The afternoon sun filtered through the leaves as the group made their way toward Coumarine City. Along the riverbank, Ash had set up an impromptu training session. Froakie darted across the field, splitting into illusions with Double Teambefore striking at a target with sharp slashes of Cut. Lapras, freshly reunited with Ash after being saved from a band of poachers, joined in, sending shimmering rings of Water Pulse across the clearing.
"Nice one, Froakie! Keep the pressure up with Aerial Ace!" Ash called, his eyes sharp with focus. Then he turned to Lapras, pumping a fist. "Alright, Lapras, let's try a strong Hydro Pump. Show Lucario what you've got!"
Korrina stood nearby with her Lucario, acting as a sparring partner. Aura Sphere burst against Froakie's feints, while Bone Rush spun and clashed with Lapras's water attacks, pushing both Pokémon to refine their timing. Clemont carefully adjusted a small device to record the data, while Serena watched with quiet admiration at how smoothly Ash commanded both Pokémon.
Lapras was still adjusting to battling again. Though her Protect shone like an impenetrable wall, Ash could sense her hesitation each time she fired an attack. He cupped his hands to his mouth, shouting encouragement.
"You're doing great, Lapras! Don't hold back. Just trust yourself. I'm right here with you!"
Meanwhile, Bonnie played a little further down the bank, Dedenne chasing Chespin in circles as they tumbled in the grass. She suddenly stopped and blinked at the river. Something pale was drifting downstream. Her eyes widened.
"Hey! There's someone in the water!" Bonnie cried, pointing.
Ash spun, his expression snapping to concern. The drifting shape came closer, and his heart leapt. It was Sanpei, the ninja trainer, floating unconscious and struggling against the current. Beside him was another dark shape tumbling with the current, barely above the surface.
"Lapras, we've got to help them!" Ash urged, his voice ringing with urgency.
Lapras froze. The rush of the river and the sight of humans in danger stirred the painful memory of the poachers who had once chained and trapped her. Fear shimmered in her eyes, her body trembling.
"It's alright Lapras." Ash rushed closer, placing a steady hand against her neck. "I know it's scary, but you're stronger than that fear. He's a friend, and he won't hurt you, can you please help him?"
"Pika!" Pikachu cried, patting her reassuringly.
Ash leaned in closer, his tone gentler now. "I believe in you, Lapras. We'll save them together."
Lapras's eyes wavered, then hardened with resolve. With a powerful cry, she surged into the river, slicing through the current. She swam swiftly toward Sanpei and the other figure, reached them, and carefully lifted both onto her back.
The group rushed to meet her as she carried them ashore, dripping and still unconscious but safe.
"Sanpei!" Ash knelt by his side as Pikachu chattered worriedly. Clemont and Serena moved to check the other figure, who stirred weakly. As the water ran off its sleek body, the sunlight revealed its true form.
The others gathered close, relief mixing with concern, while Lapras rested in the shallows, her eyes reflecting both fear conquered and pride restored.
Ash turned to her with a warm smile. He placed a hand on her head. "You were great Lapras. Thank you for helping out Sanpei."
Lapras gave a soft, relieved cry, nuzzling against Ash's hand. Pikachu beamed beside him, and for the first time since her return, Lapras felt the strength of being part of Ash's journey once more.
Sanpei coughed weakly, his eyes fluttering open as he sat up with Ash's support. For a moment his gaze darted around in alarm, and his hand instinctively went to his belt as if ready to defend himself.
"W-what...?" he gasped, startled by the unfamiliar surroundings. Then his eyes focused on Ash, Serena, Clemont, Bonnie, and Korrina. Recognition spread across his face, and his expression softened with relief. "Ash... everyone. It really is you."
Ash grinned, leaning back slightly. "Yeah, it's us! It's been a long time, Sanpei."
Sanpei gave a faint smile. "I never expected to run into you again... especially like this." He turned toward his partner, who crouched loyally at his side.
But Greninja's knees buckled, and it fell forward with a pained cry. Ash and Clemont rushed to catch it before it hit the ground. Purple streaks of venom pulsed faintly along Greninja's body, the telltale sign of poison.
