The road to Fuchsia City wound through dense forests and mountainous terrain. Andrew walked with Pikachu on his shoulder and Frogadier at his side, the rest of his team resting in their Pokéballs after morning training.
Since evolving during the Game Corner incident, Frogadier had grown noticeably stronger and faster. But Andrew knew there was more potential waiting to be unlocked—especially given Frogadier's heritage as the son of Ash's Greninja.
"When we get to Fuchsia," Andrew said to Frogadier, "I want to ask the Gym Leader for help. Koga is a master ninja. If we can learn from him before our gym battle, it could completely change how you fight when you eventually evolve into Greninja."
"Frogadier!" the water-type responded enthusiastically, already excited at the prospect.
Andrew remembered from his previous life that Greninja's fighting style was heavily influenced by ninja techniques—stealth, precision, and unpredictability. If Koga would agree to train them, it could be invaluable.
Fuchsia City - Arrival
Fuchsia City was quieter than other cities Andrew had visited, with traditional architecture and a serene atmosphere. The Safari Zone was nearby, and the scent of flowers mixed with ocean salt filled the air.
The Fuchsia Gym stood near the city's edge—a traditional dojo-style building adorned with ninja stars and smoke bombs. It looked like something from ancient times rather than a modern gym.
Andrew approached and knocked on the door.
It slid open silently, revealing a man in purple and black ninja garb. His face was sharp, his eyes calculating as they assessed Andrew in an instant.
"Koga," Andrew said respectfully, bowing slightly. "I'm Andrew, here to challenge for the Soul Badge."
Koga studied him for a long moment. "You're the trainer who fought at Silph Co. The one who shut down the Celadon Game Corner operation."
"Yes, sir."
"You fight Team Rocket. That requires courage." Koga stepped aside. "Enter. But before we battle, I wish to see your Pokémon."
Andrew followed him inside. The gym's interior was a traditional dojo with tatami mats and minimal decoration. Training equipment lined the walls.
"Release your team," Koga instructed.
Andrew sent out all his Pokémon—Pikachu, Charizard, Ivysaur, Gengar, and Frogadier.
Koga walked among them, studying each one carefully. When he reached Frogadier, he paused and knelt down.
"This one," Koga said quietly. "The offspring of Ash Ketchum's Greninja."
Andrew's eyes widened. "How did you know?"
"I battled against Ash's Greninja in an exhibition match years ago. The Bond Phenomenon that Pokémon achieved was extraordinary." Koga looked at Frogadier intently. "This one carries similar potential. I can sense it."
He stood, turning to Andrew. "I will make you an offer. Before our gym battle, allow me to train your Frogadier in the ninja arts. Two weeks of intensive instruction. If he can master the basics, he will be far more formidable when he evolves."
Andrew felt his heart leap. This was exactly what he'd hoped for. "You would do that?"
"I train those who show potential and respect for the craft," Koga replied. "Your Frogadier has both. But be warned—ninja training is not easy. It will push him to his absolute limits."
Andrew looked at Frogadier, who was already nodding eagerly.
"We accept," Andrew said.
Koga smiled slightly. "Good. Training begins at dawn. You may use the guest quarters. Rest tonight. Tomorrow, we work."
Day 1 - Foundation of Stealth
Dawn broke over Fuchsia City. Andrew and Frogadier stood side by side in the gym's outdoor training grounds, watching as Koga approached silently—neither of them had heard him coming.
"The first principle of ninjutsu is stealth," Koga began. "To move unseen and unheard until the moment you strike. Frogadier, your Double Team shows you understand misdirection. But true stealth is becoming invisible to all senses."
He gestured to an obstacle course—platforms, walls, ropes, and various structures.
"Both of you will navigate this course without making a sound. No water splashing, no heavy footfalls, no disturbed leaves. Perfect silence."
Andrew's eyes widened. "Both of us?"
"You must learn what you're asking your Pokémon to do," Koga said. "Only then can you truly guide him. Begin."
Andrew and Frogadier attempted the course together. Andrew was clumsy—his footsteps echoed, branches snapped under his weight, his breathing was too loud. Frogadier was faster but still made noise with water dripping and leaves rustling.
"Again," Koga said simply.
They tried again. And again. And again.
By midday, both were exhausted. Andrew's muscles screamed from unfamiliar movements—rolling, balancing on narrow surfaces, controlling his breathing. But his footsteps were noticeably quieter.
