An abstract trainer who taught Charmander the Incinerate move

Chapter 259 All-Star Lineup, The Ultimate Feast! (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
Inside the conference venue, the bustling audience was already restless.

The giant hanging screen repeatedly played warm-up advertisements, but the host, Mo Zhen, was nowhere to be seen.

What began as sporadic whispers quickly escalated into a buzzing wave of discussion.

"What's going on? Master Mo Zhen hasn't arrived yet?"

His female companion next to him pursed her lips and scrolled through her phone.

"Maybe he's entangled with some female celebrity again? Did you see the trending topics? It sounded like a fight broke out outside just now! It was involving Natsume, Tanyu, and that medicine seller from Hoenn."

"Holy crap! Is this true?"

Another middle-aged man with pointed ears immediately came over, his eyes wide open.

"I knew the superpower fluctuations outside were terrifying! Turns out it was just jealousy?"

A stylishly dressed young girl gestured excitedly.

"That's not all! I just squeezed to the front and saw it! Miss Wanlong rode out riding a crystal chandelier spirit! That will-o'-the-wisp, that resentment! Let me tell you, she's definitely been cheated on! It's like the wife is catching the mistress!"

The topic is getting more and more off-topic and absurd.

What started as normal jealousy and rivalry gradually escalated into an unbelievable party.

"My cousin's colleague's sister works as a production assistant in Bollywood. She said she witnessed Master Mo Zhen and Naz in a fierce battle in the dressing room, using even their superpowers! The scene was... wow!"

"What's this! I heard that Danyu from Padia is going to use a legendary Pokémon to kidnap Mozhen and take her back to Beishang Township to be his wife!"

Some imaginative viewers even began to conjure up specific postures and details in their minds, describing them in great detail as if they had seen them with their own eyes.

Just when everyone thought Mo Zhen had died on the woman's stomach...

boom! ! !
A loud bang suddenly came from the ceiling of the venue, and the sturdy protective glass shattered. A huge shadow fell from the sky along with a shower of glass shards!

"Aa ...

A deafening dragon roar exploded like thunder, and to everyone's astonishment, a small fire dragon, so fat it was astonishing, landed with a thud in the center of the main stage.

Its glossy, orange-yellow belly rippled dramatically under the spotlight.

Standing on its broad, sofa-like back was Mo Zhen, dressed in a red suit with a smile on her lips!
The entire venue fell into a deathly silence.

The rumors that were just circulating were completely dispelled by this powerful entrance.

Mo Zhen lightly touched the ground with her toes and leaped off Xiao Huolong's back, landing gracefully as she took the microphone that the staff member tremblingly handed her.

"Dear fellow citizens of Unova! And food lovers from all over the world! We've kept you waiting!"

Mo Zhen's voice suddenly rose, and he waved his arm, pointing to the huge Food God Competition logo behind him.

"Nothing is more important than delicious food! Nothing is more exciting than the pursuit of the ultimate taste experience! Today, here, we will witness a war of taste buds, a peak showdown of culinary skills!"

"Tell me, are you ready?!"

He pointed the microphone at the audience.

"Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh!!!"

After a brief moment of stunned silence, deafening cheers erupted throughout the stadium!
The gossip from before was instantly forgotten, and the fervor for the food once again dominated the atmosphere.

"very good!"

Mo Zhen nodded in satisfaction, and the spotlight followed his steps.

"Therefore, I hereby declare the first-ever Food God Competition of the United States officially open!"

Exhilarating background music began to play, and confetti burst forth.

"Now, let's give a warm round of applause to welcome our first contestant!"

Mo Zhen's voice was full of passion, and a video clip appeared in the background.

"He comes from the Steelix family of Pewter City in the Kanto region! Not only is he a master at breeding Rock-type Pokémon, but he's also a culinary expert who infuses the bounty of the earth into his dishes! He hones his culinary skills with unwavering determination, and he heals hearts with the warmth of rock-grilled cuisine—let's welcome Master Brock!"

A spotlight shone on the entrance passage, and a muscular figure wearing a Japanese chef's uniform squinted and strode out.

Surprisingly, even at such a major event, Xiao Gang maintained his signature squinty smile, as if he were forever asleep, yet he walked precisely to his cooking station.

Xiao Gang took the microphone, his voice gentle and steady.

"Thank you for the compliment, sir. I am merely an ordinary chef from Deep Grey City, and it is a great honor to participate in this grand event and to exchange ideas and learn from all of you masters. I have always believed that the true essence of cooking lies in dedication, just like raising Pokémon—it requires love, patience, and..."

