Pokémon: I picked up a reborn Eevee at the start of the game

He didn't waste any time with Crimson, who was sitting quietly in his chair. He ran over, put his arm around Crimson's shoulder, and comforted him, "It's okay. Even 6:2 is great. Even Mr. Mikkelsen got that score."

—On how to offend two people with one sentence.

Chi Hong rolled her eyes, then decided to ignore her sarcastic childhood friend.

Michael shook his head and chuckled; he wouldn't be bothered or angry about such things.

Others also rushed over to congratulate Xia Chen and Chi Hong, but their words were much more normal.

Mikoli: "Congratulations, well deserved!"

Daigo: "What a fantastic match! Your performance shone even brighter than diamonds, but I'll do my best to catch up!"

Darkrai: "Congratulations! By the way, come visit my hometown sometime. Darkrai is really looking forward to another battle with Guleton."

Nemo: "Hmph, don't get too cocky. I'll definitely beat you badly next time we fight!"

Wait a minute, Nemo isn't acting right either; she's talking like a little devil...

After chatting and laughing about the final match that had just taken place, the group then talked about their respective goals for the future.

Daigo is still striving for a Champion position. With the backing of the Hoenn behemoth conglomerate Devon Corporation, as long as he has the strength, there shouldn't be any problem.

Given Daigo's growth rate, it should be around next year.

Mikoli, on the other hand, plans to focus more of his energy on the booming Grand Prix business.

Qinglu said that after returning to Kanto, she would study quietly with her grandfather for a period of time, determined to catch up with Xia Chen on the paths of trainer and Pokémon researcher.

Nemo is determined to win the title of champion in the next Padia Regional Tournament, and even provocatively invites Xia Chen and Daigo to participate as well, to make her path to victory more difficult.

Darkrai's ambitions were much higher; his goal was to gain Darkrai's approval and become a true legendary Pokémon trainer.

Then, everyone's eyes turned to Chi Hong and Xia Chen, very curious about their plans.

Red pondered for a moment and said, "I think I might temporarily end my trip in the Eastern Empire, go back to Pallet Town to spend some time with my mother, and then travel to other places, such as Unova, Sinnoh, or even Kanto and Johto?"

Qinglu's mind stirred slightly; these areas seemed to be places Xia Chen hadn't visited much...

Do we really have to be so competitive when it comes to travel?

I can't fall behind!

With her mind racing, Qinglu looked at Xia Chen and asked, "Xia Chen, you've achieved quite a bit of success now, right? What are your plans for next? Are you preparing for next year's championship run, aiming for the Donghuang championship? And then participating in the Eight Masters Tournament?"

Xia Chen was taken aback and didn't answer the question. Instead, he asked in return, "Is there a necessary connection between the Eight Masters Tournament and the champion? I mean, do you have to become the champion to participate in the Eight Masters Tournament?"

Michael knew more about this, and he explained, "That's not quite right. The Eight Masters Tournament invites the eight top trainers with the highest rankings up to the start of the competition. Titles like champion and Elite Four member give you a points bonus, so basically every year it's the champions from each region who participate."

Xia Chen looked troubled. "In that case, it's practically a necessary condition for me..."

Although he won all the major tournaments he participated in, the only one that could truly be considered a top-level competition was the World Dojo Master Tournament, which probably gave him the most points.

…………

Xia Chen took out his phone and checked the world rankings on the Trainers Association's official website. As expected, he found himself ranked thirty-eighth.

The biggest contributors were undoubtedly the acquisition of the title of gym leader and the championship of the World Gym Leader Competition.

Even with the 300 points from the Donghuang Tournament champion, the ranking would probably only rise to around 20th, still far from the top eight.

If they win the championship, they can just squeeze into seventh place.

Pulling himself back to reality, Xia Chen asked again, "Um... if you were to become the champion, what would be the minimum term?"

Mikoli sighed and rubbed his forehead. He'd only ever heard of asking about the longest time, never the shortest. This guy was really a lazy bum...

Even so, he still gave an answer.

"One year, you can resign after one year."

Xia Chen breathed a sigh of relief, "A year...that's alright."

His reluctant expression left everyone speechless, and that tone of disdain... This is the championship throne that countless people dream of!

Moreover, the underlying meaning of this statement is that the championship is already his, and whether or not he takes it depends solely on his willingness.

That's incredibly arrogant!

But upon closer reflection, Donghuang's current champion is indeed not very strong. With Xia Chen's strength, it seems he really has the right to say that.

Damn it, he got away with it again!

"The road to the championship won't begin for another six months. Before that?"

Qinglu invited with a grin, "Want to go on a trip together?"

Xia Chen's eyes flickered, and he shook his head, saying, "Next time, I have some things to take care of right now."

Qinglu shrugged. "I guess you're going to get back to your island development. Fine, I'll go by myself."

Island development...

Xia Chen smiled slightly, offering no explanation, but his thoughts drifted far away—

The original owner's parents disappeared several years ago in an archipelago in the middle of the ocean, a region called Alora.

It's time to untie that knot in my heart that's always been there.