"You begin to understand," Koga acknowledged. "But you have far to go. Rest, then continue."
Andrew collapsed next to Frogadier, both breathing hard.
"This is harder than any gym battle," Andrew gasped.
"Frogadier," his partner agreed, equally exhausted.
But there was something else—a shared experience. They were learning together, struggling together, improving together.
Day 4 - Precision and Control
"A ninja strikes once, decisively," Koga explained. "Every movement must have purpose. No wasted energy."
He released his Weezing. "Frogadier, strike the center valve—the red one—without hitting anything else. Use Water Pulse, but compressed to a single point."
Frogadier fired. The attack hit Weezing but spread across the entire body.
"Too broad. Focus the energy."
Koga turned to Andrew. "And you—throw these shuriken at that target. Hit the center without touching the outer rings."
Andrew took the practice shuriken—blunt training weapons. His first throw missed the target entirely.
"You're thinking too much," Koga said. "Breathe. Focus on the center. Let your body remember the motion."
Hours of practice followed. Andrew's arms ached from throwing. Frogadier practiced compressing Water Pulse tighter and tighter.
By evening, Frogadier could hit the valve consistently. Andrew could hit the target's center ring—not perfect, but improving.
"You begin to understand precision," Koga said. "When you command Frogadier to strike a specific point, you now know the focus required. Tomorrow, we increase difficulty."
That night, Andrew's muscles were sore in places he didn't know could hurt. But as he sat with Frogadier, comparing their progress, he felt something shifting between them—a deeper understanding of each other's efforts and struggles.
Day 8 - Shadow Movement and Speed
"You've mastered basic stealth," Koga said. "Now we combine techniques. Watch."
He released his Crobat, which seemed to dissolve into shadows and reappear elsewhere.
"This is Shadow Sneak—a ghost technique. Frogadier cannot learn it as a water-type, but both of you can learn the principle. Use the environment to mask your presence. Move through water's reflection, through shadow, at the edge of perception."
Koga demonstrated with his own movements, showing Andrew how to shift position using shadows and blind spots. "When you understand how to be unseen yourself, you can better guide Frogadier in battle."
Andrew practiced moving through the training area, using pillars and shadows to mask his approach. It felt unnatural at first—humans weren't meant to move this way. But slowly, he began to understand how terrain and lighting could be weaponized.
Frogadier trained alongside him, learning to incorporate environmental features into his movements. Water-type Pokémon naturally moved fluidly, but Koga taught him to be deliberate, to disappear into reflections and shadows.
As they trained, Andrew had an idea—something from his previous life. A technique called Shunshin, or the Body Flicker Technique. In the shows he remembered, ninjas could move at extreme speeds, appearing to teleport over short distances.
"Master Koga," Andrew said during a break, "Frogadier has Quick Attack—a move that lets him move at high speed. But what if we could push it further? Make it so fast it looks like teleportation?"
Koga's eyes narrowed with interest. "Explain."
"Quick Attack is about speed and priority," Andrew said, thinking through the mechanics. "But what if Frogadier learned to channel that speed more precisely? Not just charging in a straight line, but appearing and disappearing—moving so fast the eye can't track him. Combining Quick Attack's speed with the stealth principles you've taught us."
"A hybrid technique," Koga mused. "Speed combined with misdirection. It would require perfect control and enormous energy."
"But it's possible?"
Koga studied Frogadier, who was listening intently. "It is ambitious. But yes—possible. Frogadier, come. We will attempt this."
For the next several days, alongside their regular ninja training, Andrew and Frogadier worked on the technique. Frogadier would use Quick Attack but try to minimize the visual blur, appearing and disappearing rather than showing a clear path of movement.
"You're learning to see the battlefield the way Frogadier sees it," Koga observed as Andrew successfully moved from one side of the training area to the other without being spotted. "This is crucial. When you command him in battle, you'll understand instinctively what paths are available to him."
By day ten, Frogadier could execute short bursts of the technique—vanishing and reappearing three feet away. It wasn't true teleportation, but the speed made it nearly impossible to track with the naked eye.
"Shunshin," Andrew named it, remembering the term from his previous life. "The Body Flicker Technique."
Koga nodded approvingly. "A fitting name. Continue refining it. When perfected, this will make Frogadier nearly impossible to counter in close combat."
