https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-265-Jinghe-s-Unconventional-Approach-/12932939/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-267-Let-s-Make-a-Grand-Entrance-/12932944/
Chapter 266: Champion's Path and Lady Kiyo
Chapter 266: Champion's Path and Lady Kiyo
After successfully advancing to the top 32 and achieving a flawless victory streak, Jinghe's reputation soared once again.
Of course, the League Championship held significant prestige, and as competitors advanced, the strength of their opponents would undoubtedly increase.
The challenge of achieving a flawless victory became increasingly difficult.
However, online discussions about Jinghe's strength were rampant.
"I heard that Jinghe might have defeated the former Champion of the Galar region, Master Ma," someone said.
"Is that true? He's the undefeated Master Ma who hasn't lost in eighteen years!"
"How else do you think Jinghe got his Bear Apprentice?"
"But Master Ma is getting old."
"Old or not, he's still a Champion!"
"..."
Previously, these people were debating whether Jinghe had captured the three Legendary Birds.
After all, while the Legendary Birds have their flocks, it's not unheard of for trainers to capture them. Take Factory Head Tara, for example.
Later, some speculated that Jinghe might unveil a Legendary or even Mythical Pokemon during the tournament.
But most of these discussions were in jest.
However, when news of Jinghe's victory over Master Ma spread, along with the undeniable evidence of his Bear Apprentice, many finally "recognized" Jinghe's strength.
Perhaps Jinghe had already attained a strength comparable to the Elite Four? Maybe he was even stronger!
Jinghe couldn't help but chuckle and sigh at these online comments after the match.
He defeated Master Ma?
He did win, but how could Master Ma not know what Pokemon he used?
Most likely, someone was stirring up trouble.
Jinghe suspected that either the Headmaster or Vice-Principal Minjiang was behind this.
Raise my salary! It must be increased next semester!
While discussions raged online, Jinghe, after healing Hachubo at the Pokemon Center, followed Gramps to...
"Champion's Path?"
Jinghe's mouth twitched as he gazed at the white pillars standing tall and the spherical sculptures resembling Poke Balls atop them. A grand building loomed at the top of the white staircase.
Wow.
Gramps had brought him to the Champion's Path? Stepping onto this staircase meant initiating a Champion Challenge!
To become the new Champion, one must defeat the League's four Elite Four members consecutively, without stopping, resting, or using Pokemon Centers to restore their Pokemon's energy.
Finally, they must defeat the current Champion.
Successfully overcoming these four formidable Elite Four members meant conquering the "Champion's Path" and becoming the new Champion!
However, the "Champion's Path" wasn't the only way to become a Champion.
Direct succession was also possible if one gained the approval of the previous Champion and the entire Elite Four, as was the case with Micaiah of the Hoenn League.
He directly inherited the Champion title from Da Wu.
But in the League's birthplace and the relatively strongest Kanto League, the "Champion's Path" was virtually the only way to become a Champion.
Without completing the "Champion's Path," no one could become a Champion without the Elite Four's approval, even if the Champion position remained vacant.
Future Akado would face immense challenges on this path.
Especially Koga.
He would undoubtedly be one of Akado's most formidable obstacles on his journey to becoming a Champion.
But it wasn't just Koga.
There was also Lady Kiyo, who, in her own words, would not allow anyone but Oak to be her Champion.
Shiba might be more laid-back, but with two "big shots" making their stance clear, he had no choice.
In fact, when Akado became one of the Kanto Elite Four and attempted the "Champion's Path," he only needed to defeat three Elite Four members to succeed.
However, despite the smaller number of opponents, the difficulty level could be described as hellish.
"Gramps..." Jinghe murmured.
"Hmm?"
"Is it a bit early for us to take this path?"
Moreover, it seemed like he didn't even have the qualifications to step onto it yet.
Suddenly, a chill filled the air, causing Ice Nine-Tails' eyes to narrow, and its nine tails to slowly unfurl.
"Little Ghost, is this your trainer?"
At that moment, a raspy voice echoed from the side.
Kiyo emerged, leaning on her cane.
Upon seeing her, Jinghe's heart skipped a beat.
Wow!
He couldn't help but exclaim inwardly.
When did Gramps hook up with—no, when did he get close to Lady Kiyo?
"Hmm~ Hmm~~" Gramps waved cheerfully at Kiyo.
Good morning, Granny.
Kiyo's lips curled slightly, but she quickly resumed her gloomy demeanor, and her icy gaze fixed on Jinghe, causing his hairs to stand on end.
Jinghe forced a smile and said, "Lady Kiyo."
"You're the guy who gave Akado the secret manual and fought Shiba, right?"
Kiyo's eyes scanned him up and down.
Suddenly, her eyes narrowed, and her voice turned cold, "What's your relationship with that old man?"
Jinghe sighed inwardly but maintained a clueless expression.
"Old man? Who?"
Kiyo pointed her cane at Gramps, saying, "The one who came with the little ghost yesterday, and that useless Pokedex..."
Jinghe looked at Gramps.
Gramps looked bewildered.
But yesterday, he was indeed live-streaming with the Voltom Pokedex.
Jinghe touched his forehead.
So, yesterday, he recognized the Pokedex, and today, he tricked my Gramps into bringing me here to "kill" me?
In the Special Episode, Kiyo had captured Green because she recognized his Pokedex, and then proceeded to beat him up.