"Greninja!" Sanpei gasped, panic flashing across his face.
Clemont knelt quickly, his eyes sharp with analysis. "It's suffering from poison. If we don't treat it now, it could get worse." He rummaged through his bag with quick, precise movements. "Luckily, I always carry Pecha Berries."
He pulled out a small pink berry and held it carefully to Greninja's lips. "Here, eat this. It will neutralize the toxins."
Greninja weakly opened its mouth and accepted the berry. The group watched in silence as the Pokémon chewed slowly, then swallowed. A moment passed, then the purple tinge began to fade from its skin. Greninja straightened, breathing more steadily.
Sanpei let out a long sigh of relief, his shoulders easing. "Thank you. Greninja has been holding on all this time. Without your help..." His voice trailed off as he looked gratefully at Clemont.
Clemont adjusted his glasses, smiling modestly. "I just did what anyone should. Poison can be dangerous if left untreated."
Greninja rose fully now, crouching at Sanpei's side. Despite its fatigue, it managed a respectful bow of gratitude toward Clemont.
Ash's eyes widened, his curiosity bubbling up again. He pulled out his Pokédex, which clicked open and scanned Greninja.
"Greninja. The Ninja Pokémon and the evolved form of Frogadier. It creates throwing stars out of compressed water. When it spins them and throws them at high speed, they can slice through metal."
Ash grinned. "So your Frogadier evolved, huh?"
Sanpei nodded proudly, though his voice still carried the weight of worry. "Yes. Greninja has grown stronger than ever. We've been through a lot together since you last saw us."
Bonnie leaned closer, her eyes sparkling. "Wow, Greninja looks so cool!" Dedenne squeaked happily on her shoulder, while Chespin peeked out from behind her leg.
Korrina, seeing Greninja for the first time, smiled faintly. "So this is the Pokémon I heard about. Clemont and Bonnie told me your Frogadier was strong, Sanpei. I can see those stories were true."
Sanpei blinked, then nodded respectfully to her. "And you are?"
"Korrina, Gym Leader of Shalour City," she replied warmly. "I just joined Ash and the others. It's nice to finally meet you."
Greninja gave a low cry of acknowledgment, bowing politely to her Lucario, who returned the gesture.
Ash watched the exchange quietly for a moment before turning back to Sanpei. His voice was firm with concern. "Sanpei, what happened out there? Why were you and Greninja in the river like that?"
Sanpei glanced at Greninja, who met his gaze with a silent nod. He hesitated, then lowered his voice. "We were attacked—"
Before he could say more, the sharp rustle of leaves interrupted him. A cold voice cut through the air.
"So you survived after all."
Everyone turned. From the shadows of the trees, a figure stepped out. He wore a dark ninja cloak and a mask shaped like a Shiftry's face, its wooden leer hiding his expression. At his side loomed a Barbaracle, its many arms flexing menacingly.
Sanpei's eyes narrowed. "You again..."
The masked ninja's voice carried no warmth. "Hand over the secret scroll, Sanpei. You know you cannot win against me."
Ash clenched his fists. "Secret scroll?"
Sanpei ignored Ash's question, rising to his feet despite his injuries. His voice was firm. "I will never betray my mission."
The masked ninja's eyes glinted behind the Shiftry mask. "Then you and your friends will be crushed."
With a sharp gesture, he commanded, "Barbaracle, Razor Shell!"
Barbaracle surged forward, its watery blade flashing. Ash shouted instantly. "Froakie, Cut!"
Froakie leapt to intercept, slashing through the air with glowing claws. The two attacks collided with a harsh crack, water and energy spraying in all directions.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Ash called.
Pikachu unleashed a burst of electricity that lit up the clearing, striking Barbaracle head-on. But when the sparks faded, Barbaracle stood completely unfazed, glaring with all four eyes.
"Wha—?!" Clemont's voice cracked. "Of course... Barbaracle is part Ground type! Electricity won't work!"
