The Kanto Region had no Champion, but correspondingly, the Johto League had no Champion either. After Mitsuba Otsutsuki became Champion, the Johto League sent Lance an invitation, asking him to become the Johto League's Champion and take up the position. But at the time, Lance refused the League's proposal on the grounds that "my strength is not yet worthy of the title of Champion."
Mitsuba Otsutsuki had nearly become a dual Champion then—Champion of the Kanto Region on one hand and Champion of the Johto League on the other. But Mitsuba Otsutsuki refused this matter, because he found that Kanto Region alone was enough to make his scalp tingle. If Johto Region were added on top of that, he did not even know how he was supposed to go on living.
Being a dual Champion might earn more money, but the responsibilities would become greater too. Double the happiness, seriously.
"...I refused." Lance shook his head. After Mitsuba Otsutsuki resigned from his position as Champion, the Johto League had sent another invitation, but Lance had rejected it outright again.
Mitsuba Otsutsuki shrugged and did not ask why, because that was what he had guessed.
Lance was actually a very proud person, but that pride was often hidden beneath humility. Normally, no one could tell that he was that kind of person, but Mitsuba Otsutsuki could. He knew what Lance was thinking. Lance definitely disdained a Champion title obtained by bypassing League regulations. If Lance wanted to become Champion, then—
"This year's Kanto League? Or are you planning to enter the Johto League?" Mitsuba Otsutsuki asked curiously. He knew Lance would definitely challenge the Elite four, but whether it would be Kanto's or Johto's made a huge difference. If Lance chose Kanto, then he would become the Kanto Region's Champion, and