On the field, Whitney had already withdrawn Miltank. Miltank isn't a legendary Pokemon, and if it receives that kind of attack and stays outside, its injuries would only worsen, potentially even threatening its life!
Ash excitedly high-fived Infernape, though Infernape's condition wasn't great, it was far from losing its fighting capability and could even continue battling.
The physical strength depletion was one aspect, and the injuries were mainly from that Rollout attack earlier, so the impact wasn't significant.
Therefore, Ash didn't rush to put it back into a Pokeball but let it savor the feeling of victory outside for a while.
Whitney withdrew Miltank, lowered her head in silence for a moment, then looked up and gave Ash a relieved smile.
"It was truly an incredible battle, Ash. That golden flame... What's its name?"
Ash paused, then after thinking for a moment, laughed and said, "Let's call it—Corona Blaze."
The name perfectly reflected Infernape's flame's color, and it sounded quite cool. The primary factor for naming, naturally, was coolness, while the secondary was fitting the skill's symbolism.
"Corona Blaze... It really is a powerful flame, I've never seen golden flames before."
"Hehe, that's my Infernape's exclusive flame, and this power awakened just today."
Upon hearing this, Whitney's lips twitched, "I don't know if it's lucky or unlucky for me, for such a new power to awaken during our battle~"
Whitney walked over to Ash, extending her hand, and Ash reciprocated by shaking it, signifying friendliness post-battle.
Whitney said earnestly, "This match I lost, your Infernape is truly stronger than my Miltank. But next time we meet, I won't lose so easily."
"I'll be waiting for it." Ash smiled.
Whitney pulled out a golden, diamond-shaped badge from her pocket and handed it to Ash, saying, "This is the official badge of the Goldenrod Gym, take care of it."
"I got the official badge!"
"Pika Pi!"
"Hoozah~ Hoozah~"
Ash and Pikachu posed with their signature move and shouted in unison, with Infernape on the side swinging its arms and displaying an excited smile.
"What are your plans next?" After handing over the badge, Whitney was no longer involved, and thus curiously asked Ash about his next destination.
"The next place should be Ecruteak City." Ecruteak City, the nearest place to Goldenrod City, is starkly different from the bustling city; it's said to possess ancient artifacts.
If Goldenrod City represents modern urban glamor, then Ecruteak City is an emblem of ancient cities, with various historical artifacts inside and traces of the legendary Ho-Oh's appearances...
"Ecruteak City huh... Morty, the Gym Leader there, is no ordinary person; he's adept at using Ghost-type Pokemon and reportedly his prowess rivals that of a typical Elite Level Trainer." Whitney pondered Ecruteak City's details, providing Ash with some intel.
The Gym Leader in Ecruteak City is of Elite Level!
Facing an Elite Level Trainer is nothing new for Ash, but having a Gym Leader at Elite Level is notably rare across global Gyms.
"Moreover, the resident Gym Leader in Ecruteak reportedly is incredibly powerful as well, famed as the strongest Gym Leader in Sinnoh, specializing in Electric Type Pokemon, named... Volkner!"
"Volkner..." Ash murmured the name while recalling the details about him.
Professor Oak had provided information about Foreign Resident Gym Leaders, most of which Ash had memorized, though he hadn't noted down the resident cities.
Sinnoh's strongest Gym Leader Volkner, equipped with extremely powerful Electric Type Pokemon, is famed in Sunyshore City for being unbeatable by challengers.
Due to this, Volkner gradually lost interest in Pokemon battles, instead focusing his hobbies on Gym mechanism and tools.
This time coming to the Johto Region is due to the Silver Conference, perhaps hoping for a challenger capable of defeating him.
Additionally, Volkner carries a nickname, Yellow Flash!
This nickname refers to his Pokemon being as swift as a flash.
Thinking about facing such powerful Trainers in Ecruteak City, Ash became entirely thrilled.
"Alright, let's set out towards Ecruteak City next, Pikachu!"
"Pika Pika!"
...
After bidding farewell to Whitney, Ash and company first arrived at the Pokemon Center, treated their Pokemon, then exchanged two Pokemon before directly setting off for Ecruteak City.
Misty and others hadn't expended much physical strength today, as for Ash, who could be described as a perpetual motion machine under normal circumstances.
Thus, even though it was already midday, they chose to proceed towards Ecruteak City.
Typically, it would take about a week to reach Ecruteak City, and if anything arises along the way, possibly extending a few more days.
...
A week later—
Ash and company hadn't reached Ecruteak City yet, having instead only traversed half the journey, hindered by Team Rocket's obstruction, alongside Ash stopping to capture several new Pokemon.