Barbaracle stomped forward, raising its arms for another strike. The group braced, realizing they were badly outmatched.
Sanpei's eyes flicked to Ash. "We cannot win this fight. Everyone, stay close to me!"
He pulled a handful of leaves from his pouch and threw them high. The foliage burst into a swirling green fog, thick and impenetrable.
"Leaf Shroud Technique!"
The enemy ninja snarled as the smoke enveloped the group, blotting out his vision. "Cowards! You cannot run forever!"
Within moments, the heroes slipped into the forest, guided by Sanpei's practiced movements. By the time the mist cleared, the masked ninja and Barbaracle found only empty ground where their prey had been.
[Line Break]
Sanpei lowered his gaze. "I cannot explain why the scroll is so important. All I know is that it must reach the safe house before sunset. That is my mission."
Ash clenched his fists, eyes burning with determination. "Then we'll see it through with you, Sanpei. No matter what."
"Pika!" Pikachu agreed with a firm nod.
Serena smiled, though worry lingered in her eyes. "But we can't just rush in. That masked ninja is still out there, waiting for another chance."
Clemont adjusted his glasses, already thinking. "Exactly. If we move without a plan, we'll walk straight into his trap. Which is why..." He reached into his backpack with a gleam in his eye. "The future is now, thanks to science! You see, I anticipated this situation, so I invented a device to help us! Behold—the Robo Step by Step!"
He pulled out what looked like a clunky, human-shaped contraption on stubby legs, its metal feet ready to stamp the ground. With a switch of a button, the device lit up, its "eyes" blinking.
Bonnie tilted her head. "Your names are as lame as ever Clemont!"
Clemont pushed his glasses higher, smiling proudly. "It creates a decoy trail, complete with footprints and movement sounds, leading our enemies away from us. While they follow the machine, we'll take another path safely."
Ash grinned. "Wow! Science is so amazing!"
With that, Clemont wound up the device, and the Robo Step by Step began stomping off into the forest, leaving a perfect set of footprints in the dirt as it moved.
[Line Break]
"Jessie, James, I can feel it in my whiskers!" Meowth twitched, sniffing the ground. "The twerps are close by!"
James bent down, spotting the trail. "Footprints! We've found them!"
Jessie clenched her fist dramatically. "Perfect! Let's greet them with our dazzling performance!"
The two struck a pose. "Prepare for trouble!" Jessie began.
"And make it double!" James followed up.
But before they could finish, Meowth squinted at the "footprints," then at the distant shape stomping toward them. His eyes widened. "Uh... guys? That ain't the twerps. It's a machine!"
Jessie froze mid-pose, then her face flushed red with fury. "A machine?! How dare they mock us like this!"
She stomped forward and delivered a sharp kick to the Robo Step by Step.
KA-BOOM!
The contraption exploded in a burst of smoke and sparks, blasting Team Rocket into the air.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" they cried in unison as they vanished into the sky.
[Line Break]
Sanpei unfurled a worn map on a flat rock, brushing away dirt and twigs. The parchment crackled softly as he pointed to a distant location marked clearly.
"This is the manor," he said, voice calm but serious. "If we follow the usual path, there is no way we can reach it before sundown."
Ash leaned closer, eyes scanning the map. "No shortcuts?" he asked, hope tinged with worry.
Sanpei shook his head. "There might be one, but it is dangerous. It passes through the mountains."
Korrina's eyes sparkled with challenge. "I like dangerous," she said, crossing her arms. "Let's do it. If it saves time, we take it."
Clemont adjusted his glasses nervously. "Uh, maybe we should think this through. Mountain paths are unstable, and—"
"Then help us find a safer spot," Ash interrupted. "We don't have much choice. We need to move fast."
Bonnie piped up, bouncing slightly. "We can do it. Right, Dedenne? Right, Chespin?"
The group set off, heading toward the narrow, weathered wooden bridge spanning a deep gorge. Its boards creaked ominously under the wind. Clemont approached first, crouched low as he crawled across.
"Clemont, what are you doing?" Bonnie called out. "You're taking forever!"
