"I understand… Aizen…"
In the League president's office, Goodshow rubbed his temples with a sigh.
The Saffron City battle may have ended in victory for the League—that much was expected. Goodshow never doubted the League would overcome Team Rocket.
But what he hadn't expected… was that all four of Rocket's champion-level members had escaped.
"Dylan, do you believe you can defeat Aizen?"
Goodshow had already heard Agatha's report on the battle. And facing criminals as powerful as Aizen and the Rocket boss? It was troublesome, no doubt.
"I'm confident. But if he wants to run, I can't stop him—unless he's ready to fight me head-on." Dylan shook his head.
"Unless we prepare a full-scale trap in advance, there's no stopping him. Rayquaza's fast, and it even knows Extreme Speed. Trying to catch him is too difficult."
"I see."
Goodshow nodded in understanding.
"President, what about Lance?"
Dylan frowned slightly. He hadn't seen Lance since the battle, not even at the celebration banquet.
"We've lost contact with him. He's probably furious that Giovanni got away."
Goodshow sighed again. Lance could be… intense. This loss likely shook him deeply.
He wasn't worried about Lance's safety—very few could hurt someone like him. What worried him was that Lance might go too far.
"He's always hated evil. That's just who he is," Dylan nodded.
"In any case, I'll continue issuing warrants for Aizen and the rest. Dylan, if you happen to locate them… we may need your help again."
"No problem. Honestly, I didn't do much this time. I feel a little ashamed."
"Don't be. Actually, Dylan, we've been discussing something else with the other League chairs from different regions."
Goodshow smiled warmly and handed over a document.
"We're planning to launch the first-ever World Championship."
"The World Championship?" Lillie blinked in surprise.
"Yes. The idea came from Chairman Rose of Galar. I thought it was meaningful, so we've been working on it behind the scenes. Now it's been approved in principle."
"We're aiming to kick it off next year."
"A competition on a global scale…" Dylan raised an eyebrow as he flipped through the file. Sure enough—it resembled what he remembered.
The World Championship—a tournament open to Trainers from all over the world.
Until now, the largest events were regional leagues. But those were local by nature, and couldn't really be compared across regions.
This was different.
The World Championship was created to determine who truly was the strongest Trainer in the world.
In the anime, Ash became World Champion by climbing the ranks of this very tournament. Though technically, that wasn't the first championship—its origins go back as far as Black and White 2, where even Giovanni participated as a Trainer.
"That's right. I imagine it'll interest you, Dylan. After all, isn't your goal to make the Rota Gym known worldwide?"
Goodshow smiled.
"If it's Dylan, he'll definitely become the world's strongest!" Lillie declared with pride.
"Haha! I agree." Goodshow laughed joyfully.
My Dylan… invincible in all the world!
"This is open to everyone," Goodshow continued. "Any Trainer can register—even champions. It's a truly global competition."
"We'll be using a ranking system at first to determine qualifications. Later on, we'll narrow it down to the top-ranking Trainers and host the final rounds to decide the ultimate champion."
There was no way they could host a standard tournament—there were just too many Trainers worldwide.
But a ranked format? Simple and effective.
Beat those ranked above you, rise up the list. Strength would decide everything.
"It's a fair system," Dylan nodded. "A straightforward meritocracy."
"Exactly. We'll release a preliminary ranking list soon. The top eight will be named the 'Masters Eight.' Dylan, would you like to be on that list?"
Goodshow asked with a smile. The League would be setting the first list themselves. Of course, regional champions would be included—after all, they represented the pride of their regions.
But Goodshow wanted to put Dylan on that list. Even if others protested, he was ready to fight for it.
Because Kanto's very own Gym Leader Dylan is the strongest in the world!
Don't like it? Come and beat Reshiram, then!
"Would that be appropriate?" Dylan raised an eyebrow.
Shouldn't the first Masters Eight list only include current regional champions?
Otherwise, it might look like an insult to a region's own champion.
"This world values power above titles," Goodshow replied. "With your strength, even if we list you as number one, so what?"
"Even Lance wouldn't object. And if the others don't like it, let them come challenge you."
Lillie nodded enthusiastically. Yes, her brother should absolutely be number one!
"Then I'll leave it to your discretion. I don't mind," Dylan said. He was planning to enter anyway.
Becoming World Champion? A good way to boost his Gym's fame.
And truthfully… this world's championship was shaping up to be insanely competitive.
Aside from the known champions, Dylan had already met so many protagonists—
Red, Blue, Selene, Yellow, Silver, Gloria, Selene (again), May, Leaf…
A literal generation of main characters all showing up?
This wasn't a tournament. It was war.
And he hadn't even seen Goh or Chloe from Galar, or Calem and Serena (from the games) from Kalos, or Lucas and Dawn from Sinnoh yet. If Silver was here, Gold (Ethan) was probably around too.
Once the tournament started, the Masters Eight slots would be bloodbath-worthy.
Dear Arceus… this was going to be amazing.
"Next year, Dylan—you'll be a global legend!" Goodshow said proudly.
Of course he was excited. Kanto was the region, the best in the world! Who dared to disagree?
Disagree? Beat Lance.
