"Alola Region?"
Kieran was stunned. He was from Kitakami, and if he truly wanted to grow, staying in Kitakami wasn't an option.
He had already reached the top of Blueberry Academy. Though he hadn't graduated yet, Kieran had no intention of staying there any longer.
Kitakami was simply too small. In truth, the region had only Mossui Town and a few scattered villages—not even a proper city.
(In the game, Mossui is the only town.)
So, if he really wanted to expand his future, he would have to go elsewhere.
Originally, Kieran had considered Unova or Paldea. In Unova, Alder's condition was well known—he was basically retired.
Kieran was already Champion-level. If he improved further next year, taking the Champion title in Unova wasn't out of reach.
As for Paldea, while Geeta, the Top Champion, was undeniably powerful, if Kieran could defeat her and the Elite Four, he would earn the Champion title there as well.
"Mr. Dylan, but… Alola doesn't even have a League, right?"
Carmine frowned. Her little brother was so strong now. As his sister, she was happy for him, though her feelings were complicated.
Still, she genuinely hoped for Kieran to have a bright future.
Alola was indeed famous worldwide—but for being a tourist paradise.
Without a Pokémon League, what was the point in going to Alola?
"Not quite! The application to establish the Alola League has already been approved. It's expected to be formally founded by the end of this year or early next," Lillie explained.
"Really?" The three of them were surprised.
"That's right. The approval came through a few days ago. Kieran, for a trainer, becoming a League Champion is the fastest way to make a name for yourself."
Dylan looked at Kieran seriously.
"Compared to the established leagues, Alola is still a blank slate. Everything has to start from scratch. That's exactly why now is the best time. If you go to Alola now, you'll have the greatest opportunity."
Kieran listened intently, his gaze flickering—he was tempted.
"You've got strength, talent, and most importantly, youth. Your future is wide open. Honestly, no matter which region you go to, I think you'll accomplish great things."
Dylan spoke highly of Kieran—deservedly so.
In the world of trainers, strength ruled. With Kieran's talent, another year of growth would put him among the best of the Champion class.
"But since the Alola League is just starting, if you go there now, the region's resources will be directed toward you. I'm sure you understand what that means," Dylan continued.
"What do you think, Sis?" Kieran hesitated and turned to Carmine. Since finding his resolve, he rarely sought her opinion—but that was mostly because he'd been so focused on intense training and raising his team.
"Well…" Carmine looked torn.
She agreed that Dylan wasn't wrong. Her brother had talent and youth. With his current strength, he could develop well in any region.
A newly established League meant that Alola's support would be poured into Kieran. That would help him grow even faster.
"I'll follow your lead, Kieran. If you want to go, I'll go with you!" Carmine finally said after a brief pause. She was sure their family would support Kieran's choice too.
"There's really nothing to hesitate about, right?" Lacey said, blinking. "I think you should definitely go. Who knows? You might become Alola's very first Champion."
To immediately become the Champion of a region's League—that would be a legendary accomplishment.
"But… won't the Alola League be kind of weak?" Carmine was still worried.
"Well, if Kieran doesn't go, maybe," Dylan chuckled. "But once he joins, it won't be."
"Professor Kukui of Alola is already Champion-level. I don't know if he intends to claim the Champion title himself, but he'll definitely support the League."
"And once you're there, Kieran, you can spar and learn from him. He's a great mentor—very open with his knowledge."
Dylan had full confidence in Kukui's character.
"Then… I'll do it, Mr. Dylan. I'll go to Alola!" Kieran said firmly, no longer hesitating.
He'd already been leaning toward that decision. So what if Alola was still weak? Once he grew stronger, Alola would become stronger too.
That was his pride as a prodigy.
"I think you'll be proud of this choice one day, Kieran. It's the right decision."
Talents like Kieran—unbound by any region—were always in high demand.
"Alola welcomes you~!" Lillie's eyes sparkled with joy, clearly thrilled for her homeland.
"Eh? Miss Lillie, you're from Alola?" Lacey and the others were surprised.
"Yep! I'm Alolan."
"But isn't Mr. Dylan your brother?" Carmine glanced between the two. Dylan was clearly from Kanto.
"Huh? Kanto's my home too. But Dylan isn't my biological brother—he's my honorary brother."
Lillie replied without hesitation, perfectly at ease.
Alola was her homeland, but Kanto was her home as well.
