Red's battle with Geeta had ended, and news of his victory over Paldea's Top Champion spread across the world like wildfire.
And with that news came another rising topic—the Kanto Elite Four.
Their presence lately had been nothing short of overwhelming. Giovanni, Blue, and Red had each defeated regional Champions in succession, ascending to the top tiers with sheer power alone.
They had proven to the world what it truly meant to be "the strongest Elite Four."
From what Dylan had heard, Goodshow could hardly stop grinning these days.
He'd even called Red personally to congratulate him—Dylan could practically picture that smug, delighted face.
Still, it was understandable. As the global League Chairman, Goodshow had plenty of regional pride, and with his home region of Kanto shining so brilliantly, how could he not be pleased?
"Ah! Gym Leader big brother! I knew you'd be here!"
Just as Dylan and the others finished dinner and were about to head back to Naranja Academy—planning to leave for Hoenn tomorrow for Leon's upcoming match against Steven—a cheerful voice called out from nearby.
"Selene."
Dylan turned, and there she was—the bright-eyed, sun-hatted girl with a pure and radiant smile.
Then his mouth twitched slightly. Because opposite her was… a short-pants student in a Naranja Academy uniform.
Really now? She was already Champion-level, and she was picking fights with school kids at the academy gate?
Within moments, Selene's Tinkaton had effortlessly wiped out the boy's team, and the girl came skipping over, face alight with joy.
"Hehe~ what luck! I ran into you right away, Gym Leader big brother! Lillie, Leaf—it's been forever!"
Selene greeted Leaf and Lillie with a bright grin.
"Weren't you supposed to be training with the old man in Johto?" Dylan asked, puzzled.
"Mmm~ training's important, sure, but rankings are important too! I just finished a match against Elite Four member Rika here in Paldea!" Selene said proudly.
Her training under Pryce wasn't finished, but she wasn't about to skip the World Championship matches either.
Pryce hadn't forbidden her from traveling, so here she was, taking on Paldea's Elite Four.
"I see," Dylan said knowingly.
"How did it go?"
"Emmm… not hard at all. Venusaur swept the whole team."
Selene tilted her head innocently.
"The gap between them and our Kanto Elite Four is huge."
"Of course it is," Leaf muttered. "Most regions' Elite Four are just that—Elite Four. Not whatever we are."
"Have you eaten?"
"Not yet! I was just about to grab a bite when that random kid challenged me."
Her face was clean and bright, her big eyes sparkling like glass.
But Dylan knew this girl wasn't as harmless as she looked.
"Come on then, we'll take you out."
"Yay~!"
Selene beamed.
They went to a noodle shop nearby. Dylan and the others had already eaten, but Selene happily slurped her noodles like she hadn't eaten in days.
"Selene, how strong are you now?"
Leaf scrolled through the World Championship rankings and quickly spotted Selene at #34.
"Tch!"
Leaf clicked her tongue in amazement. That rank was skyrocketing like a rocket launch!
She'd started from zero—and climbed that fast? A pure ranking machine!
"Hehe~ I've improved tons! Wanna try me, Leaf?" Selene grinned mischievously.
"Pass! I'm just a normal person, thanks. No fighting you monsters," Leaf refused instantly.
She knew she was strong—probably stronger than Wallace even—but against Selene? Not a chance.
When Selene had last returned to challenge Dylan's gym, Leaf already knew she wouldn't stand a chance. Now? Even less so.
The girl's growth was terrifying—so much so that Leaf honestly believed she might have caught up with Blue and Red already.
"Leaf, you're a Kanto Elite Four member, not a 'normal person,' you know," Selene teased, patting her belly after finishing her noodles. "Ahh, that was so good."
Dylan's eye twitched as her shirt lifted slightly, revealing a flash of pale skin. This girl really was careless to a fault.
"People are starting to say I'm slacking off," Leaf sighed.
With Giovanni, Blue, and Red all rising rapidly, criticism had begun surfacing online—calling Leaf the "weak link" of the Kanto Elite Four.
It was inevitable. The internet loved to talk.
