Looking at the two puzzled people, Cynthia realized her words were ambiguous, so she quickly clarified: "Don't misunderstand, I'm not planning to leave Dawn behind."
"It's just that, since I'm secretly following you, being alone is more convenient, so Dawn should stay in your team."
"I think if Dawn follows you, she'll learn a lot."
Upon hearing this, Dawn and Ash exchanged glances. Dawn couldn't help but pout at Cynthia: "Master, you're acting like a hands-off boss!"
Cynthia smiled: "How can you say I'm being hands-off? I'm following right behind. Don't worry, Dawn, I'll be watching your growth."
Dawn: ...
In essence, you're still being a hands-off boss!!
Raihan chimed in: "Hey, Cynthia, why are you following Ash?"
"Don't meddle in other people's business. Just review today's battle properly."
Lance spoke up directly, telling Raihan not to delve further into the matter.
Even he only knew that Cynthia decided to stick by Ash because some bigwig had their eyes on Ash, to protect him against any potential danger.
But... given Ash's current setup, if he really faced someone he couldn't handle, would having Cynthia there really make a difference?
Anyway, Cynthia is still one of the top Trainers in the world.
Having her by Ash's side is better than Ash going solo.
Raihan shrugged, fine, I won't ask, not like I care.
After saying goodbye to Raihan, the group set off on their journey again.
With the badges from Blackthorn City and Hammerlocke City obtained, Ash's collection of eight badges was now complete.
The next goal was to help Serena gather the rest of her badges.
So the group began to leisurely wander around various areas of Johto.
Though they said they were on the road, it was more like they were on a laid-back vacation.
After all, with Ash's badges all collected, there was no rush, and it was a perfect time to help Serena challenge the relatively easier Gyms while doing some solid training.
The dynamics of this group were quite intriguing.
Ash and Misty, naturally not much needed to be said, had long established a relationship, although not overly affectionate, their occasional public displays of affection could be blindingly glaring.
Then there's Serena, secretly having a crush on Ash, hiding it well, but Misty could easily see through it.
However, Ash, with his level of emotional intelligence, was completely oblivious.
As for Dawn, who recently joined the team, she also developed an inexplicable liking for Ash, considering how brilliant he appeared throughout their journey.
Brock... remained the steadfast caretaker of the group, responsible for their meals, and when seeing a pretty Pokemon Center nurse, he'd be dragged away by Misty.
Cynthia trailed distantly behind the group, coming and going alone, rarely making appearances usually.
This is the current relationship chart of this team.
Early morning.
Before the crack of dawn, Ash was already leading his Pokemon in a day's special training.
The group had set up camp on an open grassy area near a lake.
At the moment, the meadow was bustling with activity.
Pikachu's cheeks were constantly sparking, each Thunderbolt smashing into distant rocks, shattering them into pieces.
Annihilape was sparring with Lucario.
Gardevoir was receiving guidance from Mewtwo, continually refining its Spiritual Power.
Greninja and Blastoise were also facing off against each other, honing their Moves, Blastoise controlling its move power, and Greninja trying its best to suppress Blastoise's strength.
The scene made Serena click her tongue.
"No matter how many times I see it, Ash's Pokemon training volume is truly impressive!"
She stood with Delphox, looking at the bustling scene in front, unable to help but swallow her saliva.
Speaking of Delphox, it was the Pokemon that baffled Serena the most.
As Serena's Starter Pokemon, Delphox was the most powerful in her lineup.
After all, it was the Final Evolution of the Three Starter, with the foundation to match.
But this big fox had quite the pampered personality.
Its fiery red, enchanting fur couldn't afford to be sullied by even a speck of dust, needing grooming multiple times a day without fail.
Before each training session, there had to be a round of negotiations with Serena.
Only Serena would have such patience; if it were Ash, there'd first be a bout between human and Pokemon!
Even I've beaten you, yet you still won't train.jpg.
Despite this, Delphox remained Serena's uncompromised number one powerhouse.
Its Level firmly outstripped Serena's other Pokemon by a large margin, with the Three Starter's Final Evolution potential not being bragged.
Even if this diva was lazy every day, with training intensity not on par with Ash's Pokemon, its prowess remained unmatched in the team.
It's not that Delphox couldn't handle more intense training.
It's purely because this royal doesn't want to.
Moreover, being a girl and Serena's Pokemon, Ash couldn't impose the same strictness he had with his own Pokemon.
Just take Serena's Cyndaquil, which was at the Advanced Junior Level... oh no, now it's already an Advanced Level Quilava as an example.
That little guy insists on doing hundreds of Flamethrowers every day, practicing until he's drenched in sweat without stopping.
This amount of training, even Delphox nowadays, can barely keep up.
After breakfast, it's time for the unwavering battle practice.
Ash would specifically choose his Pokemon to spar against Serena's Pokemon, helping her identify and correct her weaknesses.
"Serena, Delphox has an advantage in Speed, don't always think about going head-to-head, use its speed to hit and run."
"Your Rhydon's timing in ramming is good, but it's too slow to recover, making it easy to counterattack."
"With Flaaffy, don't discharge all at once, save some."
Ash watches the battles in the arena, occasionally offering guidance.
Serena nods repeatedly, her eyes are full of seriousness.
To say she's made significant progress along the way would not be an exaggeration.
At the beginning, even basic battle commands were hard for her, now she can deploy strategies like a pro.
Ash has played a major role in her improvement.
