Wyndon Stadium, waiting room.
As he watched Leon's Charizard fall,
Red, his cap brim pulled low, showed a faint smile by the floor-to-ceiling window.
He wasn't smiling because Leon had lost.
It was because Blue had won.
And because Blue had grown.
That made things more interesting.
Entering this Master League had definitely been the right decision.
Blue held out his hand to Leon.
"In that final exchange, your Charizard burned with the fiercer fighting spirit. This was a battle with no losers."
Leon raised his head and met Blue's gaze.
In that moment, the two Champions understood each other.
There were no losers in this battle.
Only two Charizard who had burned everything they had for their Trainers and their own convictions, remaining resolute to the very end.
"Congratulations on being the first to reach the Top 8. But I'll get my revenge."
"I look forward to it."
The score settled at 6-4, making Blue the first to advance to the Top 8.
Leon left first. Standing on the field, Blue looked toward the distant floor-to-ceiling window,
hoping to exchange a look with Red as one powerhouse to another...
However...
Red was already gone.
Li Wei and Red had each headed to the Competitor Tunnel. Their match was next.
Inside the Competitor Tunnel,
Blue encountered a figure wearing a baseball cap, with Pikachu perched on his shoulder.
"See you in the finals."
Red stopped and nodded silently.
Li Wei, meanwhile, encountered Leon, who had taken off his cape to reveal a fitted black tank top underneath.
Li Wei wanted to ask whether he was cold.
Oh.
The Competitor Tunnel had heating. He really wouldn't be cold.
"Li Wei, I'm looking forward to facing you later, too."
"Same here."
"Luca."
Lucario nodded to Leon as well.
Lucario had felt the