"This is way too fast! He actually challenged Lance already?!"
Inside the hotel room, Green stared at the news in shock.
She knew that once the global ranking list came out, trainers all over the world would be fired up.
But she never expected that so soon, someone would actually start challenging the top-ranked trainers already—and not just anyone either…
It was the No.2 challenging the No.1!
"Leon's too wild! It's only been an hour since the rankings were announced!"
"The ones who can reach that height would never admit they're weaker than anyone else."
Lucas smiled faintly. He wasn't surprised at all—he'd already predicted this outcome the moment he saw the ranking.
Both Lance and Leon stood at the absolute summit of trainers, each a top-tier Champion with an unshakable will to win.
And what was the path of a trainer, if not the pursuit of strength itself?
For most trainers, it was to become the very best—to stand atop the peak!
Yes—standing at that highest position was the ultimate dream of every trainer!
To become the strongest in the world—that was a dream countless trainers shared.
"If you want to be the strongest, then you must stop every challenger who comes for your title. And for those climbing toward the peak, you must keep defeating one strong opponent after another!"
As Lucas toyed with a Poké Ball in his hand, his eyes turned toward the names of Lance and Leon on the ranking.
In truth, no matter who held first place, the other would inevitably issue a challenge.
Lance's pride and arrogance would never allow him to remain in second place doing nothing.
And though Leon was gentle by nature, his Champion's pride and thirst for worthy rivals would drive him to challenge Lance all the same.
This wasn't impulsive—it was inevitable.
"Lance and Leon were destined to battle," Lucas murmured. "After all, they are the two strongest Champions in the entire Pokémon League right now."
It was bound to happen sooner or later—the fight to determine who was truly the strongest Champion of them all!
And it would take place on the world's most dazzling stage.
Green and Marnie fell silent.
"Another challenger's appeared."
Marnie spoke softly, breaking the quiet.
"Who is it?" Green blinked in surprise.
"Rank No.11—Indigo's Elite Four member Bruno—has just challenged Master No.8, Raihan…"
Marnie read the headline aloud, her voice trembling slightly.
Was this… a counterattack?
The Champion of Galar had challenged Indigo's Champion, and now one of Indigo's Elite Four was striking back—challenging the top-8 Galar Master!
"This is getting intense," Green murmured, her face scrunching up in disbelief.
The ranking had just been announced, and already two shocking duels were underway.
But… could Bruno really defeat Raihan?
Green honestly didn't know.
Though every member of the Indigo Elite Four was Champion-level, Bruno's strength was roughly on par with Raihan's—neither side held a clear advantage.
And as for Lance… could he withstand Leon's challenge for the throne?
No one could say.
"Alright, let's head out. The representative from Aether Paradise has arrived."
Lucas slipped his phone into his pocket and smiled at Green and Marnie.
No matter how much they speculated, it wasn't their battle.
And as for the outcome—
they wouldn't have to wait long.
Because Lance versus Leon… was set for three days later!
-------------------------------------------
"Leon challenges Lance. Bruno challenges Raihan. Oh boy—looks like Indigo and Galar are about to go head-to-head!"
In Hoenn's Sootopolis City, inside the League Champion's office, Wallace stared at the computer screen, his flawless face full of disbelief.
This couldn't be real. It just couldn't.
The rankings had barely been published, and things had already escalated this far?!
Both matches—Galar versus Indigo. It was like the regions were declaring war!
"Galar's strength really is impressive," Steven remarked beside him, resting his chin thoughtfully on his hand as he looked at the global championship list.
Galar had two trainers in the Master tier rankings, and several of its Gym Leaders were placed high in the Ultra class as well.
Their regional power was undeniable.
"This is just the first ranking," Wallace countered. "I don't think I'm any weaker than they are."
To him, this ranking was only preliminary.
Being ranked high now was one thing—but holding that position was another matter entirely.
"Honestly, those Four in Hoenn really embarrassed us," Wallace sighed, glancing at the rankings of Hoenn's Elite Four with visible displeasure. "Their positions are far from fabulous. I'll need to whip them back into shape."
Then, he turned toward Steven with a teasing smile. "Hey, Steven, are you planning to challenge Cynthia?"
Both of them were Champions of Hoenn, and both had made it into the Master class rankings—at least Hoenn had that much to be proud of.
Still, Wallace ranked seventh, and Steven only fourth.
Wallace believed Steven could go even higher. Sure, Lance and Leon were in their own league—but Cynthia…
Wallace didn't think Steven was any weaker than her.
It wasn't about rivalry or bad blood—after all, Cynthia had once aided Hoenn, and both Steven and Wallace got along well with her.
But rankings were rankings—this was about pride!
"No rush," Steven replied calmly, shaking his head. "Let's see how Lance and Leon's battle turns out first."
He wasn't in a hurry. His shiny Metagross—his other ace Pokémon—was almost fully trained.
Once it matured, it would surpass even his current Metagross. Then, he'd start climbing again—toward the top three.
Besides…
"This list doesn't even include every strong trainer," Steven said after a pause, setting his phone down.
Yes, regional Champions were the strongest in their own leagues—but were they truly the only powerful trainers in the world?
Of course not.
He still remembered the girl he met at Mt. Pyre with the Salamence… and the black-haired trainer N, master of the Dragon of Ideals, Reshiram.
Those two easily had the strength to appear on the Master ranking.
