Leon's eyes widened in recognition. He instantly understood the answer.
"In that case," Leon laughed, "I'll be waiting for you here in Wyndon! Just like I promised before, you can enter directly from Rank 9!"
Naoki paused, hesitant. "Wouldn't that… seem unfair?"
Jumping into the competition at Rank 9 would mean skipping ahead of other hardworking trainers who had fought tooth and nail to reach that spot. It would definitely seem like favoritism, like Leon had pulled strings behind the scenes just to let him in.
Leon scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Well, maybe a little," he admitted. "But I believe in your strength. You won't let me down!"
Naoki: "..."
"Alright then, I'll start from the Advanced Class," Naoki said with a smile. "You can help me register and submit my trainer info. Just send me the details afterward."
This way, some of the less experienced Pokémon on the ranch could join in for fun and grow from the experience.
The World Coronation Series followed a point-based ranking system, similar to competitive tiers in MOBA games.
Trainers in the Normal to Advanced Class had to battle opponents at their level. Winning would move them up, losing would push them down, and a draw would leave their rank unchanged.
Once a trainer ranked in the top 1000, they'd be promoted to the Ultra Class. Reaching the top 100 would elevate them into the Master Class.
From there, the matches became scheduled official battles, full-on events held in set locations with specific opponents. In the Advanced Class, each side could use anywhere from one to three Pokémon in a match.
When an Advanced Class trainer climbed to 9th place, they'd be matched against the 8th-ranked Master Class trainer, and the winner would earn a spot in the prestigious Masters Eight.
At the end of the season, the Masters Eight would battle it out to determine who deserved the title of World's Strongest Trainer.
Hearing Naoki's decision, Leon was momentarily stunned before realizing what he meant, Naoki didn't want to cause any controversy by jumping the line.
"I get it now. You don't want to put me in a tough spot!" Leon laughed heartily. "No problem at all! I'll go handle your registration. Just make your way to Wyndon in the next few days to prepare for the matches."
Naoki nodded. "Will do."
In truth, thanks to Koraidon and the help of Giratina's Reverse World, Naoki could travel between the ranch and the Galar region in under thirty minutes. He didn't have to stay in Wyndon full-time, so there wouldn't be any disruption to the ranch's daily life.
After ending the call, Leon headed off to get Naoki officially registered. Meanwhile, Naoki turned toward the playful Pokémon scattered across his ranch.
He had just finished brushing the snowy mane of Glastrier and the smoky coat of Spectrier, and now it was time to gather everyone.
Walking over to the grass, Naoki raised his fingers to his lips and gave a loud whistle.
In an instant, Pokémon from all corners of the ranch came bounding over, their ears twitching at the familiar sound.
Even the three Legendary Beasts, Entei, Suicune, and Raikou, who had been playing nearby with Elara, paused. After a brief glance at one another, they followed the others to join the gathering crowd.
Soon, a colorful group of Pokémon surrounded Naoki, their eyes wide and eager.
"Pamoo?" asked Pawmot, tilting its head.
"Alcremie".
Naoki smiled warmly and clapped his hands. "Okay, everyone, listen up! There's a big Pokémon tournament coming up soon. Would any of you like to go and battle?"
"Ponī?" asked Ogerpon, tilting her mask with a puzzled look. "A competition?"
Naoki nodded. "That's right. You'll battle other Pokémon in real stadiums. If you win all your matches, you'll get the chance to become the Strongest Pokémon in the World."
"Bamo?" asked Pawmot, tilting its head. "Is this the same as those Gym battles we did before?"
"Not quite," Naoki replied, shaking his head with a smile. "Gym battles are local challenges. The World Coronation Series is on a completely different scale. It's a global competition. Trainers and Pokémon from all around the world will come together to compete, and thousands of people will be watching each match."
"Bamo..." Pawmot closed its eyes and imagined the scene. The thunderous crowds, the flashing lights, the roar of battle, it suddenly felt a little giddy.
"Bamo!" it shouted excitedly.
Dragonite, standing nearby, had already been fired up the moment it heard the words "strongest in the world."
It remembered the time when it was just a clumsy, slow Dragonite that others overlooked. But now, under Naoki's training and care, it had become one of the strongest on the ranch.
This was its chance. The chance to show the entire world what it could do. Maybe it could become the strongest Dragonite on the planet!
Just the thought made Dragonite tremble with excitement, its wings fluttering and its tail swishing impatiently.
Alcremie was also fired up.
"Mrie"
It wanted to join too! With its unmatched Metronome, who knew what wild and powerful moves it could unleash? It could totally win!
Cyclizar, narrowed its eyes.
It had spent years training quietly, never slacking off. It used to rely entirely on Naoki to protect it, but things had changed.
Now it was strong enough to stand beside Naoki. To battle for him. To protect him.
Naoki looked at the faces of his Pokémon, each one glowing with anticipation and courage. His smile deepened.
So they were all serious about this too.
In that case, why not?
"We'll all go together," he said softly. "Let's give it our best."
...
At the same time…
In the Reverse World, on the floating Flower Sky Island, Giratina was lounging lazily amidst a field of glowing blossoms. Rotom floated nearby, reading out comments from fans aloud through Naoki's Rotom Phone.
"A comment from user [Macho Man]," Rotom read in its chirpy voice. "Giratina, I really want to meet you and battle! Will I ever have that chance in my life? Rotom!"
Giratina snorted, resting its chin on a spiral of mist.
"Hmph. I am the mighty Giratina. Why would I accept some random trainer's challenge? That would be beneath me."
It waved a claw dismissively. "Next comment, Rotom."
"Got it, Rotom!" Rotom flipped to the next submission.
"A user named [Big Root] asks: Giratina, will you be participating in this year's World Coronation Series?"
Giratina's eyes opened just a little, intrigued. "Hmm? World Coronation?"
Taking the cue, Rotom quickly opened up a search.
"Reporting, Rotom! The World Coronation Series is a grand tournament that brings together the strongest trainers and Pokémon from all over the world. Everyone competes for the title of World's Strongest Trainer and Pokémon Pair!"
"According to stats from the last World Coronation Series," Rotom continued, "this event is insanely popular! Every seat in the stadium was packed, and global livestream views reached into the hundreds of millions!"
"Hmm?"
Giratina's eyes snapped open, its serpentine body straightening.
Hundreds of millions?!
That was more than it had ever imagined! It didn't even think it had that many fans!
But… if it participated, and won, wouldn't that mean those hundreds of millions of people would become its fans?Wouldn't it become the most beloved and recognized Pokémon in the entire world?
That thought lit a spark in Giratina's dark heart.
Competing to become the world's strongest?
Hah!
Who could possibly deserve that title more than it?
No one.
Absolutely no one was stronger than Giratina!
With its ego soaring, the great Renegade Pokémon made up its mind then and there.
It would participate in this so-called World Coronation Series hosted by humans.
And it would crush them all.
Let the entire world witness the true might of Giratina, the one and only Pokémon worthy of being crowned the World's Strongest!
...
Bonus @1000
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