With the advancement to the Top 16, the skill level of the contestants steadily increased.

But for Teacher Lu… it honestly didn’t make much of a difference.

And regarding Teacher Lu’s strength, the outside world was once again buzzing with debate.

“The lineup he used in the exhibition match against Leon—that has to be his main team, right?”

“Not gonna lie, that looked like the Sinnoh Champion’s team…”

“No way! Come on, even if they're close, who lends out their team unless they’re dating?”

Regardless of all that, Teacher Lu’s current team—

Already had the strength of a Master… maybe even beyond that.

And for a Trainer of that caliber to compete in the Indigo League Tournament—

That’s so Teacher Lu.

“He even competed in Donghuang’s Piplup Cup back then!” a viewer exclaimed, slapping their thigh.

“So Teacher Lu climbed up from the Baby Cup circuit?”

“I mean, he’s training a new lineup, and the Pokémon aren’t overpowered… let him fight, let him fight!”

On the night the Top 32 matches wrapped up—

In Donghuang, at the Modu Pokémon Association—

Chairman Song Pengcheng, as per his routine, opened up the Modu Evening News, and his expression quickly turned interesting.

It’s only been three months.

Lu Ye had already made it to the Indigo League Tournament?!

Not just that—every match had been a 3-on-1 sweep…

In that instant, Song Pengcheng stroked his chin, lost in thought.

If that’s the case—

Lu Ye’s performance in Donghuang had been so stellar; even the Sinnoh Champion had traveled all the way over.

All of it… seemed to make sense now.

This guy was a prodigy like Red or Green.

Already at Master level in his teens.

Then got into university in Modu at eighteen!

“So that’s what it was…” Song Pengcheng slowly nodded.

—

Meanwhile, at the Shuckle Inn on the Indigo Plateau—

Lu Ye was prepping for his next match.

“Quack~(:з」∠)” Sirfetch’d struck a flamboyant pose on the couch, watching Togepi, Gengar, and Blastoise play cards.

“Togeee~” Togepi cautiously laid down a “Caterpie” card.

“Blastoise!ヾ(⌐■_■)” Blastoise slammed down “Rayquaza” for the win!

“Y’all even play cards like this?” Lu Ye’s mouth twitched.

“Togee~~(｡í_ì｡)”

Luckily, Togepi still managed to win in the end and beamed with joy:

“Togee~(⁎˃ᴗ˂⁎)”

Lu Ye sat cross-legged on the bed, tapping out piano notes on Sylveon’s little head with one hand, scrolling through his phone with the other.

“Sylveee~” Sylveon’s head bobbed with each tap, eyes half-lidded, yawning.

Not bad, kinda comfy~

The tournament’s official forum had a popular section dedicated to discussing contestants.

Among them, Teacher Lu’s popularity remained sky-high, and other contestants had their fans too.

[Rational Discussion: Can Yuto Sundae from Yuhong City Keep Getting 3-0s?]
[Death Metal Team! Analyzing Top Contender Zhuo Xiong’s Lineup]
[Lu Ye’s Sirfetch’d is so strong… is this his ace in the hole already?]

One contestant objectively analyzed that Sirfetch’d’s strength was roughly on par with Teacher Lu’s Blastoise.

As for Gengar, Sylveon, and the others, they were still a notch below.

“Scallion Pancake, you’re super popular!” Lu Ye said in surprise.

“Quack~!” Sirfetch’d puffed up proudly.

Don’t get cocky now, duck~

Still… this feeling of growing stronger—kinda nice?

Sirfetch’d rested on his Leek Shield, lost in thought:

“Quack~❀(:3」∠)”

—

The next day.

With no match scheduled, Lu Ye and Brock wandered around the side venue.

Yuto Sundae had given it his all, but lost to Haidou, a Water-type expert from Wetland City, ending his run in the Top 16.

“That Gyarados was raised really well,” Brock said with folded arms, seriously analyzing.

“Seems like he’s a seeded player from Sinnoh,” Lu Ye said while browsing the forum. “Too bad Yuto ran into him so early.”

Yuto Sundae walked off the field looking dejected, only to bump into his teacher in the hallway.

“Teacher Lu, I…” Yuto murmured.

“It’s okay, you did great,” Lu Ye smiled.

“If it were Manchong or Gladion, they probably would’ve won…” Yuto whispered, then looked up:

“Teacher Lu, please—make sure you keep winning.”

“I believe all of us, everyone back at school, we all want to see you in the finals!”

“Even if you didn’t say it… I’d still do just that.”

