He knows Pokémon better than me.

In front of Shuanglong Dojo.

"Long time no see, Alice, Mr. Shaka!"

Ash greeted her with a smile. Speaking of which, Iris's long dress, crown, and hair-tied-up hairstyle must have been her formal attire when she underwent the Dragon Trial.

It seems they value today's match very much.
"Ash, and Pikachu, uh...?"

Alice responded enthusiastically, but paused for a moment when her gaze fell on the Mr. Mime.

A Pokémon wearing clothes? But if it's Ash's Pokémon, it wouldn't be so strange.

Shaka nodded and then introduced the man beside her:

"This young man is named Du Ruo, he's my grandson, and he's currently training to become the head of the Twin Dragons Dojo."

"Hey Grandpa! I already told you, I'll be taking classes at Blueberry Academy for the next few years! I won't have time to take over as gym leader!"

Before she could finish speaking, Du Ruo interrupted her.

Faced with Shaka's angry gaze, he shrugged and gave up completely.

"So you're grandfather and grandson, no wonder you look so alike. Hello, I'm Ash from Pallet Town."

Xiao Zhi suddenly realized and greeted him.

She was a little confused. Wasn't Alice supposed to be the next Gym Leader of the Twin Dragons Gym?
How did he become Mr. Shaka's grandson?
And the name "Blueberry Academy" sounds familiar.

Seemingly sensing Ash's thoughts, Shaka, with a serious expression, answered:
"Because with Alice's strength, she has already exceeded the level that a gym leader should be at, and she no longer needs to stay at the Twin Dragons Gym. There is a position that is more suitable for her."

"A more suitable location?"

Ash blinked. The location above the gym... the Unova Elite Four?

"No, I'm the Unova region's league champion, hehe~!"

Alice answered cheerfully, with a hint of smugness in her eyes.

"Unova Champions?! So fast?!"

Xiao Zhi was taken aback upon hearing this.
This was truly beyond his expectations.

Although when he first approached Mr. Alder, the latter proposed to groom Alice as the next Unified League champion.

But this speed is way too fast!

He originally thought, "It will probably take several more years, right?"
Alice must be the youngest regional champion in history, right?
"I'm already the official Unova Champion~ but it hasn't been officially announced yet~"

Beside her, Du Ruo spoke lazily, a sight that made Xia Ka shake his head in disapproval—

Despite being several years older than Alice and also a Dragon-type trainer, he showed absolutely no intention of competing with her!
Now, things have gotten even worse; he's not even staying at the dojo anymore, he's going abroad to study.
It's not exactly studying abroad; Blueberry Academy is a special man-made facility located in the waters of the Unova region.

In short, it can be described as an artificial island in the Unova region.

Alice, on the other hand, looked at Ash with a serious expression and bright eyes:

"So today's battle is actually my first match since becoming the regional champion! Ash, so I will give it my all!!"

Xiao Zhi nodded, his expression gradually becoming more enthusiastic.

If Alice truly possesses the strength of a regional champion, then today's battle will be even more difficult than he anticipated before arriving.

Especially considering that he only intends to use the Galar team today.

Of course, there are differences between the champions.

Facing Cynthia and facing Mr. Alder are naturally two completely different levels of difficulty. So the four of them entered the Twin Dragons Gym together, and Shaka said with a tone of exasperation:
"Next, Du Ruo, you should watch the battle between these two trainers who are younger than you but stronger! See if you can reignite the fighting spirit that has long been extinguished."

In fact, his grandson's potential is not much less than Alice's.
There's nothing I can do; my fighting spirit is just too low. All I think about every day is how to slack off under my own supervision.

Now, they're even going to the Blueberry Academy, where they can truly let loose and be themselves.

"."

Du Ruo held the back of her head, too lazy to answer.

There was no other way; I simply couldn't stay in this house any longer.

It would be best to find a chance to slip away from my grandfather as soon as possible!
Du Ruo's gaze subtly fell on Xiao Zhi again—

He knew Alice's strength very well, after all, they had grown up together in Twin Dragons City.

But according to his grandfather's description, Ash seems to be even stronger than Iris?
Is that the level of a league champion?!
When did the word "champion" become so commonplace?!

"Since that's the case..."

Du Ruo's eyes lit up, and she suddenly had a bold idea.

Never mind, I'm the champion too!

Why not just form a Four Heavenly Kings and a Champion Team when I go back to Blueberry Academy for the start of the new semester!
Don't worry about your skill level. The title is champion!

With his own strength, winning the championship among the students shouldn't be a problem.

Next time Grandpa comes to nag him about taking over the dojo master position, he can confidently retort, "I'm the champion here, I don't have time to go back and be the dojo master!"
I'm such a genius!!
"?"

Ash and Alice exchanged a glance, wondering why Du Ruo suddenly burst into excited laughter.

Shaka: "."

That kid's probably up to some lazy trick again. Can't he use that energy on becoming a powerful trainer?!
Soon, the group arrived at the dojo arena—

The Shuanglong Dojo arena itself is nothing special; it's just an ordinary dirt and stone ground, but there are several dragon head sculptures hanging on the surrounding walls.

Three-headed dragon, Haxorus, Red-faced dragon
The two half-body statues, which all appear quite ferocious and have a strong deterrent effect, should serve to intimidate challengers.

Meanwhile, in the center of the arena, a Rotom drone was already parked, waiting for them.

Xia Ka and Du Ruo stood quietly at the edge of the arena, watching the game.

With the Rotom drone, the job of human referees would be completely replaced.

So Ash and his friend walked to opposite ends of the arena, exchanged a heated glance, and then took out their respective Rotom phones to confirm their battle.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh—!
The central drone, Rotom, was activated, rose into the air, and broadcast a loud announcement:
"This is the World Championship High Ball Rank promotion match! The two players facing off are Ash and Iris, and their identities have been confirmed!"

"Each side can use three Pokémon. The winner is determined when all three Pokémon on one side are unable to participate in battle!"

"The winner advances to the advanced level of the World Championship, while the loser is relegated to the super level to try and re-enter the promotion tournament next time!"

"Now, both sides, please send out your first Pokémon!"

As soon as the sound faded, the Rotom drone immediately increased its altitude to avoid being affected.

Off the field, Xia Ka crossed his arms and looked serious, while Du Ruo next to him unconsciously made the same gesture.

The promotion tournament has officially begun! (End of Chapter)