Kanto, Indigo Plateau Stadium.
"Time really flies. In the blink of an eye, the Indigo Plateau Conference is about to begin again."
The one speaking was the authority of the Pokémon world — Professor Oak.
Wearing his signature white lab coat and gray pants, he looked calm and scholarly, a stark contrast to his flamboyant grandson.
"Yes, time really flies. In the blink of an eye, I'm almost seventy. It's about time I step down and let others take over," said an elderly man wearing a blue baseball cap backward, his long white beard unmistakable.
There was no mistaking him — this was Goodshow, the Chairman of the Pokémon League.
"Don't joke, Chairman. With how energetic you are, you could easily keep going for another ten years," replied a red-haired man in a cape, his expression calm and confident.
He was none other than the Dragon-type Elite — Lance, known as the strongest Trainer in Kanto.
Not just Lance, but the other three Elites were present as well: Bruno, the Fighting-type Elite; Agatha, the Ghost-type Elite; and Lorelei, the Ice-type Elite.
The League Chairman, the highly respected Professor Oak, and the Elite Four — Kanto's strongest Trainers — were all gathered at the Indigo Plateau.
It was clear how much importance the League placed on this year's Conference.
"Among this year's Indigo Plateau Conference participants, there's also Professor Oak's grandson, Gary, right?" Lorelei asked, recalling the name from the participant list she had reviewed.
"I'm really looking forward to his performance in the Conference," she added with a smile.
Like grandfather, like grandson.
Ordinary people might not know, but as a high-ranking member of the League, Lorelei was well aware of Professor Oak's background.
He wasn't just a researcher — before dedicating himself to science, Samuel Oak had been one of the most powerful Trainers in Kanto.
Rumor even had it that Agatha herself had once lost to him.
But Gary…
Just hearing his grandson's name gave Professor Oak a headache. That boy had caused him endless trouble! Gary hadn't inherited any of his humility or low-key nature.
Honestly, who starts their Trainer journey driving a supercar?
Gary's talent was undeniable, but his arrogance and impatience made Professor Oak worry. He always aimed for the top without putting in the grounded effort needed to get there.
Oak wasn't very optimistic about his grandson's journey this time.
As he pondered how to respond to Lorelei, Bruno spoke up:
"By the way, Ash is also a Trainer from Pallet Town, right?"
Bruno had met Ash before during his training on Mt. Hideaway. He still remembered the boy's bright smile and unshakable enthusiasm.
Hiss…
Ash?
Another headache.
He was even late on the day he was supposed to receive his first Pokémon!
Granted, even if he'd arrived on time, Pikachu would have been given to him regardless… but still, a Trainer being late on that day? Unthinkable!
And to make matters worse — he didn't even know the basic type matchups at the start of his journey!
Compared to Gary, Ash worried Professor Oak even more.
"Sigh…"
Unable to find the words, Professor Oak simply sighed in silence.
Everyone around him was sharp enough to understand. Seeing the professor like this, they chose not to press the matter further.
Lorelei was about to change the topic when suddenly —
BOOM!
A clap of thunder echoed overhead.
[Ding! Comparison Livestream System activated. Pulling up relevant individuals...]
[Ding! Comparison Livestream Chat Room members are being activated...]
Two massive screens appeared in the sky above the Indigo Plateau — one pure white, the other pitch black, floating side by side.
"What's happening?!"
"Could it be another Team Rocket scheme?!"
Lance's expression hardened. He instinctively stepped in front of Chairman Goodshow, prepared to defend him in case Rocket members suddenly emerged from behind the screens.
"…"
Can they please stop blaming Team Rocket for everything?
Even Giovanni, far away in his Viridian office, was speechless.
Ever since Mewtwo escaped, he'd had no time for grand schemes like this. His only goal now was to recapture that Pokémon.
Attacking the League wasn't even on his agenda!
Still, the shock in Giovanni's heart was no less than Lance's — because the same two enormous screens had appeared right in his office as well.
[Ding! Relevant individuals have been pulled up.]
[Ding! All individuals may speak freely in the Chat Room and participate in the prize quizzes that appear during the viewing process.]
[Note: The top three in each quiz will receive rewards, including but not limited to — Legendary Pokémon, wondrous items, rare TM discs, unrivaled power, and even eternal life...]
[Note: No battles are allowed during the viewing period. Violators will be punished!!!]
The voice of the Viewing System spread across the entire Pokémon world.
Everyone — Trainers, civilians, Elites, even villains — was left utterly stunned.
Viewing? Quizzes? Rewards?
Wait...
Did it just say rewards include eternal life?!