The Ninja Village lies hidden somewhere in Kalos—
a secret settlement, yet widely known.
Because their strength is overwhelmingly powerful.
In their shrine hung an ancient mural—a legend that had been passed down for over a hundred years.
A hero who once saved the Ninja Village:
Greninja.
But not an ordinary Greninja.
It's back bore a massive shuriken—
identical to the form Ash's Greninja used.
Thus, the ninjas called that Pokémon:
—Hero Greninja.
When Professor Oak first heard the legend years ago, he never verified it.
But after seeing the footage today, he confirmed it.
And so—
[Hanzō:Professor Oak is correct.
The form of that Greninja truly exists on our mural.]
Hanzō, the current leader of the Ninja Village.
He knew the legend inside and out.
From the moment he saw Ash's Greninja change shape, he had a suspicion.
When the giant Water Shuriken appeared—
He was certain.
That was the Hero Greninja.
[Lance: But… how did Ash make Greninja take on that form?]
[Diantha: Yes! I've lived in Kalos for years, and I have never seen any Greninja transform like that!]
[Professor Oak: Ash's Greninja is special—and just as special is Ash himself.]
[Professor Oak: You've all seen Ash's unique ability before.
The deeper his bond with his Pokémon, the greater the strength they can unleash at crucial moments!]
[Professor Oak: But with Greninja, that special power doesn't just strengthen it…
It evolves it.
Thus producing a phenomenon never before seen—
Bond Evolution.]
[Professor Oak: Compared to Mega Evolution—which requires both a Key Stone and a Mega Stone—
Bond Evolution is outright superior.
Because Ash and Greninja need NOTHING but their bond.
This alone triggers Greninja's ancestral power!
That alone proves how terrifying their bond is!]
BOOM.
The entire world was shaken.
Earlier, Sycamore explained that no matter how strong a Trainer's bond was,
Without a Key Stone, Mega Evolution could NOT occur.
Because Mega Evolution requires two catalysts:
Mega Stone — awakens the ancient genes
Key Stone — materializes the Trainer–Pokémon bond
One can't work without the other.
But now—
Ash demonstrated a bond so strong, so extreme—
He forcefully awakened Greninja's ancient genes
With no Key Stone, no Mega Stone.
This was Ash's terrifying power—
The man who repeatedly defeats legendary Pokémon.
[Professor Sycamore: Also—did you notice this?
After Greninja evolved, Ash and it seemed to merge into one consciousness.
Everything Greninja saw, Ash seemed to see as well.]
[Professor Sycamore: In attack, movement, dodging—Ash and Greninja moved in perfect sync.
Greninja's new appearance even resembled Ash!]
[Professor Sycamore: In other words—
This Greninja is a Pokémon destined ONLY for Ash.
Only Ash can trigger this Bond Evolution.]
"Destined… for me?"
Ash stared at Sycamore's words, stunned.
Even though Charizard and Pikachu had beaten legendaries before,
Ash always believed it was due to hard work and trust—
nothing to do with fate or divine favoritism.
But this time… was different.
For the first time, Ash felt:
Maybe… he really is the protagonist of this world?
This idea thrilled him—
and also inflated him a little.
He was only ten years old, far less mature than his future self.
(Kanto Ash needed tactical babysitting during the Indigo Conference.
He was honestly garbage back then—tilting easily.
He only starts improving in Johto, and becomes truly capable by Hoenn.)
[Wikstrom: But Ash doesn't have Froakie yet, right?
After this broadcast, the Froakie line will become insanely popular.
What if… someone else catches Ash's destined Greninja first?]
This one sentence hit Ash like a hammer.
Right—
Every Pokémon shown so far in the tally already belonged to him.
But Greninja?
He didn't have it yet.
If someone caught it first… what would he do?
Ash's swelling excitement instantly deflated.
The thought of someone else catching his Greninja made him deeply uneasy.
"Relax, Ash.
That's your destined Greninja, right?
So believe that it'll come to you."
Misty spoke softly—rare for her.
Normally, she'd smack Ash down whenever he inflated too much.
But when Ash was confused or hurting—
She was always the first to comfort him.
"Yeah.
Ash, trust the bond between you and Greninja."
Brock added with a steady nod.
If that Greninja truly belonged to Ash by fate—
Then their meeting was inevitable.
"...Thank you, guys!
I believe in the destiny between me and Greninja!"
With their encouragement, Ash regained his spirit.
The Champions watching all nodded in satisfaction.
To not obsess over a future that hasn't come yet—
Ash was already beginning to resemble his future self.
[Brandon: We've explained Bond Evolution.
Now my question is…
Why did Ash and Greninja collapse at the end?]
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