"Still acting tough, Mr. Laramie?" Ash smirked after hearing Dario's words, then glanced meaningfully at Mr. Laramie.
"Master Ash, I understand." Catching the signal in Ash's eyes, Mr. Laramie wasn't slow to react. He nodded, then gestured for his clan members to take Dario and his men away.
As the head of a family, Mr. Laramie naturally knew how to handle such matters. Becoming a branch family under a larger clan required understanding the unspoken rules—sometimes even the dead became bargaining chips.
To his people, a patriarch's duty was to lead them to a better life and secure more benefits. But for the patriarch himself, ensuring those benefits often meant confronting hidden darkness that others preferred to ignore.
"Ash, you shouldn't…" Cynthia's voice wavered.
As the princess of the Yoto family, she immediately understood what Ash intended. It was the first time she had seen him so ruthless. She couldn't accept it—she even hated it.
"I will never allow anyone to threaten my family or friends," Ash said coldly.
"Even if it means becoming a villain in the eyes of others. If you truly want to walk with me, then don't resist my methods. Otherwise… we'll go our separate ways."
The conflict in Cynthia's eyes only deepened Ash's disappointment. Without another word, he brushed past her, his gaze icy.
Her lips parted as if to speak, but no sound came. The love that had just started between them now felt frozen solid—like Articuno's wings of ice.
Seeing the growing distance between Ash and Cynthia, Sabrina suddenly spoke:
"Cynthia, as his fiancée, you should have expected this. Even if you dislike his methods, don't show it in front of him. Don't forget—everything he does is for the sake of protecting those around him. Aren't you one of them?"
Cynthia's heart shook.
Yes… Ash did this to protect the people close to him. She was one of them. But then—why did it feel so painful to be treated this way?
"I thought you were the one who understood him best. But it seems you only know his surface." Sabrina's eyes flashed as she turned away. "Compared to you, I believe I'm the one more suited to stand at Ash's side."
With that, she drifted away without another glance. Sabrina had been surrounded by psychic power since childhood. She had seen things far darker than Ash's methods, and unlike Cynthia, she could accept them.
"Cynthia, don't be too upset… Ash is just in a bad mood. By tomorrow, he'll calm down." Suzie tried to comfort her, though she didn't know what else to say as tears slid down Cynthia's cheeks.
Meanwhile, Ash walked outside—where three all-too-familiar figures were tied up. It had been months since he last saw them, and honestly, he had almost forgotten the Rocket trio even existed.
"Let us go, brat! We're Team Rocket!" Jessie shouted defiantly despite the ropes binding her.
Meowth, however, stayed quiet. He had already seen how terrifying Ash's Pokémon were and knew better than to provoke him.
James said nothing either, trying to hide behind Jessie and Meowth, praying Ash wouldn't notice him.
"Team Rocket… Did you ever pass along the message I gave Giovanni last time?" Ash's voice was cold. He had long decided—the Rockets must be destroyed.
"Hah! Just because a brat like you wants to meet our Boss? Don't make me laugh. Let us go before you regret it!" Jessie snapped, struggling against the ropes in vain.
Ash ignored her and instead turned to James.
"Forget it, I didn't expect much from you anyway. Speaking of which, James… I didn't get a chance to chat with you last time. I never thought the heir of the distinguished Sasaki family would have fallen this low."
"What? James, you know this kid?" Jessie froze, startled by Ash's words.
Team Rocket had tried to investigate Ash's identity before, but every lead had been a dead end. Yet James knew the truth—Ash's background was something the Rockets couldn't afford to provoke.
This was the real reason Team Rocket had been so cautious around him. Their current mission had only been to prevent the wealthy young heir from winning the tournament. None of them had expected Ash to appear.
"You don't know yet? James comes from one of Kanto's Eight Noble Families—the Sasaki clan." Ash's words fell like thunder, leaving Jessie and Meowth in stunned silence.
Although Kanto is often dismissed as the weakest region by ordinary people, those who understand the upper circles know the truth: Kanto is actually the strongest region—because it is home to the Eight Noble Families.
The Oak family specializes in research and holds immense influence across all regions.
The Draconis Clan commands the might of Dragon-type Pokémon.
The Mugino family is renowned for their mastery of Psychic-types.
The Ignatius family specializes in Fire-types.
The Sasaki family excels in training Grass-types.
The Glacienne family is famed for their Ice-types.
The Mushan family has built its name on Fighting-types.
And finally, the Blackstone family, keepers of Ghost-types.
From these families have risen the Four Elites of Kanto:
Agatha Blackstone, master of Ghost-types.
Lorelei Glacienne, Ice-type specialist.
Bruno Mushan, Fighting-type expert.
Lance Draconis, Dragon-type prodigy.
Currently, the Champion of Kanto is also Lance—holding both the title of Champion and Elite Four member, a rare dual position.
Among these great houses is the Sasaki family, where James (Kojiro) was born.
The Sasaki family, famous for their Grass-types, had planned his marriage to a strong-willed fiancée. Dissatisfied with the arrangement and unwilling to submit to his family's control, James fled from home—eventually falling into the chaotic life of Team Rocket.
...
TN:
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