Ash indeed possessed those qualities.
But he was always so indifferent to matters of the heart—or perhaps just too straightforward.
Cynthia couldn't help but look at Ash, then said helplessly,
"He really is dense."
Hearing these words, Elesa beside her looked at Cynthia with curiosity, smiled, and said,
"Do you have special feelings for Ash?"
Hearing this, Cynthia was stunned for a moment, then her face flushed slightly as she said,
"How could that be? Why do you ask?"
Hearing this, Elesa just smiled slightly, then turned and left without saying anything else.
Cynthia felt a little baffled. She scratched her head and didn't say much.
She simply played in the water with the others.
Meanwhile, Brock approached Ash, threw an arm around his shoulder, looked at the girls in the distance, and said,
"Ash, which of those girls over there do you think is the most beautiful?"
Hearing Brock's question, Ash looked at him in surprise and said,
"What does that have to do with me? I think they're all beautiful."
Hearing his words, Brock couldn't help but roll his eyes and said,
"You really are hopeless."
After speaking, he didn't leave. He just sat down next to Ash and lay back alongside him.
As for the nosebleeds that kept flowing, he couldn't stop them for a while.
And Ash didn't bother watching—he knew Brock was just that kind of person.
Time passed slowly, and soon noon gave way to evening.
The setting sun cast its glow across the entire sea.
At this moment, Cynthia and the others had emerged from the slightly chilly seawater. They walked out and lay down next to Ash.
Covered with blankets, they looked at the sunset in the distance and said,
"It's been a long time since we've had moments like this."
Hearing Cynthia's words, Ash beside her looked at her and said,
"Do you really rarely have moments like this?"
Hearing this, Cynthia naturally nodded slowly.
"That's true. I'm a nationally renowned female Champion and a celebrity. I have countless things waiting for me every day."
"So there's rarely a time as pleasant as this."
"And the reason I can be like this now is because of you, Ash."
Cynthia looked at Ash with a slight smile. As she said this, her face flushed slightly.
In this situation, any normal person would understand what she meant.
However, Ash simply turned around, looked at the sunset in the distance, and sighed.
"I've watched the sunset many times before, just like now. But this is indeed the first time recently."
"I think in the future, I may have even less time to watch sunsets. I'll probably end up becoming the same kind of person as you."
"Cynthia, if that happens, will you hate me?"
Hearing these words, Cynthia slowly frowned, then said,
"No. No matter what you become, we will always like you. And I will always like you."
Just as she finished saying this, Misty and the others nearby all came over and said,
"That's right, Ash. Feel free to do what you want to do. We will always like you."
As everyone looked up at the sky, they suddenly noticed something.
The video on the screen hadn't ended.
At this moment, everyone looked up at the sky in surprise.
They stared intently at the video, wanting to see what kind of scene would play next.
[Caitlin]: Why isn't it over yet? Could it be that after Black Ash won the Silver Conference championship, it's still not completely finished?
[Cynthia]: If that's the case, then what will Black Ash face next?
[Steven Stone]: It couldn't be a direct battle with a Legendary Pokémon, could it? What Legendary Pokémon exist in Johto that Ash might encounter?
[Flint]: Probably not. Even if there's an inexplicable connection between Ash and Legendary Pokémon, he wouldn't encounter one so easily.
[Lance]: Have you ever considered something? As the Rainbow Hero, Black Ash should be able to encounter the three Legendary Beasts under Ho-Oh more easily, right?
[Professor Oak]: Are you saying Black Ash is likely to encounter another Legendary Beast next?
[Lance]: Let's look forward to it.
In the Black World —
Ash and the others finished their celebration and all returned to their accommodations.
Compared to White Ash's comfort, Black Ash's side was clearly more serious.
At least for Black Ash, even after the celebration, he had Pikachu and his other Pokémon do a certain amount of exercise with him after returning.
In fact, the exercise wasn't as easy as one might imagine—it was even more difficult.
But for the highly self-disciplined Black Ash, this was just a warm-up.
The day passed quickly.
When the next morning dawned, Black Ash began moving toward the next city.
