"Ash, this world is filled with strong trainers. You can't afford to be complacent just because of a few achievements."
Brooke handed Brock a specially prepared antidote to help treat Pikachu, then turned back to Ash. Looking into Brooke's sharp gaze, Ash wanted to retort, but for once, he found himself speechless.
"During this school break, I plan to travel west and challenge the Johto League."
The timeline from now until the Silver Conference aligned perfectly with their school holidays, allowing Brooke to use this opportunity to collect Gym Badges and compete in the Johto League. This was, in fact, part of Klein's original plan for his students.
Aside from Brooke, other students like Silver and Brooke had also set out on their own League journeys across Johto, Kanto, and Hoenn.
As an incentive, Cinnabar Island's academy provided additional financial support for students embarking on official League challenges. Those who managed to obtain eight Gym Badges and qualify for the League Conference would even receive a fully trained starter Pokémon as a reward.
A fully evolved starter Pokémon could easily serve as the ace for an Elite-level trainer.
"Western region?"
Seeing Ash's confusion, Professor Oak explained, "Johto is part of the greater Kanto region, separated by Mount Silver. It's a vast land filled with Pokémon you've never encountered before."
The Johto League…
As Ash absorbed this information, Brooke turned to Klein and bowed slightly.
"Thank you for all your guidance, Master. I'll be heading out now to register for the Johto League."
Klein remained silent for a moment before speaking.
"Are you sure you don't want to stay a little longer? This is Pallet Town, after all."
"I've already accomplished my goal for coming back here. There's no reason to linger."
Brooke had returned to Pallet Town mainly to confront Ash—to remind him not to let his recent Orange League victory get to his head. With that done, he had no more business staying.
"Brooke!"
Ash suddenly called out just as Brooke was about to leave.
"What now, dummy?"
Staring at Brooke's departing figure, Ash clenched his fists.
"I won't lose to you! At the Johto League Silver Conference, we'll settle things once and for all!"
Brooke smirked without turning around.
"Yeah? Let's see if you can even collect all eight Johto Badges first."
With that, Brooke walked off, leaving Ash behind.
Seeing her son's determination, Delia Ketchum could only sigh and smile.
She understood Ash's personality all too well.
So, instead of trying to stop him, she simply patched up his clothes and gave her blessing for another journey.
Since Misty and Brock needed time to adjust their Pokémon team, the group stayed in Pallet Town for one more night.
Meanwhile, Klein had an opportunity to sit down for a proper conversation with Professor Oak.
Despite having met multiple times in the past, this was the first time they had a one-on-one discussion.
Klein had always respected Professor Oak, not just as a renowned Kanto researcher but as one of the greatest Pokémon scholars in the world.
Though each region had its own Professor responsible for overseeing new trainers and managing Pokédex data collection, all of their research ultimately flowed back to Oak for compilation and analysis.
It was Oak who updated the Pokédex system and distributed new data across regions.
If he wanted to, he could have given Ash an upgraded Pokédex with an extensive database of Pokémon from every known region.
But that wouldn't be beneficial.
The purpose of each trainer's journey was to discover and experience things firsthand, not to have everything handed to them on a silver platter.
"The story behind how you caught your Lycanroc trio is quite fascinating."
After hearing Klein recount his experiences, Professor Oak smiled and jotted down a few notes, while his assistant—served tea.
Oak was particularly intrigued by the three different Lycanroc forms, as well as the regional variants Klein had acquired from Alola, such as his Alolan Sandslash and Ninetales.
"You seem to have put a lot of effort into raising them," Oak noted. "But I rarely see you use them in battle."
Klein sipped his tea before answering.
"Rather than focusing on team synergy, I want to refine their individual battle instincts first. Their personalities and temperaments differ slightly, so they still need more time to synchronize. But they're almost there."
Lycanroc were naturally aggressive and unruly.
Controlling them in battle required exceptional skill—especially when coordinating three different forms at once.
Midnight Lycanroc, in particular, had a strong alpha mentality and constantly tried to assert dominance over its two teammates. However, while the Midday and Dusk Lycanroc seemed easygoing, they weren't completely submissive either.
Just as Klein was about to elaborate, Professor Oak shifted the conversation.
"Klein, did you know that the Sinnoh League's Lily of the Valley Conference begins in three days?"
Hearing that, Klein paused, looking up at the professor.
This year's Lily of the Valley Conference was special.
Sinnoh's newly appointed Bug-type Elite Four, Aaron, would be participating in an exhibition match.
However, what was truly unexpected was that the Sinnoh League had extended three official invitations—one to Kanto, one to Unova, and one to Hoenn.
"Three invitations?"
Oak nodded.
"Yes. The chosen invitees are some of the youngest Elite Four members in the Pokémon League."
The last time the Unova League held an international tournament, it featured representatives from Kalos, Hoenn, Johto, and Unova.
The event was a massive success, drawing record-breaking viewership and significantly boosting trainer participation in Unova's regional tournaments.
Now, the Sinnoh League was looking to replicate that success—by gathering some of the world's most promising young Elites to compete on Lily of the Valley Island.
A clash of four rising stars.
The winner would undoubtedly be recognized as the strongest next-generation Elite trainer.
"Who are the other two?"
Oak pulled up some files on his computer and displayed them on the screen.
"Unova's Psychic-type Elite, Caitlin, and Hoenn's Ghost-type Elite, Phoebe."
Unlike Kanto's neutral stance, Sinnoh and Unova were actively pushing for this event.
Both Aaron and Caitlin were originally from Sinnoh, and Caitlin, in particular, was a widely recognized prodigy.
Her battle prowess had been compared to Champions like Cynthia on more than one occasion.
Even within Sinnoh's battle records, only a handful of veteran trainers had ever managed to best her.
"Speaker Wakaba's stance is clear. If you don't want to participate, Kanto will simply decline the invitation."
Klein closed his eyes briefly, then opened them, his decision firm.
"No. I'll participate in the Lily of the Valley exhibition match."
Even as an Elite Four member, Klein still carried the pride of a competitive trainer.
Since the Sinnoh League had set the stage, there was no reason for him to back down.
If he couldn't even stand up to Caitlin—someone dubbed the 'Human Legendary Pokémon'—then how could he ever hope to surpass Cynthia and claim the title of the strongest trainer?