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"What are you talking about?!" At this time, Brock's voice echoed. Ash and Misty stood up, turning their attention toward the sound.
Brock and Suzie approached with Vulpix, whose fur had been dried and restored to its noble, lustrous state after washing away the mud.
"Ash, thank you so much for earlier!" Suzie said as she walked over to Ash, expressing her gratitude.
If it weren't for Ash and Brock's encouragement earlier, she might have faltered. Their lectures and assistance in defeating Team Rocket gave her renewed confidence.
Suzie was deeply thankful.
"No problem, it was just a small thing. Don't worry about it!" Ash replied, shaking his head slightly.
"What are your plans now?" Suzie asked, nodding.
"We plan to continue the next leg of our journey. What about you, Brock?" With the matter resolved, it was time to move on, but Ash wasn't sure what Brock's intentions were.
In the past, Brock had often struck up conversations with girls without hesitation. However, his demeanor around Suzie was different. Ash couldn't tell if Brock would want to stay.
"This... I... Miss Suzie, I..." Brock stammered, looking at Suzie, his face tinged with embarrassment.
Suzie turned to Brock with a gentle smile and spoke earnestly.
"Brock, you're truly amazing—not just in caring for Pokémon but also in your unwavering determination toward your dreams.
"I've been a breeder for years, yet I was shaken by such a minor setback. I don't feel qualified to be your teacher at all!"
"So, I've decided to work on improving myself."
Suzie's words were sincere. She admired Brock's talent as a breeder and believed his future achievements would far surpass her own. She realized she lacked the resolve to succeed as his mentor.
"Miss Suzie! What do you mean...?" Brock asked hesitantly.
"Seeing you has taught me so much. I've decided to temporarily close my shop and embark on a journey of personal growth. From today onward, we'll be rivals. Please guide me, Brock!"
As Suzie stretched out her hand, Brock felt a surge of determination.
"Yes! Please guide me as well!" Brock said confidently, shaking her hand. His usual shyness faded, and he no longer stuttered.
"And one more thing..." Suzie said, looking down at Vulpix beside her.
Vulpix walked forward, nuzzling Brock's feet affectionately. Though Vulpix was usually wary of strangers, it had taken a liking to Brock's cooking. Furthermore, Brock had risked his life to protect it during Team Rocket's attack. This led Suzie to her decision.
"Vulpix seems to like you very much. I'd like to entrust you with its care."
"Me... Me??" Brock stammered, visibly surprised.
"I'm confident you'll train Vulpix to become even more amazing," Suzie said, though it was clear she found it hard to part with her beloved Pokémon. This experience had taught her what was truly best for Pokémon.
"Ok! Thank you very much, Suzie. Vulpix, Please guide me well—I promise to take excellent care of you," Brock said, his voice thick with emotion. Tears welled up in his eyes as he looked down at Vulpix, expressing his heartfelt thoughts to both Suzie and Vulpix.
"Then I'll leave it to you!" Suzie replied with a smile.
After packing her belongings, Suzie closed her shop for the last time, slung on her backpack, and stepped outside.
"Everyone, I hope we meet again someday. Take care on your journey!" Suzie said, waving goodbye and giving a gentle warning to the group.
"Same to you! Be safe out there!" Brock called back, briefly asking if Suzie wanted to join them. However, Suzie had made up her mind to travel on her own. With a shared sense of determination, the four parted ways. Ash, Misty, and Brock continued toward their next destination, while Suzie set off to pursue her dreams.
Leaving Breeder's Lane behind, the trio resumed their journey to Fuchsia City. The delay at Suzie's place meant they didn't make it to the next town that day. As night fell, they decided to camp out in the wild to rest before continuing the next morning.
Setting off early, they walked for about two hours before finally reaching a proper road. The road stretched toward Fuchsia City. Though it offered smoother travel, the city was still several days away. Along the way, there were smaller towns where they could stop to train.
By noon, the group decided to take a break. Brock checked the time and suggested they eat. They set up lunch on the grassy verge beside the highway.
While Ash and Misty enjoyed their meal, Brock sat aside, carefully brushing Vulpix's fur. It was clear how much he cherished Suzie's gift, as though he had transferred the feelings he held for Suzie onto the little Vulpix.
"Huh?" Ash looked up, sensing something unusual. Misty and Brock were busy with their own tasks, so neither noticed. Ash shrugged it off and resumed eating his rice ball, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something—or someone—was watching them.
"Is something wrong?" Misty asked, noticing Ash's brief pause. She glanced around but saw nothing unusual.
"It's nothing," Ash replied after scanning the area. Finding no sign of anything strange, he let it go and returned to his meal.
Da da da!
Suddenly, the sound of rapid footsteps broke the silence, accompanied by heavy breathing. The group turned toward the commotion and saw a figure jogging along the road, heading in their direction.
The runner stopped beneath a nearby tree, catching their breath. Without warning, they began throwing punches into the air. Their fists moved so fast that it was almost impossible to track the movement with the naked eye.