"Really? It seems you've tamed a great partner. Even though the P1 Fighting Tournament isn't exactly a grand event, winning it still says a lot. Your Infernape is truly remarkable."
"Yeah, you know…"
Ash lit up with joy at Robert's praise. He was just about to dive into a detailed retelling of his "highlight moment" when an untimely figure appeared. It was none other than the conman uncle Shandou, the same man who had once tricked Ash in the original timeline.
"Congratulations, Ash. I honestly didn't expect you and Infernape to come out on top. Your Infernape shows amazing potential. Why not leave him with me? I can help train him and make him even stronger. Trust me, in my hands, Infernape could reach a whole new level."
Ash looked up at Infernape, who was still standing proudly on the ring, hands raised in victory, soaking in the crowd's cheers. For a moment, Ash felt conflicted.
Should he let Infernape stay with him and continue their journey together? Or should he hand him over to someone who claimed to make him stronger?
After all, Ash and Infernape had only recently developed a bond. It was far too soon to think about parting ways. The situation reminded Ash of when he released Butterfree—his very first Pokémon. That memory still stung. But still, the idea of making Infernape even stronger was tempting. Could he really be the one to help Infernape grow, or would someone like Anthony—who was offering to train him—be the better choice?
The more he thought about it, the more tangled his emotions became.
"Bridge sack!" Robert suddenly stepped in, clearly seeing the struggle on Ash's face and not wanting him to fall for Anthony's deceit again.
"Excuse me, uncle," Robert said coldly. "I'm not sure what your story is, but as an adult, isn't it a little questionable to try and trick a minor like this?"
As someone who had read the original events and knew what kind of person Shandou truly was, Robert held a deep grudge against this so-called "trainer."
Seriously—asking someone to give up their Pokémon so he could "train" it for them?
Give me a break.
As if a legitimate trainer can't train his own Pokémon?
To Robert, this wasn't about helping anyone. This was exploitation, plain and simple. Anthony wanted to take someone else's hard-earned success and parade it around as his own.
Helping others train their Pokémon? That was the polished version. The truth? He just wanted to ride on the back of someone else's effort to gain prestige and recognition.
Shameless.
Truly shameless.
Robert almost wanted to yell: I've never seen such an audacious freeloader in my life!
"What? Me—trick a minor?" Anthony's face turned red with frustration. "I just saw Infernape's potential and wanted to help train him into a Fighting Elite Pokémon Champion!"
As if Robert had struck a nerve, Anthony suddenly raised his voice and tried to make his offer sound noble.
Robert sneered. "You want to train someone else's Pokémon? You're embarrassed to admit what this is really about. Let's be real—you just want Infernape's power under your name."
He folded his arms, eyes sharp.
"Even if Infernape weren't in the picture—what about your own Pokémon? Shouldn't they have great potential too? Why aren't you training them instead of chasing after someone else's partner?"
"If you're as talented as you claim, then what level are you as a trainer? Quasi-Elite? Elite class? And how many titles have you won in recent years? For instance, how many P1 Fighting Tournament championships are under your belt?"
"If you meet all those qualifications, fine. I'll shut up. But if you don't, then stop pretending you're helping. The truth is, you can't even train your own Pokémon properly, and now you want to take Ash's?"
He gestured to Infernape, still basking in victory.
"And are you even sure that Infernape wants this? Have you considered what he wants? He didn't fight with everything he had in that ring today for you. He did it for Ash."
Robert's rapid-fire questioning left Anthony speechless. Even Ash, who had been wavering, was suddenly jolted back to his senses.
Yes.
Ash had his moments of silliness, but at crucial times like this, he could think clearly. Robert's words cut through the fog of doubt.
Ash turned to Infernape, who was walking over to him. "Infernape, did you enjoy that battle just now? If you did…"
"Mon—kee~!"
Before Ash could finish, Infernape casually untied the P1 Fighting Champion gold belt around his waist and tossed it on the ground. Then, with determined eyes, he stared straight at Ash.
That look.
It reminded Ash of the moment he first tamed Infernape. He felt a wave of guilt rise up inside him.
What kind of trainer am I? he thought. Infernape fought with all his might for me. And here I am, hesitating—second-guessing whether we're good enough together.
If some random guy believed he could train Infernape into a powerhouse, then as his actual trainer, couldn't Ash do the same?
Ash's gaze grew firm.
Yes.
He wanted to become a Pokémon Master, didn't he?
Then shouldn't he be the one to raise his Pokémon—not hand them off to someone else?
"I'm sorry, Infernape. I wasn't thinking clearly," Ash said, his voice sincere. "I'll train with you. We'll get stronger together—no matter what it takes."
Anthony—who had been watching—realized in that moment that his chance had slipped away. His warm, smiling facade twisted into something darker.
He glared at Robert. "Damn it, who the hell are you? You just ruined the career of a future Fighting Elite Champion!"
"Who am I?" Robert raised an eyebrow. "Just a passing knight. Someone who doesn't want a fraud tricking kids and robbing them of their partners."
"A fraud? You're calling me a fraud?" Anthony shouted, rage bubbling up in his throat. "You'd better apologize—right now—or else—"
Robert's expression turned icy cold. "Funny. Ash and Infernape—the ones supposedly being deceived—aren't even angry. But you are?"
Before Anthony could respond, Robert coolly knocked the champion belt from his waist, signaling his own disapproval.
Anthony stood frozen, his face red, fists clenched, but words failing him. The crowd had gathered by now, and murmurs began to rise.
"Isn't that the guy who tried to trick people before?"
"Yeah, I remember—he tried this stunt years ago with some other trainers."
"Poor kid almost gave up his Machamp…"
Seeing the tide of opinion turning against him, Anthony cursed under his breath and turned to leave, his figure retreating into the distance as the crowd parted for him.
Robert turned back to Ash. "You made the right choice."
Ash gave a small nod. "Thanks, Robert. You really helped me see things clearly."
Infernape let out a satisfied growl and pounded his chest proudly, reaffirming his bond with Ash.
From that moment on, the two were more determined than ever. With Robert's timely intervention, Ash had not only avoided being tricked again—but had come to a deeper understanding of what it truly meant to be a trainer.
And with Infernape by his side, he knew the road ahead would be challenging—but they would walk it together.