"I'm making sure it doesn't break!" Clemont muttered, sweat beading on his forehead.
Korrina frowned, her arms tightening across her chest. "Clemont, hurry up. That bridge looks worse than I thought. Don't tell me you are going to panic like this."
Bonnie's eyes widened as Clemont inched forward. "Be careful, Clemont! That looks really dangerous!"
As if on cue, the bridge shuddered violently. One of the boards snapped with a loud crack. Clemont's eyes widened. He tumbled forward, arms flailing.
"Clemont!" Bonnie screamed, her hands gripping her head in terror.
Serena screamed as she lost her footing alongside him. "Ah!"
Korrina's eyes went wide. She lunged forward instinctively, shouting, "Hold on!" Her voice was sharp with urgency, but she was too far to reach them.
"Watch out!" Ash shouted.
Froakie leapt into action, its Bubbles forming a slippery yet buoyant barrier under Serena as she fell, cushioning her descent and slowing her toward the opposite side of the bridge. Serena clung to the bubbles, safely sliding onto stable ground.
At the same time, Clemont flailed, falling faster. Bonnie scrambled to the edge of the bridge, hands gripping the railing, eyes wide and voice panicked. "Oh no! Clemont, hold on!"
Sanpei shouted, "Greninja, now!"
Greninja sprang into action, its long tongue lashing out with precision. Clemont grabbed it instinctively, the Pokémon's tongue coiling around him and pulling him back to safety in one swift motion.
"Phew!" Clemont gasped, clutching Greninja's tongue as they landed. "Thank you, thank you! That was terrifying!"
Sanpei and Ash exchanged quick nods. "Good teamwork," Ash said. "That could have gone a lot worse."
Korrina exhaled sharply, brushing a strand of hair back. "I thought we were done for. You both need to be more careful."
Bonnie hugged Dedenne tightly, her eyes still wide. "That was so scary! I thought they were going to fall into the gorge!"
Korrina extended a hand to Serena. "Nice reflexes with Froakie. That was some quick thinking."
Serena smiled, brushing her hair back. "Thanks. I couldn't have done it without Froakie."
Bonnie bounced on her toes, clapping her hands. "See! Even the Pokémon are helping us!"
Greninja crouched, ready for the next step, while Lapras had waited on the far side of the gorge, watching the group's progress and giving reassuring cries.
Ash looked back at the broken bridge. "Alright, everyone. Let's be extra careful from here. One step at a time."
Sanpei nodded. "The path ahead is narrow and treacherous, but if we stick together, we can make it."
The group pressed onward, cautiously stepping across the remaining boards of the bridge, each relying on their Pokémon partners to keep them safe as the mountains loomed ahead.
The narrow mountain trail wound upward, steep and uneven, with sharp drops just a few steps away.
Ash walked in the lead, Froakie perched on his shoulder, scanning ahead with sharp eyes. Pikachu padded along his other side. Serena stayed close behind, her gaze flicking nervously toward the edge of the cliff.
Clemont adjusted the straps of his pack, already panting from the incline. "These slopes are too unstable. We'll need to keep our weight balanced at every step."
Bonnie sighed, holding Dedenne in her arms while Chespin trotted beside her. "Balanced or not, Clemont, you better not fall again!"
Korrina walked with confidence, though Lucario remained close to her side, ready to react. "Relax, Bonnie. We've got strong Pokémon with us. If anything happens, we'll handle it."
Her words were barely spoken when the ground shifted beneath their feet. A section of the path crumbled away with a sudden crack. Pebbles scattered into the abyss below.
"Everyone, stop!" Sanpei barked. He pressed his hand against the cliff wall, motioning for them to lean closer.
The crumbling continued, and a large slab of rock broke loose, tumbling down the slope with a thunderous crash. Serena gasped, clutching her chest.
"Lapras, help us!" Ash shouted instinctively.
From below the cliffs, Lapras answered with a powerful cry. The Water Pokémon used Ice Beam, blasting a steady stream upward. The ice spread across the weakest part of the slope, reinforcing it just enough for the group to continue forward.