Her Pokemon's rapid advancement is closely related to his guidance.
By noon, it's the moment everyone eagerly awaits—meal time.
Cooking is no longer exclusively Brock's task.
"Ash, are you on kitchen duty again today?" Misty leaned in by the pot, taking in the aroma deeply with a look of bliss.
"Yeah, today I'll show everyone a taste of Johto with Pokemon rice balls." Ash ties his apron, his actions smooth and effortless.
Brock stands with arms crossed, watching Ash's skilled knife work with anticipation.
"Oh man, I'm afraid my position as the team's chef is in jeopardy."
Despite his words, Brock doesn't feel any disappointment because even he wants to taste Ash's cooking.
That glowing dish is practically a divine-level masterpiece!
Talking about cooking skills, Ash's were just amateur-level, his dishes were barely palatable.
But somewhere along the way, Ash hit a breakthrough, his culinary skills suddenly soared to an unbelievable level.
Creating glowing food is an extraordinary feat!
If it were anyone else, Brock might think this person was possessed by some strange Pokemon.
But if it's Ash... well, no problem, this guy has always been eccentric.
Such peculiar things happening aren't surprising.
Now Ash's cooking thoroughly beats Brock's.
Especially the delicately crafted Pokemon rice balls; they're not only cute but taste incredible, even picky Pokemon can't resist.
Under Ash's guidance, Brock learned many culinary tips, his cooking skills improved greatly compared to the start of their travels.
Yet, compared to Ash, he's still lacking.
"Dinner is served!"
As Ash calls out, the Pokemon who were training elsewhere swarm around.
Pikachu is the first to spring to the feeding bowl, grabbing a rice ball to chow down.
Even the usually proud and aloof Delphox can't care about its image now, it digs in with relish.
Only Gardevoir maintains its elegance, savoring in small bites.
Serena's Pokemon gather around the feeding bowl, enjoying their meal enthusiastically.
Flaaffy's fluffy wool bounces with each bite, making one want to caress it.
Rhydon digs in voraciously, as if it's been starving for days.
The scene of Pokemon dining together is heartwarming.
Serena holds her rice ball, looking at Ash busy at work, a gentle glow appears in her eyes.
Misty arrives beside Serena, Serena quickly conceals the gaze in her eyes.
But Misty isn't fooled, she whispers in Serena's ear, "Ash is really dense, you know. It took me a lot of effort to get him to wise up."
Serena looks at Misty in amazement, "Wha... what do you mean?"
Misty chuckles, "Literal meaning, you need to push harder if you want him to realize your feelings. Being subtle won't work, he's impossible to figure out your feelings that way."
Serena: …
Did Misty see through her thoughts? It's one thing to see through but why encourage her?
Isn't Misty Ash's girlfriend?
I don't get it, but I'm very shocked.jpg!
Yet, Misty's encouragement somehow releases a breath Serena had been holding.
Her biggest hurdle in liking Ash wasn't his dense personality, but Misty!
Now that Misty said this, maybe Serena could... be a bit bolder?
Dawn observed the scene with a 'gossiping' expression.
The twists and turns in this group are far more entertaining than battles.
There's drama every day!
Too bad her mentor is far away, she can't share the gossip. Otherwise, she'd have someone to discuss rumors with.
The days went by.
The group traveled, challenged Gyms, trained Pokemon, and had a fulfilling time.
And Serena's Pokemon steadily grew through this balanced training.
Delphox, as the absolute core of the team, steadily ascended in Level.
Rhydon's diamond-like armor became increasingly solid, its ramming power greater by the day, clearly becoming the second premier combatant after Delphox.
Sneasel's techniques grew more cunning, its Level quietly climbed.
Flaaffy's fluffy wool now contained greater electricity, its discharge more powerful.
Even the newly arrived Corsola and Teddiursa grew closer with Serena, their synergy looks promising.
The entire team visibly improved in combat power daily.
Time quietly slipped by in this simple yet fulfilling routine.
The group challenged one Gym after another, Serena's badge case steadily filled.
In the blink of an eye, two months passed.
Under Ash's intense guidance, along with his remarkable talent for potential development, Serena and her Pokemon underwent transformative growth.
The most direct result is Serena's badge case.
With the last badge securely placed inside, Serena successfully gathered the eight badges needed to challenge the Silver Conference.
"I collected all eight badges!"
Serena clutches the badge-filled case, her eyes are almost tearing from excitement.
She remembers when she first set out on the journey, she couldn't even command a single Pokemon, a complete novice.
But now she finally stands on the starting line, ready to challenge the League Conference.
Her strongest Delphox, after two months of rigorous training, experienced a qualitative leap from Elite Intermediate to Professional, even reaching Professional Middle Level!
Additionally, Flaaffy evolved into Ampharos! Being Mareep's final evolution form, its strength reached Elite Advanced Level!
Corsola's strength just reached Elite Level, while Teddiursa evolved into Ursaring, equal in Level to Corsola.
With Ash's help, Sneasel used the top Razor Claw to evolve into Weavile, its strength is also Elite but already at Elite Advanced Level.
Lastly, the first under Delphox, Rhydon's Level—Professional Junior.
For a Trainer traveling for just under half a year, Serena already possesses two Professional Level Pokemon!
Moreover, most of the time was wasted!
Among rookie Trainers, she is among the elite!
All of this ties back to Ash.
Serena's progress has at least eighty percent to do with Ash's contributions!
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