On November 16,
the Master League finals came to a close.
The new world champion-Red!
The spectators at Wyndon Stadium,
along with those watching the livestream
and those in front of their televisions,
had all witnessed the showdown between Red and Blue.
They had also witnessed Red reclaim the champion's throne!
He had never truly relinquished that position.
He simply had no need to prove himself anymore.
That was why he had never come down from Mt. Silver
to compete in the Pokémon World Championships or the Master League.
Just as Jason had said,
he was the highest mountain in the history of Pokémon battling,
though not yet its longest river.
After all, champions such as Mustard and Professor Oak had left enduring monuments in the history of Pokémon battling.
Red had entered this Master League
not to prove himself,
but simply because he had realized
that official competitions had their own appeal.
Why insist on battling in the wild?
These matches wouldn't make his hand injury flare up, either...
Nor did he have to worry about being frozen into an ice doll...
How nice.
After watching Red receive the championship trophy,
everyone promptly whisked him away to Cynthia's villa on the outskirts of Wyndon for a meal and a celebration banquet.
"Now we can pop the champagne!"
Akin watched Li Wei pull out several bottles of champagne.
"You even prepared these?"
"What else did you expect?"
"What are you standing around for? Help me pour!"
"Oh, right!"
Then Akin suddenly caught himself.
"Wait, why should I listen to you?"
"Do you still want to eat my cooking?"
"Akin, at your service!"
Akin stood at attention like a soldier.
By then, everyone had surrounded Red, raising their champagne to congratulate him.
Out in the Wyndon countryside that night,
the