After hearing Ash's words, Charizard let out an excited roar, two streams of flame bursting from his nostrils. Nothing made him happier than the birth of his children.
"Roar... roar..."
After calming down slightly, Charizard gestured toward the two young Charmander again before growling a few more times. Ash frowned after understanding what he meant.
Charizard wanted Ash to find trainers for his children.
As one of Ash's Pokémon, Charizard understood very clearly that Pokémon who followed trainers often grew far faster through strict training and constant battles. While staying beside their parents would guarantee safety and steady growth, they would eventually become too dependent on their family.
Under their parents' protection, they could never truly become strong.
"There's no need to send them away yet. I can use Shadow Clone Jutsu to train them while they stay here with you. Isn't that better than separating from them so early?"
In truth, most Pokémon stopped excessively caring for their children after they evolved. To Pokémon, evolution represented maturity. Continuing to shelter them after that would only prevent them from adapting to the harsh reality of survival.
Within Charizard clans, Charmander were usually raised by Charizard and Charmeleon alike. But once they evolved into Charmeleon, they were no longer treated as children and instead began helping care for younger Charmander.
"ROAR!!!"
After hearing Ash's suggestion, Charizard immediately shook his head and unleashed a pillar of flames into the sky. A terrifying pressure exploded from his body, causing the surrounding air to tremble.
Ash sighed helplessly.
"So you've already learned what it means to be a father... You're right. You can't protect them forever. Don't worry, I'll find two excellent trainers worthy of raising your children."
After understanding Charizard's thoughts, Ash could only smile bitterly.
Without enduring storms, there could be no rainbow.
Charizard's reasoning was correct. Even if the children stayed here and became stronger, they would still continue relying on their parents and on Ash himself. That dependence would eventually become a limitation.
"What an incredible Charizard... He's much stronger than my Dragonite."
Joe stared at Charizard in shock.
Only she understood just how terrifying Ash's strength truly was. Her Dragonite had already reached the peak of the Champion level, yet it was still weaker than Lance's Dragonite, let alone Ash's Pokémon.
And her Dragonite itself was a child born from Ash's Dragonite.
Back then, it was because of the Dratini egg that Joe temporarily agreed to the family arrangement. But afterward, she became conflicted and deliberately acted unpleasant around Ash, hoping he would reject the engagement himself.
That way, she could keep Dragonite while avoiding the pressure and rumors surrounding the arrangement.
In reality, Joe was extremely skilled at hiding her true thoughts. Ever since childhood, she had always been calm and thoughtful. The personality she displayed in front of Ash and Sabrina was largely an act. Kabu understood this very well, but he never exposed her.
Because if Ash discovered Joe's true intentions, the Stone family would inevitably become involved.
Joe wanted to keep Dragonite while preserving the Stone family's reputation. If Ash learned the truth, there was no way he would simply ignore it.
But Joe had no choice.
The Dragonite born from Ash's Pokémon possessed astonishing talent. It had inherited several self-created techniques from its parent and had already awakened two ultimate moves, becoming Joe's absolute ace Pokémon.
She truly couldn't bear to give it up.
Yet after seeing Charizard today, Joe suddenly felt as though she had done something incredibly foolish.
How could a Charizard vastly stronger than her Dragonite obey Ash so willingly?
How could someone with Pokémon like these possibly be the irresponsible person she once imagined him to be?
Lost in thought, Joe unconsciously followed the group all the way back to the Blackthorn Gym.
The building resembled a luxurious manor more than a Gym. Even though the Stone family had declined compared to their peak, one of the great families still possessed a powerful foundation.
"Miss, please take the guests to the lobby and let them rest. I'll arrange lunch immediately. It's already noon. We can place the items in the Gym first, and this afternoon you still need to complete the Dragon Fang purification ceremony."
The moment they entered the Blackthorn Gym, Kabu immediately displayed the professionalism of a perfect butler. He calmly arranged everything in order before moving to prepare the remaining matters that required attention.
After arriving at the reception hall, everyone took their seats.
Naturally, Sabrina sat beside Ash.
As for Charizard, he had no interest in staying indoors. He was currently outside wandering with his mate.
Ash originally thought there would be no Gym challenge today, but Kabu's reminder made him remember that Joe still needed to participate in the Dragon Fang purification ceremony later that afternoon.
It looked like they would have to stay here for the night.
Liza, meanwhile, had simply come to visit Joe, so she had nothing in particular to worry about.
Joe herself still felt conflicted, but after thinking about it carefully, she relaxed slightly. After all, Ash still didn't know she had been pretending this entire time, and he had already shown signs of intending to reject the engagement anyway.
Thinking of that, she no longer felt as burdened.
Not long afterward, Kabu returned with several maids pushing dining carts into the reception hall. Everyone enjoyed a rather lavish lunch together.
And next came the Dragon Fang ceremony Joe was supposed to undergo.
Neither Ash nor Sabrina had ever personally witnessed it before.