"Leo! Leo!"
Outside the entrance tunnel.
A crowd of reporters blocked Leo's path, thrusting microphones toward him and talking over one another with questions.
"Is it true you defeated Shadow Team leader Eya single-handedly?"
"Why did you enter the tournament?"
"What's your goal?"
"Some say you won a hundred battles in a row at Battle Mountain, beat Master Batlthas, and earned the title of Battle Master?"
The questions poured into Leo's ears.
He glanced calmly at the reporters, caught hold of a microphone, and smiled. "You asked why I entered?"
The reporter he had chosen nodded excitedly. "Yes!"
"My girlfriend thought being Champion would be cool, so here I am."
Leo chuckled, pushed the microphone away, parted the crowd, and strode off.
The reporters stood there, exchanging baffled looks.
In fact.
Leo hadn't lied. He had only left out part of the story.
After he brought Eya to justice, the International Police and the Rescue Organization approached him and invited him to join.
Leo happened to have no idea what to do next, so he accepted.
Thinking back.
It had been almost eight years.
He had begun to wonder whether he should continue working for the International Police. Just then, the Orre League Conference was about to begin.
Leo decided to give himself another option.
Mire supported his decision, too. After spending every day together all these years, the two had long since fallen deeply in love.
All that stood between them and their final vows was one small opportunity.
So.
He absolutely would not lose this match!
"I'm counting on you, my friend."
Leo gripped a Great Ball. Even through his glove and the ball's shell, he could feel its terrifying heat.
He passed through the long corridor and stepped into the enormous stadium, which held fifty thousand people.