"That was close..." Clemont muttered, adjusting his glasses.
Bonnie looked at Lapras and beamed. "Good job, Lapras! You saved us!"
They continued carefully, but the next challenge came quickly. The path narrowed until only one person could walk at a time. Jagged rocks jutted from the wall, forcing them to squeeze sideways. Serena hesitated, pressing her back against the cliff face, her hands trembling.
"I... I don't know if I can make it," she whispered.
Korrina, already a few steps ahead, looked back with encouragement. "You can, Serena. Just focus on your breathing and trust your Pokémon."
Froakie jumped down and created frubbles, sticking them like little footholds along the rock. Serena steadied herself, using them to move across more confidently.
When she reached the other side, Bonnie clapped her hands. "See? Easy! Your Froakie's the best, Serena!"
Serena exhaled in relief, smiling faintly. "Thank you, Froakie."
Ash grinned, proud. "Nice work, Froakie!"
The group pressed onward, but danger struck once more. A sudden gust of mountain wind roared through the pass, so strong that Clemont staggered backward, his feet slipping on loose gravel.
"Whoa!" he yelped, arms flailing as he teetered toward the edge.
"Clemont!" Bonnie screamed, reaching out.
Before he could fall, Greninja darted forward. With blinding speed, it extended its tongue again, wrapping Clemont's arm and pulling him back to solid ground.
Clemont collapsed to his knees, panting. "That makes twice now... Thank you again, Greninja..."
Sanpei placed a hand on Greninja's shoulder, his expression calm but full of pride. "Your timing is as sharp as ever."
Ash stepped up beside Clemont, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Hang in there. We're almost through this."
Korrina crossed her arms, smirking slightly to hide her concern. "You're lucky to have Greninja around."
Bonnie pouted. "Lucky? Clemont's just clumsy."
Everyone chuckled lightly, the tension easing for a moment. But as they looked ahead, Sanpei's gaze hardened.
The trail wound upward one last time, disappearing into the shadow of a narrow mountain tunnel.
A cool draft drifted out, carrying with it a faint screech. The moment they stepped inside, fluttering shadows filled the air.
"Golbat!" Serena cried, shielding her eyes as the bat Pokémon swooped down from the ceiling.
The cave filled with ear-splitting shrieks and the flapping of wings.
"Greninja, use Smokescreen!" Sanpei commanded.
Greninja leapt forward, releasing a thick, black cloud that spread through the cave. The Golbat screeched in confusion, their sonar disrupted. Ash shielded his face as he stumbled forward through the haze.
When the smoke cleared, only Ash and Sanpei had emerged from the other side of the tunnel. The rest of their friends were nowhere to be seen.
"Serena? Clemont? Korrina? Bonnie?" Ash called out, his voice echoing in the cavern.
"They were right behind us..." Sanpei muttered, scanning the path. His eyes narrowed. "No. This is no accident."
From the shadows, the masked ninja appeared, Barbaracle at his side. His voice was low and threatening. "Your friends are of no concern. Hand over the scroll."
Sanpei stepped in front of Ash, drawing a kunai. "Ash, go. Find the others. I'll hold him off."
Ash clenched his fists. "No way. We're in this together!"
"Pika pika!" Pikachu cried, sparks flying from its cheeks.
The masked ninja's eyes glinted behind his Shiftry mask. "Then face the consequences. Barbaracle, attack!"
"Froakie, Double Team!" Ash shouted.
"Greninja, Double Team!" Sanpei commanded.
Both Pokémon split into multiple copies, surrounding Barbaracle on all sides.
"Now, Froakie, Water Pulse!"
"Greninja, Water Shuriken!"
The cave lit up as a sphere of rippling water and glowing shuriken flew toward Barbaracle. But the enemy Pokémon sprang upward, dodging both attacks. The blasts collided instead with the clones, wiping them out in an instant.
"Pikachu, use Electro Ball!" Ash called.
Pikachu hurled a crackling orb of electricity. Barbaracle countered with a sharp swing of Razor Shell, slicing through the attack in a burst of sparks.