His voice suddenly stopped, and his eyes, which had been squinting, snapped open, bursting with an astonishing light, staring straight at a blonde woman in an elegant long dress below the stage—it was Zhu Lan!
"And an eye for beauty! This beautiful lady!"

Xiao Gang's voice instantly rose eight octaves, and his tone became incredibly enthusiastic.

"Your elegant demeanor is like the first rays of light when Arceus created the world! Your noble bearing is like a dazzling diamond set in a king's crown! Are you single? Do you have a fondness for the solidity and composure of the rock-themed? I am but a humble man who runs a thriving restaurant, specializing in various rock-themed dishes. Would I have the honor of serving you a 'Solid Rock Chicken Soup' and discussing the philosophy of life and food under the moonlight?"

Mo Zhen smiled with relief. The Little Gang Master from the TV version, who would go into heat at the sight of a beautiful woman, hadn't changed at all!
"Xiao-Gang-!!!"

Before Xiaogang could finish his marriage proposal, a clear yet furious female voice exploded like thunder!
In the front row of the audience, a blonde girl named Xiaoxia, dressed in a swimsuit and full of fighting spirit, was so angry that her face turned red. She threw a Poké Ball!

"Jewel Starfish! Use a water gun to wake this shameless guy up! Aim carefully!"

A jeweled starfish appears rotating, with a brightly shining ruby ​​at its center.

A precise and icy jet of water shot out like a high-pressure water gun, tracing a perfect arc and spanning a distance of tens of meters.

"Hmphh ...

Xiao Gang let out a shrill scream, instantly snapping out of his arousal and back to his original state. He curled up and knelt on the ground, soaked to the bone, his earlier proposing momentum completely gone.

Xiaoxia angrily retrieved the starfish and shouted at the stage.

"You better compete properly! Stop embarrassing Kanto trainers!"

The audience burst into laughter, and Mo Zhen quickly tried to smooth things over.

"Haha, it seems Master Gang is being a bit too enthusiastic. Let's look forward to him showcasing his true skills with his cooking later! Next up—"

He quickly changed the subject, his voice once again filled with passion.

"Please welcome our second contestant! He hails from the Padiya region and is a sandwich master who has poured his heart and soul into the secret seasoning of the resurrection legend! He has traveled to every corner of Padiya with his partner, the Mastiff Godfather, searching for lost flavors, all in order to create the most perfect sandwich in the world! Let's welcome—Master Padiya!"

A tall boy with long, grayish-yellow hair, who looked like an older man, walked out.

He was dressed in travel clothes, accompanied by a majestic Tibetan Mastiff godfather. Mo Zhen continued his introduction.

"Master Piper's story is truly legendary! In order to revive the secret seasoning recipe left by his parents, he didn't hesitate to challenge powerful Pokémon Masters and collect the most precious ingredients! His sandwiches are more than just food; they carry dreams, memories, and relentless pursuit!"

Just as Pipa was waving to the crowd, a sharp roar suddenly came from outside the venue!

"Pa-pa-pa!!!"

Suddenly, Dan Yu found herself riding on the back of Gu Le Dun in its flying form, clinging to the glass wall of the venue, pounding on the glass and roaring furiously with a ferocious expression.

"Give it your all! Take that damn championship! I've fought so many powerful bosses for you and collected so many secret seasonings! If you dare lose—I'll chop you and your mastiff godfather into pieces and make sandwiches!!!"

Piper was so frightened that he almost dropped the seasoning in his hand, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.

He struggled to move his Adam's apple up and down, whispering a pep talk to himself.

"Calm down, Pipa, you can do it. We have the legendary secret seasoning!"

Mo Zhen wiped the sweat from her forehead and quickly continued the process.

"It seems Master Pipa's supporters are very enthusiastic! Let's look forward to his performance! Next up, the third contestant! From the Alola region, she excels at using fresh island ingredients to cook sun-drenched dishes full of natural flavors! Her food is as heartwarming as the Alola sun! Let's welcome—Chef Mao!"

A green-haired girl wearing an adorable apron, a flower hair accessory, and a smile as bright as a sunflower skipped and hopped onto the stage, waving energetically to the audience.

"Alola~! Hello everyone! I'm Mallow! Today I'm going to bring you the flavors of Alola!"

Several clear cheers immediately came from the audience.

"Go Mao! Don't lose!"

"Let everyone witness the passion of Alola!"

On one side of the audience seats sat several girls with a distinctly Alola style.

