Chapter 172: Rejection

"Hello!" Bruno greeted the three of them with a hearty smile. However, Sabrina merely glanced at Ash, gave him a slight nod, and then instructed Alakazam to Teleport away, disappearing from sight.

"Master Bruno!" Brock exclaimed excitedly as he stepped forward. Although he wasn't particularly well-versed in Fighting-type Pokémon, he knew that Bruno also trained Rock-types, making him an idol in Brock's eyes.

"Master Bruno! Why are you here?" Misty asked curiously, stepping up as well. Then, glancing toward the spot where Sabrina had vanished, she added, "And why did Miss Sabrina leave so suddenly?"

Bruno smiled warmly at them before explaining, "Well... Sabrina sent me here, but my purpose is actually this boy." He turned his gaze to Ash, who was the last to approach.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you, boy, and Pikachu!" Bruno greeted with a nod and even waved at Pikachu.

"Hello, Master Bruno..." Ash responded, still puzzled about why the Elite Four member was here. However, he had a faint suspicion that it might be related to what happened yesterday.

"You're here for Ash?!" Brock and Misty exclaimed in unison, their eyes widening in surprise. They exchanged glances, clearly confused. They had never heard Ash mention meeting Bruno before.

"Would you mind if we had a private conversation?" Bruno asked Brock and Misty, though his tone left little room for argument. "Don't worry, I have no ill intentions toward the boy."

Brock and Misty exchanged glances before nodding. "Of course, no problem," Brock replied, though his curiosity remained. Misty hesitated before reluctantly stepping back with Brock, though she continued to glance over her shoulder as they walked away. Even after putting some distance between them, she stopped under the shade of a tree about a hundred meters away, keeping an eye on Ash and Bruno.

Ash, noticing Misty's cautious gaze, turned back to Bruno. "Master Bruno, is this about what happened yesterday?"

Bruno nodded slightly before shaking his head. "Yes… and no," he admitted. "While yesterday's incident is part of it, my main reason for coming is actually because of you."

"Because of... me?" Ash asked, even more confused now.

Bruno sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "I'm not great at explaining things… so I'll just get straight to the point." He looked Ash in the eye. "I want to invite you to officially join the Kanto Alliance. I see great potential in you, and I want to enroll you in the Alliance's talent training program. The Alliance will provide you with the best resources to nurture your growth as a trainer."

Ash frowned slightly. "Join the Alliance? But… aren't I already considered an Alliance trainer?"

As long as a trainer was registered under a region's Pokémon League, they technically held a rank within the Alliance.

Bruno shook his head. "Not quite. You're currently a free trainer, meaning you're not officially bound to the Kanto Alliance. Even though you were born in the Kanto Region and registered here, there's a possibility that another region's Alliance might recruit you in the future. What I'm offering is a chance to formally align yourself with Kanto and receive direct support from the League."

Ash processed this for a moment before asking, "Why me?" He found it hard to believe that a member of the Elite Four would personally come all this way just to recruit him.

Bruno smiled. "Because I believe in your potential. I've been keeping an eye on your battles, and what I saw yesterday only confirmed what I already suspected—you have the qualities of a top-tier trainer."

Ash thought back to the events of the previous day. While he had been involved in something major, he hadn't expected it to draw the attention of someone like Bruno.

"But… what exactly does joining the Kanto Alliance mean for me?" Ash asked cautiously.

"It means structured training, access to rare Pokémon research, mentorship from the best trainers, and… responsibilities," Bruno explained. "The Alliance would support your growth, but in return, you'd be expected to represent Kanto in official battles, assist in League missions, and work alongside other trainers for the betterment of the region."

Ash remained silent, contemplating the offer. Pikachu tilted its head, sensing Ash's uncertainty.

Bruno observed Ash's hesitation and chuckled. "You don't have to decide right away. Take your time and think it over."

Ash appreciated the patience Bruno was offering, but deep down, he felt conflicted. His journey so far had been about discovering the world on his own terms. Would joining the Alliance change that?

Just then, Misty, who had been watching from a distance, called out, "Ash! Is everything okay?"

Brock followed suit, cupping his hands around his mouth to amplify his voice. "Did Master Bruno offer you some kind of secret training program?"

Bruno laughed at their curiosity. "Well, something like that," he admitted before turning back to Ash. "Think about it carefully. If you decide to join, you'll have a promising future ahead of you. But if you choose to continue your independent journey, that's also admirable."

Ash nodded. "I understand. Thank you, Master Bruno."

Bruno patted Ash on the shoulder. "Alright, I won't keep you any longer. Just remember—whatever path you choose, make sure it's one you truly believe in." With that, he gave a nod to Pikachu and then walked away, leaving Ash deep in thought.

As soon as Bruno was out of earshot, Misty and Brock rushed back to Ash's side.

"What was that all about?" Misty asked eagerly.

"Did he offer you some elite training?" Brock added.

Ash sighed. "He wants me to officially join the Kanto Alliance. They'd train me and provide all sorts of resources, but in return, I'd have to take on responsibilities for the region."

Misty's eyes widened. "That's a huge opportunity, Ash!"

Brock nodded. "Yeah, only a handful of trainers ever get invited into the talent program. This is a big deal."

Ash looked at Pikachu, who simply gave a small "Pika" in response.

"I know… but I don't know if I'm ready to commit to something like that," Ash admitted. "I started this journey to see the world, battle strong trainers, and grow at my own pace. Would joining the Alliance change that?"

Brock folded his arms. "It might, but it would also open doors that wouldn't be available otherwise. You'd be learning from the best of the best."

Misty tapped her chin thoughtfully. "But if you join, wouldn't that mean you have to follow the League's orders? What if they send you on missions that you don't want to do?"

Ash nodded. "That's exactly what I'm worried about. Right now, I get to make my own choices."

Brock smiled. "Then you already have your answer."

Ash blinked. "Huh?"

"If you're this hesitant, it means deep down, you're not ready to give up your freedom," Brock pointed out. "And that's okay. You're still growing as a trainer. Maybe later, when you feel the time is right, you can reconsider."

Misty grinned. "Yeah! You're already amazing, Ash. You don't need the Alliance to prove that."

Ash smiled, feeling relieved. "Thanks, guys."

Pikachu chirped in agreement, and with that, the group continued their journey, leaving the offer behind—for now.