Day 11 - Deception and Substitutes
"The ninja's greatest weapon is making opponents strike where you are not," Koga explained. "Frogadier, combine your Substitute technique with Double Team."
He demonstrated with his own Pokémon—creating a decoy that absorbed attacks while the real attacker struck from an unexpected angle.
Then Koga turned to Andrew. "And you must learn the principle of misdirection. Watch."
Koga performed a series of hand signs, then threw what appeared to be a smoke bomb. When the smoke cleared, he was in a completely different position than expected.
"Your opponent's eyes follow what they expect to see," Koga explained. "You must train yourself to move counter to expectation. This understanding will help you command Frogadier's deceptive techniques more effectively."
Andrew practiced feints and misdirection—making movements that suggested one direction while actually moving another. It was exhausting mentally and physically, requiring him to think three steps ahead.
Frogadier trained the Substitute-Double Team combination, and Andrew noticed something: when he practiced his own misdirection movements, he could better understand what Frogadier needed to do. Their training was synchronizing.
"You're beginning to move as one," Koga observed that evening. "When you practice together, your minds align. This is the foundation of true partnership."
Day 14 - Final Examination
Two weeks had transformed both Andrew and Frogadier. Andrew moved with a grace he'd never possessed before—quieter, more aware of his surroundings, understanding space and positioning in a completely new way. Frogadier's transformation was even more dramatic—he moved like water itself, fluid and silent.
But more importantly, they moved together with an unconscious synchronization. When Andrew shifted his weight, Frogadier mirrored the movement. When Frogadier prepared to strike, Andrew's body tensed in the same rhythm.
"Your final test," Koga announced. "Frogadier will face three of my Pokémon simultaneously—Crobat, Weezing, and Venomoth. Andrew, you will face three of my students in hand-to-hand combat using the techniques you've learned. Both tests happen simultaneously in separate areas. This will show me if you truly fight as one, even when separated."
Andrew's heart pounded. This was it—the culmination of everything they'd learned.
The battles began.
In the main dojo, Andrew faced three ninja students. He used everything Koga had taught him—reading movements, using misdirection, striking from unexpected angles. His body moved on instinct, applying principles learned through two weeks of grueling training.
In the outdoor arena, Frogadier faced three Pokémon. He used stealth to approach Weezing unseen, striking its weak point with precise Water Pulse before it could react. He used Double Team and Substitute to confuse Crobat, landing a critical hit when the bat struck a decoy. He read Venomoth's movements and dodged Sleep Powder before it was released.
Ten minutes later, both tests ended simultaneously.
Andrew stood over three defeated students, breathing hard but victorious.
Frogadier stood alone on the field, three of Koga's Pokémon recalled.
Koga appeared, moving between both locations with impossible speed.
"You did not see each other during your tests," Koga said. "Yet you both finished at the same moment. You moved with the same rhythm, the same intensity, the same determination. This is what I sought to teach you—not just techniques, but unity."
He bowed to both of them. "You fight as one, even when apart. This is the way of the ninja. This is the foundation of the Bond Phenomenon."
Andrew and Frogadier looked at each other, and in that moment, they both understood. Two weeks of training together, suffering together, learning together had forged something deeper than commands and obedience.
They were partners in the truest sense.
"Tomorrow," Koga said, "we battle for the Soul Badge. Rest tonight. You've both earned it. And Andrew—you have trained as a ninja. This will change not just how Frogadier fights, but how you see every battle. You understand movement, positioning, and deception now. Use this wisdom."
Andrew bowed deeply, using the proper form Koga had taught him. "Thank you, Master Koga. For teaching both of us."
Day 15 - The Gym Battle
Andrew stood on one side of the battlefield, Koga on the other. The gym's interior had hidden traps, platforms, and smoke machines that could activate during battle.
The referee raised his flags. "This is an official gym battle! Gym Leader Koga versus Challenger Andrew! Four Pokémon each! Begin!"
Round One: Gengar vs Venomoth
"Venomoth," Koga called calmly.
The bug-poison type emerged, wings creating psychedelic patterns.
"Gengar, let's go!"
"Venomoth, Psybeam!"
The psychic attack shot forward—super effective against Poison-types like Gengar.
"Phase out!"
Gengar became intangible, the beam passing through harmlessly.
