"Teacher, why are you here?"

Aoki asked after everyone had exchanged greetings.

Hearing Aoki's question, the smile on Matsuda's face widened even further. "It's for you."

"For me?" Aoki was a little confused.

"Ahem..." Professor Oak coughed from the side.

Matsuda simply glared at him but still said to Aoki, "I'm here to have you take the test for the title of Senior Breeder."

"Senior Breeder??!!" Phoebe, who was standing nearby, exclaimed in surprise.

Steven and the others did not show much surprise after hearing this. However, Lorelei and Drake also showed some astonishment, while Cynthia, who had once asked Aoki to make Pokeblocks, looked completely unfazed. When Aoki had been able to customize advanced Pokeblocks for her, she knew he possessed the ability of a Senior Breeder.

"Senior Breeder? What does that mean?" At this moment, the ever-inquisitive Ash asked.

Gary pulled Ash to his side and whispered an explanation into his ear. Gary knew much more about these basics than Ash. But even after Gary's explanation, Ash was still somewhat confused about the profession of Breeder. What is a Breeder? What kind of group are Breeders? And what does a young Breeder like Aoki represent? In simple terms, for Aoki to become a Senior Breeder was definitely worthy of the word "amazing." He was undoubtedly a highly knowledgeable individual.

After explaining to Ash, Gary couldn't suppress the look of admiration in his eyes when he looked at Aoki. The precocious Gary understood what it meant for Aoki to become a Senior Breeder at his age. No wonder his grandfather and Aoki's teacher beside him had such broad smiles on their faces.

Hearing what Matsuda said, Aoki showed a trace of helplessness on his face. "Teacher, do I have to go? Is it possible not to?"

Hearing this, Matsuda's eyes widened. "No! You must go! I know what you're worried about, but don't be afraid!"

Professor Oak, standing to the side, also said, "That's right, Aoki, listen to your teacher and take the Senior Breeder assessment. Now that you're here, it's convenient. The League will support you. Ahem... your teacher... well... the price he paid was quite significant."

"Quite significant?"

"Cough! Hmph!" Matsuda coughed, his expression slightly awkward.

Not many people paid attention to this detail. But since both authorities had spoken and preparations were surely in place, Aoki, though reluctant, could only nod in agreement.

"Let's do it tomorrow. After Lance's challenge match tomorrow, I will arrange everything else," said Matsuda.

Since it was agreed that he would take the assessment, Aoki didn't say anything more. The group then went to have dinner.

...

Indigo Plateau.

League Headquarters Main Arena.

What was currently underway was the Kanto League, Champion Challenge!

The challenger was Lance from Viridian City, and the challenged was Master Shuuen, the Grass-type Elite Four member who had served in the Kanto region for thirty-nine years.

On the arena, Lance and Master Shuuen stood on opposite sides. The kind-faced Master Shuuen, though advanced in years, stood straight with a gentle smile on his face, silently fiddling with the rosary beads in his hand. He didn't look like someone about to retire. It was estimated that part of the reason was to make way for Lance, and another part might be that Master Shuuen needed to return to take charge of the Bell Tower.

Lance, standing opposite Master Shuuen, wore his signature black attire, a wide cloak hanging straight down his back, and his dark red hair. At this moment, both of them carried the imposing aura of the Elite Four.

Seeing Master Shuuen's expression, Aoki felt it was almost certain that Lance would become one of the Elite Four this time. Shuuen would definitely concede.

The first Pokemon sent out by the Grass-type Master Shuuen was the Johto region's Starter Pokemon, Meganium! And what Lance sent out was his starter Pokemon, Charizard. The strength of both Pokemon had reached the quasi-Champion level. Moreover, they were both regional starter Pokemon, so the battle was incredibly intense. However, Fire- and Flying-type Pokemon held an inherent advantage over Grass-types, so Meganium finally succumbed to Charizard's fierce assault.

Master Shuuen's second Pokemon was a Jumpluff. After a period of battle, both it and Charizard lost their ability to fight. The battle was full of dramatic turns. It was clear that Lance had made thorough preparations for this battle. At the very least, he had a good understanding of what Pokemon Master Shuuen would send out and what unique battle tactics he employed. Therefore, during the battle, by maintaining a steady pace, he quickly gained the upper hand.

This continued until Master Shuuen sent out his strongest Pokemon for this battle: a Venusaur. This powerhouse, at the peak of its strength and nearly at Champion level, successively defeated Lance's Aerodactyl and Dragalge. Finally, Lance still had his trump card left: his Dragonite. During his previous battle with Lorelei, Dragonite had fought but the opponents then weren't as strong as now, so Dragonite couldn't display its full power. But today was different. Even going all out, Dragonite still couldn't gain a significant advantage over Venusaur.

Aoki watched with rapt attention some of the special techniques and combat methods Master Shuuen employed while commanding Venusaur, feeling greatly inspired. In the end, one could sense that the battle between Venusaur and Dragonite could actually have continued for some time, but Master Shuuen chose to end it. He was defeated after a forced collision with Dragonite. Although Dragonite was almost unable to battle, it was Venusaur that fell to the ground.

Under the gaze of the entire audience, Lance completed the Champion Challenge, successfully defeating the Grass-type Elite Four member of the Kanto region. When Master Shuuen recalled his Venusaur, a relieved smile graced his face, his eyes crinkling throughout. One could see he was content. Finally, the high-ranking officials from the League came on stage, among them Professor Oak. Then, Lance and Master Shuuen completed the handover of identities and positions.

At this point, Lance officially became one of the Elite Four of the Kanto region, defining his specialty as the Dragon-type! The Dragon Master had arrived in Kanto!

Simultaneously, Lance's ascension to the Elite Four symbolized the League officially beginning the transition of power from the old generation to the new. The younger generation of the League would gradually step into the spotlight. And Lance's achievement also greatly stimulated his contemporaries seated below. Especially those with a more competitive spirit like Steven and Cynthia; even those less fond of battling, like Lorelei, were significantly motivated. Although Lance was a few years older than them, this age difference became negligible once strength reached a certain level. One couldn't very well say during a battle that being a few years older made a win dishonorable, right? Since they were all Trainers, age shouldn't be a major concern.

The new generation of the League would gradually shoulder the responsibilities of the League, starting from the moment Lance became one of the Elite Four.