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"Inside, please!" Master Keaton stepped into the Gym with Vladimir and Chris.
Several disciples blocked the reporters, preventing them from entering.
"Old big brother, we haven't seen each other in four or five years," Master Keaton said as he led the way inside.
"The last time we met was at the joint Trainer meeting," Vladimir recalled.
"I remember inviting you for a drink afterward, but before the meeting even ended, the president dragged you away," Master Keaton chuckled.
"Well, it doesn't matter. Either today or in the next few days, I'll finally get to rest properly. Then, I'll come find you for that drink—don't shut me out!" he added with a grin.
"Don't worry, I wouldn't dare," Vladimir assured him. "Also, are you interested in becoming an honorary professor at Dragon University after retirement? If you join, we can have a drink together every day."
Master Keaton paused for a moment before shaking his head slightly.
"Big brother, I appreciate the offer, but I've been a Gym Leader for so many years that I've missed too many important moments with my family. After retirement, I plan to go back to my hometown to take care of my grandson—no, wait, my great-grandson," he corrected himself with a smile.
"That makes sense," Vladimir sighed. His younger brother had married early and now had a great-grandson, while he remained a loner.
"This is the student you mentioned on the phone, right?" Master Keaton turned his attention to Chris.
"Hi, my name is Chris!" Chris introduced himself.
Master Keaton nodded. "So, is he really capable of giving me a good battle?"
"Of course. I tested him myself," Vladimir confirmed.
"Good. Then let's head straight to the battlefield. Afterward, we'll have lunch together, and we brothers can finally have that drink to make up for last time!" Master Keaton said, quickening his pace.
From the outside, the building resembled a warehouse, and inside, it indeed functioned as one. The massive space was filled with tools, equipment, and agricultural vehicles used for maintaining the ranch.
After passing through the warehouse, they arrived at the ranch, where a large open-air battlefield stood about a hundred meters away.
A referee was already on standby, along with two staff members from the China Trainer Association, waiting for Chris and Master Keaton.
Before the battle, both Chris and Master Keaton had to submit six Poké Balls, locking in their chosen Pokémon. The Pokémon were then tested with specialized equipment to ensure they hadn't been enhanced with illegal substances.
Once everything was confirmed, they could proceed to the battlefield.
As they waited, Vladimir suddenly spoke.
"You're probably wondering—if Master Keaton and I are such good friends, why would I push for you to take his position as Gym Leader and prevent him from retiring peacefully, right?"
Chris nodded. When he first heard about it, he thought his teacher had a grudge against Master Keaton. But today, he learned they were actually good friends, making it even more confusing.
"For a general, it is better to fall on the battlefield than to waste away in a hospital bed," Vladimir said.
"A Trainer is no different from a general."
"What a Trainer desires is not a retirement ceremony that marks the end of their career, but a final, all-out battle—one that pushes them to their limits, even if they end up defeated."
"He told me this himself," Vladimir added softly.
Chris felt a deep sense of admiration.
For him, this was just another Gym battle. Even if he lost, he could still continue challenging Gyms and competing for the title of Gym Leader.
As for Master Keaton, this was likely to be the last battle of his life.
"Don't feel pressured. Just give it your all," Vladimir said, patting Chris on the shoulder.
"Understood, Teacher!" Chris took a deep breath, his gaze shining like the morning star as his fighting spirit steadily rose.
While they waited, a large group of reporters suddenly rushed in.
It was Master Keaton himself who had invited them. A Gym Challenge required witnesses, after all.
Moreover, since this battle was one he had personally initiated, keeping it hidden would only invite speculation. Some might even suspect that he was retiring because he had privately handed over the Gym to Chris, a student of Vladimir.
Of course, such rumors were meaningless. A Gym Leader's position wasn't something that could simply be given away. Only someone with true strength could hold it, as there would always be challengers eager to test their skills.
More importantly, Master Keaton wanted his final battle to be witnessed by all—win or lose.
"Who's battling Master Keaton?"
"Is it Master Vladimir? Didn't he just arrive?"
"That's impossible. Master Vladimir is the principal of Dragon University. He wouldn't have time to be the Gym Leader of Green Valley Gym, and besides, isn't he even older than Master Keaton?"
"It must be the young man who came with Master Vladimir."
"He looks familiar… Isn't that Chris, the freshman senior breeder who was trending online a while ago? Wasn't he a student of Master Vladimir?"
"No way! Isn't he an Senior breeder? How could he be challenging a Gym?"
The reporters chattered among themselves.
As the main figure of the battle, Chris quickly drew their attention. Previously, he had been known online as the rising first-year senior breeder "Chris." Though he had deliberately kept a low profile, he was quickly recognized.
Earlier, Master Vladimir's presence had been so overwhelming that no one had noticed him.
Now, however, the reporters were even more excited.
This was the perfect headline!
Master Keaton mentoring Chris—A new era begins!
Cameras were quickly set up, ready to capture every moment of the battle.
Neither Master Keaton nor Chris was fazed by the attention. The former had experienced far grander occasions and was long accustomed to the media. The latter simply ignored them altogether, treating them as if they weren't even there.
Soon, officials from the China Trainer Association completed the selection process, verifying and returning six Poké Balls to each Trainer.
Chris and Master Keaton stepped onto their respective Trainer platforms.
All that remained was for the referee to announce the rules of the battle.