But this long-held balance had already begun to tilt.
The Ito family had been plotting something for years—something tied deeply to the very foundation of their rise. Even Ash didn't know the exact details.
This information came from Grandpa Lawrence, and when Ash thought back on it, the picture became clear:
the sudden rise of the Ito clan—and their ruthless behavior—was definitely not coincidence. No wonder they had managed to grow into a top family in just seventy years.
The reason no one else noticed their wrongdoing was simple:
the Ito family had wiped the traces left behind by their subordinate families. And once the Ikeno family (Ito's affiliate branch) rose to prominence, they still didn't dare resist the Ito clan because of the secrets binding them.
"Alright," Ash finally said, exhaling lightly. "It seems my grudge with the Ito family isn't small either. So I'll accept you. From today onward… you are my first apprentice, Ash Ketchum's disciple. Don't let me down."
After thinking it through, Ash decided to accept Emiya Shirō. The boy's resolve was genuine—four years of humiliation and hatred would have broken weaker people, but Shirō endured.
And Ash's relationship with the Ito clan had long turned irreconcilable.
As for the Ikeno family, handing them to Shirō later would be fitting. More importantly, Shirō had the talent—
a Heavenly King–level trainer at fourteen, stronger even than Sabrina at that age.
"Thank you, Master!"
Shirō quickly wiped his tears, overwhelmed with relief. Ever since witnessing Ash's battle with Makoto Ito, he had viewed Ash as his idol—his goal. That battle was what gave Shirō the courage to believe revenge was possible.
Because of that battle, he pushed himself until he broke through to Elite and finally reached the King tier.
"You can stand up now. We'll talk about your training later. Let's deal with this girl first."
Ash shifted his gaze toward Mira.
Mira trembled the moment Ash's eyes locked on her. The earlier battle had terrified her—Pikachu, who seemed so harmless, had destroyed her Hitmonlee with a single attack. The psychological blow was enormous.
"'Gorgeous battle style'? Forget it." Ash said flatly. "If you continue like this, your grandfather's flowing combat teachings will end up tarnished. Whether you listen or not is your choice—your future has nothing to do with me."
He turned to the old martial master.
"Old man, we'll head out first. You can handle the rest."
After giving Mira her lesson, Ash spoke to Master Carlos, then left the dojo with Sabrina and Emiya Shirō.
"Thank you for your guidance today… I will repay this debt one day," Master Carlos muttered as he watched Ash leave.
Advice from a Champion-level trainer was something even elite trainers rarely received—let alone someone like Mira.
Once they exited Carlos's dojo, Ash, Sabrina, and Shirō set off toward their next destination.
"Shirō, what Pokémon do you have now?" Ash asked along the way. Training a disciple wasn't simple—but thanks to his Shadow Clone technique, managing it wouldn't be difficult.
"My ace is, of course, my first Pokémon—Hitmonlee, at early King level. My father's Alakazam is also at peak King level. The others are my Elite-level Hitmonchan, Primeape, and Machamp."
Eager to improve himself, Shirō listed everything immediately. Training under Ash—one of the strongest Champions—was an opportunity he refused to waste.
"All Fighting-type Pokémon?" Ash raised an eyebrow. "Are you planning to specialize in the Fighting style?"
To be honest, Ash wasn't particularly skilled in body-technique combat styles. If he counted them, his true martial skills totaled only three: Moon Step, Storm Kick, and Shave.
Pikachu's Thunder Mode physical technique was something else entirely, requiring a Lightning-type foundation.
"Yes. Ever since I started wandering, I've only had Hitmonlee and Alakazam with me. I barely had any Pokédollars, and since I was already deeply invested in Fighting-type Pokémon, the only realistic path for me back then was the Fighting Style."
Shirō spoke honestly, and Ash understood. For someone with no money, no connections, and no guidance, the Fighting path truly was the only road available.
Training Fighting-type Pokémon relied heavily on physical conditioning and combat drills.
The only real cost was high-nutrition food, which was the only resource Shirō could afford at the time.
He had been only ten years old then. Hitmonlee wasn't strong yet, but fortunately, his father had left behind a powerful Alakazam, a King-tier Psychic-type. With that Pokémon, Shirō had been able to survive through Pokémon Gambling Matches.
These gambling matches—also known as Pokémon Fighting Competitions—used money as stakes, and only Fighting-type Pokémon were allowed to participate. A Psychic-type at King level, however, was basically unstoppable in such underground circuits.
Very few trainers with King-tier Pokémon were willing to risk entering those competitions.
"Have you thought about choosing another path?" Ash asked suddenly. "Now that you're my apprentice, you won't be lacking resources anymore. So—what do you want? Tell me your thoughts."
This was not a casual question.
Ash was testing Shirō.
When choosing one's trainer path, a wavering heart could prevent a breakthrough forever.
Shirō had talent—great talent—but he was not Ash. He couldn't walk two paths at once the way Ash could.
After all, Ash had advantages no one else possessed—the Chakra Eye, his self-created techniques, and the memories of his previous life.
Those were the reasons he could defy logic and reach such heights.
Shirō did not have those things.
If he strayed from his conviction now, his future as a trainer could crumble before it even began.
(End of Chapter)
📝 Limited-Time Offer (Ends Soon): $9 → 20 chapters ahead
⚡ Pa-treon-com/LordMerlin
😊 Thank you for your support!