After both sides were silent for nearly a minute, Ash stepped forward and squatted in front of Froakie, "Hello Froakie, my name is Ash, and I'll be your new Trainer from now on. I hope we get along well in the future."
As Ash spoke, he took out an Energy Block suitable for Water Attribute Pokémon.
This was an Energy Block that he personally created, and its quality was absolutely top-notch among Energy Blocks. It not only suited the taste of Water Attribute Pokémon but also made them feel like they were in the ocean after eating it.
Upon meeting for the first time, he decided to use the delicacy as a tempting offer to improve Froakie's first impression of him.
The enticing aroma wafted to Froakie's nose, and he sniffed lightly, his large eyes becoming noticeably brighter.
After some hesitation, he took the Energy Block from Ash's hand and threw it into his mouth.
In an instant, Froakie's demeanor changed, and his originally aloof expression softened immediately, as if he were lying on an incredibly comfortable bed, enjoying the soft sensation, his tension eased.
"Gie low!" After recovering, Froakie gently called out to Ash, roughly meaning—Please guide me.
"I did it! I got Froakie's recognition!" Upon hearing this, Ash also jumped up in excitement.
No matter how confident he was, Froakie had abandoned several Trainers before, and no one knew what his selection criteria were. Perhaps it was the Trainer's skills, or perhaps it was whether the Trainer's personality suited his taste, or it might even have been based on appearance...
In any case, there could be many reasons, and even though Ash was confident, he couldn't guarantee with 100% certainty that he would gain Froakie's recognition.
He was also prepared for a long battle.
Who would have thought that just one Energy Block would earn Froakie's approval.
This was definitely an unexpected surprise.
But in reality, it wasn't due to the Energy Block, but Froakie felt a connection with Ash, an inexplicable connection.
Despite it being their first meeting, Froakie felt that Ash might be the person he had been waiting for.
This was a feeling he hadn't gotten from any of his previous Trainers.
This was why Froakie acknowledged Ash the first time they met.
"So from now on, please take care of me, Froakie. I will train you very strictly, and in the future, you will definitely become the world's strongest Froakie, no—Greninja!" Ash extended his fist in front of Froakie, making a promise.
Froakie unhesitatingly bumped his small fist against Ash's and nodded his big head.
...
After gaining Froakie's recognition, Ash and the others continued their journey to Goldenrod City. They couldn't waste too much time on the road, otherwise Brandon might leave Goldenrod City.
By then, there would be nothing left but an empty place.
On the road, Ash entered a group chat to ask about what exactly 'Bond Transformation' was and what the 'Hidden' character behind it in data observation meant.
Many experts in the group were surprised that Ash had captured Froakie so early, but they were even more shocked that Ash's Froakie had two Abilities!
The experts didn't explain too much about the Bond Transformation effect and only said that when Froakie evolves into Greninja and their bond and closeness are sufficient, he will naturally understand what that ability means.
As for the hidden character, Breeder Ash provided the answer.
It doesn't indicate a hidden ability, but rather an unexposed ability, meaning it will emerge in later evolutionary stages. In other words, Froakie currently only has the ability Protean.
However, in general, abilities with a hidden character will override previous abilities upon final evolution, but Ash's Froakie is somewhat different.
It will override, but at the same time, it won't.
This tongue-twister explanation left Ash bewildered, utterly confused.
In summary, the experts' advice was that everything will become clear once Froakie evolves into Greninja.
This Froakie is different from other Pokémon, and in its final evolutionary stage, it will undergo a more terrifying qualitative change compared to other Pokémon.
So, Ash's primary goal now is to train Froakie to evolve into Greninja.
The training doesn't need much instruction, as Ash will naturally begin training Froakie, but evolving into Greninja will take a considerable amount of time.
During their daily training, journey, and battles with Team Rocket, Ash and the others finally arrived at their destination—Goldenrod City!
...
It had been seven days since Ash had obtained Froakie. A week to travel from that small town to Goldenrod City was quite a fast pace, mainly because Ash feared that Brandon might leave early, so they hurriedly traveled, with little time for breaks.
Misty and Serena were too tired to walk any further, so Ash chose to use the Tauros he got in exchange for Cyndaquil to carry the two girls along. Otherwise, their arrival time in Goldenrod City might have been a day later.
Upon arriving in Goldenrod City, they were dazzled by the numerous skyscrapers, feeling lost in this steel jungle, unable to distinguish directions.
At that moment, they met a familiar person—
"Paul?! Are you in Goldenrod City too?" Ash, seeing the familiar side profile, called out without hesitation.
Hearing the familiar yet unfamiliar call, Paul turned his head, maintaining his perennial icy expression. However, upon seeing Ash, there was a slight change in his expression.
"You... are also here to challenge Mr. Brandon?" Paul, pondering for only a second, guessed the purpose of Ash and the others.
About eighty percent of people coming to Goldenrod City at this time were here for Brandon.
A Trainer of Ash's level, no need to say more.
"Yes, we heard that the legendary Pharaoh Brandon is in Goldenrod City, so we came over. Paul, are you also here for Brandon?" Ash nodded and inquired.
Paul nodded to confirm: "Did you make an appointment?"
"Appointment? What appointment?" Ash was puzzled, not understanding what Paul meant.
Hearing this, Paul displayed an unusual expression, "You didn't make an online appointment to have a battle with Mr. Brandon? Due to the overwhelming crowd and queue congestion, there's no longer any offline queue system for challenges; you have to book online now."
Ash and the others: ...
Well, no one told them!
"Where do I make an appointment? Why didn't I receive this information?"
"The policy was released just seven days ago, within the Battle Facilities app. You can choose to make an appointment for the Battle Pyramid." Paul showed Ash the app icon on his phone.
This app was newly developed, perfectly coinciding with the Battle Pyramid's popularity; otherwise, the entrance would still be overcrowded.
"Let me see... What?! I'm ranked 567th! It's estimated that it will take over a month to get a challenge!!" Seeing his reservation ranking, Ash nearly freaked out.
Darn, over a month later, it'll all be over!
Looks like they won't be able to challenge Brandon this time around in Goldenrod City; they'll have to head to the Goldenrod Gym first.
"You can cut the line." Paul suddenly remarked.
That one sentence instantly excited Ash: "Cut the line?! How?!"
Although cutting the line isn't the right thing to do, it's better than waiting over a month! Their rush to get here was solely to challenge the Battle Pyramid!
If they weren't able to challenge, then what was the point of all the hardship during the journey?
So cutting the line it is—if there is a way.
"In this section, you can upload your personal information. As the Champion of the Quartz Conference, you have the right to priority challenge, but this privilege can only be used once. If you fail and challenge again, you can't use it again."