…………

November 30, 2025, 11 PM, at the Kamijing International Stadium.

Although it was evening, it was already night in the winter city of Shangjing.

Nearly two hours had passed since the end of the Donghuang Tournament finals, yet the stands in the arena remained packed, showing no signs of being deserted.

Even under the lights, the brightly lit arena appeared even more lively.

Everyone was eagerly awaiting the awards ceremony, a momentous occasion that would bring this spectacular conference to a perfect close.

Soon, the three trainers who won first, second, and third place, led their radiant Pokémon, which had been treated and were glowing with health, onto the main stage of the arena.

There stands a rather large three-tiered podium.

There's no other way; the podium needs to accommodate three trainers and all their main Pokémon standing on it together.

Keep in mind that among them are truly heavyweight Pokémon like Snorlax and Aggron.

However, even though Red and Steven have these two guys, the greatest pressure still comes from the highest champion's podium—

Xia Chen brought all the Pokémon onto the podium, including Guleton and Deoxys, who had never played a single game.

Logically speaking, it would be good enough if the Pokémon that didn't even participate got a championship ring; there was no reason for them to stand on the podium. But the organizers didn't dare to voice any objections.

Please, this is a legendary elf! Going up on the podium is giving you face, okay?

As a result, the lineup on the champion's podium was surprisingly impressive.

Therefore, the legendary Pokémon Leyton, Deoxys, and Diancie, as well as many rare or even unique Pokémon such as Goodra, Zoroark, and Cypher...

The key is that he's both handsome and skilled in combat.

Once all the elves were in position on the stage, the award ceremony officially began.

The rankings, from lowest to highest, start with the third place: the renowned gem researcher, the young master of the Devon Foundation, and the only designated next champion of the Hoenn League—Godzuffie!

The award presenter was Dai Shu, one of the current Four Heavenly Kings of Donghuang and the Steel-type Heavenly King. The two smiled at the camera and took a group photo.

Next up is the runner-up, the biggest dark horse of this year's Donghuang Tournament, and Xia Chen's only designated fighter—Crimson!

While he may not have as many titles and honors as Daigo, his strength is in no way inferior, and may even surpass it.

After all, he advanced to the finals by defeating Daigo.

The enthusiastic applause that erupted throughout the venue also demonstrates the audience's approval of him.

The award presenter was also quite prestigious: Yu Zhaohua, the previous champion of the Donghuang Alliance and the current president of Shangjing University.

Perhaps because Xia Chen won the championship, Lao Yu was in a very good mood today. He made a funny face at Xia Chen in a childlike manner before presenting the medal to Chi Hong and then taking a group photo.

…………

Finally, and naturally, the champion of this tournament, Xia Chen, is a renowned Pokémon researcher, the discoverer of the three Pokémon specializations, the friend of the people of Hoenn, Kalos, and Galar, and the most popular trainer in the 2024 poll... and many other honors!

At this moment, the atmosphere reached its climax, and everyone stood up and cheered in an almost frenzied atmosphere.

Gu Kunshan, the current champion of Donghuang, who was presenting the award to Xia Chen, smiled slightly and shook his head. He then took the championship trophy from the ace elf, Guai Li, and handed it to Xia Chen.

"Thank you!"

Xia Chen nodded his thanks, accepted the heavy trophy with both hands, took a commemorative photo as usual, and then passed it to Doronbarut, who was eager to play with the trophy next to him.

Gu Kunshan put his arm around Xia Chen's shoulder and smiled, "Congratulations, you are leading the future of Donghuang."

Xia Chen wasn't overly modest, nor was he arrogant enough to say something like "Old Deng, your era is over." He simply nodded with a smile.

"Thank you, Gu Guanjun. I hope to receive your guidance next year."

The significance is self-evident—see you at the end of our championship journey.

Gu Kunshan, who was over thirty but still young, was slightly taken aback, and then said in a deep voice, "Good spirit, but... don't underestimate the current champion's strength!"

After saying that, he laughed first, "Just kidding, haha, see you next year."

The two exchanged a smile, and then the award presenter stepped down from the stage, leaving the stage to the three main characters of the day.

The championship trophy spun around in the hands of the elves, and finally returned to Xia Chen's hands.

He felt the heavy weight in his hand and suddenly smiled with emotion.

Perhaps this isn't the most prestigious championship he's ever won in the traditional sense—

The honors of winning the World Youth Championship and the World Tour Championship are higher than those of winning the Donghuang Tournament, which is only a league-based event.

But this championship has extraordinary significance for him.

When I first came into this world three years ago, could I have imagined that I would be so full of vigor and ambition now?

If we were to borrow the opening lines of a certain world-famous novel—

Years later, as the audience roars and chants the champion's name, Xia Chen, the champion of the Donghuang Tournament, will recall that morning when he found Eevee.

Xia Chen lowered his head as if sensing something, his gaze meeting those light blue eyes that held countless complex emotions.

In a daze, he seemed to see a furry little creature curled up on the bluestone street, its body trembling.

"Thank you, Ibrahimovic."