When Rose brought up the topic, Oleana responded, "The investigation team hasn't made any breakthroughs yet. What we can confirm so far is that the abnormal energy fluctuation is definitely related to Eternatus."
"We'll need more time to determine the exact cause."
Hearing this, Rose frowned.
The plan was to collect [Wishing Stars], feed their energy to Eternatus, and then use Eternatus to solve Galar's looming energy crisis.
It was a goal Rose had been working toward for many years.
Now, with the [Wishing Star] collection nearly complete and the finish line in sight, problems with Eternatus had to surface at this critical moment.
"Tighten security at the energy plant. We can't afford any surprises right now."
Without a clear explanation for the energy anomalies, Rose could only fall back on this crude but practical solution: eliminate every variable he could control.
"Yes, sir."
Oleana didn't have a better option either. All she could do was carry out Rose's orders.
---
Luo Yuan hadn't bugged Oleana, so naturally he wasn't aware that she and Rose were planning to reinforce security at the energy plant in response to the recent disturbances.
Not that it would've mattered to him even if he had known.
At the moment, Luo Yuan was sitting in the challengers' locker room, preparing for the upcoming match.
In front of him stood James with a camera, Jessie holding a microphone, and Meowth in a director's jacket—all three were filming a pre-battle interview with him.
"Mr. Luo Yuan, do you feel confident about today's match?"
"Of course. I'm going to win," Luo Yuan replied, flashing a warm and charismatic smile.
With a flick of Meowth's paw, James immediately stopped the camera.
"We're all set, boss! Just a bit of editing and it'll be ready to upload—meow~!" Meowth chirped.
The trio had been absolutely thrilled when they were reassigned to Galar for this mission.
Sure, running a TV station in Johto and earning Giovanni's trust was a huge honor.
But somehow, they kept finding themselves nostalgic for those days chasing after Pikachu and "the twerp" under the setting sun.
They'd been applying for front-line assignments ever since.
Giovanni, however, knew these three all too well and had always denied their requests.
This time, though, Luo Yuan had a promotional campaign to run in Galar, so the trio was temporarily transferred to assist with their media skills.
"I've approved your application," Luo Yuan said. "Once this mission is over, I'll be forming a new field unit—and you three will be its founding members."
The trio practically vibrated with excitement.
Seeing them so fired up, Luo Yuan chuckled and gave James a solid pat on the shoulder. "Do your best out there."
After checking his Poké Balls one last time, he pushed open the locker room door and stepped toward the stadium.
Once Luo Yuan had left, the energized trio sprang into action. Their next task: to broadcast the match in real time through the global holographic communications platform.
Luo Yuan walked through the long corridor and emerged into the battlefield—Wyndon Stadium.
The arena was packed to the brim.
During the earlier match between Raihan and Hop, Luo Yuan had only been a spectator watching from the sidelines.
Now, standing here as a competitor, the experience felt completely different.
From his perspective, the atmosphere was even more electric than the Indigo Plateau or Silver Conference back in Kanto.
"We meet again," Leon called out from the opposite side of the field.
After seeing Luo Yuan back in Hammerlocke, Leon had gone home and looked up everything he could about him.
His conclusion could be summed up in one word:
Formidable.
Especially after studying Luo Yuan's battle with Steven, Leon was convinced—Luo Yuan didn't just have Champion-level strength. Even among Champions, he ranked with the best.
So today, Leon was taking this match very seriously.
"We do meet again," Luo Yuan replied, his tone far more relaxed in contrast.
That ease of demeanor didn't sit well with the crowd.
In their eyes, their undefeated Champion had approached this match with solemnity and respect—while this challenger from Kanto looked like he was just here for a casual stroll.
Does he not take Galar seriously at all?
Luo Yuan's and Leon's starkly different attitudes sparked a wave of disapproval from the Galarian audience.
But neither Luo Yuan nor Leon seemed to care.
Spectator opinions had nothing to do with the outcome of the match.
Victory would be determined by strength—nothing else.
"Well then, let's skip the small talk and get started!" Leon grinned broadly, reaching out his hand.
"Alright."
Luo Yuan answered with a single word and extended his hand as well. Their palms met briefly in a firm handshake.
After that, both trainers walked to their sides of the field. As the announcer's voice rang out with feverish excitement, the first match of the Galar-Kanto exchange exhibition officially began!
Battle music blasted from the speakers as the referee's flag dropped.
Luo Yuan and Leon threw their Poké Balls at the same time.
Whoosh!
Twin beams of white light burst onto the field.
Luo Yuan's first Pokémon: Garchomp.
Leon's opening choice: Aegislash.
Both trainers, knowing the other's strength, didn't bother with cautious probing. From the outset, they went all in.
"Aegislash, [Shadow Sneak]!" Leon commanded with a sharp wave of his hand.
In response, Aegislash swiftly shifted into attack form. Its shadow stretched unnaturally long across the battlefield before lunging at Garchomp.
Luo Yuan's expression didn't change.
"Garchomp, [Dragon Pulse]."
Garchomp opened its jaws, and a sphere of energy rapidly formed in its mouth before launching straight toward Aegislash's position.
Luo Yuan understood Aegislash's weaknesses well. While in attack form, its defenses were significantly lowered.
Even though Dragon-type moves were less effective against Aegislash's Steel typing, if [Dragon Pulse] landed, it would still deal considerable damage.