"This is... a Froakie?"
Misty looked at the light-blue Pokémon with curiosity.
It looked like a frog. It had large yellow eyes and white bubbles on its snout, back, and neck.
Misty, who loved Water-types, recognized the Pokémon at a single glance. It was indeed the Water-type Froakie.
"Froakie, huh?" Ash looked at the small and cute Froakie with great interest. He picked up his Pokédex.
Beep— No data found. Unregistered Pokémon.
"Froakie is one of the Water-type Pokémon given to new trainers in Kalos, right?" Brock recalled.
"That's right. I think this one fits you perfectly, Ash. Its final evolution is Greninja, a Water and Dark type," Damian said with a smile.
"I actually like it quite a bit. It can blow bubbles?"
Ash leaned over slightly. He poked the bubbles on Froakie's back with his finger. They were very bouncy.
He liked this Froakie from the very first moment he saw it.
Personal preference was something hard to explain. Some people would fall in love with a certain Pokémon at first sight, even if that Pokémon didn't look very appealing to most people.
But that was what personal chemistry was all about.
Feeling Ash's touch, Froakie tilted its head slightly. Its eyes stared intensely at Damian.
"Yes. It's best if you like it. Also, Ash, there is another very interesting piece of information I should tell you."
Damian looked at Froakie.
"In the Kalos region, there is a place called the Ninja Village. It is said that in the history of this village, a Hero Greninja once saved them. Since then, a heroic legend has been passed down in that village."
Damian narrated the story slowly.
"Wow—that's amazing!" Ash was extremely interested.
"When the bond with a Pokémon is strong enough, maybe your Greninja can also become your 'hero.' Ash, if you are willing to accept this Froakie, I hope you will treat it well."
Damian paused for a moment. He chose not to intentionally tell Ash about the "Battle Bond" form.
The Battle Bond phenomenon was the special connection between Ash and his Greninja in the anime.
After the Battle Bond transformation, Greninja could "evolve" into Ash-Greninja.
This form of Greninja was also added to the official games. Its base stats increased by 110 points, which was 10 points more than a Mega Evolution.
Normally, there was no way to get Ash-Greninja in the games through standard play. To transform, a Greninja had to have the "Battle Bond" ability.
Normally, a Greninja only had the "Torrent" or "Protean" abilities.
A Greninja with the Battle Bond ability was only given out as a plot gift in the Sun/Moon Special Demo.
In this world, would this Froakie be able to have a strong bond with Ash and transform when it finally became a Greninja?
Damian felt that if the person was Ash, it was possible.
After all, when it came to loving Pokémon and believing in them, Ash had a natural advantage in building bonds.
"Please leave it to me with confidence! I will definitely train it well!"
Ash was stunned for a second, then he gave a big smile. He made a firm promise to Damian.
He actually heard some special meaning in Damian's words, but Ash didn't understand what it was. Was this Froakie very special?
But regardless, even if Damian hadn't said anything, as long as he accepted this Froakie, Ash would treat it with all his heart.
This was because he truly loved all Pokémon, not to mention one he had caught himself.
"That's good. I look forward to the day I see you and this Pokémon shine together."
Damian nodded with a smile. Yes, he really looked forward to seeing the battle between Ash-Greninja and his opponents.
But speaking of which...
Damian suddenly thought of something. Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, Dynamax, and Terastal—everyone had four ways to power up.
But Ash could also use Battle Bond with Greninja. Wouldn't that be using five systems against everyone else's four?
Well, that was reasonable. After all, the Ash in the anime used multiple systems against people with fewer.
Besides, the anime clearly showed the downside of Battle Bond. Once the Bonded Greninja was hurt, Ash would also feel some of the pain.
The Battle Bond transformation was very draining on Ash's own physical strength.
Compared to Battle Bond, other power-up methods didn't have such serious drawbacks.
After handing Froakie over to Ash, Damian took Caitlin and Platinum back to the hotel.
"Froakie is really cute, but it looks a little dazed," Ash said as he picked up Froakie. The more he looked at it, the more he liked it. He couldn't help but smile.
"It is a bit 'derpy' in a cute way. But since Damian gave it to you, we don't have to worry about its talent or potential," Brock said with a smile.
"Right. Damian wouldn't give you a Pokémon with flaws. And Ash, Damian is really nice to you."
Misty agreed. As she spoke, she started to feel envious of Ash.
Seriously, she felt Damian was just too good to Ash.
Not only did he give Ash an Ultra Beast, but knowing that Ash's Squirtle was currently a "weak point," he immediately gave him a Froakie that could be trained into a top-tier Water-type.
This was clearly a Pokémon specifically sought out to help Ash.
What kind of amazing boss was this??!
He was truly too thoughtful!