Obviously, the "old man" Lady Kiyo referred to was none other than Oak.
(End of Chapter)And between her and Oak, they could be considered childhood friends.
However, due to differing beliefs, Oak abandoned his martial pursuits and embarked on Pokemon research, causing Juezi to feel betrayed by Oak and their past promises.
This is why Juezi couldn't forget about Oak.
Love turned to hatred.
The reason Oak treated his Gramps so well, even to the point of being overly attentive, was because he saw a reflection of Juezi's Gramps in him.
Oak always acted with integrity and a clear conscience, but Juezi might be the only person in the world who made him feel indebted.
"You won't say it?"
Juezi's voice turned colder.
The surrounding ghostly aura became increasingly heavy.
"Woof~"
Ice Nine-Tails' expression grew more serious, and a faint psychic light flashed in its eyes.
Gramps also changed his expression, stepping in front of Jinghe, and spoke in a deep voice:
"Hngga!"
Although I respect you, if you dare to lay a hand on Jinghe, this old man will not hold back!
Gramps' attitude was resolute.
Other matters could be negotiated.
But if you want to harm Jinghe, then you're an enemy to be fought to the death!
Juezi raised an eyebrow.
Not only was Gramps exceptional, but this Ice Nine-Tails was also remarkable.
It reminded her of another old friend, Liubo.
Jinghe patted Gramps' shoulder and rubbed Ice Nine-Tails' head, signaling them not to worry.
If Juezi truly intended to attack, she wouldn't be standing there. Juezi's wild battle abilities were likely the best in the entire Kanto Alliance.
Moreover, if it were about the Pokedex, Juezi should have followed Gramps to find him last night, instead of having Gramps bring him here.
She must have taken a liking to our Gastly, right?
Jinghe feigned realization and said, "You're talking about Oak, aren't you, Lady Juezi?"
"The Doctor? Hmph!" Juezi scoffed.
But Jinghe continued to pretend he didn't know about their past, adding, "Oak has been mentioning you to me, saying that my Gramps could learn from your Gramps."
Hmm?
Juezi paused for a moment.
After a long silence, she spoke again.
"He mentioned me?"
Gramps and Ice Nine-Tails looked at Jinghe.
Really?
Jinghe quickly held down the two Pokemon's heads, telling them not to look around and to be serious!
Then he nodded, "Yes."
"What did he say about me? That I'm neither human nor ghost, an old hag? A temperamental and eccentric old coot?"
Fortunately, Lady Juezi didn't see Gramps and Ice Nine-Tails' expressions.
"Huh?" Jinghe scratched his head in confusion, "Oak said that Lady Juezi, although a bit nitpicky, is actually a very cute person."
Cu—Cute?!
Juezi's eyes widened slightly.
Gramps and Ice Nine-Tails simultaneously lowered their heads, their bodies trembling slightly.
They understood; Jinghe had started to bluff.
This ability to blatantly lie was something Gramps would never be able to learn in his lifetime.
However, Juezi wasn't so easily fooled and scoffed again.
"That old coot always has such sweet words!"
"He even promised to stay ahead of me, so I'd never catch up to him. And now?"
Tsk.
Jinghe smacked his lips.
In fact, Oak had tried to explain to Juezi, saying things like, "Pokemon battles can't save the world; research is the way."
But how could Lady Juezi, stuck in her stubborn ways, possibly understand?
She had wasted decades of his prime.
Out of guilt, Oak didn't dare face Juezi.
And Juezi didn't want to see Oak either, so they had barely seen each other since.
"But... There's always a photograph on Oak's research table." Jinghe continued to feign innocence.
"A photograph?"
"I noticed he often stared at it alone, smoking silently, one cigarette after another."
As he spoke, he took out his phone and showed a photograph.
He secretly rejoiced.
Fortunately, he had seen this photograph during his last visit to Oak's lab and took a picture of it.
Although there was some exaggeration in his words, overall, he hadn't lied.
When Juezi saw this photograph, the ghostly energy around her instantly dissipated, and her expression softened briefly.
But she quickly resumed her gloomy demeanor.
However, the changes in the surrounding Ghost-type energy still revealed her shifting emotions.
Suddenly—
A scroll was thrown over.
"Hngga!"
Gramps caught it, looking slightly doubtful.
"Your Gramps has exceptional talent; don't waste it."
Saying this, Juezi turned and walked towards a nearby path, which seemed to lead to a secluded, eerie house.
"I live there; if you have any questions, you can come and ask me."
"Of course, if you dare to come, hehe."
Juezi's laughter sent chills down Jinghe's spine.
Jinghe looked at the scroll in Gramps' hand. Before Juezi had walked too far, he called out, "Lady Juezi, is there anything you'd like me to pass on to Oak?"
"Hmm?"
Juezi paused, half-turning.
Her sinister gaze made Ice Nine-Tails, who had just relaxed a bit, tense up again.
Jinghe signaled to the little guy not to worry.
Under Jinghe's messy hair, Juezi's expression kept changing.
There was reminiscence, resentment, complaint, and reluctance, but when it came to actually speaking, the words stuck in her throat.
Especially the venomous and cursing words.
In the end, she only managed a cold snort.
"Hmph!"
Still can't speak, huh? Jinghe sighed inwardly.
But from a distance, a hoarse, low voice was heard.
"Tell him... to smoke less."
(Chapter End)
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