The next day.
The sunlight was brilliant.
Kashiwagi headed to the Neo Team Aqua Research Institute early in the morning, only to learn from a Grunt at the entrance that the Doctor was out.
Grunt: "He said he was going to test some Porygon drones."
Grunt: "He'll probably be back in the afternoon. Did you need him for something?"
Kashiwagi: "I received a Porygon from him yesterday, so I wanted to consult him on a few things."
He responded calmly, politely declining the Grunt's subsequent invitation to join Neo Team Aqua.
He wondered if there was a recruitment quota within the team, as the Grunt was incredibly persistent.
Grunt: "Are you sure you won't join? Great benefits! How about a Pokémon battle instead?"
Grunt: "We can talk terms, handsome!"
Grunt: "Join us for the nobel cause of saving the ocean!!"
Kashiwagi was already a hundred meters away, yet the man was still standing there, shouting after him.
Seeing such youthful energy, Kashiwagi felt more and more that he might have misjudged Neo Team Aqua.
While criminal organizations didn't necessarily have to operate in the shadows when recruiting new blood, trying to absorb every person they stumbled across felt...
A bit more like a Pokémon Fan Club than a syndicate.
Walking down the street, Kashiwagi checked his messages.
There was no sign of a reply from Dr. Akihabara, so he simply returned to the Pokémon Center.
Compared to yesterday's bustling scene, the center was quiet today—a result of the tourists leaving after the beach bonfire party.
Since the Doctor was away, Kashiwagi decided to devote his time to training Dragon Rush and bonding with his new partner, Porygon.
He wanted to ensure they had a solid rapport so the digital duck wouldn't look down on his intelligence after it evolved.
In truth, Aggron and Deino could technically practice Dragon Rush on their own without much trainer intervention.
However, Kashiwagi had recently come across an article posted on Poké-Blog by Professor Kukui:
"On the Benefits of Trainer Presence During Move Learning."
The article clearly illustrated the difference in progress between a Pokémon training alone versus one whose Trainer was present to cheer them on or participate in coordinated drills. The conclusion was definitive:
As long as the method was appropriate, a Trainer's presence didn't just maintain efficiency—it significantly accelerated it.
Looking at it this way, Ash doing push-ups while Pikachu learned Iron Tail wasn't ridiculous at all; it was actually beneficial.
It was a practice worth emulating.
"Keep it up, I've got high hopes for you."
Kashiwagi patted Aggron's arm and ruffled Deino's head.
The process was the same as yesterday: enduring Dragon-type energy attacks to sense and stimulate the body into generating its own Dragon-type energy.
Once the horns began to glow, the move Dragon Rush would be more than halfway complete.
"Agg~"
Aggron nodded. As the ace of the team, he had no intention of losing to his "little brother" Deino.
Being behind in progress felt somewhat humiliating.
The wild Aggron watched from the sidelines, looking a bit lost.
"Gron?"
"Don't worry, your job comes later. For now, just take a rest. "
"Was being in the ball for too long a bit stifling?"
Kashiwagi reached out to rub its head.
Compared to his main Aggron, this wild one was almost "miniature." Kashiwagi could reach its face just by stretching out his hand, whereas his ace usually had to lower its head for him to reach comfortably.
"Gron..."
The wild Aggron shook its head. Staying in a Luxury Ball was actually quite comfortable—it made sense why even Team Rocket's Meowth almost got addicted to one.
Kashiwagi turned his attention back to Deino and clapped his hands.
"Alright, let's begin the practice!"
"Deinoo!"
Deino gave a loud cry and, following his trainer's instructions, condensed a fist-sized ball of indigo dragon-fire in its mouth, blasting it toward the Aggron in front of it.
Bam!
The small fireball exploded.
Aggron's expression didn't change as he closed his eyes, silently sensing the energy.
Kashiwagi watched for a few seconds before saying to Deino,
"Try hitting me with one, too. Same power as the one you used on Aggron."
"Dei?"
The little dragon didn't understand at first. Once Kashiwagi explained in detail, it showed a look of hesitation. "Deino Dei..."
Since joining the team, the little guy had never actually attacked its Trainer—nibbling on hands and heads didn't count.
"It's fine. Don't underestimate my endurance."
"This much power won't hurt."
Kashiwagi smiled, then turned to his ace Aggron, who had opened his eyes with a worried expression.
"Precaution is key. A strong body is my guarantee to keep walking this path with all of you.
"Besides, when we fought those Shadow Pokémon while I was on your back, did I not take plenty of aftershocks? I'm still perfectly fine, aren't I?"
He flexed his muscles playfully.
Hearing the explanation, Aggron's expression finally softened.
He couldn't resist raising both claws and giving Kashiwagi a massive hug.
"Aggroon~"
He never wanted anything bad to happen to his Trainer.
He hoped that just as he had been protected and cared for, he could turn around and protect the person he cared about most.
Territory was important, but Kashiwagi was more important.
If territory was lost, it could be reclaimed.
But if Kashiwagi was gone... he couldn't even imagine that day.
"Easy now, easy. When did you become like Chansey?"
"Getting all emotional and wanting to hug people."
Kashiwagi laughed and hugged Aggron back, patting his metallic back.
Fortunately, Kashiwagi's arms wer long enough; otherwise, not being able to reach around that back would have been embarrassing.
"Deino! Dei! Deino!"
Feeling left out, Deino squeezed desperately between them.
The wild Aggron watched from the side, unable to quite grasp the depth of their bond.
However, it did feel one regret: if only this human lived near its territory...
Yesterday's dinner was truly delicious~
...
The practice resumed.
This time, Kashiwagi joined in, taking turns with Aggron to endure the indigo flames spat out by Deino.
At first, it was indeed painful—a sensation like being poked sharply.
His mind momentarily questioned why he was seeking out such suffering.
But once he got used to it, it became much easier.
As the flames continued to hit him, he suddenly understood why Professor Kukui liked to experience Pokémon attacks firsthand.
Every time a fireball struck his body and he looked into Deino's eyes, he could sense the emotions the Pokémon was trying to convey.
From worry and hesitation to trust and resolve—this was a view you simply couldn't get while standing behind or beside a Pokémon.
What kind of expression did his Pokémon make during a battle?
Fear?
Hesitation?
Or was it brimming with confidence and unwavering determination?
"Understanding Pokémon, getting close to Pokémon, caring for Pokémon—that is the true essence of being a Trainer."
Professor Oak's famous quote from a TV program suddenly surfaced in Kashiwagi's mind.
Simultaneously, the dragon-fire hitting him suddenly transformed into a cluster of shimmering energy, lingering before his eyes.
In an instant.
He turned to look at Aggron.
The massive, mountain-like Pokémon turned his gaze back.
"Let's go!"
"Groon!"
The two of them charged at each other and collided without hesitation!
Kashiwagi was knocked back violently, but he twisted his body skillfully and landed on the ground.
When he looked up, Aggron's cerulean eyes were filled with a smile.
His sharp horns and his entire head were covered in a shroud of blue light.
"You did it."
Kashiwagi couldn't help but let out a laugh.