fantasizing about becoming the top of the academic world, fantasizing about leaving Striaton City behind and becoming one of society's elite in Castelia.
In Nimbasa City, at the Battle Subway...
Ingo stared at the notice on the machine and fell silent in thought.
The new Champion's name sounded familiar. Right, it was that craftsman who had once appeared in the Battle Subway.
Closing his eyes, Ingo recalled their brief encounter.
For some reason, he always had the feeling that he would meet him again someday. Maybe in battle, maybe in some other way. The feeling was strange.
"Did we once have the same ancestor? In the end, all drifting things converged here."
"The Hall of Champions... for those of us who love battling, it is a sacred and solemn place. Should I try visiting it once?"
"Then we can't hold back in our upcoming battles."
He turned toward Emmet in the central control room.
"Emmet, let's use a little more of our real strength. Crush those challengers!"
Emmet said, "Eh? But the core principle of the Battle Subway isn't ruthless slaughter. It's battle service. Actually, that's the whole point-"
Ingo cut him off. "No. As the heads of a battle facility, we're still far from enough!"
In Nuvema Town, at Professor Juniper's laboratory...
In front of the computer, Professor Juniper, Cedric Juniper, and three other figures were all nervously watching the information displayed on the machine, along with the special bulletin being sent to official facilities all across Unova.
"He did it... just like he said before. The journey will continue."
"Congratulations."
Professor Juniper looked at the information on the machine and smiled in a daze, while Hilbert lowered the brim of his hat, something unusual flickering in his eyes.
Cheren stroked his chin with a serious expression, and Bianca simply stood there in a stunned daze from the shock of the announcement.
"Professor, can we leave early?" Hilbert asked. "Drifting and converging... everything gathers here! Age-wise, we may be a little younger than Hilda, but we're not that far off."
Cheren added, "Professor, when you went to Paldea, you helped them choose their new starters, right? I looked up some information about that region, and it doesn't seem like there's a rule saying you have to be fourteen before you can set out."
Bianca said, "I-I want to leave early too, but my dad probably won't let me... but I still want to!"
Professor Juniper said helplessly, "That's a League regulation, and I can't do anything about it. This isn't just walking around nearby cities. It means crossing high mountains and great rivers, maybe even going into the nests of Legendary Pokémon, or dealing with mysterious organizations. A journey comes with all kinds of things. An adventure for the three of you..."
"How about this? Let me tell you a little about what he experienced in the Paldea region. I'm sure it'll give you even more inspiration."
"If you want to become strong too, challenge the Unova League, and enter the Hall of Champions, then listening to the stories of your seniors is definitely a good idea!"
In Aspertia City, at the Pokémon Center, Rosa, Nate, and Hugh were standing in front of the video phone, talking remotely with Ms. Youki in Humilau City. The three kids looked utterly stunned, because their Pokémon Center had also announced the same news. Nurse Joy had simply told everyone with a smile.
For ordinary people, it was simply an exciting bit of news, something to talk about later. But for the three of them, it meant much more.
Rosa said, "Whaaaat?! Mom, is this really official news?! Sensei became the new Champion?!"
Nate said, "All of Unova's official channels synchronized the information. That's what being Champion means! But he didn't take the position. Why?"
Hugh said, "He probably wants to keep traveling... We've got to keep getting stronger too. That organization still hasn't been wiped out yet. My little sister's Purrloin..."
Each of the three had their own thoughts. Very quickly, the discussion shifted to what they would do once they set out on their own journeys someday, where they would go, whether they would aim to become Champion, and questions of self-reflection and ambition. It left them a little troubled.
But at least now they had a clear goal. And Principal Asami, who was still in Aspertia City, had already told them that once they set out on a journey, everything would become clear.
Today, though, Aspertia City had welcomed a spirited-looking girl. She carried a pack on her back and looked as though she had come from far away.
"Hello! This is the Trainer School in Aspertia City, right?"
"I heard you're planning to build a Pokémon Gym here?"
