244 The Strongest State: Dragon Master Lance
"Besides Ash and Cynthia staying behind in Sinnoh to guard against Team Galactic, the other Champions will participate in the Team Plasma extermination operation next week. Is everyone in agreement?"
Chairman Goodshow surveyed the assembled regional association leaders around the round table in the conference room of the Indigo League headquarters.
Just moments ago, the league chairmen from various regions had been summoned to discuss the upcoming Team Plasma subjugation operation.
After nearly an hour of exchanging opinions, everyone reached a final decision.
Ash and Cynthia would remain in Sinnoh to prevent Team Galactic from causing trouble in their absence.
The other league champions would head to Unova to deal with Team Plasma.
The existence of Team Galactic had not been disclosed to the public due to Giovanni's sensitive identity.
However, Goodshow was indeed worried that while the league's attention was focused on Team Plasma, Giovanni, that double-crossing bastard, would seize the opportunity to cause trouble.
Hence, two trump cards were left behind.
"To dispatch so much power against a Team Plasma that has lost N and Zekrom, isn't the chairman being overly cautious?"
Rose remarked, subtly mocking.
He had heard about Team Plasma's strength.
At their peak, they had three Champion-level trainers, and numerous skilled individuals at the Elite Four and Gym Leader levels.
They were fully capable of directly challenging a regional league.
However, Team Plasma had now lost N and the legendary Pokémon Zekrom.
On the league's side, Lance had obtained a strengthened Kyurem, and Leon possessed Eternatus.
Rose felt that sending only these two would suffice.
Yet, Goodshow chose to call upon all the other league champions except for Ash and Cynthia.
In Rose's view, the chairman was truly frightened.
"What if Team Rocket also gets involved?"
Goodshow retorted without getting angry.
Rose fell silent.
Giovanni, with powerful Pokémon like Shadow Mewtwo and Beedrill, had one foot firmly in the Master Class.
And then there was Joker, possessing Shadow Lugia, Hoopa Unbound, and a Moonbreon capable of transforming at will.
These two were not to be trifled with either.
And this didn't even include their subordinates like Koga, Will, and Archer.
They too were Champion-level trainers wielding legendary Pokémon!
If Team Plasma could challenge a regional league.
Then Team Rocket's combat strength could easily overwhelm three regional leagues!
"Indeed, Team Rocket has a history of taking advantage of conflicts; didn't they do just that at the Indigo Plateau three years ago?"
Bertha, the temporary Sinnoh League chairwoman and Cynthia's grandmother, chimed in.
Three years ago, Team Rocket's power had expanded uncontrollably.
Wasn't it because they had emerged like the Blackbeard Pirates to reap the benefits when Shadow and the league were both severely weakened?
Oh, to clarify, Bertha was serving as the temporary chairwoman because the league had falsely claimed that Giovanni was seriously ill, not that he had suddenly died of a disease.
After all, Giovanni wasn't dead yet, and if he were to reappear later, the league would look like fools.
So, the league's plan was to temporarily announce that "Chairman" Giovanni was gravely ill, then eliminate him and later explain to the subordinates that Chairman Giovanni had "passed away."
The balding chairman of Hoenn said, "If Team Rocket were to interfere, it would indeed be a bit dangerous."
Lance coldly snorted, "If I have my Kyurem absorb Reshiram, there's no need to worry about this problem at all."
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the league chairmen in the conference room subtly changed.
They thought to themselves that it was fortunate they hadn't brought the champions today, or Lance's words would have easily caused trouble.
They all knew that Reshiram had now chosen Ash.
And for Lance to say this under such circumstances... it wasn't conducive to unity.
The chairmen secretly looked towards Lusamine, the chairwoman of the Alola region.
As expected, the beautiful chairwoman's expression was very unpleasant.
"Lance! Don't say things that are not conducive to unity."
Goodshow frowned and reprimanded in a low voice.
Lance turned his head to the other side and silently retreated to the corner of the conference room.
"Lusamine, could you help me pass this on to Ash?"
Goodshow immediately gave his assistant a look, and the assistant placed a gift box in front of Lusamine.