"Sleep Powder!"
Blue powder began to spread.
"Shadow Ball before it reaches us!"
Gengar fired, disrupting the powder cloud and striking Venomoth.
"Signal Beam!"
The bug-type attack struck Gengar solidly.
"Shadow Ball barrage—surround it!"
Gengar created eight Shadow Balls positioned around Venomoth.
"Detonate!"
The simultaneous explosions caught Venomoth from all angles. The bug-type fell unconscious.
"Venomoth is unable to battle!"
Round Two: Gengar vs Crobat
"Crobat, your turn."
The four-winged bat emerged, moving at incredible speed.
"Air Slash!"
Sharp blades of wind shot toward Gengar.
"Dodge and Sludge Bomb!"
Gengar fired poison energy, but Crobat's speed let it evade easily.
"Cross Poison!"
Crobat's wings glowed with poison energy as it struck Gengar with a cross-shaped slash—but as both Pokémon were Poison-types, the attack dealt normal damage rather than being super effective.
Gengar took the hit but stayed in the fight.
"Hypnosis!"
But Crobat moved too fast, escaping before the sleep effect could take hold.
"Brave Bird!"
Crobat dive-bombed with devastating flying-type energy. Gengar crashed down, knocked out.
"Gengar is unable to battle!"
Andrew recalled his partner. "You fought well."
Round Three: Ivysaur vs Crobat
"Ivysaur, you're up!"
"Solar Beam—start charging!"
"Crobat, Air Slash!"
The flying-type move struck, but Ivysaur's grass typing resisted it. He continued charging.
"Fire!"
The massive beam struck Crobat directly. The bat fell immediately.
"Crobat is unable to battle!"
"Muk, show them true poison," Koga said.
Round Four: Ivysaur vs Muk
The massive sludge Pokémon oozed onto the field.
"Sludge Wave!"
Toxic sludge spread across the battlefield.
"Vine Whip—swing above it!"
Ivysaur used his vines to vault over the poison.
"Solar Beam!"
The attack struck Muk, but the poison-type's durability let it absorb the damage.
"Gunk Shot!"
Poison projectiles launched—super effective against Grass-types.
The attack connected. Ivysaur collapsed, badly poisoned.
"Ivysaur is unable to battle!"
Round Five: Charizard vs Muk
"Charizard, I need you!"
The dragon roared, flames blazing on his tail.
"Flamethrower!"
Fire engulfed Muk, but the poison-type endured.
"Poison Jab!"
Muk's appendage glowed with poison energy.
"Dodge and Dragon Claw!"
Charizard evaded and struck with glowing claws. Muk was damaged but still fighting.
"Fire Blast!"
A star-shaped blast of fire engulfed Muk completely. When the smoke cleared, the poison-type was down.
"Muk is unable to battle!"
"Weezing, final stand," Koga commanded.
Round Six: Charizard vs Weezing
"Weezing, Explosion!"
Andrew's eyes widened. "Charizard, get altitude!"
But Weezing detonated before Charizard could escape fully. The massive blast shook the gym.
Both Pokémon crashed down, unconscious.
"Both Pokémon are unable to battle!"
Andrew recalled Charizard. "You were amazing."
He looked at his final Pokémon. "Frogadier, everything comes down to you."
The water-type stepped forward, calm and focused—two weeks of training evident in his stance.
Koga sent out his final Pokémon. "Crobat—my ace. This one is far stronger than the first."
A larger, more intimidating Crobat emerged. Its presence was different—sharper, more dangerous.
Final Round: Frogadier vs Crobat (Ace)
"Crobat, Air Slash!"
"Frogadier, use stealth—blend into the shadows!"
Frogadier melted into the shadows along the wall. The Air Slash struck empty space.
Koga's eyes showed recognition. "My own techniques. Impressive. Crobat, Haze!"
Dark fog filled the battlefield, obscuring vision.
"Frogadier, use your training—listen for movement!"
In the haze, Frogadier closed his eyes and listened. He heard the flutter of wings, the movement of air currents.
"Water Pulse—three o'clock!"
Frogadier fired precisely. The water-type attack connected—super effective against Flying-types like Crobat. The bat cried out in the fog.
"Crobat, Supersonic!"
Confusing sound waves filled the area.
But Frogadier had trained to resist distraction. He shook off the confusion and continued moving.