This time, the city he was heading to was called Lilycove City.
Ash was going there to participate in the Hoenn League Conference.
As Ash traveled along the road,
his companions included Misty and Sabrina.
The three followed Ash, enjoying themselves.
However, not long after they advanced, they suddenly encountered a massive waterfall.
The moment he saw the waterfall, Brock spoke directly,
"Let's find another path. There probably aren't any strong Pokémon near a waterfall like this."
Hearing this, the others' eyes flickered slightly.
But at this moment, Black Ash stared intently at the waterfall and said,
"No. We can't leave like this. I can sense that there's a powerful opponent in that waterfall."
"If I leave now, I'll regret it for the rest of my life."
"Is there really an opponent in the waterfall?"
Misty looked at the waterfall warily.
She owned several Water-type Pokémon.
Misty took out a Poké Ball and directly summoned her Psyduck.
"Psyduck, get in the water and see what's out there!"
Hearing Misty's words, Psyduck nodded stupidly and fell into the water.
Yes—it fell directly into the water and sank just like that.
Seeing this scene, Misty couldn't help but facepalm.
Then she remembered that although her Psyduck was a Water-type, it couldn't swim.
Misty silently took out the Poké Ball and recalled Psyduck.
Then she summoned another of her Pokémon, Staryu.
"Staryu, go down and see what's in the water!"
Hearing her command, Staryu entered the water this time.
Everyone began to wait calmly.
[Caitlin]: What do you think is in the water?
[Diantha]: I think there might be a powerful Gyarados in the water.
[Elesa]: Gyarados is indeed powerful, but can it really be called a "powerful opponent" by Black Ash?
Hearing these words,
everyone began to think. Ash didn't have many truly powerful opponents.
In other words, there were very few beings who could truly become Black Ash's enemies.
Therefore, an existence he would call a "powerful opponent" must at least reach Elite Four–level.
Just as everyone was thinking, the Black World image shifted.
In the Black World —
A massive current erupted from the water's surface.
Like a downpour, it rushed toward the people on the shore.
At that moment, Ash directly pulled Misty and Sabrina away from the danger zone.
Then Brock was left there alone, getting drenched.
[Brock]: Ash, do you value women more than friends?!
[Ash]: That's not me—it's the other world's Ash. I wouldn't do that.
[Misty]: So if this kind of thing really happened, you'd leave me there to get hit?
[Ash]: That's not what I meant. I…
[Sabrina]: Ash actually saved me too. It seems he has feelings for me after all.
[Cynthia]: That's another world. Don't read into it.
Just as everyone was arguing,
In the Black World —
As the water settled, everyone could clearly see the figure in the distance.
It was a Pokémon standing atop the water.
Its aura was powerful—one glance confirmed this was no ordinary Pokémon.
And Ash instantly recognized its identity.
"Suicune!"
Hearing his words, the others quickly looked over. Sure enough, the creature standing on the water at this moment was Suicune.
[Caitlin]: He actually encountered a Legendary Pokémon. Ash really has the physique to attract Legendaries.
[Cynthia]: So that's it. The opponent Ash mentioned is Suicune?
[Diantha]: If it's Suicune, can Ash defeat it?
[Steven Stone]: You're overthinking it. If anyone else faced a Legendary, they'd definitely lose. But if it's Black Ash, Legendary Pokémon are things he can handle at will.
[Lance]: That's true. Although Suicune is a Legendary Beast, it's not exceptionally powerful. Ash will definitely be able to handle it.
In the Black World —
Seeing Suicune on the opposite side, Ash showed no fear—instead, excitement flickered in his eyes.
So much so that Sabrina and Misty beside him also showed some excitement.
In the distance, Brock wrung out his soaked clothes and approached Ash with a speechless expression.
"Did you really have to leave me there alone?"
Black Ash looked at him and chuckled.
"Don't worry. With your strong physique, this little rain is just like taking a shower."
"If it were Misty or Sabrina, they might catch a cold."
"I could catch a cold too, you know!"
Brock seemed a bit speechless, but in the end, he didn't say anything more. He simply faced Suicune alongside everyone else.
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