Thanks to Sanpei's introduction, Ash and his friends soon met the leader of the ninja village, Head Ninja Hanzo, as well as Sanpei's two older brothers—Ippei and Nihei.
In truth, they hardly needed an introduction.
The villagers had already heard rumors about Ash and his companions through Kagetomo, who had once mentioned Sanpei's traveling friends.
Thus, Ash and his group were warmly welcomed in the ninja village.
Because Ash also had a Frogadier, Ippei personally guided them into an underground chamber where a grand mural of Greninja was etched into the wall.
"In our village's legends," Ippei explained, "the ninja clan was once torn apart by constant strife and battles. During those dark days, it was Greninja who protected us. Greninja is our village's hero. That is why, when I chose Froakie as my first partner and helped it evolve into Frogadier, I swore that one day it would become Greninja. In truth, it was my admiration for that legendary hero that led me down this path."
Ippei smiled, his words carrying both pride and reverence.
"My brother is right," Sanpei added. "That is why I, too, chose Froakie as my first Pokémon. It is the way of our clan."
He then turned to Ash.
"Ash, your Frogadier should be close to evolving as well. Once it becomes Greninja, its strength will soar to incredible heights. With you as its trainer, the two of you will be unstoppable."
Ash crouched beside Frogadier. "Frogadier, go and look at that mural."
"Frogaaa!"
Frogadier nodded and stepped toward the wall.
The mural depicted a brilliant moon high in the sky, shining down upon a Greninja standing tall with its arms folded.
But what caught everyone's attention was the giant water shuriken strapped across its back.
Ash's eyes widened. "That must be the Greninja of legend… the one that undergoes Bond Evolution."
"Frogadier…"
Frogadier's gaze lingered on the mural, as if feeling something awaken deep within.
But just then—
Clang!
The alarm bell suspended in the underground chamber rang out violently.
It was the village's intruder alert!
"An invasion! Sanpei, quickly!" Ippei's expression hardened.
Everyone rushed back to the surface, only to see the skies filled with flocks of Skarmory.
"Skreeeech!"
The armored birds swooped down, unleashing their attacks and spreading destruction throughout the village.
Ash clenched his fists. He wanted to help immediately—but he knew this was the ninja clan's affair. He decided to wait. He believed Frogadier's moment of evolution was near.
But then it became clear—the Skarmory were nothing more than a diversion!
While the village was under attack, a masked intruder and his Pokémon infiltrated the leader's residence and kidnapped Hanzo!
Too old and frail to resist, Hanzo was carried away. But in his heart, he already knew who the kidnapper was.
It was none other than the man who had once challenged him for leadership and failed—
the vengeful ninja Kagetomo.
Ash, Sanpei, and the others immediately gave chase.
Ash still refrained from forcing the issue with overwhelming strength—if Frogadier's evolution was interrupted, the opportunity might never come again.
But their pursuit was cut off by another ninja who appeared to block their path.
It was the one Ash had been expecting—Ninja Heidayu.
In the original tale, it was during this very battle with Heidayu that Frogadier had awakened its evolution!
"I won't let you interfere! Go, Bisharp!" Heidayu shouted.
"Greninja, let's go!" Sanpei cried.
"Frogadier, I'm counting on you!" Ash declared.
The battlefield was set. Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie had been left behind—this fight was for Ash and Sanpei alone.
"Greninja, Water Shuriken!"
"Frogadier, use Water Pulse!"
"Bisharp, use Snarl!"
"Bishaaaaarp!!"
Bisharp's Snarl ripped through the air, shattering Greninja's Water Shuriken and Frogadier's Water Pulse in an instant.
Then the dark soundwave slammed directly into Greninja, knocking it back with tremendous force.
"Greninja!" Sanpei cried out.
At level 45 and above, Bisharp's strength was overwhelming. The gap in power was painfully clear.
"Heh, you're far too green to stand against me. Bisharp, Metal Claw!"
"Frogadier, cover Greninja with Cut!" Ash commanded.
"Frogaaa!"
Frogadier dashed forward, intercepting Bisharp's glowing claws with its own blade of energy.
The two clashed like rival swordsmen, sparks flying.
But Bisharp's sheer power broke through, sending Frogadier's Cut flying aside. Its second claw swung down, aiming to slash Frogadier directly!
"Frogadier!"
Frogadier braced itself, raising an arm to block the attack. The impact made its entire body tremble.
"Greninja!!" Sanpei's partner cried out, worried for Frogadier's safety.
"Frogadier!!"
Pain seared through Frogadier's arm , but it refused to back down. Memories of endless training with Ash—their battles, their failures, their victories—flashed like lightning in its mind.
"No… not yet…" Ash whispered, clenching his fists.
Frogadier roared defiantly, its voice cutting through the roar of fire. Its body ignited—with pure light, a brilliance born of willpower and loyalty.
At last—evolution had come.
"Graaaah!"
From the glow emerged not a simple Pokémon, but a warrior. Sleek, powerful, radiating resolve—Ash's Greninja stood tall, its transformation complete.
Ash's chest tightened, his breath catching. His eyes widened—not just with pride, but with awe. He could feel it—this wasn't an ordinary evolution.
Greninja turned its head, locking eyes with him.
For a heartbeat, time itself seemed to stop.
And then—Ash felt it.
A surge of energy, raw and unstoppable, pulsed between them. It wasn't just strength—it was a bond, deeper than words, fiercer than fire, stronger than destiny itself.
Their souls had merged.
Trainer and Pokémon as one.
Ash stepped forward, his voice trembling yet powerful:
"We've gone beyond limits, Greninja… this is just the beginning!"
Greninja's aura flared, blades of water gleaming like steel. It crouched low, ready to strike—yet every motion radiated the same unshakable determination as its trainer.
Ash raised his fist high.
"We're only going to grow stronger from here—together! Let's show them who we are, Greninja!"
The battlefield trembled. The air itself seemed to roar.
And from that moment on… a legend was born.
BOOM!
A towering column of water shot skyward, engulfing Greninja.
For a moment, it felt as if heaven and earth were connected by that torrent.
Every pair of eyes was drawn to the radiant figure standing within.
Greninja charged forward, aiming straight at Bisharp—
its destiny as the Bonded Greninja had begun!
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