Beat Lance? Then beat Dylan.
Besides, Agatha had told him all about Red and Blue—those two prodigies from Pallet Town. Already at champion-level despite just beginning their journeys. Absolutely incredible!
"Your apprentice, Selene, is amazing too. I heard from Blaine that she defeated his full team," Goodshow added with a sip of tea.
She was the real deal.
She'd only been traveling for a month… and she went to Cinnabar and beat Blaine's main team.
"Selene really is like that," Dylan said proudly.
"You've trained her well!"
"No, President—don't get the wrong idea. I only taught her Pokémon theory. The rest? Not me."
"…?"
Goodshow blinked.
"You'll understand eventually," Dylan sighed.
Who would've guessed this sweet-looking, elegant girl would speak like a street thug, calling herself "your boy Selene"?
After chatting a bit more, Dylan and Lillie left the League building.
Outside, they ran into Cynthia and the others.
"Dylan, there you are!" Steven waved with a smile.
"Not resting more?" Dylan asked, noticing they looked a lot better now.
"An hour of lying down is a luxury," Geeta said with a soft smile. "Since we're here in Kanto, we wanted to look around more."
After the battle in Saffron, everyone had grown much closer.
Geeta was graceful and elegant in every movement. As both Champion and Chairperson of Paldea's League, she bore a double burden—and lived as a shining example to all her region's Trainers.
"Actually, I've been curious, Champion Geeta—how do you find time to visit Kanto?"
Dylan grinned. Paldea's League was notoriously intense. Everyone there seemed overworked. Even the calm, stoic Brassius was secretly a workaholic.
"I managed to carve out a few days. Besides, I wanted to learn from Kanto. Consider it a working vacation," Geeta replied with a smile.
"I see. Then… would you all like to visit Rota Town?"
Dylan invited them with a smile.
"Of course! We've been meaning to!" Wallace's eyes lit up. He'd been curious about Dylan's Gym for a while.
"An honor."
"Then let's go."
They each summoned a flying Pokémon and soared toward Rota Town—not far from Indigo Plateau.
Upon arrival, Dylan gave them a short tour of the area before heading back to the Gym.
"Gym Leader! You're back! I was just about to call you," the front desk girl greeted them.
"What is it?"
"Well~ there's a strong challenger waiting. Super pretty, too. She said someone referred her, and she'd like to battle you."
The receptionist glanced at Cynthia and the others curiously but kept talking.
"Did Silver and Yellow lose too?"
"They did. Even Silver lost."
"I see."
Dylan raised an eyebrow. Silver might not be top-tier yet, but he wasn't weak either. Beating him meant this challenger was definitely strong.
And she was referred by someone?
"Sorry, everyone. I'll need to step away to handle this challenger," Dylan said apologetically.
"No worries. It's your job as a Gym Leader," Steven replied. "Honestly, I'm curious to see how you handle challengers."
Rota Gym's reputation in Kanto was impressive—if a bit… eccentric.
"Yeah, don't worry about us," Cynthia added with a smile.
"Lillie, please serve some tea for our guests," Dylan nodded, then followed the receptionist toward the waiting room.
Outside the room, Dylan spotted a girl with extravagant long blond hair, calmly sipping tea. A white-pink round hat perched atop her head.
That hair… Dylan raised an eyebrow.
"Miss Caitlin, the Gym Leader has returned," the receptionist announced.
"Oh? He's back already?"
The elegant young woman turned, revealing a delicate face and sapphire-blue eyes that fixed on Dylan.
"A pleasure to meet you, Leader Dylan. I've heard much about you. I'm Caitlin of Sinnoh."
She rose gracefully, long hair cascading like a waterfall, and curtsied with poise.
She wore a form-fitting white-and-pink dress, highlighting her slim figure and elegant aura.
"Hello, Miss Caitlin. One of Unova's Elite Four—what brings you here?"
Dylan studied her with interest. He recognized her, of course.
She was not only a powerful Psychic-type specialist but also a gifted psychic herself.
Before becoming a member of Unova's Elite Four, she was one of the Frontier Brains in Sinnoh. But due to her unstable psychic powers, she had once relied on her butler, Darach, to battle for her.
Seeking to hone herself, she left for Unova—and became Elite Four.
"Alder spoke very highly of you. Said you were a remarkable Trainer—the one who captured the White Dragon and defeated Team Plasma."
Caitlin's voice was clear and melodic, her eyes shining as she looked at Dylan.
"I admire strength greatly. So when Champion Alder approved my request, I came to Kanto specifically to challenge you."
Dylan blinked. But yes… that tracked.
Despite her appearance as a refined heiress—well, she was one. She was wealthy enough to own villas worldwide.
But she was also competitive to a fault. Her unstable emotions and psychic power had once gotten her banned from official matches.
But after training in Unova, she'd matured. And now, she longed for one thing—a true, high-level battle.
"I see. Well, as the Leader of Rota Gym, I never turn down a challenge."
Dylan smiled and nodded.
And come to think of it, she was close friends with Cynthia. Caitlin had even offered Cynthia free use of her villas.
Yes… he should send her a picture of Cynthia and Geeta later.
[End of Chapter]