"This concludes the annual Gym Leaders' Conference," Vice President Lillian Grant announced.
"As per tradition, we'll be holding the Gym Leader Ranking Tournament the day after tomorrow. Please confirm your participation before midnight tonight by signing up at the registration desk."
With that, Lillian gathered her notes and strode out of the room, leaving behind a group of drowsy Gym Leaders.
John had listened to Lillian's address with careful attention. The content had been vague and grandiose, rising to matters of national importance while asking Gym Leaders what they should do.
She'd spoken about how gymnasiums should guide ordinary people to develop proper trainer ethics, loving Pokémon, treating them well, and so forth.
All true principles, but they felt more like empty slogans than actionable guidance. The entire meeting had been less of a conference and more like a lecture to the assembled Gym Leaders.
No wonder so many had nodded off. They were well past the age of sitting through lectures. Harisson had mentioned they'd heard the same rhetoric last year.
"Let's go register," Harisson said, stretching before patting John on the shoulder as he stood up. "There's a reception tonight."
John rose and followed him out.
The registration point for the Gym Leader Ranking Tournament stood just outside the door, where Lillian's secretary was taking names. As they queued, a question occurred to John.
"Harisson, why do we need to sign up for the Ranking Tournament? Isn't this something every Gym Leader participates in?"
"No, not at all," Harisson shook his head. "Last year, only twenty Gym Leaders entered the Ranking Tournament."
He glanced at the short line ahead of them.
"Looks like even fewer this year."
"Why?" John asked, genuinely curious. "Don't they want the rewards? Or the chance to challenge the Elite Four?"
"The prizes are certainly tempting," Harisson admitted. "But many Gym Leaders see no need to participate once they understand the tournament's rules."
"What rules?" John asked.
"Wild Combat."
"Wild Combat?" John's eyes widened. He hadn't expected that the Gym Leader Ranking Tournament would use such a brutal format.
Wild Combat was an ancient battle rule, if it could even be called a rule, since it essentially had none. There were no limits on the number of Pokémon used, no restrictions on battle items, and competitors could even directly attack the opposing Trainer.
Originally, Wild Combat had been developed as a fight to the death.
Of course, the modern tournament version wasn't quite so extreme. Victory was achieved by defeating all of the opponent's Pokémon or rendering the opposing Trainer unable to continue. And the number of Pokémon was limited to six per side.
"What, getting cold feet?" Harisson asked with a sly smile.
"Not at all," John shook his head. With the elemental orbs he'd recently acquired, other Gym Leaders should be the ones afraid.
Six Pokémon limit? Fine. John would let them have their six.
Harisson's smile faded slightly. "My suggestion is that you sit this year out. I heard you were helping that Pokémon investigator before? The intensity of those incidents wasn't too high. Maybe train with her for a year, then come back next tournament."
He went on to explain the tournament's origins.
"It actually began as a government-sanctioned way for Gym Leaders with grudges to settle their differences, preventing them from taking matters into their own hands and causing greater damage."
"These days, not many Gym Leaders harbor deep resentments, so they renamed it the Ranking Tournament to encourage discussion and networking, but the Wild Combat rules remained unchanged."
"At our level, if the country ever calls us to action, we'll likely be facing foreign threats, so Wild Combat experience remains valuable."
"If you do participate, rest assured there are specialists from the National Medical Center standing by. As long as you're not killed instantly, they'll save you."
He placed a hand on John's shoulder. "Besides, it's just a ranking battle. Unless there's genuine hatred, nobody uses truly lethal moves. We're all Gym Leaders here, most of us want to make connections, not enemies."
"Worst case, a serious injury might put you out of commission for a month at most."
John nodded his understanding.
No wonder so few Gym Leaders registered. A month of recovery wasn't worth one or two rare items as compensation. Furthermore, only the winner earned the right to challenge the Elite Four. Gym Leaders who felt they had no chance wouldn't risk injury for minimal rewards.
Soon, it was their turn to register.
Both signed up.
Harisson had ranked first in last year's tournament. Though he'd failed his Elite Four challenge, he was determined to make another attempt this year. With last year's experience, he believed he could go further.
As for John, he had already formulated his plan.
The winner of the Gym Leader tournament could challenge the Elite Four anytime before the next tournament, a full year to prepare. Currently, his Greninja already possessed Elite-level lethality, though its overall combat effectiveness needed refinement. His other Pokémon were just steps away from champion-level power with proper training.
After winning the tournament and securing his Elite Four challenge opportunity, he would retreat to Grassmere Gym for six months of intensive training. Then he'd visit the Galar Region to master Dynamax.
With the triple powers of Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, and Dynamax at his command, he would develop true Elite-level combat ability.
The timing was perfect.
John was resolved to claim first place in the Gym Leader Ranking Tournament.
"Sorry, Harisson," he thought, the corner of his mouth curling into a slight smile.