Lusamine tore open the ribbon, and everyone saw that inside was a golden statue of Arceus.
"Chairman, this..."
The displeasure in Lusamine's eyes turned to confusion as she looked at Goodshow.
Goodshow coughed twice to ease the embarrassment, and then said, "We hope to borrow Hoopa, or... have Ash lend us Reshiram for two days."
Smack!
As soon as Goodshow finished speaking, Lusamine slammed the table and stood up with a dark face.
The other chairmen also looked as if they had seen a ghost.
Hoopa was one thing, but lend you Reshiram?
Damn it, the news of Lance's Kyurem absorbing the Black Dragon Zekrom was still on the front page of the news.
If the White Dragon Reshiram was given to you, would there be any need to guess what its fate would be?
Goodshow quickly explained, "We will separate Reshiram after the operation and return it!"
Lusamine narrowed her beautiful eyes and said, "Chairman wouldn't not understand the principle that it's easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but difficult to go from extravagance to frugality, would he?"
After Lance obtained such great power, would he agree to return it?
Although Lusamine didn't think that the Champion of the Indigo League would do something like go back on his word, when the temptation was great enough, that thing called character wasn't worth trusting.
Not to mention that in the past two days, Ash had talked to her about Lance after exercising.
The recent changes in the Dragon Master's personality were quite significant.
"The DNA Splicers can be kept by Ash, and... after this operation, I think I can retire too."
Goodshow's words were astonishing.
Not to mention Bertha and the other older chairmen.
Even Rose and those two rebellious guys looked shocked.
They were all old foxes in the political world, so how could they not understand the implication of Goodshow's words?
It meant that as long as you agreed, not only would Reshiram be returned, but the position of chairman would also be given to you!
"...Please give me some time, Chairman."
Lusamine replied after a long while of recovering.
This matter was too big, and she didn't dare to make a decision on her own.
With Little Hoopa's ability, Lusamine returned from the Indigo Plateau to Aether Paradise in less than two minutes.
After listening to Lusamine's narration, the whole family fell silent in the living room.
Wicke, who had reacted, said, "There have been too many things happening in the league in recent years, so it's no wonder the chairman wants to retire... well, thanks to someone."
When she said the latter part, Cynthia glanced at someone out of the corner of her eye.
Ash secretly pinched Cynthia's butt under the table, and the Valkyrie blushed and wanted to get angry.
But seeing so many people, she finally managed to hold it back.
"If the league can win a great victory this time, it can be regarded as drawing an imperfect but still satisfactory end to the old chairman's career. It's a good time to retire."
Koga rested her chin on her intertwined hands.
Koga's words made sense.
Cynthia, the former champion, couldn't even remember when the league had last won a battle.
And this operation was almost the largest since the Indigo War three years ago.
Even in order to restore the league's position in the hearts of the people of the entire continent, Goodshow unusually announced that he would broadcast the entire war live.
If he could win a great victory, and Goodshow also retired at this time, then his career as chairman, although slightly flawed, could definitely be called a successful retirement.
"Once Goodshow steps down, then Aunt Lusamine will be the new chairman? That's great!"
Will said excitedly.
He didn't notice that when he said the word "aunt," Lusamine's face darkened again.
The older a woman is, the more taboo this topic is.
You must know that she now calls Ash "daddy."
Bang!
Seeing that everyone was discussing more and more enthusiastically, Reshiram in the cherish ball couldn't listen anymore.
After jumping out of the ball, she stared at Ash with her sapphire-like beautiful eyes, looking aggrieved.
As if to say, "You heartless man! How long have I been with you, and you're already selling me off!?"
"Cough cough!"
Ash coughed twice to ease the embarrassment, and suddenly thought of something and said:
"Reshiram, now that Kyurem has found the DNA Splicers, although I can protect you now, have you ever thought about what to do a hundred years from now?"
The Dragon of Truth was stunned when she heard this, and asked through telepathy:
[What do you mean?]
Ash replied, "I think this is a once-and-for-all opportunity to resolve your grievances with Kyurem."
...
Five minutes later, in the conference room of the Indigo League headquarters.
Ash, followed by Reshiram, and Lance, standing behind Kyurem, stood facing each other.