Standing at the entrance to the Trainer School, the girl was speaking with the staff handling reception. Before long, someone came out to greet her warmly.
"Oh! Are you the one Mr. Ingo and Mr. Emmet recommended?"
The Trainer School teacher was very enthusiastic.
"We are indeed preparing for that. There are plans to build a Pokémon Gym here in order to strengthen the school's training curriculum. Originally the plan was to start construction three years from now, but because the Blueberry Academy construction project has appeared, our principal has started feeling a bit competitive too."
"After all, our school also has a long and proud history. We can't let ourselves be outdone."
"That's why we really do intend to invite Trainers with considerable strength, especially those who excel in certain types, to take up positions here."
"As for age, you do look a little young, but that's fine. As long as you're strong enough. But could you tell me why you want to work here?"
The girl answered, "Yes! Mr. Ingo and Mr. Emmet recommended me to come here as a leader. Of course, I'll only be doing it for a while..."
"As for why I came here..."
"It's because my partner accomplished something incredible, and now I want to do the same!"
"I'm going to become Champion of the Pokémon League! But for now I'm still raising a new team, and that's exactly why I came here first!"
The teacher looked startled. He had wanted to offer some encouraging words, but his instincts as a Trainer told him that the girl in front of him was genuinely terrifyingly strong.
"Uh, just a moment. I'll call the principal and Principal Asami over... Also, could you tell me what type you specialize in?"
The battle girl, with her high ponytail, vest, and shorts, was just about to answer when she suddenly noticed the three kids walking out of the Pokémon Center mid-conversation. Rosa in particular immediately caught her eye.
"Oh, hey! You must be the girl Hilbert's mom mentioned! You're really cute!"
Hilda walked over and cheerfully greeted the startled, flustered Rosa. Then she turned back to the teacher, tipped up the brim of her cap, and smiled brightly.
"My name is Hilda. I'll be serving as the battle leader at this Trainer School! The type I specialize in is Fire!"
Black Tower, White Treehollow, the Battle Subway, the Trial House, and the Cave of Being...
The facility bosses who had once battled Hikaru were equally stunned.
A former challenger had become the boss of the tenth area, then successfully passed the Champion's trial and entered the place where history was recorded.
Just as this new Champion had said:
"Unova is the place where all things drift and converge!"
"What kind of feeling is this, witnessing the birth of a new legend..."
"Hahaha, the new Trainers, the ambitious ones, the ones full of ideals, they'll all start chasing after this now, won't they?"
"He entered the Hall of Champions. I can't afford to lose either!"
"Anyone who can reach the top of Black Tower can't be underestimated."
"Alder's not that frightening! I could replace him too!"
On the tenth floor of Black Tower, Lady Valakia, dressed in a black overcoat with Latios at her side, had also learned the news. Standing before her was Haru Shion, the boss of Area Six, currently in the middle of challenging her and waving her Pokégear excitedly.
"Just what you'd expect from someone with over seventy percent approval in the Boss Fan Club! See? If you can become Champion, you shine brighter than any idol!"
Valakia nodded slightly and smiled. "...Yes. Even in this black universe, he shines brilliantly."
"Well then, Haru Shion, I win this match. Looks like the boss of the tenth area isn't changing after all."
Haru Shion's face fell at once.
"Damn itttt! Using Latios is totally unfair!"
Inside the Hall of Champions, Hikaru closed his eyes and suddenly heard many voices.
It was the voice of the Tree of Connection. It transmitted countless shadows and emotions from countless people to him. Even Alder, who had once formed a connection with the tree, vaguely sensed something as well.
The machine showed the places to which the news had spread. Every battle facility was listed, and the vortex in his heart had also gained many more blurred figures.
Hikaru could sense their identities and strength.
"The protagonists and rivals... Hilda, Hilbert, Cheren, Nate, Hugh, Benga, Iris, Bianca?"
"The talented young ones... Dray, Zinzolin, Nali, and an unseen Atsumatsu."