And then… there was Lucas, the strongest Team Rocket Executive.
He was the one Steven feared most.
Yet, none of those names appeared anywhere on the list.
"I mean, it makes sense," Wallace shrugged. "That Rocket guy's a member of an evil organization. The League couldn't possibly list him alongside us."
Even if that Team Rocket Executive outclassed them all, the League couldn't let a criminal outrank the Champions.
"The League still has to save face."
Steven nodded. "Then we'd better keep getting stronger, Wallace. Protecting Hoenn's honor won't be easy from now on."
He sighed softly.
Before the ranking system came out, the regional Champions had all gone about their own business—
Wallace obsessed over Contests, Steven dug up rare stones, Cynthia did archaeology, Alder wandered around flirting, and Diantha filmed movies.
Honestly, aside from Lance constantly fighting Team Rocket and Leon getting lost all the time, none of the Champions were particularly "normal."
But now that the rankings were public, the veil had been ripped away—exposing everything!
If they couldn't even defend their own ranks, they'd be the laughingstock of the entire world.
They wouldn't just shame themselves—they'd shame their regions!
"Of course," Wallace smirked. "Steven, you didn't think I'd just sit around, did you? Once Lance and Leon finish their duel, it'll be my time to shine!"
He straightened his tie, his eyes gleaming as they scanned the list—lingering on Alder and Diantha.
Finally, his gaze locked on Alder.
That old man's ace was Volcarona—perfect prey for Wallace's Water-types. Perfect.
Indigo and Galar had already made their move. There was no way Hoenn would sit idly by!
"To uphold the glory of Hoenn—I Wallace shall answer the call of honor!"
----------------------------------------------------------
"…Showy as ever."
In Opelucid City, Alder had finally returned to his office. Looking over the rankings, he sighed, pressing a hand to his forehead.
If it were his younger, fiery self, he'd be thrilled by this ranking system.
But now… he could only groan.
He'd probably end up as a stepping stone for the younger generation.
"Hey, hey, old man, what's with that face? Don't look so down! Cheer up already!"
Beside him stood a spirited, tan-skinned girl—Iris—his chosen successor and Unova's next Champion!
"Leon's already challenging Lance, old man! You should challenge someone too! Otherwise, Unova's gonna lose face!"
Her violet eyes gleamed with fighting spirit as she scanned the Master rankings, practically sparkling with excitement.
She loved this ranking system!
"…Iris, don't make things harder for me," Alder sighed with a bitter smile.
Ever since the death of his strongest Pokémon, he had never truly recovered.
If not for the lack of a suitable successor, he would have retired long ago.
Challenge the Champions above him? That'd be like handing them a free win!
"Tch—fine, I'll challenge them then!"
Iris pouted, eyes sharp and predatory as she sized up potential opponents on the list.
"Don't rush, Iris," Alder chuckled, both exasperated and proud. "They won't be able to hold back for long. When the time comes, you can challenge them properly."
At eighteen, Iris was already stronger than he was.
But she needed to be patient—to study the strength of the other regional Champions first, then pick the perfect opponent to make a stunning debut.
Right now, she was already ranked near the top of the Ultra class—eligible to challenge the Masters.
But as Alder strategized on which opponent would help Iris rise to fame… he didn't realize he had already become someone else's stepping stone.
That—was the ripple effect of the ranking system.
Every trainer on the list had become a target for others seeking to rise.
No one was exempt.
--------------------------------------------
Meanwhile, Lucas and his companions arrived at a restaurant—the one specified by the representative from Aether Paradise.
Entering the private room, Lucas immediately saw a thin, middle-aged man in a white research coat.
It was Faba, one of the senior staff of the Aether Foundation.
"Mr. Lucas, it's an honor to finally meet you. I'm Faba, of Aether Paradise," the man said quickly, bowing deeply.
He was visibly nervous.
After all…
The man standing before him was none other than Team Rocket's strongest Executive!
When Faba learned that Lusamine had sent him to Indigo specifically to meet this man, every instinct screamed to refuse.
After all, Team Rocket was an evil organization— and this man was said to be its strongest executive. Just how terrifying would someone like that be?
What if he suddenly turned hostile? What if things went wrong and he ended up dead before he could even blink?
But… he couldn't defy Lusamine's orders. No matter how unwilling he was, he had no choice but to come here—with tears practically in his eyes.
"Mr. Faba," Lucas spoke first, his voice calm yet laced with amusement as he sized the man up. "So, tell me—what exactly does your organization want with me?"
He leaned back in his chair, gaze sharp yet relaxed, observing the nervous scientist with a faint smile.
Of course, Lucas recognized him. Faba was one of the few high-ranking administrators of the Aether Foundation. His capability was impressive—but his flaws were just as obvious. Faba was overly ambitious, with a mind full of schemes and strange little calculations.
"Ah, yes… Well, Mr. Lucas," Faba stammered for a moment, clearly caught off guard by Lucas's directness, but quickly forced a smile and rubbed his hands together nervously. "I wonder… are you familiar with the Ultra Beasts of our Alola region?"
Lucas's eyes gleamed faintly. So that's what this was about, after all. The Ultra Beasts.
He had guessed it the moment the Aether Foundation's name came up.
"Go on," he said evenly, his tone carrying both interest and command.
Faba swallowed hard, realizing that his instincts had been right—this man was no ordinary criminal.
(End of Chapter)