Of course, her teammates didn't mind—they knew Leaf's laid-back nature well.
Leaf herself wasn't bothered, though she had to admit—it wasn't pleasant to read.
"Hey, Selene, why don't you take my spot?" Leaf suddenly said, eyes bright. "I'll step down."
"Eh? I can do that?"
Selene blinked in surprise, while Lillie looked equally stunned.
"Why not? You're probably stronger than me anyway," Leaf shrugged.
"Emmm…" Selene hesitated, face twisting in thought.
Her dream was to be Champion—but being part of the Kanto Elite Four was still an amazing opportunity. She could even take part in the year-end Elite Four challenge.
"Gym Leader big brother, is that allowed?"
"Technically, not exactly," Dylan said with a shrug. "But if both of you agree, it's fine."
He wasn't surprised by Leaf's offer—she'd said from the start she wasn't in this for the long haul.
He felt the same way, actually. When Lacey matured enough, he planned to step aside too. Let Red and the others fight for the Kanto Championship themselves.
"I wanna be an Elite Four member!!"
Selene slammed her hands on the table, eyes blazing.
The world's strongest Elite Four—Kanto's Elite Four—what could be better?
"Do you have to shout?" Dylan gave her an exasperated look.
"Hehe~ I got excited," Selene laughed awkwardly.
"And I've told you—stop referring to yourself as 'the boss.' You're a girl, Selene. How old are you again?"
"Mhm mhm, yes yes yes," she nodded obediently, pretending to repent.
She knew from experience—when Gym Leader big brother started lecturing, you just nodded and agreed until it was over.
After a while, Dylan sighed at the sight of the now-silent hat girl.
"Goodshow speaking," came a cheerful voice from the holo-screen.
"Chairman, it's Dylan."
"Oh! What's up?"
"About Leaf—she's decided to retire."
"What?!"
Goodshow's smile vanished. "Why all of a sudden? Is it because of the online comments? Don't worry, I'll make an announcement to defend her!"
Leaf was actually touched. The Chairman really did care about her.
"That's not it," Dylan explained. "Leaf's stepping down, and Selene will take her place. What do you think?"
"Selene's grown a lot lately—her strength already surpasses Leaf's, and she's much more competitive."
"…"
Goodshow went quiet for a moment.
"Well… I suppose that's fine."
He stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Leaf rolled her eyes.
"Then we'll handle the paperwork. I'll send you Selene's official portrait for the announcement."
"Excellent."
Goodshow grinned again. Losing Leaf was unfortunate, but gaining someone as powerful as Selene? More than acceptable.
He also knew Leaf's heart wasn't in the position anyway—no point forcing it.
Everyone was happy with the change, and that was what mattered.
Soon after, Dylan brought Selene to a studio for her official photo.
Her chosen partner was Incineroar, its claws raised in a fierce pose beside the smiling, flower-hatted girl, who held out a Poké Ball confidently toward the camera.
It was a bold, fiery image—though her bravado lasted only a moment.
"Nice! I look both pretty and cool, hehe~" Selene beamed, delighted with the result.
"Your announcement should be out tomorrow," Dylan said, resting a hand on her shoulder. "But as a Kanto Elite Four member, the pressure's going to be heavy."
"Especially since the other three are all on fire right now."
"Humph~ I don't care. I'll fight anyone who stands in my way!"
Selene lifted her chin proudly, her sweet voice carrying unexpected intensity.
"I'll beat them all—every last one of them!"
Dylan sighed. "Let's hope you can back that up."
"Of course I will! Even that guy Dylan—I'll crush him under my feet and drag him home to be my sta—"
The confident girl froze mid-sentence as Dylan's eyebrow twitched.
"…What did you just say?"
He smiled dangerously and pinched her cheek.
"Umm—it was just a joke!" Selene whimpered pitifully.
"Selene," Dylan said flatly, "looks like I've been too soft on you. We're doing some extra training tonight."
"Ow ow ow—nooo! I'll break!"
As her cries for mercy filled the air, Dylan could only rub his temples.
What on earth had this girl been learning while away?
(End of Chapter)