Finally, Clemont was able to reconcile with Luxio.
After explaining everything clearly, Luxio was willing to forgive him and, in the end, allowed itself to be captured.
You could only say one thing about this—Team Rocket, the eternal "assist squad," had outdone themselves again!
Earlier, when Team Rocket continued their attack, Clemont had recognized Luxio and, without hesitation, used his own body to block their strike. That very act had deeply moved Luxio.
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Today, Ash and his friends were enjoying lunch by a small creek.
Afterward, Ash decided that it was time to give Froakie some training and help it level up.
So, he led Froakie into the forest to find suitable opponents.
"Froakie, good job! Use Cut!"
"Froakie!"
Standing opposite them was a Ursaring.
Its level was around 30—higher than Froakie's.
But under Ash's sharp commands, Froakie was executing every move with perfect coordination!
"Rooaaar!"
Ursaring charged in with a Hammer Arm, aiming to smash Froakie into the ground.
But Froakie's agile movements allowed it to dodge easily, then follow up with relentless Cuts slashing across Ursaring's body.
"Roooar!!"
"Great! Now finish it—Water Pulse!"
"Froooakie!"
The Water Pulse struck squarely at Ursaring's back, sending the massive Pokémon crashing against a tree and knocking it out cold!
Ding! [Congratulations, host! Froakie has defeated Ursaring. Tenfold Experience Multiplier Card activated—gained 32,000 battle experience points!]
Froakie leveled up to Level 32!
With the tenfold experience boost, leveling was quick and efficient.
In theory, Froakie was just four levels away from evolving into Greninja.
But in reality… Froakie hadn't even evolved into Frogadier yet.
That was the "Ash Ketchum trademark": Pokémon stubbornly resisting evolution until the perfect moment.
"You did great, Froakie. Let's head back—training's done for today."
"Froakie!"
But as they returned to the creek, they suddenly spotted two figures drifting downstream.
"It's Sanpei!" Ash immediately called out to Servine, who used Vine Whip to pull Sanpei and his Greninja from the water.
Sanpei was the ninja from the Ninja Village.
The first time Ash had met him, he had a Frogadier. Now it had evolved into Greninja—proof of progress.
Ash and the others brought Sanpei and Greninja back to Serena's side. Eventually, they stirred awake.
"Cough… cough… Ash, it was you who saved us…"
As Sanpei explained, Ash realized—it was finally happening.
The moment for Froakie's evolution had arrived!
In the original storyline, it was during Ash's second encounter with Sanpei, while helping him on a mission, that Froakie evolved into Frogadier and learned Aerial Ace, a Flying-type move.
Now, Serena, Bonnie, and Clemont also understood what was happening.
Sanpei explained that his master had entrusted him with delivering an important scroll. However, along the way, he was ambushed.
"I know a shortcut. If we take it, even with the delays, we should still arrive before nightfall. Ash, we'll take our leave here."
Sanpei prepared to depart with Greninja, but Ash offered to accompany him, ensuring safety along the way.
Ash, of course, knew the truth: the ambusher was Sanpei's own master. This was merely a test for Sanpei.
So, the group set out together, following the shortcut through a mountain tunnel.
Once through, they would reach Sanpei's destination.
"Ash, everyone… Though we've only met twice, fate has brought us together. Your help means more to me than I can say."
"Don't mention it, Sanpei. We're all friends here. Friends help each other when they're in trouble." Clemont smiled.
Inside the cave, they were attacked by swarms of Golbat.
When they finally emerged, Sanpei froze—someone was already waiting at the tunnel's exit.
A masked figure.
His opponent had been lying in wait.
"Everyone, go on ahead. Greninja and I will hold him off!"
"No, let's fight together!" Ash countered instantly.
After all, without this battle, Froakie would never get the push it needed to evolve.
Without waiting for permission, Ash sent Froakie charging forward!
Seeing this, Sanpei also commanded his Greninja into battle.
"Hmph. Two against one? No matter. Go—Barbaracle!"
The Barbaracle before them was Level 40, a formidable opponent.
Sanpei's Greninja had only just evolved at Level 36, so it wasn't strong enough to win on its own.
The masked man—Sanpei's master—was no ordinary trainer. With sharp precision, his attacks split the battlefield apart, blasting both Froakie and Greninja backward.
Froakie was thrown hard into a boulder, which collapsed and buried it beneath rubble.
Barbaracle lunged at Greninja, preparing to unleash Poison Jab.
But from beneath the pile of shattered rocks, Froakie suddenly let out a fierce roar—its body bursting with the light of evolution!
At last… it evolved into Frogadier!
"Frogadier!"
The newly evolved Pokémon shot forth in a flash of white light, intercepting Barbaracle's Poison Jab before it could land on Greninja!
"That's… Aerial Ace!"
"So what if it evolved? Barbaracle, use Razor Shell!"
"Finally! Frogadier, meet it with Cut!"
Boom!
Even with an eight-level difference, Frogadier was now able to fight Barbaracle evenly!
"Double Team!"
Frogadier split into countless afterimages, darting across the battlefield at incredible speed!
Its power, speed, and precision had skyrocketed with evolution.
"Aerial Ace!"
"Poison Jab!"
The two attacks clashed—but Frogadier's speed was overwhelming, moving twice as fast as Barbaracle.
With lightning reflexes, Frogadier struck, pinning Barbaracle to the ground beneath its feet!
Knowing this was only a test from Sanpei's master, Ash didn't push further. He called Frogadier back to his side.
The masked man had been defeated with no chance to resist.
Ding! [Congratulations, host! Frogadier has defeated Barbaracle. Tenfold Critical Experience Multiplier Card activated—gained 71,500 battle experience points!]
Level 33!
Level 34!
Level 35!
Level 36!
Frogadier's strength was rising rapidly!
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