Chapter 171: Bruno

Morning Training Begins

Early the next morning, Ash made his way to the battlefield outside the Pokémon Center, following his usual routine of morning training.

However, today felt different.

The events of the previous day had left a deep impression on him. The battle with Team Rocket had made it painfully clear—he needed to grow stronger.

Standing in the cool morning air, Ash took a deep breath before releasing his Pokémon.

Pikachu, Charmeleon, and Wartortle—all of whom had experienced yesterday's battle firsthand—looked more determined than ever.

Each of them had felt their own shortcomings, and now, they were ready to push themselves harder.

As for Pidgeotto, it stood quietly on a rock, deep in thought.

It had inherited two powerful moves, yet during the battle, it had only managed to use Aerial Ace.

The other secret technique, the triple-stage thrust, remained unused—not because it lacked power, but because Pidgeotto still didn't fully understand how to control it.

Even with Aerial Ace, its hesitation had held it back.

This realization weighed on Pidgeotto, pushing it to train even harder than before.

Nearby, Haunter and Ivysaur watched their companions working tirelessly.

They hadn't been part of yesterday's battle, but seeing the determination in their teammates' eyes sparked a fire within them.

If their friends were pushing themselves, they wouldn't fall behind.

Ash's Own Growth

Watching his Pokémon train, Ash knew he couldn't afford to be idle either.

But unlike them, he wasn't a Pokémon.

He couldn't fight the way they did.

So, he had to find another way to improve.

Yesterday, when Crobat attacked him, its speed had been beyond his expectations.

To Ash, it had seemed like teleportation.

If he had reacted even a second slower… he might not be here this morning.

That battle had made one thing clear—his reaction time needed to improve.

Reflexes weren't just about talent.

They could be trained and sharpened through hard work.

Talent set the upper limit—but effort determined how far one could go.

At just six o'clock in the morning, Ash was far from alone on the battlefield.

Several other trainers were there as well, using their precious time to push themselves further, just like he was.

Each one of them was striving to be stronger than yesterday.

Breakfast & Concern

By seven o'clock, after an hour of rigorous training, Ash called back his Pokémon and returned to the Pokémon Center.

After handing them over to Nurse Joy for recovery, he headed to the dining hall.

Inside, Misty and Brock were already seated at a table, breakfast laid out before them.

When Ash joined them, he silently picked up his utensils and began eating.

On the nearby television screen, the morning news was still covering yesterday's incident at Silph Co.

The attack had sparked widespread discussion, exposing Team Rocket's brutality to the world.

It was the second major incident in a short span of time—the first being the San Anu ship attack.

Now, people everywhere were beginning to understand just how dangerous Team Rocket truly was.

As Ash listened, he remained calm on the surface.

But Misty and Brock noticed something different.

He was quieter than usual.

Even though Ash had always been determined and hardworking, there was now a new intensity in his demeanor.

An urgency.

As if he were carrying a burden that wasn't there before.

Misty and Brock exchanged concerned glances.

They had traveled with Ash long enough to know—this wasn't just a passing mood.

Something had changed.

And that change worried them.

Pushing himself too hard could backfire.

Misty nodded at Brock, signaling that she would ask Ash directly.

She took a moment to think, then finally spoke.

"Ash, did something happen?"

Ash, who had been lost in thought, looked up at her with mild confusion.

"Huh?"

It was clear—he hadn't even heard her question.

That only made Misty more worried.

She sighed and repeated herself.

"I asked if something happened."

Ash blinked, then hesitated for a brief moment.

To Be Continued…