Ash's gaze fell on Kyurem and said, "After the battle with Hoopa Unbound, whether you win or lose, I will separate Reshiram from your body, and from now on, you can't harass her anymore, and you can't even think about using the DNA Splicers to absorb her, how about it?"
Indeed, Ash could protect Reshiram before his hundredth birthday.
But what would happen when he died of old age?
Reshiram also felt that this was a problem.
After all, for legendary Pokémon like them with nearly infinite lifespans, a hundred years was really too short.
Now that Kyurem had obtained the DNA Splicers, she wouldn't be able to protect herself after Ash was gone in a hundred years.
Wouldn't this damn ice dragon still come to "eat" her?
Then it would be better to take this opportunity to make an agreement with the other party and solve this matter from the source.
[...Okay]
Kyurem thought for more than a few minutes, and finally agreed.
For the first time in 2,500 years, he had suffered the humiliation of being manipulated.
After thinking about it, Kyurem still put dealing with Hoopa Unbound ahead of power.
After all, without absorbing Reshiram, he didn't have full confidence in defeating Hoopa Unbound.
"Okay, the contract is established."
Ash nodded.
He didn't make a separate contract for Kyurem to sign and pledge.
The grumpy old dragon was still trustworthy in terms of credibility.
If it was replaced by a certain dried fish cat, then Ash would really have to consider it.
Before leaving, Ash comforted Reshiram a few words and took the DNA Splicers from Lance's hand.
"Just think of it as taking a nap."
Ash gently stroked the Dragon of Truth's soft feathers with his left hand, and the DNA Splicers in his right hand gently pierced her chest.
Instantly, Reshiram's whole body surged with fiery red holy light, and the catheter on Kyurem's body flew out and pierced into Reshiram's body like inserting into a socket.
An amazing impact erupted, and the strong light made everyone present subconsciously close their eyes to avoid being stabbed.
And in the less than five seconds of closing their eyes, they could feel the extremely powerful shock wave coming from the front.
Boom!
The next second, a violent energy flow soared into the sky, like a pillar of light connecting the heavens and the earth, piercing through the nine heavens above the Indigo Plateau.
"What is that?"
Blue of Viridian City, Ash of Pallet Town, Red, and other citizens living in towns near the Indigo Plateau, turned their eyes to the pillar of light that resembled the arrival of a god.
"It's amazing."
Looking at Kyurem, who had not changed in appearance but whose aura resembled looking down on all things, Lusamine, who was holding her hand in front of her face, was stunned.
"In this state, I'm afraid only that person can steadily win against him."
Ash said truthfully.
Lance's eyes were full of fanaticism.
He will win!
And Goodshow's old face rarely showed joy, and he muttered, "He can win, in that case, he will definitely win..."
Then Ash didn't say anything more, and prepared to leave with the DNA Splicers.
Rose looked for an opportunity and whispered to Ash, "Doctor, that guy really won't go back on his word, will he?"
Ash smiled and said, "Kyurem is still trustworthy, don't worry."
It was obvious that Rose didn't want Lance, or rather the Indigo League, to become too strong.
Even if the position of chairman wouldn't fall on Rose's shoulders later, he wouldn't allow the Indigo League to be stronger than Galar.
Ash couldn't help but wonder if the people of the Indigo League had stolen Rose's first love in the past, which made him dislike them so much.
...
...
That night.
Ash sat on the sofa in the living room, and a projection screen showed Giovanni's face.
The two were on a video call.
"Sorry, Uncle, I've made it a little more difficult for you."
Ash said.
Lance + Complete Kyurem.
This combination was a bit fierce.
"It doesn't matter, that thing has also been researched, hasn't it? Complete Kyurem is also worth a try."
Giovanni sneered, "If he loses with such a strong Pokémon, then Lance won't be able to find any excuses, I want to humiliate him in front of the whole world!"
Ash also understood.
The reason why Giovanni was involved in this matter, feeling like he was digging Team Plasma's corner, only accounted for 30% of the factors, and the other 70% were all for revenge on Lance.
"Even with that, Uncle, I feel like your chances of winning are only 30%."
