The gathering was filled mostly with middle-aged figures. Only the Blackstone family and the Elder Agatha had come to participate. This was unavoidable—among all the great families, the heir of the Blackstone family was not yet ready to take the spotlight.
Why?
The heir of the Blackstone family—who had begun his journey as a new trainer in the same period as Ash—was still too young. Though talented, he was arrogant, shaped by tragedy: both his parents had died in service, leaving Agatha to dote on him excessively.
This indulgence only deepened his arrogance. Now about the same age as Ash, he clearly wasn't ready to shoulder the burden of inheriting the Blackstone family. If that responsibility were forced on him now, the family's downfall would only be a matter of time.
At the root of the problem was the break in succession.
The Blackstone heir's father was supposed to inherit the family seat, but with both parents gone, Agatha herself was forced to carry the weight of the family's leadership. If she were to pass before the boy came of age, the family would inevitably fracture.
"In my opinion, let him be for now," Agatha said calmly.
"Kanto has long been considered the weakest of the regions. As one of the top families, we can't refute this openly without proof. Otherwise, it looks like we're just pretending."
"And Ash is about to enter the Indigo League. Trainers from every region will be competing," added Lance of the Draconis family. "When that time comes, I don't need to say more—you all know. Ash already has the strength of a Champion."
"I agree with Lance," said Masaki Oak, nodding. "Ash hates being restrained. Better to let him develop freely."
"Of course you'd agree," Ignatius Blaze remarked sharply. "When Ash wins the Indigo League, his popularity will skyrocket—and the ones who'll profit the most from that will be you two!"
Neither Masaki Oak nor Lance objected. Blaze was right. When Ash stood victorious, his prestige would soar, and he might even become the face of Kanto itself.
For the past ten years, no trainer from Kanto had managed to win the League. Champions had always come from other regions. While Kanto still produced powerful trainers, they often fell short due to resource disadvantages.
The great families never worried about resources—but the rising generation of their heirs had been too young a decade ago to compete. This left the path wide open for outsiders. Over time, Kanto earned its reputation as the weakest region.
"Since no one objects, we'll leave it at that for now," Lt. Surge said, bringing the matter to a close. "We can continue discussions after the Indigo Conference."
With that, the room shifted to lighter topics.
"Masaki, do you still have any Rare Candies? Can you spare one for me?" someone asked.
Masaki Oak shook his head. "No. Ash only managed to refine five. Two were given to the Oak family. One was wasted on me, and another was already used. The last one he gave to Skye Draconis after relations between Ash and the Draconis family improved."
Everyone present knew what this meant.
Ash was no longer just a Champion-level trainer—he was also a master of skills and medicine. He could even refine rare items like Rare Candies, creations that bent the natural order.
Of course, no one dared to pressure him for them. The bonds among the eight great families were stable; their industries rarely overlapped, and no one wanted to stir conflict over something so precious.
Kanto was vast and populous—if it had been a smaller region, bloodshed over resources would have been inevitable.
"Aunt Agatha, don't look at me," Lance said quickly as her gaze fell on him. "Even as his father, he didn't give me a Rare Candy."
Agatha only sighed in disappointment. Though relations among the families were cordial, treasures like Rare Candies weren't something one could simply ask for.
Her own troubles weighed heavily on her.
Arrogant though her grandson was, he at least had enough sense to know what to do and what not to do. But with her family so fractured, even that seemed uncertain.
To better protect her grandson, Agatha had just made a bold request—asking if she could secure a powerful Pokémon for him.
"Aunt Agatha, don't be disappointed," Lance of the Draconis family said, shaking his head before offering a small smile of reassurance.
"Ash actually gave Grandfather Garan one back when he first challenged the Pewter Gym. If you go to him personally, you might still have a chance."
"Oh? Something that precious was given to Garan?" Agatha's eyes lit up, though doubt quickly followed.
Despite her standing as the matriarch of a top family, Agatha was close in age to Garan. And since Garan was one of the Elite Four as well, courtesy had to be shown.
"Grandfather Garan asked on behalf of his grandson, Brock," Lance explained with a sigh.
"Brock's natural talent for raising Pokémon is undeniable. Even I have to admit, he's a genius when it comes to breeding and care."
"So that's how it is…" Agatha nodded thoughtfully. "It seems I'll have to humble myself and pay him a visit."
Before the conversation could continue, the heavy doors of the meeting hall creaked open. Two elderly figures stepped inside—men whose presence commanded immediate respect.
"Skye Draconis, Samuel Oak…!" Lt. Surge frowned in surprise.
"How come the two of you are here? It's been years since you last attended one of these gatherings!"
Everyone in the chamber straightened at once.
For these two elders—pillars of Kanto's strength—to walk in personally was no small matter.
...
TN:
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