Ash's system allowed him to exchange points for various items from the Pokémon world. However, vital artifacts like those capable of summoning Legendary Pokémon were simply not available in the shop.
By the time Ash tucked the Clear Bell safely away, Suicune had already vanished, and the rain had ceased as abruptly as it had begun.
Ash ruffled Pikachu's head. "Let's head back, Pikachu. One day, we'll officially make Suicune our partner!"
"Pika-pika!"
Back at the villa, Molly was the first to greet them. Ash had been using his Aura to shield himself from the wind and rain throughout his walk, so his clothes were perfectly dry. Having superhuman abilities was certainly convenient.
After spending the night at the villa, the group bid farewell to Dr. Anna. Interestingly, Brock's Zubat had evolved into Golbat during the night. A truly celebratory occasion!
Soon, they would be clear of this forest, placing them just a short distance from Ecruteak City. But just then, a Tauros suddenly charged out from behind them.
Ash quickly pulled Bayleef aside and scooped Molly into his arms. Getting hit by a stampeding Tauros was no small matter.
"Ash, look!" Misty cried out.
Ash noticed an elderly man walking leisurely along the mountain path right in the Tauros's trajectory. The Pokémon was moving so fast it would send the old man flying in seconds.
"Bayleef! Over here!"
Ash set Molly down and signaled Bayleef. He slid down the slope to cut across the path, standing right beside the old man. He noticed the elderly man reaching for a Poké Ball of his own, ready to face the charge head-on. Ash gave a small smile. "Old-timer, give the youngsters a chance!"
Ash pointed at the Tauros. "Bayleef, use Vine Whip!"
Bayleef's vines lashed out, entangling the Tauros's horns and slamming it into the ground with a powerful wrestling throw.
It was a beautiful takedown. Naturally, Bayleef had been the focus of Ash's recent training; it carried Molly during the day and underwent special training whenever they rested. Being with Ash made Bayleef incredibly happy every day. Its Bond Level had already surpassed 200. While progress usually slowed down before evolution, Ash believed it would reach Bond Evolution quickly once it evolved.
"Calm down, little guy," Ash said with a chuckle as the Tauros continued to struggle. "Use Sleep Powder!"
The Tauros drifted off into a deep slumber.
"Big Brother Ash!"
Misty, Brock, and Molly caught up just as the Tauros's trainer arrived. After profuse apologies and thanks, the trainer recalled the Pokémon. It turned out the Tauros had been spooked by a Beedrill sting in the forest.
It was a minor incident for Ash, but the old man seemed to watch Ash with great admiration.
"Young man, you've trained that Bayleef exceptionally well! I like your style. Please, you must visit my home!"
It felt like a repeat of the Muramasa incident. Deep in a similar forest, they arrived at a private dojo—a massive one at that. From inside, rhythmic shouts of "One, two! One, two!" could be heard.
"What's that sound?" Molly asked.
The old man sighed with a look of disappointment. "That is my granddaughter, Chigusa, performing useless training. My family runs a dojo specializing in Fighting-type Pokémon. We are practitioners of the long-standing 'Genzo Style'!"
The Genzo Style Fighting Dojo!
Stepping inside, they saw many Fighting-types training alongside their owners: Machop, Mankey, Hitmonchan...
In terms of pure strength, they couldn't compare to Muramasa's dojo, and there were fewer students. Ash wasn't particularly interested in "bullying" weaker opponents. However, sticking to the principle that "every bit of experience counts," he decided to challenge the Genzo Style Dojo anyway. He always enjoyed a good dojo challenge.
Leading the students was a girl who looked to be about Ash's age. Her partner was a Hitmontop. It possessed graceful, flowing kicking techniques, and like Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee, it was an evolved form of Tyrogue.
However, watching the girl train looked more like she was leading a rhythmic aerobics class than a martial arts session.
Chigusa clapped her hands. "Everyone, pay attention! Maintain the beauty of your kicks and punches! And don't forget to keep the rhythm!"
"Hmph!" A cold snort came from Genzo. "Martial arts aren't meant for show!"
Chigusa demonstrated Hitmontop's elegant Triple Kick before waving goodbye to the students as they headed home. Genzo finally walked over.
"Grandpa, who are these people?"
To everyone's surprise, the old man replied, "I've finally found my successor!" He clapped Ash on the shoulder.
His meaning was clear: he wanted Ash to inherit the Genzo Style Dojo!
Wait, Ash thought, if I inherit the dojo, does that mean I have to marry your granddaughter?
Ash obviously had no such intentions; he wasn't about to let a dojo tie him down. But he didn't protest immediately. The old man's hand was gripping his shoulder like an iron vice, clearly wanting him to play along.
Sure enough, Chigusa grew anxious. "Grandpa! Are you really that opposed to me inheriting the dojo?"
"With your current skills, you cannot inherit it! What you do is mere 'fighting dance.' It is not the practical, combat-focused style of our lineage!" The old man was brutally honest.
"That's not true! My techniques are very effective in real combat!"
Desperate to prove herself, the girl pointed directly at Ash, the "chosen successor."
"If you want to be the successor of our dojo, beat my Pokémon first! Bring out a Fighting-type!"
Ash actually did have a Fighting-type on hand.
"I never refuse a battle that comes to my door," Ash said. "Let's do it! Heracross, I choose you!"
Heracross Sync: 185 / 253
This was a Bug/Fighting-type. Speaking of Fighting-types, Ash remembered the Mankey he caught long ago that loved stealing his hat, which eventually evolved into Primeape. After winning a P1 Grand Prix, he had left it with a trainer named Anthony for professional training. He hadn't released it; it was still his Pokémon.
I should really go pick up Primeape eventually, Ash thought.