"Ha~" Ash scratched his head, feeling a bit embarrassed.
"I misunderstood Damian before. But it's okay. I'll help Damian in the future!"
Ash spoke with such determination. That was right—his impression of Damian had completely flipped 180 degrees!
As long as Damian didn't do anything bad from now on, it didn't matter what anyone else said. Ash had spoken!
Damian was a good person!
On the other side.
"You've put a lot of thought into Ash, Damian."
Inside the hotel suite, Caitlin tilted her head and spoke to Damian.
Platinum was in no hurry to go to her own room. Instead, she sat to the side holding a glass of Moomoo Milk, looking at the two of them with curiosity.
Well, this was a habit she learned from Caitlin.
Supposedly, drinking milk was good for health and helped with development.
"Ash has the potential, and his network of connections is not ordinary."
Damian poured himself a glass of juice. He took a sip, and the corners of his mouth turned up.
"Oh?"
Caitlin was curious. If it was just about potential, girls like Rosa and Hilda also had extremely high potential.
But clearly, Damian hadn't put this much thought into them yet.
"Ash is from Pallet Town, Caitlin. Pallet Town is not a simple place."
Damian leaned back into the sofa in a relaxed manner. He glanced at the other sofa.
The three "seniors"—Tapu Fini, Jirachi, and Victini—were currently looking at the newcomer, Marshadow, with curiosity.
Marshadow was trying its best to shrink its body. It felt like its body was about to melt.
The pressure was so high!
"Pallet Town... that's the town where Professor Samuel Oak lives now, right?" Platinum remembered.
Because she had worked as an assistant in Professor Rowan's lab, she had heard Professor Rowan mention this.
"Correct. Ash is very close with Professor Oak. You could say he's a child Professor Oak watched grow up. Ash's mother is also on very good terms with the Professor."
"Of course, that part isn't actually that important. The main reason is his brother."
Damian nodded.
"Oh?" Caitlin knew the main point was coming.
"This generation of Pallet Town is actually quite exaggerated. Ash and his twin brother, Red, are both trainers with incredible talent. Especially Red—I met him once in Celadon City."
"That guy is the trainer with the most outstanding combat talent I have ever seen. In the whole world, there are very few who can compare to him."
Damian praised him.
Hearing this, both Caitlin and Platinum were quite surprised. They didn't think Damian would make this kind of joke.
That meant this "Red" was truly that extraordinary!
"What kind of mother is that? She gave birth to a pair of twins who are both so talented?" Platinum clicked her tongue in a cute way.
This could truly be called a family of two geniuses.
"It's more than that. As far as I know, besides Red and Ash, Professor Oak's grandson, Blue, is also a monster. His talent for raising Pokémon is extremely excellent, and his battle strength is very powerful. He is a rival who is equal to Red."
Damian moved his right hand slightly and spoke with interest.
The only pity was that, so far, he hadn't met Blue yet.
The true original Champion, Blue Oak he was undoubtedly a "monster" as well.
As Red's childhood rival, Blue's talent as a trainer went without saying. In fact, before the final Championship battle, Blue had met Red many times during their journey.
Their battles were usually 50/50, or they traded wins and losses. Blue even slightly suppressed Red at times.
It was only in the most important Championship battle that Red defeated Blue and took the Champion throne Blue had just sat on. And even then, it was a narrow victory.
However, after that Championship battle perhaps because the loss was too painful—the proud and arrogant Blue restrained his pride and became the Viridian Gym Leader. You could say his spirit was broken by Red.
As the Kanto Champion, Red's improvement didn't stop. Eventually, he went to Mt. Silver because he couldn't find a worthy opponent, becoming the legend of Mt. Silver.
And while Blue was also called a "Battle Legend," it was clear he didn't keep up with Red's strength later on.
"Huh?"
Platinum tilted her head, quite shocked.
Wait... three "monsters"? From the same generation and the same town?
"Unbelievable, right? But this is exactly how unusual this era is."
Damian couldn't help but sigh. Normally, a "monster" wouldn't appear for decades, but in this era, they were showing up one after another.
In fact, what Damian didn't say was that besides the three of them, Pallet Town also had Leaf.
While Leaf's talent as a trainer wasn't as prominent as the other three, she was definitely a "monster" level talent.
In other words, Pallet Town produced four "monsters" at once!
Damn, that's the Kanto region for you!!
"There will definitely be a World Coronation Series in the future, Caitlin, Platinum. You two must not be lazy. Let everyone see the strength of Team Rocket."
Damian's lips curled up. He sat with his legs crossed and spoke to the two girls like an old master.
The World Coronation Series—a world tournament to decide the strongest trainer in the world. Damian believed the League would definitely hold it in the future.
The Masters Eight?
He would have the Team Rocket all-stars dominate the rankings!
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