Lily, holding her bouncy sea lion with a serene expression, Acerola, dressed in a fashionable outfit, and Lillie, wearing a white lace dress, are all clapping and cheering for Mallow with all their might.

Mao happily gave her friends a thumbs up, then skillfully began to organize the various tropical fruits and seafood she had brought, radiating sunshine and energy.

"Thank you, Master Mao, for bringing us the flavors of the South! Next up is a superstar from the culinary kingdom of Carlos! He's hailed as a 'culinary artist who makes the fleeting moment eternal,' adept at sealing ephemeral deliciousness into the memories of diners! His dishes are a feast for both the eyes and the palate! Let's give a warm round of applause to Master Jimi!"

Under the spotlight, a blond young man dressed in a standard French chef's white coat, exuding elegance and composure, slowly walked out.

He wore a gleaming badge on his chest, his movements were meticulous, and he bowed slightly to the audience, exuding French romance and professionalism.

"Lord Shimi!!!"

"Ahhh, look here!"

"Chef Zhimi, I love you!"

A burst of intense screams erupted from the audience as a group of elegantly dressed female trainers from the Kalos region excitedly waved their support signs, their eyes filled with adoration.

Zhimi maintained a polite smile and nodded to the fans, which triggered a wave of screams.

Mo Zhen flattered her at the opportune moment.

"Master Zimmer's restaurant is always packed in the Kalos region, and his Water-type Pokémon partners are absolute masters at preparing seafood! We are truly fortunate to have this meal today!"

After introducing the four masters from other places, Mo Zhen's tone became even more solemn.

"And next up is the highlight of this Food God Competition! Representing the traditional culinary skills of our Union Kingdom, the Three Monkeys Restaurant—the Tong, Bert, and Koun brothers!"

The three brothers, dressed in neat chef uniforms, walked out with serious expressions. Behind them, Cold Water Monkey, Exploding Flavor Monkey, and Coconut Monkey were also wearing mini chef hats, ready for battle.

"And their opponent—is the founder and spokesperson of the Xiba Catering Chain, who has recently swept through the catering industry and caused huge controversy! He claims to have perfectly combined kung fu with flash-freezing technology—Master Hachiku!"

The spotlight suddenly shone on the other entrance.

Hachiku strode out, dressed in a brand-new kung fu outfit, with a cold expression.

Behind him followed a Double Dot Ice cream bar exuding a chilling aura, pushing a huge food cart covered with a white sheet.

His appearance immediately sparked a heated discussion among the audience.

Wow! It's Hatchku himself!

"He actually dared to come?"

"Hmph, let's see how he heats up pre-made food in the microwave!"

"Don't say that, what if it's real kung fu?"

"Support Teacher Hachiku! Technology changes lives!"

A mix of doubts and support arose in the audience, instantly creating a tense atmosphere.

Mo Zhen spoke with great passion and enthusiasm.

"Traditional fresh-made food versus industrial fast food! The chef's craftsmanship versus technological efficiency! This showdown is not just about taste, but also about philosophies! Which one is superior? Let our taste buds tell us!"

Hachiku remained expressionless, merely nodding slightly, his eyes brimming with confidence.

The atmosphere reached a fever pitch, with everyone holding their breath, anticipating this epic showdown.

Thousands of miles away, in a run-down bar in the Galar region.

Nie Zi slammed his fist on the table in anger, making the empty beer can bounce around.

"What the hell! That's it?! What happened to our Galar players? Were they targeted by the tournament?!"

Mary, standing beside him, silently lifted the corner of her mouth with her hand, forcing out a professional, emotionless fake smile, everything understood without a word.

Homiga and Thomson, who were on tour in the area, exchanged a glance, hesitant to speak.

Their experiences in Galar these past few days were simply unbearable—besides the greasy fish and chips, there was the kind of "stargazing" that could scare even deep-sea monsters back to their hometowns.

In this culinary desert, finding someone who can cook is a miracle, let alone sending a contestant to participate in the God of Cookery competition? You might as well hope that the King Kong suddenly falls in love with flipping a wok.

Regardless of the audience's reaction, Mo Zhen took a deep breath, walked to the front of the stage, and raised her arms high!
"I hereby declare—the first-ever Food God Competition of the United States officially begins!"

clang--! ! !
A loud bell rang throughout the venue, and all the participating chefs' eyes sharpened instantly, and they all sprang into action!

The stove fire is lit, the blades are drawn, and the ingredients fly!

A war for taste buds has finally begun!
(End of this chapter)