After all, Ash still had quite a few Pokémon that were incapable of Mega Evolution, and in the future, he would undoubtedly capture even more Pokémon that couldn't Mega Evolve.
If he could uncover the principles behind Bond Evolution and help his other Pokémon master it someday, the heights they would be able to reach would inevitably become even greater.
In other words, researching Bond Evolution wasn't something that would benefit Greninja alone—every one of his Pokémon would benefit from it to varying degrees.
Leaving his mother's flower shop on Lilac Street, Ash rode his bicycle through Viridian City. Within just a few minutes, he arrived at the Viridian Gym located in the city's center.
"Greninja~"
Rumble...
Holding Pikachu in his arms and accompanied by Greninja, Ash walked along the broad stone-paved pathway leading toward the temple-like Gym.
As Giovanni's disciple and the future heir apparent of the Viridian Gym, Ash enjoyed unrestricted access throughout the Gym grounds, with the sole exception of Team Rocket's underground headquarters hidden beneath it.
Upon seeing Ash approach, the two guards stationed before the grand hall—each clad in refined steel armor and wielding massive poleaxes—immediately bowed respectfully before stepping aside to allow him passage.
The enormous stone gates, as thick and imposing as an ancient dragon-sealing door, slowly rose with a deep rumbling sound, revealing the dimly lit passageway beyond.
Although Ash had visited the Viridian Gym countless times since becoming Giovanni's disciple, he couldn't help but marvel at it every single time.
As the strongest Gym in the Kanto region, even Sabrina's Psychic-type Gym in Saffron City and Blaine's Fire-type Gym on Cinnabar Island paled somewhat in comparison.
Furthermore, whether because Giovanni specialized in Ground-type Pokémon or because Team Rocket's headquarters lay concealed beneath the Gym, the entire structure possessed an overwhelmingly solemn and majestic atmosphere.
It resembled an ancient temple—dignified, imposing, and filled with an indescribable sense of authority.
The Gym's entrance was guarded by armored warriors, while its massive stone doors further enhanced its sacred appearance.
Whether these arrangements existed merely to complement the temple's aesthetic or to safeguard Team Rocket's hidden base—or perhaps both—Ash couldn't say for certain.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Only the footsteps of Ash and Greninja echoed through the dimly illuminated passageway.
When light once again filled his vision, Ash had arrived at the Gym's battle arena—the very place where Trainers normally challenged the Viridian Gym.
Most of the time, Giovanni personally instructed him here in matters relating to Pokémon battles and practical training. As for more theoretical subjects, Giovanni had simply gifted Ash his own handwritten notes and decades of experience as a Trainer.
However, today felt somewhat different.
Besides Giovanni himself, there was another young boy standing within the battle arena.
Judging from his height and build, he appeared to be around Ash's age.
This was the first time since becoming Giovanni's disciple that Ash had seen someone else present during his lessons.
"Teacher."
Walking into the arena, Ash respectfully greeted Giovanni.
Setting aside the fact that Giovanni was the leader of Team Rocket, he was undoubtedly an exceptional teacher who had always instructed Ash wholeheartedly and without reservation.
Therefore, Ash merely glanced curiously at the young man standing nearby.
The boy was dressed in long sleeves, long pants, and a hooded sweatshirt, wrapping himself so thoroughly that almost none of his appearance could be seen. After briefly using his Aura Perception and confirming that the other party harbored no ill intent toward him, Ash simply looked away.
After spending so much time together, Ash had developed considerable trust in Giovanni—though that trust existed solely within the boundaries of their teacher-student relationship.
Over time, the two had also developed a tacit understanding.
Whenever they were together, Ash regarded Giovanni only as the Viridian Gym Leader and his teacher, never as Team Rocket's leader.
Likewise, Giovanni treated Ash solely as his disciple, never concerning himself with the fact that Ash was the Indigo League's number one prodigy or that he would one day become Team Rocket's enemy.
Whenever matters involving Team Rocket arose, the two would either tactfully avoid the subject or quietly negotiate mutually beneficial arrangements whenever the other's assistance became necessary.
Such transactions were never spoken of openly, yet both understood them perfectly.
"Ash, you're here. Come over—I have someone I'd like you to meet."
"This is my newest disciple, Steyn. He's your junior fellow disciple. From now on, he'll be studying alongside you, so I expect the two of you to get along well."
Giovanni was normally an exceptionally stern man. Yet, for some reason, he appeared to be in remarkably good spirits today. There were even faint wrinkles of amusement gathering at the corners of his eyes as he introduced the mysterious young man.
"Teacher suddenly accepted another disciple? Was having me as your disciple not enough? Or did I do something wrong?" Ash asked jokingly, abandoning his usual serious demeanor upon seeing Giovanni's cheerful expression.
"Hahaha..."
"Of course not. With a disciple as talented and intelligent as you, Ash, I should already be more than satisfied."
"However..." Giovanni's gaze shifted meaningfully toward Ash before continuing, "after meeting Steyn, I simply couldn't suppress my appreciation for talent. After all, his aptitude as a Pokémon Trainer is in no way inferior to yours."
"Then that's wonderful news! Congratulations on accepting another genius disciple. And now I'll have a companion to compete and improve alongside during my training."
Although Ash's expression remained calm, inwardly he was somewhat skeptical of Giovanni's evaluation.
It wasn't that he looked down upon other geniuses. On the contrary, he trusted Giovanni's judgment completely. As a Champion-level Trainer, Giovanni would never casually accept someone as his disciple.
The reason Ash couldn't quite believe it was much simpler.
He was the Child of Destiny of the Pokémon world.
He was a transmigrator.
And most importantly, he possessed the Ascension Trainer System.
Ash simply couldn't believe that a native Trainer from the Pokémon world could possess greater talent than himself.
"Junior Bro Steyn, nice to meet you. My name is Ash, and I'm also Teacher's disciple. Since I've studied under him longer than you have, I'm technically your Senior Bro."
"That said, we're about the same age, so you can call me Ash."
Looking at the hooded boy who had concealed almost his entire appearance beneath his mask and hood, Ash greeted him casually and amicably.
Truthfully, he wasn't particularly invested in this newly acquired junior fellow disciple. Although anyone capable of earning Giovanni's recognition undoubtedly possessed extraordinary talent, the relationship between Ash and Giovanni was far more complicated than it appeared.
And despite the harmonious atmosphere that currently existed between him and Team Rocket, Ash knew perfectly well that this honeymoon period could never last forever.