Three days later.
Imperial City, Pokémon Association Auditorium Conference Hall.
Jacob, dressed in formal attire with neatly styled hair, sat in a cushioned chair, his eyes scanning the room around him.
Across from Jacob and the other Pokémon Doctors sat the senior officials of the Pokémon Association and the regional delegates from each of the seven regions. Even the weakest among the regional delegates held the rank of Elite Four.
Jacob recognized several familiar faces among them.
Westin represented the Northern Region, Raya represented the Central Region, and Mason represented the Southern Region. He also spotted Sylas from the Southwest.
Among those he had not met before were Fia, the Elite Four representative from the Northeast Region, Emerson, the Fire-type Elite Four from the Northwest Region, and Colt, the Ghost-type Elite Four from the Central Plains Region.
The meeting was chaired by President Tristan of the Pokémon Association. At sixty-nine years old, his health had been declining with age, and he was nearing the mandatory retirement age for the position. Rumor had it that after this year, President Tristan would step down from his role as President of the Pokémon Association.
Because of this, many people had set their sights on the position. However, following long-standing tradition, the next President of the Pokémon Association would only be selected from among the Champions of the seven regions.
The frontrunner, according to most, was the Iron-Blooded Champion, Westin. If elected, he would become the youngest President in the history of the Pokémon Association.
"The time has come. Let us begin," President Tristan said, his voice steady as his gaze moved across the Pokémon Doctors seated before him.
"I have called all of you here today for one matter." His face, aged and lined with wrinkles, carried a grave expression. "Please direct your attention to the screen."
The projection displayed footage from the open ocean — the scene where Giovanni had used a Gigantamax Wristband to unleash a Gigantamaxed Darkrai.
"You should already be familiar with the Trainer in this footage. His name is Giovanni, and his signature Pokémon are Lapras and Darkrai."
"Based on our analysis, the wristband he is wearing has the ability to trigger Gigantamax on ordinary Pokémon."
"Everyone present today is accomplished — a leading expert in their field. The reason I have gathered you all here is to draw on your collective knowledge and expertise, to pool our strengths, and to overcome the challenge of Gigantamax research as swiftly as possible."
President Tristan scanned the room, then turned his attention to Dr. Holden and Elder Jorge, seated at the main table. "Regarding the challenge of researching Gigantamax, I would like to hear your thoughts. Please speak freely."
Jacob listened closely but did not rush to offer his own opinion. He sat quietly, waiting. It was not yet his turn to speak.
Dr. Holden and Elder Jorge were both around sixty years of age, but years of disciplined living had kept them in strong health. When they spoke, their voices were clear and confident.
"I have reviewed this footage many times," said Dr. Holden, the most senior researcher present. "The wristband Giovanni is wearing — it appears to function similarly to a Z-Ring or an Mega Bracelet. The exact nature of it is still unclear, but as President Tristan has pointed out, that wristband is the key to Gigantamax."
"Unlocking its secrets, however, will be extremely difficult."
"Building something from nothing is always the hardest part." Dr. Holden cut to the heart of the matter. "Replicating a device like Giovanni's wristband without any existing research is a monumental task — especially when we have almost no information to go on. All we have is a single video. We don't know what materials were used, how it was constructed, or how it interfaces with a Pokémon's biology. There is no clear starting point."
Elder Jorge nodded in agreement. "I will be direct — I am not trying to discourage anyone, but I think we must be realistic. If we are starting from zero, a research timeline measured in years would be optimistic. The most practical course of action would be to locate Giovanni himself. If we could obtain the wristband directly, our development timeline could be accelerated dramatically."
President Tristan listened to both assessments without changing his expression. His gaze was calm but carried a quiet authority. "Of course there will be difficulties. If this problem could be solved without specialists, there would be no reason to gather everyone here. When Z-Moves and Z-Rings were first being developed, the obstacles were just as steep — and yet we still found a way forward and produced results. Holden, Jorge, we need the spirit of people who are willing to take on the hard problems, not just the easy ones."
Holden and Jorge exchanged a glance. "We understand," they said. "We will give it everything we have."
"Not 'everything we have,'" President Tristan replied, looking at them directly. "We must succeed." He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle before continuing. "I will be straightforward with you all. According to the intelligence we have received, more than seventy percent of the world's nations have already begun Gigantamax research. We are already behind. If another country develops this technology first, the consequences for us will be severe."
"Last time, it was Dr. Jacob's work on Mega Evolution that gave us a foothold internationally, allowing us to recover some ground. This time, we cannot afford to fall behind again. We need to be ahead of them — not following."
Dr. Holden and Elder Jorge felt the pressure settle onto their shoulders.
"That said," President Tristan continued, his tone shifting, "you will not be working alone. The Pokémon Association will provide full support — resources, personnel, and funding. And for those who contribute to breaking through the Gigantamax barrier first, the Association will offer substantial rewards."
"A Legendary Pokémon selection slot," President Tristan announced.
The room received that in silence. It was generous, but not entirely unexpected.
Then President Tristan paused before continuing. "But that is not all. The Deputy Commander of this project will receive a Legendary Pokémon selection slot."
He let the pause stretch just a moment longer. "And the Chief Commander will receive a permanent Legendary Pokémon selection slot. Not only will the Chief Commander themselves receive a selection slot — every generation of their descendants will as well."
A murmur rippled through the room. The researchers exchanged glances, clearly taken aback. A permanent, hereditary Legendary Pokémon selection slot was something that only a handful of families in the entire country could claim. No one had expected the Association to offer something of that magnitude.
President Tristan looked around the room with a measured expression. "For everyone gathered here today — if you are willing to join this project, please remain seated. If you choose not to participate, you are free to leave within the next minute. No one will be compelled to take part. Beyond the Chief Commander and Deputy Commander, all participants will receive appropriate recognition and reward."
He glanced at his watch, then looked up and waited.
A full minute passed. No one moved.
President Tristan gave a slow nod. "Good. I am glad to see that everyone here understands what is at stake. The Pokémon Association will not forget your contributions."
"We will now move on to the next item on the agenda: the selection of the Chief Commander and Deputy Commander for this project."