It was expected that future Gym Leaders had undergone countless simulation-based defense drills and had even experienced real city protection battles, which explained their high scores.
Even with Sato's training in Joy Town and his real-life experience, he had only managed a 4.2-point score.
However, his instinctive decision to protect Nurse Joy had unknowingly earned him significant extra points. Had he failed to do so, he might have only scored around 3 points.
Meanwhile, Winona had achieved an astonishing 9.8 points, almost a perfect score; a testament to her deep understanding of Fortree City.
Was it fair?
No, it wasn't. But so what?
Future Gym Leaders received guidance and protection from their predecessors, giving them clear advantages in several assessments. Some even received automatic exemptions.
However, these privileges were earned through their predecessors' years of dedication to their respective Gyms, the League, and their cities.
Sato understood this reality clearly.
Had he not benefited from the Joy family's covert assistance during the combat evaluation?
Thus, as the overall first-place participant, he had no complaints about the results.
During the combat evaluation, most Gym Leader successors had been targeted -either openly or secretly- by other competitors.
As a result, aside from a few powerful individuals, most successors had underwhelming performances in combat.
Now, however, in the City Protection Capabilities assessment, they had redeemed themselves.
Those who had initially mocked and belittled the successors now had no choice but to acknowledge them.
"Being a Gym Leader has never been just about strength!"
A powerful voice echoed across the room.
Everyone turned toward the source and saw Agatha of the Elite Four approaching them.
Standing on the stage, Agatha scanned the leaderboard for a few seconds before giving a slight nod, as if satisfied with the results.
Among the participants, Winona's face turned bright red. To her, Agatha's approval was an immense recognition.
This meant that even if she didn't pass this time, her failure would be purely due to lack of strength; which meant that next time, she could definitely succeed.
"After ten grueling days, congratulations to all of you for completing the first four assessments! Please, give yourselves a round of applause."
Clap, clap, clap, clap...
The applause continued for a long time.
Reflecting on everything they had endured, many competitors felt as if they had lived through an entire lifetime.
Now, the tournament was finally nearing its end.
"This year's Gym Leader Qualification Tournament started with 213 participants. So far, zero have withdrawn, and only one has been disqualified for cheating. Overall, I am quite pleased!"
More applause followed, though the mention of the disqualified competitor made the atmosphere a little awkward.
Especially for those who had considered cheating but ultimately chose not to… their applause felt a little weak.
Sato remained expressionless, showing no reaction as Agatha subtly scanned the crowd.
"All of you who have made it this far have done well," Agatha continued, "but only a select few will truly become Gym Leaders."
Her words sent a chill through the room.
"The final assessment will be Gym Leadership and teaching Philosophy. This evaluation tests how you would structure your Gym and the philosophy behind your Gym's challenges.
For example, Pewter Gym has always taught Trainers the importance of unyielding willpower and perseverance.
Sootopolis Gym evaluates whether Trainers possess the ability to think on their feet and handle sudden crises.
Fortree Gym teaches that the pursuit of strength is as boundless as a bird longing for the sky; one must spread their wings and face challenges head-on."
As Agatha casually listed a few Gyms, the crowd grew increasingly excited.
Among them, Flint and Winona's faces flushed with enthusiasm.
"However," Agatha continued, her tone sharpening, "a Gym Leader's ability to guide challengers is just as important as their own strength! The first four assessments are merely the foundation of becoming a Gym Leader. But the fifth assessment is what determines a Gym's legacy."
Her words reverberated through the hall, sending many participants into deep thought.
"Only the top 50 competitors in the overall rankings -with no failing grades in any assessment- will be eligible to take part in the final test."
Before anyone could dwell too deeply on their thoughts, Agatha of the Elite Four interrupted with an announcement even more crushing than the last.
At the same time, the electronic scoreboard displayed the latest overall ranking. Sato remained in first place with 88.2 points!
Trailing close behind was Lucian, whose high score in the fourth assessment had allowed him to close the gap.
Norman had fallen to 16th place, while Clair and Winona, despite their high City Protection scores, had mediocre combat evaluation results, placing them somewhere around 70th place.
Meanwhile, Flint had barely secured 48th place, meaning he didn't have to take the final assessment. He had already secured qualification in advance. (Gym Leader successor)
Then, certain names in the top 50 were highlighted in red, these were competitors who had failed at least one assessment.
Even though they had made it to the top 50, they were automatically disqualified from taking part in the final test.
In the end, only 35 Trainers remained eligible for the fifth and final assessment.
As the disqualified competitors gradually left the stage, the crowd displayed a mix of emotions: some were relieved, others were furious, some were frustrated, while a few simply felt liberated.
The remaining 35 participants stayed behind as Agatha scanned them with a nod of approval. Her tone softened slightly as she spoke.
"In past years, the number of participants who made it to the fifth assessment was only half of what we see today. You should already know why that is… the City Protection Capabilities test has always been the biggest hurdle!
This tells us something important. The Pokémon League does not lack Trainers who are strong enough to be Gym Leaders. But what we do lack are Trainers with leadership capabilities, those who can protect their city and its people when it truly matters."
Many competitors nodded in understanding.
At that moment, several of them finally realized why Gym Leader successors were given so many privileges in this competition.
Whatever sense of unfairness they had before suddenly began to fade.
"Of course, don't get too comfortable," Agatha continued. "The Gym Leadership and teaching Philosophy test is no easier than the City Protection Capabilities test! You will each need to submit a formal proposal outlining your Gym's teaching philosophy.
And then, you will undergo a live, four-on-one public questioning session. Your evaluators will be President Charles Goodshow, myself, Nurse Joy, and Officer Jenny.
And the audience? Every single Gym Leader and everyone present here today."
"President Charles Goodshow?!"
Sato, along with every other competitor, was completely stunned.
They had all known that becoming a Gym Leader was no easy feat, but they never expected it to be taken this seriously!
President Charles Goodshow… the current head of the Pokémon League, and the mysterious figure who had expanded the League to unprecedented heights.