After Ash's battle with the two Legendary Pokémon, the threat of destruction finally came to an end. His feat instantly became mythic throughout Kanto. At this point, there wasn't a single resident in the region unaware of Ash's existence.
This incident set a precedent for how future crimes would be handled. The Alliance immediately launched a severe crackdown—criminal organizations and traffickers were wiped out with uncompromising force.
Though scattered remnants still lingered, they were nothing more than frightened stragglers. No one would dare instigate another catastrophe like this.
The mastermind, Lawrence, was fully detained by the Alliance, and all his assets were confiscated.
As for the destroyed ark and Lawrence's technology, Ash had no interest whatsoever. He already possessed numerous technologies obtained from previous system lotteries—far beyond anything this world currently held. They simply hadn't been fully implemented yet.
The greatest beneficiaries of this event were undoubtedly the eastern regions of Kanto. Ash, being the Champion of Kanto, had been indispensable in resolving the crisis, and even Mewtwo, once feared as the "little boss," had been gradually accepted by the people.
With the Legendary Birds and the three Legendary Beasts now stationed on Fantasy Island, Ash's reputation surged like a tidal wave, endlessly reshaping public perception. Their recognition was akin to divine approval. Because of this, Fantasy Island came to be known across Kanto as God Island.
With Legendary-level Pokémon guarding it—and more than five Pokémon at that level residing there—such a concentration of power had never existed before.
The residents of Fantasy Island carried immense pride. As the original inhabitants of the island, they adhered to its laws meticulously. None of them wished to be expelled from the place that had become a symbol of divinity and order.
Meanwhile, in the Silver Rowan household of the Johto region...
"Damn it… Ash Ketchum, just you wait!"
Staring at the news portraying Ash as a rising heroic icon, Silver Rowan's expression twisted with hostility. He rampaged through his room, smashing objects out of sheer frustration.
"Master, we've prepared the materials you requested. Shall we send them to Kanto now?"
A voice came from outside just as Silver Rowan vented his rage.
"Yes. Send them immediately."
His face contorted further. What he had "prepared" were the rare medicinal resources Ash demanded from him—resources Silver Rowan absolutely did not wish to hand over.
He had no intention of sending the full amount Ash had requested. Nearly 60% of the prepared stock was sourced from the Silver Rowan family's storerooms alone. He refused to part with everything.
"I understand. I'll arrange the delivery at once. But Master… your father and grandfather are waiting in the main conference room."
The voice faded as the subordinate hurried off to manage the transport.
Silver Rowan froze.
He entered the conference room to find only his father and grandfather present. Relief washed over him.
If the elders had been there, he would have been finished.
They would strip him of his heir status without hesitation. Even though he was the designated successor of the Silver Rowan family, the elders could depose him if the damage he caused was great enough.
The Silver Rowan family valued internal balance above all else. Each elder held significant authority, and the family only functioned through the combined strength of these power holders.
"Father. Grandfather…"
Silver Rowan lowered his voice respectfully. Despite being a champion-level trainer, he stood nowhere near the power and influence of these two.
"Silver… you were far too impulsive this time. You've caused a disaster beyond repair. Do you understand that?"
Silver Rowan's father spoke sternly. The consequences of Silver's recklessness were severe.
"Don't worry, Father. I'll settle things with Ash Ketchum through the Johto Alliance!"
Still thinking about the humiliation Ash caused him, Silver Rowan gritted his teeth, anger overshadowing reason.
"Silver, calm yourself. With your current level, you cannot defeat him. I've studied his battles personally. If he fought against the main forces of Kanto—even with my full strength—my chances of victory would be less than twenty percent."
Silver Rowan froze. His grandfather rarely issued warnings, let alone ones carrying this level of gravity.
Though the younger generation in other regions didn't yet grasp Ash's true power, the older generation had already investigated him thoroughly. None of them treated Ash's capabilities as a joke.
"What? Even you—at your strength—have less than a twenty percent chance? How is that possible? I admit Ash is strong, but his Pokémon can't be that outrageous!"
The shock in Silver Rowan's voice was genuine. He was considered a top champion. His grandfather was an even greater force. Yet Ash—someone his own age—was being described as a threat beyond them both.
It rattled him. His impulse for revenge faltered.
His grandfather would never lie about this.
"Yes," his grandfather continued.
"Those techniques he developed himself are real—and terrifying. Don't underestimate them. And Ash Ketchum isn't standing alone. He has the backing of two major Kanto families. Possibly even three."
He paused before adding:
"The Mugino family's young lady seems to have a complicated relationship with him. And multiple families in Kanto are now aligning themselves around that boy. Even the Kanto Alliance treats him as a central pillar."
Silver Rowan clenched his fists, but the anger in his expression began to shift to unease.
"And that's not all," his grandfather finished.
"Behind him stand more than five Legendary-level Pokémon. That alone is enough to topple even an established family."
Every sentence hit Silver Rowan like a hammer.
Against Ash, the Silver Rowan family wasn't just outmatched—they were insignificant.
Even Ash's personal power alone rivaled a Super-Legendary. He could overturn the entire Silver Rowan household without needing any of his Legendary Pokémon to step in.
Facing someone like that… seeking revenge was nothing but delivering himself on a platter.
Silver Rowan's throat tightened. For the first time, he understood the true difference between them.