In the front row of the audience, Flint leaned against the railing and asked with a smile.
"With the Senior Natsuhiko's personality..."
"He's definitely going to take care of everything." Lance picked up Kona's comment.
Lance was very certain of this outcome due to his understanding of Natsuhiko.
"But this will inevitably lead to poor performance in the end-of-year dojo assessment." Hilona also leaned against the railing and said.
She knew more about the internal workings of these dojos than Lance and Flint.
"As far as I know. Last year, throughout the entire year, our Sinnoh had so many dojos, and there were three that failed their year-end review and were fined.
One of them was because it was a newly appointed dojo, so it was understandable.
The other two were because they expanded their challenger range too broadly, excessively handing out badges, but in the end, less than ten percent reached the Lily annual tournament, severely below the target."
Issuing badges at a dojo isn't about giving them out whenever one feels like it.
Once a badge is issued, it signifies approval and entails a certain level of responsibility.
One of the metrics measured is.
Whether those who earn the dojo badge can ultimately enter the Lily annual tournament.
Let's not talk about ranking.
Just getting in is the basic criterion.
If the ranking is high, the league will accordingly issue rewards and resource subsidies.
Regarding these complexities, in the book booklet Kikuno gave to Natsuhiko upon obtaining the Gym Leader title, a significant portion covered this.
The dojo is actually an intermediate checkpoint established by the league for Trainers.
It is one of the standards to verify the strength of Trainers.
So it is very important.
"Are they all ready?" Kikuno came to the side of the field.
"Yes." Natsuhiko nodded.
Kikuno glanced at the corner of the audience seats, where a hunched figure leaned on a cane, hidden in the shadows.
"Don't think calling your teacher here makes things fine. If you don't meet my requirements later, I won't spare her either." Kikuno was indeed strict about the dojo assessment.
Natsuhiko smirked, "Alright."
Seeing Natsuhiko so confident, Kikuno couldn't help but nod slightly, signaling the referee standing beside the field.
For this grand opening, Natsuhiko had a total of five challengers.
His goal was to issue two badges, which would count as success.
"Presenting the first challenger." As Kikuno walked away, the referee shouted loudly.
An eager, roughly fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy hurriedly ran down from the audience stands.
Ryouta.
A Trainer who had already obtained three badges.
Some basic information about this challenger flashed in Natsuhiko's mind.
"'Tactical Master' Gym Leader Natsuhiko, I am your fan!" Ryouta excitedly exclaimed towards Natsuhiko as soon as he arrived at the battlefield.
"Alright, show me your skills."
Natsuhiko's expression remained unchanged, calm and composed, fully exhibiting the demeanor expected of a dojo leader.
Then, with a casual grab, he picked a Pokeball from the nearby shelf.
Due to the opening ceremony, the challenge rules were simply one-on-one.
As the Gym Leader, Natsuhiko's duty was to send out his Pokémon first.
With the flicker of the red light.
"Roar—!!"
Under the spotlight, it reflected a blinding light.
Making its appearance was Duraludon!
It instantly became the focus of the entire battlefield upon arrival.
This was the little Duraludon from the family of Duraludon that Natsuhiko had captured.
To thank Natsuhiko, they as a family, under Natsuhiko's generous (or coercive) invitation, became part of his dojo Pokémon.
The strength of this little Duraludon was just entering the Senior Level, which Natsuhiko thought would be a perfect match for challenger with three to five badges.
But this kind of Pokémon, Duraludon, seemed to be completely unknown to everyone present, putting Ryouta in a dilemma.
Natsuhiko smiled and said, "This Pokémon is called Duraludon, a Steel Type and Dragon Type Pokémon."
On hearing this, Ryouta quickly bowed in gratitude, then pulled out a Pokeball, "Steel-type Pokémon, then I'm counting on you, Monferno!"
"Gekii!"
A Pokémon with orange-red skin appeared.
Monferno, the evolved form of Chimchar.
He had a fundamental understanding of attribute suppression, showing that the three badges were not in vain.
"The battle begins!" The referee immediately announced the battle to start.
In the stands.
Everyone was surprised by this Pokémon they've never seen before.
Especially Lance and Flint, their eyes fixed tightly on the Duraludon in the field.
Lance: Dragon Type!
Flint: Steel Type!
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Failed to request a leave, the new volume starts~~