"No problem. As long as you agree, we'll gather the materials for you. Just give us a detailed list."
Hearing Siebold and Bonnie speak, their expressions clearly relaxed.
They had expected Ash Ketchum to refuse. After all, in their eyes, Rare Candy was an extremely rare treasure, something most people would hide away rather than share. Yet Ash's attitude earned him considerable goodwill.
Perhaps what they considered precious was, to Ash, nothing more than ordinary. After all, everyone viewed things differently, and Ash possessed strength and resources far beyond what others could match.
"You two came to me for your own reasons. So, what do you want to say?"
After settling Siebold and Bonnie's request, Ash turned to the silent Chie Aoyama.
"I just wanted to warn you. Silver Rowan has been acting strangely lately. He's been skipping Alliance meetings frequently, and the relationship between the Johto Alliance and his family has become unpredictable. It feels like they're planning something."
"If you run into him at the Johto League Conference, be careful."
"Huh? Wait a second. You're one of Johto's Elite Four, right? If there's danger, shouldn't you be dealing with it instead of warning me, someone from Kanto?"
Ash raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled.
"Johto Elite Four? Don't joke. I wasn't even originally from Johto. I was forcibly recruited by the Johto Alliance during my travels. If I had the strength to resist back then, I would've left long ago. Who would willingly work for those parasites?"
Chie Aoyama spoke with open disdain. As she said this, she couldn't help glancing at Lorelei, a trace of envy in her eyes.
Lorelei not only had a better background but also a far smoother experience. Sometimes, having strong backing could save a lot of trouble.
Compared to other regions, the Johto Alliance was rife with internal conflict. Serving there meant navigating factions and constant power struggles.
"Relax. In front of absolute strength, any conspiracy is meaningless."
Ash's tone was calm, but his words carried weight.
"From what I can see, you're being suppressed by the Johto League. So how about it? Want to join my Fantasy Island?"
Using his keen perception, Ash could tell she wasn't lying. Combined with what he had already observed, especially Silver Rowan's hidden intentions toward her, the situation was obvious.
If not for her status as an Elite Four member, things might have already escalated.
"Join your Fantasy Island? Forget it. If I want freedom, I'll earn it myself. I still want to travel the world and fulfill my dream."
Chie Aoyama shook her head. If she hadn't been forcibly recruited, she might have already explored half the world by now.
"Freedom? You'll have it soon enough. Just wait and see. Consider this my thanks for the warning."
Ash casually twirled a strand of hair between his fingers, his tone carrying a deeper meaning.
"…You're not planning something, are you?"
"Don't joke. Even if you're the Champion of Kanto, and you've got powerful families backing you, Johto isn't a region you can just take down."
Siebold and Bonnie exchanged uneasy glances. Ash's tone made them instinctively feel that something big was coming.
They also realized something else, provoking Ash was a terrible idea.
Once angered, his retaliation would be overwhelming.
"Hmph. Enough talk. Just watch."
Ash let out a cold chuckle. Since the Johto Alliance had crossed him, they would inevitably pay the price.
—
Meanwhile, after parting ways with Ash and Sabrina, Emiya Shirō had already entered the Kanto region.
After emerging from Fantasy Island, his status had risen significantly. As Ash's disciple, his strength alone spoke volumes.
With the Pokémon Pokédex issued by Fantasy Island, Shirō officially began his journey to compete in the Kanto League.
So far, he had already challenged three Gyms and obtained three badges.
At just fourteen years old, he had already reached the level of a quasi-Champion.
That kind of talent and strength… unmistakably carried the same style as Ash, young, yet overwhelmingly powerful.
"At the rate this is going, Ash really has taken in a terrifying disciple. Compared to Gary, this kid named Shirō is far stronger."
At the Professor Oak's Laboratory, Samuel Oak looked at the report in his hand and couldn't help but sigh.
When Ash Ketchum reached Champion level, he was only fifteen. Shirō's talent might be just slightly inferior to Ash's, but in terms of actual strength, there was still a massive gap between them.
At that point, Ash could no longer even be described as a genius.
He was something else entirely.
—
"That kid is seriously strong. Watching him battle, I almost felt like I was seeing Ash back when he first came to challenge the Gym."
Inside the Pewter Gym, Flint spoke with a heavy tone as he looked at Brock.
"Yeah… aside from what you said about Ash, I've never seen a kid this strong before."
Brock nodded. Even now, recalling the battle, he still felt shaken.
The fact that Emiya Shirō had managed to earn a Gym Badge from Flint…
To Brock, it was almost unbelievable.
"There you go again. You've got the nerve to say that? Who was it that abandoned his responsibilities and went traveling with his wife, leaving everything behind?"
Flint snorted, clearly dissatisfied as he glared at Brock.
"Dad… Mom and I already know we were wrong, alright? Didn't we come back?"
Brock scratched his head awkwardly, clearly used to being scolded for his past actions.