Chapter 441: Mastermind Behind the Scenes, Professor Lu
Outskirts of Hearthome City, Pokémon Center.
“Please help me heal my Buizel, I’m counting on you!”
Ash handed over his Poké Ball to Nurse Joy.
“No problem,” she replied with a smile, then paused in surprise. “If I’m not mistaken, there’s a really strong Buizel living in the nearby stream.”
“That’s the one—I caught it,” Ash grinned, but then slumped slightly. “But it doesn’t seem to want to follow my commands.”
“As long as you build trust, it will respond to you.”
A short while later, Joy returned the Poké Ball to Ash and smiled.
“Strong Trainers always start out this way, step by step.”
Ash nodded, thinking back to when he first met Pikachu, and when Charizard had just evolved.
After clearing the Battle Frontier, Ash had grown significantly as a Trainer.
But with low bond levels, Pokémon still might not obey orders.
Looking down at the Poké Ball, Ash said with sincerity, “I’ll make sure you come to trust me!” “The coordination by Elite Four Wusong is flawless!”
Suddenly, the sound from the wall-mounted TV caught Ash’s attention.
On screen—
A blue-haired man in a wine-red suit held a hardcover book in one hand while adjusting his glasses with the other.
In front of him, a Bronzong’s eyes glowed with Hypnosis, instantly lulling the fierce Roaring Rhyperior into a deep sleep.
The young Trainer across from him looked overwhelmed.
With a sweep of his arm, Wusong calmly ordered, “Bronzong, use Psychic!”
A devastating wave of psychic energy shot forward, engulfing Rhyperior in solidified blue light.
A near-total victory erupted into a wave of cheers from the crowd.
Wusong adjusted his glasses, the corners of his lips curving upward.
“This year’s Champion League—Wusong has once again defended his title as an Elite Four!”
The excited commentary echoed through the Pokémon Center.
“So strong…”
Ash was stunned for a moment, then clenched his fist.
“If I challenge him, maybe I can fire up Buizel’s fighting spirit!”
A calm voice spoke beside him.
“You want to challenge me?”
Ash spun around and saw the man from the TV—Wusong, standing next to him with a smile.
“W-Wusong of the Elite Four?!”
Ash stammered, “Why are you here?”
“I happen to have a rare day off,” Wusong said with a sigh.
“Came out here for a little R&R.”
Ash blinked, his eyes lighting up. He got straight to the point:
“Then please battle with me!”
“Technically speaking, I can’t accept.”
Wusong glanced at the impulsive boy and adjusted his glasses.
“If you want to challenge me, you’ll need to participate in the Champion League first.”
“Champion League?” Ash repeated, confused—his best result had only been top eight.
“Only the winner of the Lily of the Valley Conference has the right to challenge the Champion League. The victor can then choose whether to take a spot among the Elite Four.”
Wusong’s lenses reflected his deep gaze.
“If you're strong enough, it’s even possible to become the new Sinnoh Champion.”
Ash’s breath quickened, but Wusong added with a faint smile:
“Of course, beating the current Champion Cynthia... that’s a tall order.”
“Champion Cynthia…”
Ash nodded thoughtfully.
“Even Professor Lu might not be able to beat her.”
“Professor Lu?”
Wusong raised an eyebrow at the familiar name.
“If you don’t mind me asking… is he your—”
“My mentor, more or less.”
Ash scratched his head, then smiled. “And the group chat leader, too!”
Wusong adjusted his glasses.
So… this young boy is a personal disciple of Professor Lu.
He wasn’t sure what "group chat leader" meant, but helping Professor Lu’s student…
That’s basically scoring points with Lu, and indirectly doing Cynthia a favor—
Wusong’s eyes lit up.
Being an Elite Four isn’t just about fighting—it’s about relationships too!
“Let’s go!” Wusong grinned. “Let’s have that battle!”
“But didn’t you just say it’s against the rules?”
“Technically, yes. Practically, no… Enough talk. Let me see your skills!”
Ash used his newly caught Sinnoh team.
Wusong won handily, but he also saw Ash’s potential in battle.
“Your Buizel’s strong, but your commands are still a bit green.”
Wusong smiled. “You don’t need to be as strong as Professor Lu… You just need to make the most of your own talents, and I’m sure Buizel will come to recognize you.”
“My talents…”
Ash recalled Professor Lu’s Gastrodon in the exhibition match against Leon—using Whirlpool against a type advantage.
He was good at countering type disadvantages. For once, Ash fell deep into tactical thought...
During lunch break, Wusong treated Ash to a meal and asked about his next goal.
“I plan to collect all the badges first, then challenge the Sinnoh Conference.”
Ash spoke with shining eyes, sauce on the corner of his mouth as he held a fork and knife.
“After hearing about the Champion League… there’s no way I can ignore it!”
Wusong, legs crossed and flipping through a book, chuckled.
“Hope you can beat me in the Champion League…”
Wouldn’t be so bad to have someone take my Elite spot… retire early?
“Oh, right, Mr. Wusong.”
Ash swallowed his curry and mumbled, “Do you want to join our group chat?”
“Group chat?”
Wusong adjusted his glasses. “Is it some kind of Trainer forum?”
He did love forums—especially answering anonymously.
And as a true expert in the field, his insights were always spot on.
With books and forums, Wusong’s leisure time was full.
“It’s just a regular chat group,” Ash said, pulling out his phone.
A moment later, he looked up. “Professor Lu already agreed!”
“Professor Lu’s… chat group?”
Wusong looked at the invite on Ash’s phone, his expression subtly complicated.
“I am an Elite Four, you know…”
Sure, Professor Lu was strong—Da Ye and Aaron practically crumbled at his presence.
But an Elite Four joining a fan group… doesn’t that look kinda lame?
“Just join and you’ll see!” Ash said with a cheeky smile.
“Well… I won’t promise not to leave.”
Wusong tapped “Join,” wearing a faint smirk of pride.
Then his face froze.
He gulped.
Glancing at the list of members, he double-checked the group name.
What the h*ll kind of "chat group" is this!?
【Group Member ‘Ash’ has invited ‘DefinitelyNotWusong’ to the chat group!】
Lu Ye: -1 group rank
Lance: -1 group rank
Red: -1 group rank
Wusong adjusted his glasses with a trembling hand.
Several Sinnoh Gym Leaders? Sure…
But wasn’t Lance the Champion of Kanto?
He even contacted me recently about a cross-border raid on poachers!
So he’s in Professor Lu’s group too?
And that user “Battle Master”… isn’t a fake account!?
What kind of ridiculous situation is this!?
Wusong took a deep breath, adjusted his glasses, and forced a smile:
“Newbie reporting in, please take care of me!”
Steven Stone glanced at the group during his break and raised an eyebrow.
He’d heard of Wusong—the Sinnoh Elite Psychic user.
But if even an Elite Four was a “newbie” now, the bar to enter must be sky-high.
Steven sent a red envelope and muttered:
“No wonder Professor Lu always says he’s off to a casual match.”
“Turns out, half the Master League players are his contacts…”
【Group member ‘LastOneFirst (BusyMining)’ sent a welcome red envelope! Grab it now!】
Gold: “Why is Professor Lu the lucky one this time!?”
Lu Ye: “Heh, I had Togepi tap the button for me!”
Lily: “I-I didn’t get it! o(╥﹏╥)o”
Poor girl Lily sighed in disappointment.
What a shame… If she’d gotten it, she could’ve added a berry to dinner!