She didn't deny that Charizard could improve quickly under Ash's care, but with the unique training methods in Purgatory Valley and Charicific Valley, perhaps Charizard's growth speed could be even higher here?
Ash followed her gaze towards Charizard, who seemed to feel their attention. He turned his head, a hint of expectation and hesitation in his bright blue eyes. He somewhat wanted to stay here to interact and train with the other Charizards, but he also wished to stay by Ash's side. It wasn't about the speed of improvement, just that he didn't want to leave Ash.
Ash was silent for a few seconds, then shook his head. "No, let Charizard stay in Charicific Valley. This place is better suited for his growth."
"What?" Not only was Liza surprised, but even Misty couldn't help but speak out, "Ash, Charizard is your absolute mainstay!"
Throughout their travels, Ash often exchanged his Pokemon, but the trio of Charizard, Pikachu, and Gardevoir were rarely switched out.
Charizard had been transferred to Oak's Research Institute once but soon returned, while Gardevoir and Pikachu were never exchanged.
Because these three Pokemon were Ash's peak combat power, even though Ash did not focus his training on them specifically, they were essentially never exchanged, which was Ash's indirect focus.
And now, Ash was going to leave Charizard in Charicific Valley, not only leaving his main Pokemon but also separating from a very close companion; putting herself in his shoes, Misty couldn't bear it.
"I understand." Ash walked to Charizard's side, raising his hand to stroke his firm back.
"However, Liza has a unique Charizard training method, there's the magma quenching from Purgatory Valley, and more than two hundred Charizards here to spar with. This growth environment is not worse than being with me, and it might even be better. Leaving Charizard here definitely has more advantages than disadvantages."
Liza was slightly displeased with Ash's self-praise, admitting that his Charizard was well-trained but felt that it was largely due to Charizard's strong talent. What did he mean by saying the environment in Charicific Valley might not be worse than being with him?
As if his training environment was very superior. No matter what special training methods Ash had for Charizard, the Purgatory Valley and the competitive atmosphere amongst its kin in Charicific Valley were not comparable to being with Ash.
If Charizard stayed in the valley, his improvement speed would only be faster!
Nevertheless, Liza really wanted Ash to leave Charizard in Charicific Valley. Having such a talented and strong Charizard could further inspire the other Charizards here to become stronger.
Moreover, she was curious to see how far Ash's Charizard could be trained, to see his limits.
So ultimately, Liza didn't refute Ash's words, and let him have his moment of self-praise, as long as he left Charizard in the valley, he could say whatever he wanted.
Charizard lowered his head, rubbing his head against Ash's palm, letting out a low whimper — he was still a bit reluctant.
Ash pursed his lips at this, then smiled and said, "Besides, Charizard, by staying here, you give me an open slot in my team, allowing me to train more other Pokemon. It's simply beneficial in two or three ways, so you'd better stay here in Charicific Valley."
Charizard's rubbing against Ash suddenly halted, and then he lifted his head and roared at Ash in displeasure — Return my sadness and reluctance from earlier, you jerk!!
"Alright, I was kidding, but Charizard... next time we meet, you must truly become a Champion; otherwise, the team's speaker position will go to the big sister leader!" Ash raised his fist toward Charizard with a serious face.
The next time they meet, whether Charizard reaches Champion Level, he didn't know, but Gardevoir would definitely reach Champion Level. If Charizard didn't reach Champion Level, he'd be left behind by Gardevoir, as the two were constantly contending for the second place position in the team.
If Pikachu was the boss, then they were competing for big sister and big brother positions.
Currently, although Charizard was slightly ahead, he couldn't slack off in the slightest. Gardevoir was being taught by Mewtwo, and this gap wouldn't take much effort to close.
"Roar!!" Charizard nodded, extending his claw to bump fists with Ash.
It's a promise; the next time they meet would be when Charizard achieves Champion status!
Liza watched the bond between Ash and Charizard with admiration in her eyes, "Rest assured, I will personally guide him. With Purgatory Valley and the hidden training methods in the valley, the next time you meet, he will surpass all the Pokemon in your team and become your absolute ace."
"Then I leave it to you, Ms. Liza!" Ash bowed deeply, then gave Charizard a deep look: "Goodbye, Charizard."
"Roar!!"
...
After saying goodbye to Liza, the group set off on the road to Azalea Town. The scenery along the way gradually shifted from the hot valley to dense forests, the fresh air mixed with the fragrance of grass and wood, bringing a feeling of serenity and contentment.
The sadness of parting with Charizard was gradually diluted by time, and the pleasant environment helped push unpleasant emotions to the back of the mind.
Seven days had passed since leaving Charicific Valley, and nothing major happened in those seven days, except for Team Rocket's two disturbances, which were invariably defeated by Pikachu.
Those three always came with some new robots, but in front of Pikachu, who had reached Elite Level, those things were just a pile of scrap metal.
However, though Pikachu could destroy Team Rocket's machines, he couldn't crush their spirit. No matter how many times they were blown away or locked up, as long as there was Ash and Pikachu, they would appear.
This was almost a kind of conceptual god in itself.
Ash even asked others in a chat group how to get rid of those three sticky guys. Champion Ash stated that even after becoming world champion, he hadn't shaken them off.
Moreover, the trio's potential was virtually limitless. Even now, sometimes Pikachu at Divine Domain Level would fall into their machinery traps.
The reason Team Rocket in Ash's world was so easily beaten by him now was simply that Ash had grown too fast, and Team Rocket couldn't keep up.
Due to the chat group, Ash's growth level accelerated rapidly, making Team Rocket's machines seem like junk, but in a normal timeline, they would still pose a significant threat to Pikachu.
Thus, Ash also gave up the idea of getting rid of Team Rocket. To shake off those conceptual gods would probably only be feasible after defeating Arceus.
On the seventh day, when the sunset dyed the sky orange, a small town by the foot of the mountain finally appeared in their view.
The wooden houses were neatly arranged, smoke wafted from the rooftops, and the distant workshops echoed with the sound of hammering. At the town entrance was a wooden sign, with "Azalea Town" written in large characters.
They had finally arrived at the town where the second Gym was located, and Mr. Kurt was also here, so Ash could deliver the GS Ball to him.
"We finally made it!" Serena stopped and stretched, her graceful curves glowing enticingly under the sunset.
Brock rubbed his chin, looking at the town: "Let's settle in at the Pokemon Center first. Tomorrow morning, we can visit Mr. Kurt to deliver the GS Ball, and inquire about the outpost Gym here."
Ash stood on the hillside, looking at the town ahead, patted the Pikachu beside him, his eyes filled with anticipation: "Let's go! Hopefully Mr. Kurt can unlock the secrets of the GS Ball, and we can smoothly win the Gym challenge!"