The Pokemon League

In the early morning of the next day, to avoid trouble, Aoki removed the human skin mask from his face, returned Slowpoke to its Pokeball, and left the Pokémon Center.

Two bodyguards in black stood at the entrance, indicating that the young man from yesterday had been waiting for Aoki to appear.

Ignoring them, Aoki walked directly toward the transport center of Vermillion City. Passing the bodyguards, they didn't seem to recognize him.

Taking advantage of the quiet morning streets, Aoki ducked into a small alley and once again donned the human skin mask representing the League.

"It seems that just having one human skin mask isn't enough. Next time, it's necessary to get a few more," Aoki thought while adjusting the mask.

Sometimes, having multiple appearances is essential for avoiding unnecessary trouble.

Emerging from the alley, Aoki looked completely different.

According to Aoki's understanding, there were two options to quickly reach the Johto region. The first was taking a cruise directly from Vermillion City to Olivine City in Johto. From there, it would be a matter of traveling to Ecruteak City. The second option was to head to Saffron City, where the Maglev Train could take him through the Silver Mountain range directly to Goldenrod City.

While taking the cruise seemed convenient, Aoki discovered from Pokémon Center staff that the last cruise to Olivine City had departed the previous day, and the next one wouldn't leave for another four days. Furthermore, traveling by sea took considerable time, which did not meet his requirements.

The Maglev Train became the obvious choice. Not only was it faster, but it also provided a more direct route. Deciding this, Aoki set his sights on Saffron City.

His first task was to get to the transport center in Vermillion City and catch the morning shuttle bus to Saffron. However, the bus ran only once a day, departing at 9 a.m. Missing it would mean waiting until the next day.

Wearing an ordinary League trainer outfit and a plain human skin mask, Aoki moved inconspicuously. Without Slowpoke by his side, he purchased a ticket at the station using his League ID card and sat in the waiting area.

While waiting, he casually read the latest Union newspaper and came across an article that caught his attention.

The headline read: "League Intermediate Search Officer Destroys Team Rocket Base, Promoted to Senior Search Officer!"

Normally, such news wouldn't have piqued Aoki's interest. Senior search officers were common within the League, akin to Team Rocket executives. However, it was the name of the search officer that caught his eye: Lance.

The future elite Dragon-type trainer and eventual Johto Champion, Lance, had already begun building his legend.

The article detailed Lance's accomplishments and his rapid rise within the League. It noted his Dragonite's decisive role in crushing the Team Rocket base and praised his unparalleled strength and strategic mind.

Aoki's attention was riveted.

The League, the most powerful organization in the Pokémon world, governed nearly every aspect of life across regions. Though its influence was strongest in Kanto and Johto—often considered the heart of the League—it extended to other regions, including Hoenn, Sinnoh, and even the remote Alola region.

The League's headquarters, nestled at the peak of Mt. Silver, symbolized its dominance. Despite this, it made certain compromises with local powers in more remote regions to maintain global harmony.

Kanto and Johto, however, represented the pinnacle of the League's control. Trainers from these regions often faced the fiercest competition, as the best talents fought for limited spots among the elite and champion ranks.

It was this intense competition that ultimately led to the division of the Kanto and Johto regions into separate leagues, creating more opportunities for rising stars.

Lance, a scion of the Dragon-type trainer clan from Blackthorn City in Johto, was destined for greatness. Though he hailed from Johto, his early career unfolded in Kanto, where he faced immense challenges.

According to the article, Lance's next steps would likely see him rise to the position of Chief Search Officer before eventually aiming for a spot among the Kanto elite.

Aoki recalled that in his previous life, Lance's journey to the top wasn't without challenges. Despite his strength, Lance struggled against Lorelei, the Ice-type master, who consistently outmaneuvered his Dragonite with her powerful team.

It was Lorelei's dominance that prevented Lance from becoming Kanto's champion. Instead, he claimed the title in Johto after the regions split.

Aoki mused on Lance's rise and the broader implications of the League's structure. The politics of power and competition within the Pokémon world fascinated him.

As the time for departure neared, Aoki folded the newspaper and prepared to board the shuttle to Saffron City, his mind brimming with thoughts of the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead.