Chapter 43: Red and Giovanni on the Summit
The disastrous incident in Saffron City finally came to an end. The police took over Silph Co. and began handling the aftermath.
The plump Silph Co. chairman clutched Ash's hands, thanking him again and again with overflowing gratitude.
Of course, words meant little. What mattered was the discreet gift box the old businessman slipped to Ash on his way out.
A full special Poké Ball collection set from Silph — every variant currently on the market.
A small box worth tens of thousands.
Ash was extremely satisfied. Saving that man was finally starting to feel justified.
But beneath the neatly arranged rows of special Poké Balls, one particular item made Ash's entire body jolt.
A purple Poké Ball with an unmistakable M engraved upon it.
This fat chairman was someone worth knowing. When he had good things, he truly was willing to hand them out.
Giovanni likely had no idea that right under his nose, this plump businessman had smuggled away an actual, genuine Master Ball.
Ash quietly slipped it deep into the bottom of his backpack.
Someday, he might need it.
Ho-Oh wanted him to challenge it, didn't it? Well, if he pulled out a Master Ball during that showdown… how exactly would the great phoenix react?
Just imagining it made his heart race.
But that was for the future. After accepting the official thanks, Ash now found himself facing the real difficulty of the evening: a scolding session.
Gary and Green — two people who looked so identical they might as well have been clones — circled him like two stern teachers.
Ash genuinely felt like he was surrounded by two Garys.
"Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? There has to be a limit to your recklessness!"
Gary roared with his hands on his hips.
"Completely reckless. You never consider the consequences. If Red and I hadn't happened to be together, what would you have done?"
Green sighed heavily, sounding uncannily like an exasperated parent.
Wait a second… why exactly were the two of you "happening to be together"?
Ash complained silently.
"Alright, alright… I know I messed up. Anyway, thanks for coming to save my life."
Ash scratched his head, feeling a buzzing in his brain.
"Hmph! Whatever!"
Gary puffed out his cheeks in annoyance and stomped away.
Ash lifted a hand awkwardly, then slowly lowered it when he saw the way Green was staring at him.
Before Green could resume lecturing, Ash quickly changed the subject.
"Um… where's Red? Maybe he should take a turn scolding me instead?"
Green paused, successfully distracted.
"He has his own matters to take care of. This phone is from the professor. Keep it. Our numbers are saved inside. If something happens, you can contact us directly."
"And…"
Ash accepted the phone and nodded.
"And what?"
Green's gaze deepened.
"He thinks very highly of you. Work hard. Strive to surpass him someday."
Ash blinked, startled.
"Wow… that might be kind of difficult. But I'll try my best!"
Green remained serious.
"When you get stronger, you can ask him to train you. There is no one more qualified than him to teach you how to defeat him."
Ash froze for a moment, then felt a warm swell of emotion as he nodded.
Maybe it was his imagination, but he felt that Red was genuinely waiting for the day Ash would surpass him.
Defeat me. Learn from what I taught you.
Being invincible must be lonely.
Ash clenched his fists quietly.
In that case, let me be the one to save you, Red.
Seeing Ash's expression, Green nodded with satisfaction.
"I looked over your team. It's one of the stronger lineups in Kanto. If you run into any breeding problems, message me. These are energy cube formulas suited for Pikachu and Dragonair.
Dragon-types require a lot of energy to grow. If you follow my recipe, evolving into Dragonite shouldn't be a problem before the League Tournament."
"Thank you, seriously!"
Ash bowed deeply.
This was the painstaking research of a top-tier breeder. No amount of money could guarantee access to something like this.
To give it so casually… this favor carried real weight.
"No need to thank me. If you want to repay me, beat Red as soon as possible. His face annoys me."
Green muttered darkly, then turned away.
Ash immediately opened the formulas.
Dragon Fang… Ganlon Berry… Salac Berry…
Yep. Everything cost an arm and a leg.
"I guess I'll have to sell some of those special Poké Balls…"
Ash massaged his forehead.
His sweet, adorable Dragonair deserved the best. He could never bring himself to give it anything less.
…
High atop Mt. Silver, the world lay buried under deep snow. The wind howled through the icy peaks as two figures faced each other.
Frosted breath escaped Red's lips as he exhaled slowly.
"Well… it looks like I win again."
Giovanni huffed coldly and returned Deoxys to its Poké Ball.
"You've regressed. Is it because of that battle in Black City?"
Red rubbed his stiff wrist, smiling easily.
"Every step I take leaves scars I can't undo. But none of them ever stopped me from moving forward. Lorelei's Eternal Ice… the battle in Black City… all of it."
Giovanni stared at him intently.
"Is that so? Then where is your Necrozma? And Mewtwo — if you hadn't foolishly abandoned your control over it, we wouldn't have suffered that humiliation."
Red frowned.
"Correction: I saved you. A 'thank you' would be nice."
"What use are those words?"
Giovanni's tone hardened.
"You are the only one besides me who understands what we're up against. Do you really believe your current strength can handle enemies from multiple worldlines? If you want to stay naïve, then stay here on Mt. Silver. Don't interfere while I gather power. This world belongs to me. Only I have the right to claim its throne. No one else."
Red breathed warm air onto his hands and smiled quietly.
"You're still as hot-tempered as ever. We're relics of an older era, Giovanni. The crises to come belong to the next generation. Necrozma… Mewtwo… I've placed all my bets on the future. I believe that kid will bear the responsibility."
"To entrust someone else? You've grown soft."
Giovanni's voice carried bitter disappointment.
"In that case, I'll reclaim Mewtwo myself. And the other legendaries. Once I command that power, even if the Gate opens and they come, I will crush them."
"That won't do."
Red shook his head. His eyes sharpened like a blade.
"I don't care what you plan to do. But if you endanger this world, I will defeat you. As many times as it takes."
Their gazes locked. Neither looked away for a long time.
Giovanni finally turned to leave.
"Try if you think you can."
As Giovanni's figure vanished into the swirling snow, Red lowered the brim of his cap and murmured to his right hand,
"I won't sit back and wait for disaster. But one person's strength has limits. Uncle Giovanni… don't disappoint Silver again."
Far down the mountain, Giovanni lifted his face toward the falling snow and let out a weary sigh.
"No matter what, I cannot entrust the future to anyone else. Silver… that kid… they have bright futures ahead of them. This burden is mine alone, even if it costs everything."
Beneath the snowfall of Mt. Silver, two silhouettes walked opposite paths toward the same destination — but toward very different futures.
To be continued…
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〔TL〕
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