Giovanni tapped his fingers on Persian's head, and suddenly remembered something and said, "I remember you've been training that former champion of Sinnoh recently, Ash? Can you add me? There's still some time now."
Giovanni didn't want to miss such a good opportunity to defeat a peak Lance in front of the whole world.
...
...
Five days later, on the day of the league's extermination operation against Team Plasma.
The whole world turned on the TV at the same time.
To be honest, such behavior was very detrimental to the enemy's attack operation.
Because the enemy can also learn about your operations through television.
But fortunately, the strength gap between the two sides is too great now, so even if some information is leaked, it won't matter.
If N and Zekrom were still around, Ghetsis would never dare to do this.
"This... is Hiun City?"
In the Virbank Gym, Red, who had arrived there, muttered to himself.
He realized that the city in the picture was Hiun City, where the Unova League headquarters was located.
"Volcarona! Heat Wave!"
Unova Champion Alder took the lead, his ace Volcarona releasing a sea of fiery flames, rapidly attacking the Plasma Grunts in black and white uniforms to the north.
Behind those Plasma Grunts was a row of massive castles.
"That's 'N's Castle,' also the Plasma Grunts' main base."
Sitting next to him, Blue, who had now taken over Giovanni's position as Gym Leader, explained, "It's been secretly built underground in Hiun City and was only recently discovered by the League."
Red: "..."
Red was speechless.
Damn it, the criminal organization's base was actually built in the same city as the local League headquarters.
This Unova League is really not that great!
Blue also felt quite embarrassed, but as a member of the League, he still tried his best to say a few good words for the League, "Anyway, as long as we win this battle, we can save the League's face."
"Cryogonal! Blizzard!"
An elderly man with a thick velvet coat and a white beard stood out, sending out Unova's Ice-type Pokémon, Cryogonal.
A powerful Blizzard was unleashed, and a massive white storm fearlessly met the flames.
Fire and ice intertwined continuously, and the sound of whooshing was endless.
"Elite Four... no, it's already close to Champion level."
Red muttered to himself.
Blue narrowed his eyes and said, "Weird, second only to Ghetsis among the Plasma Grunts' Seven Sages, said to be the strongest of the Elite Four, even infinitely close to the Champion level, and can be said to be the organization's number four figure... it's indeed true."
Wallace, far away in Hoenn, analyzed with his chin in his hand, "Champion Alder's Volcarona is not as good as the original one."
The Volcarona that Alder is currently using is one he has newly cultivated in recent years. The ace Volcarona that grew up with him since childhood died several years ago.
"Charizard! Flamethrower!"
Leon arrived on Charizard, and a Flamethrower completely suppressed Cryogonal's Blizzard.
In less than two seconds, it engulfed Cryogonal, causing it to instantly lose its ability to fight.
"Damn it! Hydreigon, Dark Pulse!"
Ghetsis leaned on his cane with one hand, without hesitation, or rather, with no choice, he called out his ace.
"Trifling skill! Dragon Rush!"
On the other side, Lance, high in the sky, sneered and called out his second Fatty.
The two sides fought to a standstill in the air.
The League and Plasma Grunts' armies collided fiercely, and the shouts of killing shook the sky.
Instantly reminding people all over the world of the shocking battle that took place on Indigo Plateau three years ago.
But this time, the League has a firm upper hand.
"Damn it! Where did that guy Colress run off to!?"
In the midst of the melee, Ghetsis, who was being suppressed and retreating by Lance, cursed loudly.
That's the only immediate combat power in the Plasma Grunts that possesses a Legendary Pokémon!
And on the outskirts of the battlefield, in an unnoticed suburban area.
"This way, please."
Colress, who has a good appearance but is ruined by his strange satellite hair style, raised his hand and made an inviting gesture towards the battlefield.
"This time the opponent will definitely satisfy you."
Giovanni half-turned his head and said to the figure that was looming in the golden ring behind him.
What floated out of it was Dark Mewtwo.
And at this moment, it was covered with armor that was extremely similar to the one used in the anime to suppress its power.
And on the inside of the armor on its chest, a pure black MEGA Evolution Stone was also emitting an ominous and evil light under the sunlight.