"Barbaracle's too strong..." Ash growled.
Suddenly, a net flew from the shadows, aimed straight at Pikachu.
"Pika!" Pikachu twisted midair, barely dodging as the net slammed into the ground.
"Prepare for trouble, we've now got Pikachu!"
"And Make it double because we'll get your ninja Pokémon too!"
"Team Rocket!" Ash snapped.
Jessie twirled her hair. "Don't think you can hide in a cave and keep secrets from us!"
James posed with a smirk. "We'll take Pikachu, that scroll, and maybe even Greninja while we're at it!"
Meowth hurled another net, but before it could close in, the masked ninja's Barbaracle slashed it apart with Razor Shell.
Sanpei's eyes widened. "Why would he—?"
The masked ninja's voice was sharp. "Stay out of this. They are my prey."
Jessie stomped her foot angrily. "How dare you steal our spotlight!"
"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet cried, charging forward alongside Meowth.
Barbaracle struck with another Razor Shell, knocking both of them backward in a single blow.
Ash seized the chance. "Froakie, Water Pulse!"
Sanpei joined in. "Greninja, Water Shuriken!"
Twin streams of water surged forward, striking Team Rocket in a combined blast.
"Wobbuffet!" Jessie screamed as she, James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet were sent flying.
"Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" they wailed, disappearing into the sky.
Ash and Sanpei turned back, their Pokémon at the ready. Barbaracle stood tall, unfazed, while the masked ninja's eyes glimmered from behind his mask.
"Barbaracle, Poison Jab!" the masked ninja commanded.
Barbaracle lunged forward, its claw glowing a venomous purple.
"Greninja, dodge it!" Sanpei shouted.
Greninja leapt gracefully, flipping over the jagged claws as the attack missed by inches.
"Froakie, Double Team!" Ash called.
Froakie split into multiple images, darting around Barbaracle from every direction.
"Now, Cut!"
The Froakie clones rushed in, their claws glowing with sharp energy. At the same time, Ash added, "Pikachu, Iron Tail!"
Pikachu's tail gleamed silver as it charged alongside the Froakie duplicates.
But Barbaracle smashed the ground with a wide sweep. "Mud-Slap!" the masked ninja ordered.
Mud flew in a thick spray, splattering across the cave floor. The Double Team clones vanished instantly, and both Pikachu and Froakie were thrown back, covered in dirt.
"Pika...!" Pikachu gritted its teeth, sliding across the ground.
"Froakie!" Ash cried, rushing to his partner's side.
Barbaracle raised its claw again, venom dripping. "Finish Greninja. Poison Jab!"
Sanpei's eyes widened. "Greninja, look out!"
Barbaracle lunged for the strike. Greninja crouched low, bracing, but before it could counter, movement stirred from beneath a pile of rocks.
Froakie's eyes burned with determination. Ignoring its bruises, it leapt from the rubble, glowing with radiant blue light. Its body stretched, its limbs grew stronger, and when the light faded, a new form stood proudly in front of its allies.
"Froakie... you evolved!" Ash exclaimed.
"Frogadier!" the newly evolved Pokémon cried, leaping directly into Barbaracle's strike.
The Poison Jab connected, but Frogadier held its ground, shielding Greninja with its body. Ash clenched his fists. "Hang in there, Frogadier!"
Barbaracle roared, raising its claw once more. "Razor Shell!"
The claw glowed a sharp aqua as it swung down.
"Frogadier, counter with Cut!" Ash commanded.
Frogadier's hand glowed brightly, meeting the Razor Shell in a clash of sparks and water. The force of the collision sent waves of energy bursting through the cave.
"Push through it!" Ash shouted.
With a surge of strength, Frogadier sliced through the Razor Shell, forcing Barbaracle back a step.
The masked ninja narrowed his eyes. "Again, Poison Jab!"
Barbaracle lunged once more, but this time Frogadier blurred with incredible speed.
"Use Acrobatics!" Ash cried.
