The Goal: Sinnoh Region

"This is... a Master Ball!"

When Gary saw that he had drawn an ordinary-looking purple sphere, he showed no disappointment whatsoever. Instead, he was exceptionally delighted.

That was right. Just as Gary had said, he had obtained a precious Master Ball from Umbreon's gift pack.

In the Pokémon World, Poké Balls were necessities for catching Pokémon and were common in everyday life, so they were not particularly valuable. Even Luxury Balls could be bought by ordinary families.

These Poké Balls could only catch ordinary Pokémon and Pseudo-legendary Pokémon like Dragonite.

However, ordinary Poké Balls could not catch Legendary Pokémon, especially those that wielded the authority of the world, such as Rayquaza, the Lord of the Sky in the Hoenn Region.

Even if those Legendary Pokémon acknowledged you and were willing to follow you, ordinary Poké Balls could not contain them due to the gap in their strength and status. They would shatter easily.

Master Balls were different. Made from numerous precious materials, they were capable of containing Legendary Pokémon, which made them highly sought after throughout the world.

Because of the materials and technology involved, Master Balls were extremely rare. For ordinary Trainers, they were something one could only hope to encounter.

Given Professor Oak's influence, obtaining a Master Ball was not impossible. But he was Gary's grandfather, not Gary himself, so to an ordinary Trainer like Gary, it was still incredibly precious.

Now that Gary had obtained a Master Ball, it was an unexpected delight. Who knew? Perhaps, with extraordinary luck, he might catch one someday.

Once Gary learned what rewards he had received, he was ecstatic. Fortunately, he was in his own room with no one else around, or people might have thought he had gone mad.

After finally calming himself down, Gary did not linger. He eagerly used the Viridian Power and Intermediate Pokémon Breeder Skill Card he had just obtained.

A warm current flowed through him, and the Viridian Power was successfully activated.

At the same time, countless pieces of Pokémon breeding knowledge surged into Gary's mind, signifying that the Skill Card had been successfully used.

Having obtained the Viridian Power, Gary was struck by a whim and began testing it out with great enthusiasm.

Time passed until evening. Only when mental fatigue set in did Gary reluctantly stop.

Watching the sky outside gradually darken and thinking of the system he had obtained, Gary silently made up his mind.

"From now on, I won't be defeated so easily again!"

As if sensing Gary's resolve, the several Poké Balls on him gently shook, displaying the same determination.

Gary noticed their movements, and the corners of his lips curved upward. He gently stroked the Poké Balls and softly said, "I'll be counting on you from now on."

Time always passed like a fleeting white colt, and before long, this year's Silver Conference gradually came to an end.

Just as in the original story, Ash still failed to break free from his fate. In the Second Round of the Victory Tournament, he lost to Harrison from the Hoenn Region. Charizard was defeated by Harrison's Blaziken, and Ash's journey ended in the top eight of the Silver Conference.

The final champion of the Silver Conference was still Jon Dickson, who had defeated Harrison in the Semifinals.

With that, this year's Johto League Silver Conference came to a complete close.

However, none of that meant much to Gary, and he watched it all with calm indifference.

Once the Silver Conference's closing ceremony had fully concluded, Gary said goodbye to his grandfather and Ash's group.

But rather than returning to Pallet Town, he was heading for a region Ash had never heard of: the Sinnoh Region.

"Gary, what are you going to the Sinnoh Region for?"

In the waiting hall of the Silver Conference airport, Professor Oak asked Gary, who was about to board his flight. He was quite curious about Gary's reason for going to the Sinnoh Region.

"Grandpa, I'm going to the Sinnoh Region to take care of something." Gary naturally understood what Professor Oak meant. He merely smiled and kept him in suspense. "You'll find out what it is later."

"I understand." Seeing Gary deliberately keeping it a secret, Professor Oak did not press the matter further.

"Then be careful and stay safe!" It was a grandfather's concern for his grandson.

"I know." Gary nodded.

"As for you, Ash, I hope you'll have improved by the time I return. Otherwise, I won't be waiting for you up ahead." After Professor Oak finished speaking, Gary turned his attention to Ash beside him.

"What? I was the one who beat you!" Ash immediately became dissatisfied when Gary spoke to him with the tone of a victor.

"Heh." Gary had expected that reaction from Ash. After chuckling, he continued, "I didn't lose to you. I lost to Charizard."

"Gary, you jerk!" Ash was instantly enraged upon hearing that, ready to start a fight with Gary.

Fortunately, Brock and Misty calmed him down, and he slowly settled.

Gary paid no mind to Ash's indignation. After bidding farewell to Professor Oak, Brock, and Misty, he boarded the plane directly.

After Gary left, Ash looked at Professor Oak, Brock, and Misty beside him and asked, "Am I really that bad?"

"Ash, you have plenty of room for improvement." That was Professor Oak's answer.

High emotional intelligence: You have plenty of room for improvement.

Low emotional intelligence: You're still far from good enough.

Although Professor Oak thought highly of Ash, that did not apply to the current Ash, at least.

"What do you think?" In response to Ash's question, Misty, his companion, first rolled her eyes at him before giving a firm answer.

Even Pikachu on Ash's shoulder nodded in strong agreement.

"How could this happen?!" After being dismissed by his companions and Pikachu, Ash immediately became dejected and ran off to draw circles by himself.

Meanwhile, after saying goodbye to Professor Oak and Ash's group, Gary followed the signs and boarded the flight bound for the Sinnoh Region.

On the plane, Gary looked through the window at the Johto Region gradually receding into the distance, his heart filled with emotion.

The next time I come here, I won't be this pathetic again.

As the plane flew farther and farther away, the Johto Region completely vanished from Gary's sight.

Sinnoh Region, here I come!