After chatting with Ash for a while and agreeing to meet again at the Masters Eight Elimination Tournament, Su Hao said goodbye to Ash and Pikachu. They went their separate ways at a fork in the road.
Su Hao headed for Ho-Oh Institute, built deeper in the mountains, while Ash headed for the nearby Cerulean Plateau.
Perhaps because Su Hao had refused the position of Kanto Alliance Champion, the vacant Elite Four seat was given to Ash, who had been the most active and strongest member of the joint operation.
Su Hao was simply curious what type of Elite Four the Kanto Alliance would assign Ash in the end.
Grass-type, Water Type, Fire-type, or Flying-type?
Before they had gone far, a cloaked figure silently appeared beside Su Hao and Incineroar.
Yet neither of them found it strange, as if they had long grown accustomed to Mewtwo's uncanny comings and goings.
Su Hao chuckled. "When did you get here?"
Mewtwo pulled back its hood and replied, "A while ago."
"What do you think of their strength and rate of growth?"
"...Compared to two years ago, they have undergone earth-shaking changes. At the very least, they now rank among the top Trainers in this world."
After a pause, Mewtwo added another sentence.
"But compared to you, his rate of growth is still somewhat slower."
Mewtwo remembered that, according to what Su Hao had said before, he had only become a Trainer a little over a year ago. Diancie, who had broken through a few days earlier, was roughly at Pikachu's level.
Su Hao's growth rate really was faster.
"Hahaha, I like hearing that."
Su Hao smiled and asked again.
"How are your preparations going?"
Mewtwo shook its head. "Not even halfway done. I've been busy with these matters, and during this time,