Lu Ye smiled gently. “Pick yourself back up and keep working hard!”

Just as Yuto said—maybe his students really were watching silently.

More than that, Lu Ye had a solid reason to steamroll this Baby Cup!

“Everyone really believes in you, Teacher Lu.”

Brock looked at Yuto’s retreating back, then turned back, surprised:

“You’re not staying to watch the rest of the matches?”

“Nope. Gonna head back and prep seriously!”

—

In the Top 8 match, Lu Ye once again showcased the tactical prowess of a Master-level Trainer.

He still used just Sirfetch’d and Togepi.

Togepi paralyzed the opponent’s entire team one by one with Thunder Wave, then swapped out for Sirfetch’d.

Didn’t even need Lu Ye to issue commands.

“Gengengar!” Gengar, acting like a veteran coach, offered guidance from the side.

With the Leek empowered, Sirfetch’d swept with critical hits, taking out all three with ease.

As the match results updated, spectators were dazed.

“Another 3-0?”

“Told you, this Sirfetch’d could go 1v6!”

“D***, pseudo-legendaries—or even mythicals—don’t look any better than this!”

At the hotel, Lu Ye was scrolling through forum posts and paused in surprise.

So the guy they called “Legendary Pokémon Trainer”… that was all thanks to Sirfetch’d?

Noticing Lu Ye’s gaze, the big-eyed duck tilted his head.

“Quack?”

“It’s nothing,” Lu Ye coughed.

Others used Darkrai. I use Sirfetch’d…

Yep. Still got that flair!

These last few matches—Sirfetch’d had grown at a crazy pace.

Thanks to its evolved form, it was currently ahead of the fan-favorite Togepi.

“Togee~(ﾉ´▽｀)ﾉ♪”

Togepi didn’t seem to mind at all, still happily munching chips and sipping cola while playing online with Mew.

Suddenly, a sense of danger struck Lu Ye.

The duck’s getting stronger… doesn't that mean the risk of chaos at home just went way up?

“Gotta ask Gengar to increase Duck Duck’s training time.”

Lu Ye rubbed his chin and muttered, “Until it’s too tired to wreck the house…”

“Quack…”

For some reason, lying on its Leek Shield napping, Sirfetch’d suddenly shivered.

—

February 3rd, Wednesday, Start of Spring.

A week into the Indigo Plateau Tournament, the weather was starting to warm up.

James and the others' business was booming. But every time they got paid, they silently thanked the Commander.

Because of him, they no longer had to live in fear, skipping meals and dodging cops.

More importantly—they were still the evil (love and justice-filled) Team Rocket!

“This feels amazing~!”

“Soonaaance~!”

The quarterfinals were about to begin.

More and more media outlets were turning their attention to the Indigo Plateau, and the official livestream was already online.

Lu Ye, as one of the first Trainers to compete, naturally drew a lot of attention.

The night before the match, to prep for tomorrow—

The group members on the Plateau got together to hold a strategy meeting.

Honestly… this meeting felt kind of unnecessary.

But since Blue and the others had offered, Lu Ye still felt genuinely touched.

Of course… it might also be because Blue’s stall was flopping and she had nothing better to do.

“Teacher Lu’s next match is against Haidou from Wetland City?” Misty asked in surprise.

Brock nodded. “You know him?”

“A Water-type expert from Sinnoh. I heard he’s the last disciple of Gym Leader Yoshinori.”

Misty smiled. “But since it’s Teacher Lu stepping in… there’s not much suspense.”

“Still…” Brock frowned. “This match is on a Water-type field. That gives Haidou a big advantage.”

“Can’t we ask Mr. Lance to change the field?” Blue said.

Lu Ye blinked.

Wait—this is an option!?

“Kidding~” Blue tilted her head and grinned. “So, Teacher Lu—which Pokémon are you planning to use next?”

“Arcanine.”

Lu Ye paused for a beat, then asked:

“Why are you all staring at me like that?”

The group looked conflicted.

Not only was he going for another 3-0—he was using a Pokémon with a type disadvantage?!

But Brock started thinking.

Arcanine could use Burn Up to eliminate its Fire-type weakness.

And with Teacher Lu’s move setup… it was counterplay from beginning to end.

“Ahem.” Brock could already picture the opponent’s face.

Misty’s expression was complicated.

She imagined herself facing Teacher Lu—

And him sending out Arcanine for no reason, while she, a Water-type expert, still couldn’t win.

“Maybe…” Misty whispered. “That would leave a pretty deep trauma…”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read