"Greninja, you've worked hard during this period. Although there's still room for improvement with your [Bond Evolution], we'll bring this phase of training to a temporary conclusion."
"From now on, you can return to your normal training routine. You only need to set aside a small amount of time each day to continue training your [Bond Evolution]—that is, strengthening the bond and tacit understanding between us."
<>
As Ash spoke, Greninja quietly exited its Bond Evolution state and returned to its original appearance.
"Gren (_~)" Greninja nodded in response.
This period of training had indeed been difficult. Of course, that wasn't because of the training intensity itself. Compared to its usual regimen, Bond Evolution training was actually far less physically demanding.
What truly made it difficult was the mental and emotional burden.
Watching its companions train diligently and rapidly catch up to—then surpass—its level, while its own training yielded little visible progress or advanced only slowly...
All of this had placed tremendous pressure upon Greninja.
Fortunately, with Ash's encouragement and guidance, Greninja gradually adjusted both its attitude and mindset. After more than two weeks of training, it had finally reached the [Bond Evolution 3.0] stage.
Although this wasn't the final stage—and Bond Evolution still possessed Versions 4.0 and 5.0 beyond it—at its current level, Greninja could already overwhelmingly defeat Pidgeot despite Pidgeot having surpassed it by one level.
Granted, it had only defeated Pidgeot in its normal state. Pidgeot hadn't even used its Mega Evolution yet.
Even so, Greninja was already immensely satisfied.
It had witnessed the fruits of its hard work over the past several weeks. Its efforts had not been in vain.
What more could it possibly ask for?
"And Pikachu, Pidgeot, Fearow... you've all worked hard during this period as well, helping Greninja with its combat training."
"Now that Greninja's Bond Evolution training has officially reached a stopping point for the time being, all of you can finally take a little break too."
Ash bent down and picked up Pikachu from atop a large stone by the riverbank. As he gently stroked the little fellow's head, he also hugged his other Pokémon one by one.
"And Pikachu, Pidgeot, Fearow... you've all worked hard during this period, helping Greninja with its combat training."
"Now that Greninja's Bond Evolution training has officially reached a stopping point for the time being, all of you can finally take a little break too."
"Pika (^▽^*)/"
"Pidgeo~"
"Gahya~"
"..."
"..."
The Pokémon responded cheerfully, and the atmosphere immediately became relaxed and joyful.
Although Greninja's mastery of Bond Evolution had made them feel tremendous pressure and urgency, they were more than merely rivals competing for strength—they were companions who belonged to the same team.
Greninja's tremendous improvement genuinely made Pikachu and the others happy for it, and the pressure in their hearts had long since transformed into fighting spirit and motivation.
"Alright, we'll end this morning's training early today. Let's head home. I'll personally cook a grand feast for all of you at lunch."
"Pika~ (△)/"
"Gren (_~)"
"Gahya~"
"Pidgeo~"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Under the gentle breeze, the shrubs covering the wild grasslands swayed softly.
Meanwhile, with noon approaching, the sun had gradually climbed to the center of the sky, its warmth becoming increasingly intense.
Ash made a trip to the Dashiwan Valley Clinic to treat the Wild Pokémon gathered there before heading to the Stone Bridge Clinic outside town. Only after completing his rounds did he bring his Pokémon back home.
Meanwhile, Gary and Green were still training outside Pallet Town by the riverbank.
Just like the Pokémon within Ash's team, they were both close companions and competitors.
Although Gary had long accepted that surpassing Ash was an impossible dream, he had never once given up on chasing after him.
Within the world of professional Pokémon Trainers, having a rival who constantly pushes you forward—someone who serves as both pressure and motivation—is something truly worth cherishing.
Of course, Ash's existence as both Gary's rival and goal frequently burdened him with pressure so overwhelming that it left him feeling frustrated and defeated.
However, after growing accustomed to it over time, Gary was always able to adjust his mentality and continue pursuing greater strength with unwavering passion and determination.
Since becoming number one was impossible, then no matter what, he would firmly protect his position as number two.
And as Ash's friend, Gary also didn't wish to be left too far behind.
Naturally, there was another reason as well—
The number of Pokémon under his care continued to grow, and unlike Ash—who possessed the assistance of the Ascension Trainer System—Gary's training efficiency simply couldn't compare.
As a result, even though both spent their mornings training their Pokémon, Gary's schedule was considerably busier.
Green, on the other hand, had already decided to pursue the path of a Pokémon Breeder, specializing in Pokémon beauty and cosmetics.
Although she also trained her Pokémon every day, she wasn't particularly concerned with their battle strength. She held no lofty expectations regarding the power of her Pachirisu and Flabébé.
...
After greeting them and finishing the treatment of the Wild Pokémon gathered at the two clinics, Ash no longer concerned himself with Gary and Green's ongoing training.
Having ended today's training session early, he directly returned home alongside his Pokémon.
Looking at the large group of Pokémon surrounding him, Ash couldn't help but feel an immense sense of accomplishment.
Originally, he had intended to follow the path of an elite Trainer who focused on quality over quantity. Yet before he knew it, he had already gathered so many companions.
[First Tier]: Pikachu, Greninja, Pidgeot, Fearow
[Second Tier]: Shiny Gyarados, Shiny Milotic
[Third Tier]: Venusaur, Beedrill Egg (Unhatched)
Including the Beedrill Egg he had recently obtained from his inexpensive teacher, Giovanni—which had yet to hatch—Ash now possessed a total of seven Pokémon.
With the number of Pokémon currently under his command, he could already directly register for the Pokémon League Conference.
Fortunately, Rotom had taken over managing the Move Online Store, while Melanie was now responsible for caring for customers' Pokémon at the Pokémon Sanctuary. Those responsibilities no longer occupied much of Ash's time.
Although the Beedrill Egg had yet to hatch, Ash treated it no differently than the rest of his Pokémon, infusing it daily with his Origin Infusion Power to further enhance its aptitude and potential.
The Beedrill's innate talent was already extraordinarily high to begin with. With Ash's constant nourishment, perhaps the Beedrill that would eventually emerge from its shell would possess even more monstrous talent than originally anticipated.
Previously, however, medical examinations conducted at the Pokémon Center had determined that the Beedrill Egg still required another two and a half years before it would hatch.
The higher a Pokémon's innate aptitude while still within its egg, the longer its incubation period would naturally become.
"I wonder if infusing the Beedrill Egg with Origin Infusion Power every single day will end up extending its hatching period even further..."
Looking at the Beedrill Egg resting quietly within its incubator atop the dining table in the living room, Ash couldn't help but complain inwardly.