Frogadier flipped and twisted through the air, striking Barbaracle with a rapid flurry of kicks and slams. The super effective blows landed hard, sending Barbaracle staggering backward with a roar.
Sanpei smirked slightly. "Impressive. Ash's bond with his Pokémon is powerful."
The masked ninja's cloak swirled as he pulled back. Barbaracle growled but did not advance again. "This battle is not yet decided... but your path leads only into my hands."
With a swirl of smoke, the ninja and Barbaracle vanished into the shadows.
Ash clenched his fists. "Wait! Where are you—"
The masked ninja's voice echoed from the cave walls. "You will find your friends... at the Safe House."
Ash stiffened, eyes narrowing. "The Safe House? Why would he just tell us that?"
Sanpei's gaze darkened. "It could be a trap. But if that is where your friends are, we have no choice. We must go there."
Ash looked at Frogadier, who stood tall and proud after its first battle as an evolved Pokémon. He smiled with renewed determination. "Alright. Then we're heading to the Safe House. We'll save our friends... no matter what."
"Pika pika!" Pikachu agreed, sparks flickering.
Sanpei nodded firmly. "Together."
The two trainers and their Pokémon pressed onward, the cave fading behind them as the mountain path curved toward their uncertain destination.
[Line Break]
Ash and Sanpei arrived at the manor just as the sun dipped behind the mountain peaks. The building stood eerily quiet, its wooden walls and shadowed windows giving off an abandoned feel.
"There's... no one here," Ash murmured, scanning the empty courtyard. "Could this be the wrong place?"
Sanpei shook his head, gripping the scroll tightly. "No, this is the Safe House. But something isn't right..."
Just then, a familiar voice rang out.
"Ash!"
The boys turned to see Serena, Korrina, Clemont, and Bonnie emerging from the manor doors. Pikachu's ears perked up as Ash rushed forward.
"You're all safe!" Ash said with relief.
Serena smiled warmly. "We were worried about you too."
Before anyone could say more, a swirl of smoke erupted across the courtyard. From within it stepped the masked ninja with Barbaracle at his side. Ash braced for battle, but then the man slowly removed his mask.
Sanpei's eyes widened. "Master Saizo...!"
Saizo nodded. "It is as you suspect. I am the one who orchestrated this. I took your friends to keep them out of danger, but I failed to account for Ash's persistence."
Ash blinked. "So... this was all a test?"
Saizo's expression softened, though his voice carried weight. "Sanpei, this mission was not just about delivering the scroll. It was about proving yourself as a shinobi. You faced danger, stood by your allies, and completed your task despite the odds. Hand me the scroll, and the mission is fulfilled."
Still stunned, Sanpei slowly stepped forward and presented the secret scroll. Saizo accepted it, his eyes filled with pride. "Well done. I will report all of today's events to the elder of Ninja Village."
Ash exhaled in relief, finally lowering his guard.
At that moment, Serena noticed the Pokémon at Ash's side. "Ash, your Froakie... it evolved?"
Ash grinned, turning proudly to Frogadier. "Yeah. It evolved during the battle against Barbaracle."
Frogadier croaked confidently.
Bonnie's eyes sparkled with excitement. "That's amazing! Hey, Frogadier, can you change back into Froakie and evolve again? I really wanted to see it happen!"
Korrina laughed lightly, shaking her head. "It doesn't work like that, Bonnie."
Bonnie pouted, folding her arms. "Aw, no fair..."
Ash chuckled before his eyes lit up with an idea. He looked at Sanpei and Greninja. "Since the mission's over, how about a battle? Frogadier and I want to test out our new strength!"
Frogadier nodded firmly, stepping forward.
Sanpei smiled. "Very well. Greninja and I accept your challenge."
As the two shinobi Pokémon squared off in the manor courtyard, the setting sun bathed the scene in golden light. The air filled with anticipation, their friends watching eagerly from the sidelines.
And so, another adventure in Kalos came to a close, as Ash's journey continued toward Coumarine City with new strength, new friends, and battles still to come.
AS THE JOURNEY CONTINUES!
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