James's voice came crackling through the receiver, barely audible over the static.
"The map you gave us is terrible. The signal's almost nonexistent—forget making calls, we can't even find our own shadows out here."
Ash chuckled on the other end. "It used to be where Dragonite hid its stash. Of course it's somewhere remote. So? Did you find anything interesting?"
James' tone shifted immediately, smug and satisfied. "Plenty. Everything you marked on the card was there. Especially the million-evolution stones. So far, we've recovered fifteen."
Ash's eyes sharpened.
Fifteen.
Mega Evolution stones were rare beyond measure. Even in Kanto and Johto, a single confirmed Mega Stone could shake entire research circles. And now James was telling him they had uncovered fifteen in one go.
"Send me the details," Ash said at once.
"I'll text you. Oh—and I heard about what happened on Fantasy Island. Thanks for taking care of my father."
Ash smiled faintly. "Don't mention it. The Draconis Family's situation was complicated. By the way, aren't you going to tell your father you're safe? I heard Kenji Sasaki has been sending people everywhere looking for you."
James fell silent for a moment before replying, "No. My mission's finished. I'll go back and tell him myself."
Ash understood. There were some matters that had to be settled face to face—especially if it involved severing unwanted engagements.
"Fine. We'll reconnect once you return to Kanto."
The call ended.
A moment later, Ash's phone vibrated. A detailed list of fifteen confirmed Mega Stones appeared on the screen.
"Not bad," he muttered, a satisfied curve forming at the corner of his lips. "You really did find something worthwhile."
He turned off his phone and headed toward the ranch cabin.
Inside, Sabrina had just ended another call.
"Professor Oak contacted us," she said calmly. "The Johto League is unhappy. They're accusing you of poaching talent from the Johto region. They want the Kanto League to give them an explanation."
Ash gave a cold laugh.
"An explanation? If they want one, they can come ask me personally."
The Johto League hadn't sent anyone directly because they were wary.
A human capable of contending with Legendary Pokémon was unprecedented. Historical records spoke of groups of powerful Aura users sealing a single Legendary together—but defeating one alone? That was unheard of.
Ash had done exactly that.
Sabrina folded her arms. "Since you invited Whitney to Fantasy Island, what happens to the Goldenrod Gym? Trainers still need that badge."
Before Ash could answer, Hades stepped forward. Behind him stood Whitney, holding a gleaming golden badge.
"You needn't worry, Miss Sabrina," Hades said respectfully. "Whitney remains the official Gym Leader of Goldenrod Gym. The Johto League's dismissal order hasn't arrived. Until it does, her badges remain fully valid."
Whitney nodded, though her expression was complicated.
Ash accepted the badge and placed it into his badge case.
Five badges.
He closed the case with a soft click.
"Good. That saves me trouble."
His smile carried a dangerous edge.
With matters settled, Ash turned toward the door.
"Everything's arranged. Sabrina, we're leaving."
Whitney hesitated. "And the Miltank situation on Fantasy Island?"
"We'll handle it once we arrive," Ash replied. "Someone there will assist you. Don't worry."
The two stepped outside.
The wind across the plains carried a faint pulse—subtle, but unmistakable.
Ash's Aura stirred in response.
The journey to the next Gym had begun.
Three days later, Ash and Sabrina were traveling through a dense forest not far from Ecruteak City.
Over the past three days, Ash had been pushing his team to the limit. Using Shadow Clones—borrowed from shinobi-style training methods—he dramatically accelerated his Pokémon's conditioning, Aura synchronization, and move refinement. Efficiency was everything. If he wanted to stand above both the Kanto and Johto Leagues, stagnation was not an option.
The forest was quiet.
Too quiet.
Then—
A furious roar tore through the trees.
Ash's eyes sharpened instantly.
Not far ahead, a wild Tauros was charging wildly through the underbrush, its eyes bloodshot. Its massive body barreled forward—directly toward an elderly man standing frozen in place.
If that impact landed, broken bones would be the least of his problems.
"Tauros! Stop!" a trainer shouted desperately from behind, sprinting but nowhere near fast enough. "It got stung by Beedrill and went berserk!"
Too late.
Ash vanished.
"Shave."
A sharp burst of compressed Aura exploded beneath his feet.
In an instant, he appeared between the old man and the charging Tauros.
Boom!
His fist drove forward like a cannon.
The impact thundered through the forest as Tauros was smashed straight into the ground, carving a crater and sending dirt and stone flying outward.
The earth cracked.
Silence followed.
The elderly man's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
"You—"
The pursuing trainer finally caught up, panting heavily. He quickly recalled Tauros into its Poké Ball.
"I'm so sorry! It was stung by a Beedrill and completely lost control. I never meant for this to happen. Thank you—thank you so much!"
Ash gave a calm nod. "It wasn't intentional. Make sure you treat the poison properly."
The trainer bowed repeatedly before rushing off toward the nearest Pokémon Center.
The old man slowly steadied himself.
Up close, he wore simple, worn clothes and a round cap. His gaze toward Ash was no longer just grateful—it was evaluating.
"Boy," the old man said at last, voice steady despite what had just happened, "you have my thanks. That Tauros would've sent me flying."
Ash waved it off lightly. "You're not hurt. That's what matters."
But as he spoke, his Aura quietly brushed against the old man's presence.
Strange.
There was something about him—subtle, restrained… powerful.
Sabrina, standing a few steps behind, narrowed her eyes slightly.
This old man was not ordinary.
(End of Chapter)
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