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"Wait a moment!" President Charles suddenly called out when he saw Ash and the others.
The bus stopped immediately, and the torch bearer in front also came to a halt. Then, President Charles got off the bus and walked toward Ash and his group under the curious eyes of passersby.
"Ash! We meet again!" President Charles approached Ash with a kind smile on his face.
Ash briefly greeted President Charles, but then the President suddenly spoke up.
"How about it, Ash? The competition venue is still some distance away. Would you like to be a torch bearer?"
President Charles's invitation surprised Misty and the others, as well as the passersby around them.
"Is that really okay?" Although it was just a formality, it was still a very meaningful thing.
Ash didn't want to refuse if he could accept. It wasn't like in some situations where people shamelessly stopped others to demand being a torch bearer—this was a genuine offer.
"Of course. Thanks to you, the Sacred Flame has been preserved. I think it's most fitting for you to carry it for the last part of the route. What do you say?"
President Charles nodded immediately. In fact, he'd had this idea back in Viridian City, but the three of them had left too quickly for him to suggest it then.
Although the people around were puzzled at first, it was enough to hear President Charles say that the Sacred Flame had been saved thanks to Ash.
"If it's really okay, then of course I'd be happy to!" Ash nodded.
Brock and the other two looked at Ash with excitement. Soon, at President Charles's signal, the torch bearer handed the torch to Ash.
Ash took hold of the torch and slowly raised it high, while Brock and the other two followed President Charles and climbed to the top of the bus.
Ash began running toward the venue with the torch held high. The bus slowed down and followed behind him. Cheers and applause rang out from both sides of the road once again.
Although they had entered the League grounds, the League facility was massive—basically an entire city where people actually lived year-round.
So there was still quite a distance to reach the central competition venue, but it had no impact on Ash's stamina. He ran forward steadily, covering a distance of about three hundred meters.
"Huh?" Ash, who was running ahead, noticed a familiar figure on the roadside.
"Ash??"
"Gary?" That person was none other than Gary. Gary stared at Ash with wide eyes in confusion. As for Gary, he was hard to miss.
He had so many people around him. Although Gary had sent his cheerleaders home during his previous travels, they'd obviously come back for the League Conference to support him.
"Why are you the torch bearer?" Gary looked at Ash with unmistakable envy in his eyes, feeling rather bitter about it.
"Can't help it—maybe this is just how things work out!" Ash stopped and responded with a deliberately casual tone.
"Damn it!" Gary was so frustrated that he frantically ran his hands through his hair.
"Want to try?" Ash asked with a smile.
Hearing this, Gary was slightly stunned. He hadn't expected Ash to invite him.
"I... I don't want to! Hmph!"
Gary turned his head away unnaturally, but from time to time he glanced back with his eyes. It was obvious his heart didn't match his words.
"Really, when are you going to be honest? Here you go!" Ash sighed helplessly at this display, stepped forward, and placed the torch into Gary's hands.
Gary panicked and nearly dropped it. He held the torch awkwardly, then breathed a sigh of relief. Despite his arrogant attitude just moments ago, he now looked at the torch in his hands with clear anticipation.
"President! Is it alright if I switch with someone now?" Ash turned to look at President Charles on the bus and asked.
"Of course! The meaning of the Sacred Flame is that the more people it can be passed on to, the better!" President Charles looked at Ash and Gary standing together with a kind smile on his face.
The relationship between the two seemed contentious on the surface, but in reality their bond was deeper than most. Being able to serve as a torch bearer was an honor many people would cherish, yet Ash could generously hand it over to someone else. This made President Charles even more pleased.
"Alright, let's go!" Ash said, giving Gary a push on the back before walking toward the bus.
"Just so you know, I won't hold back during the competition because of this!" Gary was clearly moved by the gesture, but his words remained tough.
"Whatever you want!" Ash waved his hand casually and climbed onto the bus.
Soon, Gary began running forward with the torch, and his cheerleaders followed behind, cheering enthusiastically.
However, Gary didn't get carried away. After running for a certain distance, he stopped.
Then President Charles proposed that Brock, Yellow, and Misty should all participate in the relay as well. The three of them were thrilled after hearing President Charles's words. They hadn't expected they would also have the opportunity to participate.
As they ran down the road, Ash and Gary also spotted Green. Green was surprised when she saw everyone relaying the torch. Before she could react, Misty, who was carrying the torch, pulled her over and she directly joined the team.
In this way, several good friends took turns in the relay, and finally Yellow took the torch and ran to the main gate of the competition venue.
At President Charles's signal, everyone got off the bus, and then Yellow handed the torch to the staff members who had come to receive it.
"Thank you for your hard work, Ash!" President Charles walked up to Ash and the others with a smile.
"No, we should be thanking you!" Ash responded politely, and everyone else bowed slightly as well.
President Charles looked at the young people before him with a joyful smile on his face.
"Although I've been doing this job for decades, this year has been particularly meaningful to me. I hope you can all keep up this spirit!"
President Charles could feel the deep friendship among the group of young people before him. There had been torch relays in the past, of course, but none had ever felt as special as this year's.
"Yes!" Everyone responded together.
"Alright then! I'll head in now. I hope you can all achieve excellent results in the upcoming competition! Do your best!"
President Charles looked at them all and offered his blessing with a smile, then led the staff into the main venue.