"Pappapa… yahoo. Really gave me a good show. People from Jhoto sure are thick."
Ash's voice suddenly echoed across the field.
Everyone turned to see Ash Ketchum standing there, shaking his head while clapping leisurely. Behind him hovered Articuno, Moltres, and Zapdos—though the latter two looked nothing like the proud Legendary Pokémon they usually were.
Moltres and Zapdos stared back at Ash with wide eyes, trembling, radiating a fear so intense it bordered on disbelief.
"It's not impossible," Silver Rowan muttered as Ash approached. The sudden appearance of Ash—along with his completely subdued Legendary Birds—made his expression stiffen instantly.
Those were third-tier Legendary Pokémon. Even a champion-level Pokémon would struggle against one, let alone three. Unless Ash used one of his champion-tier partners and relied purely on technique, a direct clash was overwhelmingly unfavorable.
But Ash walked toward them as casually as if he were out for a stroll.
"Ash, you're alright." Lorelei and several others visibly relaxed. Ash's presence alone confirmed that he hadn't been harmed.
"Relax. These two idiots are very well-behaved now," Ash said, jerking a thumb at Moltres and Zapdos, who flinched. "But they were a pain. I couldn't go all out when fighting them, so keeping them under control took time."
His words made both Moltres and Zapdos tremble violently.
Articuno watched its companions with sympathetic pity. It had witnessed the whole thing. Ash's battle against Moltres and Zapdos wasn't a clash—it was domination.
Ash's strength terrified the trio. Even compared to Lugia, the fear Ash evoked was deeper. Lugia was a super-tier Legendary, a being comparable to Ho-Oh. Ash, however…
His power had already reached the peak of first-tier Legendary, strong enough to challenge even super-tier beings.
And his endurance far surpassed theirs. In terms of sustained combat ability, Ash could outlast even super-tier Legendary Pokémon.
Before the two "silly birds" frustrated him too much, he had simply activated Suzuno—and after a brief, brutal exchange, Moltres and Zapdos were smashed into obedience. Even Articuno had gone quiet.
Ash turned to Silver Rowan's group, eyes sharpening. His Sharingan spun once, releasing a chilling glint.
"It's the perfect time for you. So—will you hand it over obediently, or should I do it myself?"
Silver Rowan stiffened. Kona and the others felt a cold shiver run down their spines.
"As I said earlier," Silver Rowan forced out, trying to regain composure, "we can teach you. Add the general profits from the potions you produce, and two of the three Legendary Birds behind you."
Ash's sudden appearance had rattled him, but after a moment, arrogance returned. Relying on the power of the Draconis family, along with his own title as a Champion, Silver Rowan believed Ash wouldn't dare initiate a full-on conflict. If two champions fought, public opinion would crush Ash regardless of victory.
And if Ash struck first… the Jhoto region would immediately gain the political advantage.
Snap.
"I don't think I heard what you said," Ash murmured.
Before anyone realized what happened, Ash blurred—Shave—and appeared directly in front of Silver Rowan. His hand whipped out sharply.
A crisp slap echoed through the clearing.
Even Lorelei and the others hadn't reacted in time.
"You… you dare strike me? Are you not afraid of sparking a war between our regions!?"
Silver Rowan stared at Ash in disbelief, half his face stinging red.
"Boom!"
"What's wrong with you? You're still acting arrogant while I'm stepping on you. With garbage strength like yours, you dare talk big? I'm exhausted just listening. Go ahead—show me how the two regions plan to go to war. Does the Jhoto Alliance even have that kind of courage?"
Ash's icy words made the Jhoto Elite Four lower their heads. He wasn't wrong.
If Kanto and Jhoto truly clashed, Jhoto would lose.
It wasn't even about family power. Over the past year, thanks to Ash, Kanto's resources and finances surged, and every region maintained friendly relations with Kanto—primarily because of its life-changing pharmaceuticals. No region would risk losing access to Kanto's medicine. Not even the bold ones.
If Kanto stopped selling to a region, trainers would riot long before officials could explain themselves.
The chips in Ash's hands were far from simple.
"Boom!"
Silver Rowan was sent flying with a kick to the abdomen, crashing toward Ryo Takahashi and the others. Even if they wanted to fight, Ash's overwhelming presence prevented them from lifting a single Poké Ball.
The three Legendary Birds were standing obediently behind Ash. For king-class trainers like the Jhoto elites, that alone made resistance impossible.
And Silver Rowan's champion title meant nothing—Kanto now had three champions, with Ash at the center.
"Uncle Shiba, take Slowking and return the GS Ball to its proper place."
Ash casually picked up the GS Ball Silver Rowan had dropped and tossed it to Shiba, issuing an order.
"Understood."
Ash was the current Champion of Kanto, and the eight great families were now tightly linked through him. A unified power bloc—dominated by Ash—was rapidly forming.
"Ash, you may have defeated him, and honestly it was satisfying to watch—but the Jhoto Alliance will definitely seize this chance to make us pay. If we really fight, it'll be Kanto the public blames for starting the conflict."
Shiro approached Ash and whispered the warning.
Ash simply shook his head and snapped his fingers.
A collective gasp rose from the crowd.
Another Ash—identical down to the last detail—appeared beside him.
"This…"
Shiro and the others stared wide-eyed. Even Silver Rowan, who was groaning on the ground, froze in shock.
"Got it?" Ash asked the clone.
Before arriving, Ash had sent a Shadow Clone to track Jhoto Alliance operatives he sensed hiding nearby. The moment he felt their presence, he set up this plan.
The clone raised a phone and replied, "Relax, the footage is complete. Once this video gets out, it'll reach everyone."
The meaning was obvious.
The Jhoto Alliance's secret interference had been recorded in full.
Everyone understood instantly—especially Silver Rowan.
His face alternated between pale blue and furious red.