Gathered Together, the Strongest of the Younger Generation!

The doorbell rang again!

This time, Shigeru did not need his grandpa's reminder. He ran as he shouted, "I'll get it!"

This time, everyone who came was either a Gym Leader from across Kanto or a representative of one. A large crowd poured in, filling the research institute in an instant.

"Brother, you're finally here!" Tsubaki suddenly rushed out from the main group and sprinted toward a red-haired man.

Who else could it be but Lance!

Kanto and Johto bordered each other, and people often collectively referred to them as the Kanto Region, so quite a few people from both sides knew one another.

The atmosphere immediately became much livelier than before, but gradually, people still formed small groups based on age, giving them more topics to chat about.

"Sato, what are you looking at? You saw me and didn't even take the initiative to say hello, you ungrateful brat!"

Lance slapped Sato on the shoulder, startling him awake.

Coming back to himself, Sato put on a calm front and smiled. "Long time no see, Brother Lance! Now that you're an Elite Four member, aren't you impressive?"

"Hahaha, not bad, not bad!" Lance had been waiting for Sato to say that. Upon hearing it at last, he laughed with delight.

Before long, Lance was surrounded by others again. As the true leading figure of Kanto's younger generation, Lance was never short of followers.

"What are you looking at? You seem so absent-minded," Itsuki suddenly asked. He had come together with Lance and was clearly someone with keen insight into others' intentions.

"Nothing. I just saw too many old friends and felt a little emotional for a moment." Sato did not tell the truth. Itsuki blinked but did not expose him. He merely patted Sato's shoulder as well before leaving directly.