"It does look somewhat similar to mine, but the internal structure is completely different. The buildings on Fantasy Island are all made using Mokuton. Their durability is far stronger than ordinary concrete."
After hearing Sabrina's words, Ash replied proudly. Mokuton truly was a perfect ability for construction and daily life. The buildings on Fantasy Island already met every safety standard, and their toughness even surpassed many modern high-rise structures.
"Yes, yes, we know. Your Mokuton is amazing."
Sabrina rubbed her forehead helplessly while looking at Ash.
Recently, Ash had been in an especially good mood. Not only had his strength continued to grow steadily, but Fantasy Island had also finally taken shape.
On top of that, he had taken on an apprentice and planned to share some of his abilities and techniques there. No matter how one looked at it, Ash had plenty of reasons to be excited.
Fantasy Island was a stronghold that belonged solely to him. In the future, it would also become the first place in the world where humans and Pokémon could coexist peacefully.
"Actually, the wooden houses here are extremely old. They probably have a history of at least three hundred years. The people who built these houses must have had remarkable craftsmanship."
After walking around the city for a while, Ash spoke thoughtfully.
The place truly felt like a city with deep historical roots. At the same time, Ash faintly sensed the lingering aura of Ho-Oh. Although it had already become very faint, his chakra-enhanced perception could still detect traces of it.
"Yes, Master. The regional guidebook also mentions this."
While flipping through the manual he had just bought, Emiya Shirō continued:
"Ecruteak City is famous for its historical traditions. Because it has a history of more than three hundred years, people say many treasures are buried beneath the city. That's why treasure hunters often come here, and the city eventually developed into a tourist destination."
"Treasure? Only three hundred years of history, and people think there's treasure?" Ash scoffed dismissively.
Three hundred years might sound like a long time to ordinary people, but compared to the ruins and relics Ash had discovered that dated back thousands of years, it was hardly worth mentioning.
"And the city has already been developed for so long. Even if there were treasures, they've probably been dug up already."
Sabrina nodded beside him, clearly agreeing with Ash's reasoning.
Shirō didn't mind either way. He had no real interest in treasure. For him, daily training with Ash was far more rewarding.
"Shirō, go find a hotel and book two rooms. After that, come to the Burned Tower and find me and Sabrina."
After wandering around the city for a while, Ash decided to visit the tower that Ho-Oh had mentioned before.
Before leaving, Ho-Oh had once told Ash that it hated humans. That hatred did not appear without reason.
Although humans had betrayed Pokémon many times in the past, there had been no major casualties, so Ho-Oh had still held onto the hope that humans and Pokémon could coexist peacefully.
Every living creature had both good and bad individuals. That was something everyone had to acknowledge.
But this time, human greed had gone too far. According to the legends, Ho-Oh's anger during that incident was the greatest in its history—so furious that it nearly burned Ecruteak City to the ground.
That was also why many buildings in the city still bore scorch marks. Some houses had been repaired, but the traces of the disaster were still visible beneath the newer layers.
"I understand, Master."
After hearing Ash's instructions, Shirō nodded and headed off to find a hotel. Locating the Burned Tower would be easy—he only needed to ask a passerby.
A short while later, Ash and Sabrina arrived at the ruins.
"So this is the Burned Tower… It's been completely scorched."
Looking at the dark, broken tower, Sabrina seemed able to imagine the fury of Ho-Oh during that catastrophe.
"Let's go inside and take a look."
After entering the tower, Ash looked around at the collapsed wooden beams and half-burned remnants scattered across the floor. From the atmosphere alone, he could feel the sadness Ho-Oh must have felt back then.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Ash sensed fluctuations of spiritual energy around him—many of them. At least a dozen.
His eyes instantly changed.
The Sharingan activated.
"It turns out to be these little guys…"
With the Sharingan active, the invisible figures hiding nearby immediately revealed themselves.
Several Gastly and Haunter were floating around the tower, curiously watching the intruders who had entered their territory.
"Gastly~"
Looking at Ash and Sabrina, the group of Gastly suddenly created an illusion. In an instant, blazing flames appeared around the two of them, as if the entire tower had begun burning again.
Sabrina possessed powerful psychic abilities, so she immediately realized that the fire was nothing more than an illusion created by Ghost-type Pokémon. Naturally, she wasn't afraid.
However, simply enduring the prank was not her style.
Her eyes glowed with blue psychic energy, and in the next moment, the illusion created by the Gastly and Haunter was instantly shattered.
"Stop."
Just as Sabrina was about to retaliate, a voice suddenly came from the staircase.
"These Gastly and Haunter didn't mean to bother you. They just thought you had intruded into their territory."
A young man walked down the stairs of the Burned Tower, accompanied by a Gengar at his side.
The moment the Gastly and Haunter saw him, they immediately dispersed and vanished into the shadows, as if they had been given a command.
Ash could also tell that the Gengar beside the young man was very well trained.
Its strength was already approaching the quasi-Champion level, which was more than enough to secure a strong position in the Johto region—provided the trainer joined a major faction, such as one of the powerful families or the Johto League.
"Who are you?"
Ash stared at the young man who appeared to be one or two years older than him. His Sharingan remained active, his gaze fixed sharply on the stranger as if trying to see through him completely.
"It truly lives up to the reputation of the person who fought Ho-Oh. Just your presence alone makes it impossible for me to even think about resisting."
The young man smiled politely before introducing himself.
"Hello. My name is Matsuba Takahashi. You can just call me Morty. I'm also the Gym Leader of Ecruteak City."
When Ash heard the name Takahashi, his pupils contracted slightly.
He had heard that surname before—from Ho-Oh itself.
"Master, I'm here!"
At that moment, Emiya Shirō rushed into the tower. After putting their luggage in the hotel, he had hurried over.
By coincidence, he had just heard Morty introducing himself.
Following the sound of Ash's voice, Shirō quickly walked over and stood behind his master.
(End of Chapter)
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