"Hello!" Bruno greeted the group with a hearty smile. Sabrina, however, merely glanced at Ash, gave him a slight nod, and instructed Alakazam to Teleport her away, disappearing without a word.
"Master Bruno!" Brock exclaimed, rushing toward him excitedly. While Brock wasn't deeply involved with Fighting-type Pokémon, Bruno also used Rock-types, which drew Brock's admiration. Seeing him now felt like meeting a personal idol.
"Master Bruno! What brings you here?" Misty asked, puzzled, then added, "And why did Miss Sabrina leave so quickly?"
"Well... let me explain. Sabrina was kind enough to bring me here, but my main reason for being here is this boy," Bruno replied kindly, his gaze shifting to Ash, who was standing at the back.
"Hi, nice to meet you, Ash, and Pikachu!" Bruno greeted, nodding toward Ash and giving Pikachu a friendly wave.
"Hello, Master Bruno..." Ash responded, still uncertain as to why Bruno was here, though he suspected it might have something to do with the events of the previous day.
"You're here to see Ash?" Brock and Misty looked at each other, eyes wide with surprise. They were confused, wondering when Ash had crossed paths with Bruno, especially since Ash had never mentioned anything about it.
"Would you mind if Ash and I spoke privately for a moment?" Bruno asked, though his tone carried an air of certainty, making it clear the request wasn't optional. "Don't worry, I mean no harm to the boy."
"Of course!" Brock and Misty both nodded quickly. Their curiosity was piqued, but they knew they'd have to wait until after Bruno and Ash's conversation to ask questions.
They walked away, though Misty couldn't hide her concern, glancing back frequently until they were about 100 meters away. They stood under a tree, keeping an eye on Ash from a distance.
"Master Bruno, is this about what happened yesterday?" Ash asked as soon as Brock and Misty were out of earshot. Pikachu, sitting by his side, looked up curiously.
"Yes... and no," Bruno answered, nodding first, then shaking his head. "The main reason I'm here isn't solely because of yesterday. It's because of you."
"Because of me?" Ash asked, confused. "I didn't tell Brock or Misty about what happened yesterday, so—"
"It's not about that." Bruno scratched his head awkwardly, clearly not adept at persuasion. "Let me cut to the chase. I want to invite you to join the Kanto Alliance. I see great potential in you, and the Alliance wants to include you in its talent training program. We'll help accelerate your growth!"
"Join the Alliance? But... aren't I already a trainer for the Pokémon League?" Ash asked, still puzzled by Bruno's offer.
Bruno smiled patiently. "Yes, technically all registered trainers are part of the Pokémon League. But joining the Kanto Alliance specifically means becoming an official member who works for the region, rather than just a free trainer like you are now."
Ash began to understand. Bruno wasn't just talking about being a regular trainer—he wanted Ash to become an official member of the Kanto Alliance, a path that would likely come with more responsibilities and restrictions.
"But why me?" Ash asked, surprised that Bruno had personally come all this way for him. "Why choose me specifically?"
"Why?" Bruno paused, then grinned. "Because I believe in your potential. You've already foiled Team Rocket's plans in Viridian City, you showed your strength in Lavender Town, and just yesterday, you thwarted another Rocket conspiracy. You're not just full of potential—you already possess significant strength. That's why I want you to join the Kanto Alliance and take advantage of our talent training program. It'll help you grow even faster."
Ash was taken aback. He hadn't expected to catch the eye of someone like Bruno. The offer was tempting; the talent training program would undoubtedly provide him with valuable resources and opportunities. But after a moment's thought, Ash shook his head.
"Thank you, Master Bruno, for your offer and your faith in me, but... I'm not ready to join the Alliance right now," Ash said firmly. He had already mapped out his future, and no matter how tempting the offer was, he wasn't about to change course—not even for an invitation from an Elite Four member.
The world was vast, and Ash wanted to explore it. He envisioned countless Pokémon joining his journey in the future, and he didn't want to miss out on those bonds by being tied down.
Bruno, seeing the resolve in Ash's eyes, stopped short of further persuasion. He recognized that determined look—it reminded him of himself when he was younger.
"It's a shame, but I respect your decision," Bruno said with a hearty laugh, scratching his head again. "If you ever change your mind, you know where to find me."
With that, Bruno pulled something from his pocket. It looked like a sleek, black wristwatch, radiating a high-tech design.
"This is an Xtransceiver, recently invented by Silph Co. It was supposed to be a gift from President Silph himself, but since you left Saffron City, he asked me to deliver it to you. With this, you'll be able to make calls even in remote areas," Bruno explained, handing the Xtransceiver to Ash.
Ash examined the device as Bruno continued, "President Silph also wanted to give you a few more things as thanks, but I couldn't carry them all. There's also a letter here, and when you reach Celadon City, go to the department store. You'll find the latest backpacks and tents waiting for you—useful stuff for your travels."
Bruno handed Ash the envelope. It was plain white, but the seal was black, featuring the Silph Co. logo—a Poké Ball split in half to form the letter "S."
Ash accepted the envelope and the Xtransceiver without hesitation. He felt he had earned these rewards.
"Lastly, I know this might seem tacky, but the Alliance has a bit more to offer you—money," Bruno added with a grin. "Your current allowance from the Alliance has been bumped from 6,000 to 8,000 per month. That's your official Poké Ball-level trainer stipend and Alliance compensation for a year. It's permanent, so you'll keep receiving that amount monthly."
Ash blinked in surprise. "So, even if I stay a Poké Ball-level trainer in the future, I'll still get 8,000 each month?"
"Exactly! And if your rank increases, it'll only go up from there," Bruno confirmed with a nod.
"Thank you, Master Bruno!" Ash exclaimed. He knew how important money was for a trainer's journey. Pokémon training required funds, especially for items that would help his team grow stronger.
Bruno smiled. "Just keep doing what you're doing, Ash. You're on the right path. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call."
With that, Bruno bid Ash farewell and disappeared into the distance, leaving Ash standing there, holding the Xtransceiver and letter, more determined than ever to follow his own path.
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