"Black Tower: Abidos, Cassandra, Zagreb, Tatar, Nabawul, Haru Shion, Marcello, Valakia."
"White Treehollow: Ama Beryl, Karnak, Saruael, Tandal, Nadia, Hammurabi, Marianna, Wadali, Zaimon."
"Cave of Being: Taiga, Terry, Huixin, Yulia, A-Tong..."
"Battle Subway: Emmet, Ingo."
"And then... the Heaven's Tower Elite Four. Even if it's only a joke, those four ladies are astonishingly strong too. Qingwen, Lyu'an, Fenli, and Shouting (Hope)... representing Fire, Normal, Ice, and Steel."
"And more... and more..."
Through the Tree of Connection's reception of voices from all across Unova, Hikaru also vaguely heard a familiar voice.
Ah. The wandering Zoroark.
"My friend, you became Champion? You really did it... that's amazing. Good for you...!"
Wherever Zoroark was, it was probably at some Pokémon Center, talking to itself and laughing.
It seemed to know about the Tree of Connection.
"My friend, if you can hear this, then please don't be surprised. I've been thinking about a lot of things too."
"I've traveled to many places, but I've never been to the Hall of Champions."
"Seeing you become Champion and enter history, I'm happy for you too. So I'm thinking maybe I should find five reliable companions and try challenging it myself?"
"The place where people gather, where strong fighters gather... my blood is boiling now too...!"
Watching the Champion machine glow, Hikaru turned to Alder.
"You invited me here to challenge you, but for you, this is nothing more than a starting point too."
"From now on, Trainers who can battle you will appear in endless numbers, right here on the land of Unova!"
Alder paused, carefully chewing over Hikaru's words, and then burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahahahaha!"
He simply laughed and said nothing, until the joy reached its peak and his heart was overflowing with it. Then, little by little, the laughter faded, leaving behind only the breathy sound of Alder's emotion-filled exhale.
"Good... so that's how it is! This time, you beat me to it!"
"I had been planning to tell you that becoming Champion is only the starting point of life... but in the end, you turned around and said it to me instead! Hah! You're absolutely right! Let this news spread across the whole land like a gospel, even reaching far more distant places!"
"Whenever a region gains a new Champion, it shakes not only that region, but the world itself. Still, even after becoming Champion, there are top-class Trainers who continue traveling everywhere!"
Alder crossed his arms, his eyes burning hot.
"So let me say this anyway!"
"I want to sincerely congratulate you. Let our battle become the stepping stone beneath your feet! Even among Champions, there are opponents stronger than me! So you still can't let your guard down!"
"If you're going to other regions... then try challenging the other Champions too. I'm sure you'll gain something from it!"
Hikaru replied helplessly, "If there isn't a real need, I'm still not very good at battles on this level... though I do know a few Champions."
"But thank you very much all the same!"
Hikaru had fulfilled the promise, and now it was time to set out for a new land: Kitakami, and the Infernal Pass Tower. But before that...
Keith had already been waiting for him at the League gates for a long time.
And as for Alder, the days ahead were bound to be very interesting.
Hopefully this astonishing old man wouldn't end up saying something like, "There are too many to fight, I can't keep up," right?
In Sinnoh, that distant land...
Cynthia looked at the message on her Pokégear and curled the corner of her lips slightly.
She knew many people in Unova. This message had been sent by Shauntal, and naturally it had also been synced to Caitlin.
"Just as I predicted back then. Shopkeeper. When I was at the Sinjoh Ruins, I already thought that one day I would absolutely battle you. It seems that day may finally be drawing closer."
"You really are one of the mighty figures left behind by history. Just who are you... Well. I have a dream too."
"To go beyond the title of Sinnoh Champion and reach an even higher realm. You can't find the answer just by thinking about it, can you?"
"Hah... I already understand the history of the Sinjoh Ruins. If not for Team Galactic, I really would have one idea..."
"Should I head for Mt. Silver?"
(End of Chapter)
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