"I see." Carmine nodded. That explained it—Dylan and Lillie didn't really look alike anyway.
"Alola's a beautiful place, Kieran. When you get there, you can start by visiting Aether Paradise. I'll notify them in advance—Chairwoman Lusamine will make arrangements for you."
"Thank you," Kieran said gratefully.
"No need. Just focus on getting even stronger, Kieran. The Pokémon League will be hosting the World Championship next year—a global ranking tournament."
"I'll be looking forward to seeing your name high on that list."
Dylan took a sip of tea, his voice gentle yet filled with anticipation.
Who knew? Maybe Kieran could crack the top twenty. It wouldn't be easy.
Judging by the current outlook, next year would be full of monsters. For Kieran, reaching the top twenty would already be a huge success.
…
Indigo Plateau.
After being "missing" for several days, Lance finally returned—and the Kanto League's high council convened immediately.
Inside the conference room, Chairman Goodshow sat at the head. On his left were the League's councilors; on the right sat the Kanto Elite Four, led by Lance.
Lance sat with arms crossed, expression blank, staring at the table. No one could tell what he was thinking.
"The area near Lavender Town was completely destroyed. It'll take a long time to rebuild."
"This is outrageous! Lance, do you even care about the League anymore?!"
"You abandoned your post for this long without explanation. Is this how a Champion should act?"
"You said you went to eliminate Team Rocket, but you didn't bring back a single person? Arrogant! Do you even care about this League, Lance?!"
Several councilors vented their frustration. Normally they would've kept quiet, but this was their chance—they weren't about to hold back.
Lance had always been proud, cold, and intolerant of evil. He barely acknowledged their existence. To them, he was the biggest threat within the League's hierarchy.
At a certain word, Lance slowly looked up, his cold, emotionless gaze sweeping across the room.
The barking wouldn't stop. It was starting to annoy him.
His icy stare immediately silenced the bickering councilors. An eerie quiet fell over the room.
They were bold enough to attack him behind words—but not brave enough to face him directly.
Because he was Lance—the Dragon Master!
"Go on. Keep talking."
Lance stood slowly, his blood-red hair casting a shadow over his eyes. His entire presence radiated danger.
"Lance…" Goodshow's voice trembled slightly, trying to interject.
But Lance raised a hand to stop him. His boots echoed against the floor as he walked forward.
"I joined the League because I believed we could make the world better. There should be no place for sin or evil in a pure world."
Yes. This world should be clean. Pokémon, nature—they all deserve better.
"Then why… why are there always disgusting things—why do they always fester and rot everything they touch?!"
Lance's expression twisted, the sharp lines of his face warping into rage.
The room remained silent. Even the councilors sensed something was terribly wrong.
Lance's expression was terrifying—too terrifying.
"We've always tried to fight it…" Goodshow sighed wearily.
"But they never go away. The filthy maggots, the stench-ridden scum—they're right here!" Lance's eyes swept over the councilors.
He had always known some of them were rotten. The evidence he had reviewed made that clear.
Some had even conspired with Team Rocket.
"Evil is evil. Even dressed in human skin, their disgusting stench can't be hidden."
Murderous intent radiated from him.
Goodshow's pupils contracted. Lance…
"But now I know how to purge this rot once and for all. Chairman—watch carefully."
Lance's shadowed eyes gleamed with fury.
Behind him, a powerful Dragonite emerged. Its eyes mirrored Lance's own—dark, cold, dangerous.
A heavy, suffocating pressure filled the room—Dragonite's aura.
The councilors stared in horror at Lance and Dragonite. What was he about to do?
"Starting today, I, Lance the Dragon Master, resign from the Kanto League. I'll punish the darkness in my own way."
Lance's voice was devoid of emotion.
The League might strive toward light, but it was no longer a place for him. To Lance, it had become a shackle.
Goodshow shut his eyes in sorrow. So it had come to this, after all. Despite all his efforts—he couldn't stop it.
Agatha kept her eyes closed. Lorelei crossed her arms and smirked coldly at the councilors' pale faces.
As for Bruno, he simply lowered his head in silence, detached as always.
"Lance… is there truly no room for compromise?" Goodshow still tried to reach him.
"The League has changed," Lance said calmly.
"But before I go, let me do one last thing for it."
His cold eyes swept over the councilors—rats in human skin. This world didn't need such filth.
"I'll make this world clear and blue again!"
(End of Chapter)