"Double Team combined with Substitute!"
Multiple Frogadiers appeared throughout the haze. One was the Substitute decoy, several were illusions, and one was real.
"Crobat, Brave Bird—attack all of them!"
Crobat dove through the copies, destroying illusions one by one. But when it struck the Substitute, the decoy exploded with water energy, damaging the already-weakened bat.
"Now, Frogadier—use Shunshin!"
Frogadier vanished completely. Even in the haze, Crobat couldn't track where he went. One moment the water-type was ten feet away, the next he was directly beside Crobat's injured wing.
"Precision strike! Water Pulse to the wing joint!"
The compressed, super-effective water attack struck Crobat's wing exactly where it connected to the body. The bat's flight faltered badly.
"Cross Poison!"
Even injured, Crobat struck back with glowing wings covered in toxic energy. But against a Water-type like Frogadier, the Poison-type move dealt reduced damage.
Frogadier read the movement perfectly—just as Andrew had taught him through shared training. He dodged at the last instant, the attack barely grazing him.
"Shunshin into Quick Attack—strike the damaged wing!"
Frogadier vanished and reappeared instantly beside Crobat, then struck the injured wing with blinding speed. The combination of the flickering movement and the attack was devastating. Crobat couldn't maintain flight and began falling.
"Water Pulse—full power!"
The final super-effective attack struck Crobat directly. The bat crashed to the ground and didn't rise.
"Crobat is unable to battle! The winner is Challenger Andrew!"
After the Battle
The haze cleared. Frogadier stood in the battlefield's center, breathing hard but victorious. Evidence of the battle lay everywhere—water stains, scorch marks, and the subtle signs of ninja techniques perfectly executed.
Koga recalled his Pokémon and approached Andrew and Frogadier.
"That was a battle worthy of a ninja master," Koga said quietly. "Your Frogadier used every technique I taught him, and used them well."
"He trained incredibly hard," Andrew said, kneeling to embrace Frogadier.
Koga reached into his gi and produced a badge—the Soul Badge, shaped like a pink heart with a poison drop.
"You have earned this. Six badges. Only two remain before the Pokémon League."
Andrew held up the badge for Frogadier to see. "We did it!"
"Frogadier!" the water-type responded proudly.
Koga placed a hand on Frogadier's head. "When you evolve into Greninja, you will be truly formidable. Continue training. The ninja way is a lifelong journey."
"We will," Andrew promised. "Thank you, Master Koga."
Koga bowed. "Go forth, young trainer. The ninja strikes from shadow, but fights for the light."
That Evening - Pokémon Center
Andrew examined his six badges: Boulder, Cascade, Thunder, Marsh, Rainbow, and Soul.
Two more to go—Cinnabar and Viridian.
Frogadier sat beside him, and Andrew found himself unconsciously mirroring the water-type's posture—both sitting in the same relaxed but alert position they'd been taught. The ninja training had changed them both.
Andrew looked at his hands. He'd learned to throw shuriken, to move silently, to read an opponent's body language. Skills he'd never imagined needing as a Pokémon trainer.
But Koga was right—understanding what he asked of Frogadier made him a better trainer. When he commanded stealth, he knew the effort required. When he called for precision strikes, he understood the focus needed.
They had trained as one. And now they would battle as one.
Andrew's Pokédex chimed. Ash was calling.
"Andrew! I heard you beat Koga! And that Frogadier trained with him?"
"Yeah," Andrew smiled. "Two weeks of ninja training. It made all the difference."
"That's amazing," Ash said. "Greninja and I trained in similar techniques in Kalos. It's what helped us achieve the Bond Phenomenon."
"How do I know when we're ready for that?" Andrew asked.
Ash was quiet for a moment. "You'll feel it. When you and Frogadier are so in sync you don't need words, when you can sense each other's feelings, when you trust each other completely—that's when it happens. But don't force it. Let it come naturally."
"I understand."
"Two more badges," Ash observed. "You're getting close, Andrew."
Andrew touched the brim of Ash's cap. "I'm going to return this hat at the World Tournament. I promise."
Ash grinned. "I believe you. Take care of Frogadier—he's special."
After the call, Andrew looked at Frogadier. "You heard him. We're going to prove it."
"Frogadier," the water-type responded with determination.
Six badges down. Two to go.
And the Pokémon League waited ahead.