After Joe Higashi's bizarre exit, Ash thought that maybe, just maybe, the interruptions were finally over. He could finally enjoy a bit of peace. Pikachu curled up beside him, and Lucario took his usual spot by the door, ever vigilant.

"Okay," Ash muttered to himself, closing his eyes. "No more weird challengers. Just rest. Finally."

But fate had other plans.

The air in the room grew unnaturally still, as though a cold, malevolent presence had entered. Pikachu's ears perked up immediately, sensing something was off. Lucario's eyes narrowed, his aura sensing something sinister approaching.

Ash sat up, already on edge. "What is it now?"

The answer came in the form of a dark, slithering voice. "Ash Ketchum, the Monarch. My, my... what a fascinating young man you are."

Ash froze. The voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once, chilling him to the bone. Slowly, the shadowy figure of a man appeared, emerging from the darkness at the far end of the room. His pale skin, serpentine eyes, and eerie smile made Ash's stomach twist.

"Orochimaru…" Ash whispered, recognizing the name from stories Sora had once told him. This man wasn't just another challenger—he was one of the most dangerous and unsettling figures in the ninja world.

Orochimaru, one of the legendary Sannin, stepped forward with his signature unsettling grace. His long, dark hair cascaded down his back, and his tongue flicked out between his lips as he observed Ash with a hungry curiosity.

"Oh, you know of me?" Orochimaru's voice dripped with amusement. "Good. It saves me the trouble of introductions."

Ash stood up from the couch, Pikachu already sparking at his side, and Lucario standing firmly between them and the intruder. "What do you want?" Ash asked, doing his best to hide how creeped out he felt. "Are you here to challenge me like the others?"

Orochimaru's laugh sent shivers down Ash's spine. "Challenge you? Oh, no, no, no… you misunderstand. I have no interest in titles or tournaments." He slowly circled Ash, his snake-like eyes never leaving the boy. "I'm here because I'm curious. You see, for someone so young to become the Monarch of Pokémon… it's quite impressive. Almost unnatural."

Ash blinked, confused. "Unnatural? What's that supposed to mean?"

Orochimaru's grin widened, and he leaned in slightly closer. "What I mean, Ash Ketchum, is that someone of your age accomplishing such feats… it makes one wonder. Could there be some secret behind your strength? Some… hidden potential? Perhaps even something… immortal?"

Ash took a step back, his skin crawling. "Immortal? What are you talking about?"

Orochimaru's gaze darkened, and his tongue flicked out again. "Immortality is something I've sought for many, many years. To achieve all of the world's knowledge… I require time. Endless time. And yet, here you are—so young, yet so powerful. I wonder… could there be something inside you worth exploring?"

Ash's heart pounded. He didn't like where this conversation was going. "Look, I don't know what you're thinking, but there's nothing special about me. I just train hard and work with my Pokémon."

Pikachu snarled at Orochimaru, electricity crackling dangerously around his cheeks. "Pika pika!"

Lucario, sensing the malice emanating from the Sannin, tensed and prepared for any sudden movement. "Lucar…"

Orochimaru's smirk never faded, but his eyes gleamed with unsettling interest. "Oh, I'm sure you believe that. But someone like you, chosen by fate to stand above others… there must be more to it." He paused, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "Perhaps I should take a closer look."

Ash instinctively took another step back. "Closer look? What do you mean by that?"

Orochimaru's tongue flicked out again, almost tasting the air. "Oh, nothing harmful… at first. I simply want to understand how someone like you could accomplish so much in such a short time. Perhaps there's something in your blood… your body…"

At this, Ash recoiled. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! That's seriously creepy, dude! There's no way I'm letting you 'experiment' on me or whatever you're thinking."

Orochimaru chuckled softly, his voice as cold as ever. "Oh, Ash, don't be so hasty. I've perfected my methods over many, many years. You wouldn't feel a thing. And in return, perhaps I could even grant you something… extraordinary."

Ash shook his head, already feeling nauseous from the way Orochimaru was speaking. "No way! I'm not interested in whatever you're offering! Besides, I don't need anything from you to be strong!"

Orochimaru tilted his head slightly, his smile never wavering. "Oh? Are you certain? Strength alone isn't always enough. You could be so much more…"

Lucario growled lowly, sensing that the situation was escalating. Ash clenched his fists, trying to keep his composure. "I don't care what you're offering, Orochimaru. You're not touching me or my Pokémon. We're plenty strong on our own."

The Sannin's expression darkened slightly, his curiosity giving way to a more sinister edge. "Ah, such defiance. I wonder how long that will last…"

With a sudden flash of movement, Orochimaru's arm shot forward, extending unnaturally as he aimed directly for Ash. His fingers twisted like the fangs of a snake, reaching for the young Monarch with inhuman speed.

"Lucario, now!" Ash shouted.

Lucario didn't hesitate. With lightning-fast reflexes, he intercepted Orochimaru's attack, his paw glowing with an Aura Sphere. He thrust it forward, releasing the energy directly into Orochimaru's outstretched hand.

The impact was immediate. Orochimaru's arm recoiled, and he let out a soft hiss of pain as the Aura Sphere dissipated. Still, his expression remained calm, though his eyes flashed with something darker.

"How interesting…" Orochimaru murmured, pulling his arm back and inspecting the faint burn left by Lucario's attack. "Such power… It seems your Pokémon are as remarkable as you are."

Ash breathed heavily, his heart racing. "I told you… we're strong enough without your help."

Orochimaru's gaze lingered on Lucario for a moment before slowly shifting back to Ash. "It seems I've underestimated you… for now. But I wonder… how long can you maintain that strength? How long before you realize that true power comes not from training, but from knowledge… and control."

Ash glared at him, standing his ground. "I don't need your twisted ideas of power. I've got my friends and my Pokémon. That's all I need."

For a moment, Orochimaru simply stared at Ash, his snake-like eyes piercing and unreadable. Then, slowly, he smiled—a cold, eerie smile.

"We shall see, Ash Ketchum. We shall see…"

With that, Orochimaru began to fade into the shadows, his body dissolving into the darkness as though he had never been there at all. His final words echoed in the room, sending a final chill down Ash's spine.

"I'll be watching… always watching…"

And then, he was gone.

Ash exhaled deeply, finally allowing himself to relax. Pikachu and Lucario both looked up at him, still tense but ready to respond if needed.

"Man… that guy was seriously creepy," Ash muttered, wiping a bit of sweat from his brow.

"Pika…" Pikachu agreed, shuddering as if to shake off the lingering presence of Orochimaru.

Lucario, ever the protector, merely nodded, though his eyes remained fixed on where Orochimaru had disappeared.

Ash sat back down, trying to calm his racing heart. "Let's just hope he doesn't come back anytime soon…"