18x04 - A stealthy challenge!

[bunniefuu]

Froakie, use Water Pulse, let's go.

[WATER PULSE MOVE]

Yeah. That was great.

[CONFIDENT]

Next up? It's you, Pikachu.

Thunderbolt, let's go.

[THUNDERBOLT MOVE]

Alright.

Pikachu and Froakie are really fired up, aren't they?

- Everyone's in sync. - Keep it up. You look great.

[STARTLED]/[CONCERNED]

Huh?

[Bonnie gasps]

Look! Something's floating this way.

It's Sanpei.

[CONCERNED]

[Ash grunts]

Sanpei.

♪ You're just a kid on a quest to be the best of the best ♪

♪ Someday you're destined for power and glory ♪

♪ You know you're up to the test ♪

♪ There's only one way to tell this story ♪

♪ Be a hero be a hero

♪ All the power is at your command ♪

♪ Face your fears and show you're a hero ♪

♪ The future of the world is in your hand ♪

♪ Pokémon ♪

ASH "A stealthy challenge!"

ASH Wake up. Sanpei.

[WORRIED]

NARRATOR As our heroes continue

on their way to Coumarine City they've reunited

with their friend Sanpei, the boy ninja.

But something's not right.

[groans]

- Huh. - Yay! He's awake.

You're Ash. That's right. Where's Greninja?

Hey, don't worry. Look behind you.

Clemont just gave it a Pecha Berry.

That cured Greninja's poisoning.

It should feel better in no time.

[CALM]

Well, thank goodness for that.

Thanks, Ash. You too, Bonnie, Serena and Clemont.

- You saved us. I'm so grateful. - No prob.

Wow, it's been a long time since I've seen you guys.

- So, is everybody doing well? - Yeah.

- Uh-huh. - Yup.

Sanpei? Is that Pokémon..

POKEDEX Greninja, the Ninja Pokémon

and the evolved form of Frogadier.

'Greninja's swift movements confound its opponents'

'and it can compress water into sharp-edged throwing stars.'

You guessed it. Greninja evolved from my Frogadier.

I knew it.

[FRIENDLY]

[FRIENDLY]

Sanpei? How was Greninja poisoned in the first place?

Yeah, what could've happened?

Happened? Uh, well--

- 'There you are.' - Huh?

MASKED NINJA SAIZO 'Ninja Water Spout.'

- What is that? - What is that?

Hey, what's going on?

POKEDEX Barbaracle. The Collective Pokémon.

'Barbaracle's limbs can move independently of each other'

'but they usually follow the head's commands.'

There they are, those two are the ones

who att*cked us.

Those two?

Indeed, and very soon

the secret scroll will be mine.

Barbaracle, Razor Shell.

[RAZOR SHELL MOVE]

[all gasping]

[RAZOR SHELL MOVE]

[DETERMINED]

[DETERMINED]/[EXERTION]

[PAINED]/[ANGRY]

No, Froakie. Quick, Pikachu. Use Thunderbolt, now.

[DETERMINED]

[THUNDERBOLT MOVE]

[PAINED]/[EXERTION]

No way!

But how? It looks fine.

I never thought we'd witness a ninja Pokémon battle

all the way out here in the wild.

Any guess as to why they'd be doing such a thing?

Nah, don't forget, catching Pikachu

is all we're about and that's that.

Right, and now is the perfect Pikachu-catching time

while their Twerpish baby-brains are preoccupied.

[EXCITED]

I have no idea what's going on, but it can't be good.

- We need to get out of here. - Hm.

Alright. Ninja Leaf Shroud.

[SHOCKED]

[grunts]

[Clemont breathing heavily]

Good thing we got out of there.

[RELIEVED]

A masked ninja. Who was that guy?

[CURIOUS]

Secret scroll? What did he mean?

He meant this. This scroll must be delivered.

And it has to be before sundown.

And that is my mission.

- Mission? - Mm-hm.

Saizo sent me. He's a master ninja and my Trainer, too.

I will not let him down.

Ninja techniques, passed down for generations in our village

since ancient times are contained in that secret scroll.

I want you to take it to our fellow ninjas.

Sanpei, what do you say? Will you do this?

Yes! It would be my honor.

I'm happy to go.

[PROUD]

This map will show you the manor where our comrades are located.

- I'm counting on you. - I'll do it. I promise.

[RESOLUTE]

SANPEI So, Greninja and I set out

on our important mission.

But then..

[rumbling]

MASKED NINJA SAIZO 'Ninja Dust Storm.'

Wait, who are you?

[ANGRY]

I am a ninja, just like you.

Now give me the secret scroll.

Barbaracle, appear.

[PROUD]

SANPEI 'Huh!'

Barbaracle, Razor Shell.

[RAZOR SHELL MOVE]

Alright, Greninja, use Smokescreen.

[SMOKESCREEN MOVE]

Alright, Ninja. Wind Rush.

[DETERMINED]

Quick Attack, let's go.

[DETERMINED]/[QUICK ATTACK MOVE]

Push back. Then grab hold of it.

[DETERMINED]/[EXERTION]

- Greninja. - Poison Jab. Go.

[POISON JAB MOVE]

- Oh! - Now, Razor Shell.

[RAZOR SHELL MOVE]

Greninja.

[Sanpei grunts]

[screaming]

I have no idea who the masked ninja is.

And why he's after the secret scroll?

I don't know either.

Now, it's getting late. I'd better be on my way.

On your way? I wanna go with you.

[DETERMINED]

[DETERMINED]

I appreciate the thought. But we were given the mission.

We can do this ourselves.

What do you mean? I can't leave my friend in danger.

He's right. And there's strength in numbers, don't forget.

She's right too.

[HAPPY]

They're alright.

You guys.. Okay, you can come.

But Ash, if things go wrong, promise me

you'll take care of yourselves first.

Can you give me your word on that?

Promise! Alright, let's go.

[EXCITED]

- 'Hold on.' - Huh?

First things first.

We need a plan to deal with that masked ninja.

But what? Any idea what we should do?

CLEMONT First, we need to distract

and confuse Sanpei's pursuers.

That's really important.

Which means the future is now, thanks to science.

Clemontic Gear, on.

Anticipating this situation, I proceeded

to invent this very machine.

I call it the Robo Step-by-Step.

Robo Step-by-Step?

Hey! It sounds like a baby's toy.

[UNIMPRESSED]

They want to use ninja techniques, right?

So, we'll counter them using science. My Robo Step-by-Step.

Power on.

Awesome. Whoa, science is so amazing.

Okay, off you go.

So, why don't we get going too?

You bet.

[EXCITED]

Where are they?

[groans] Those brats.

I hate Twerps. Come on.

You never find a Twerp when you need one.

We will. And there's proof.

I'd say those are Twerpish footprints.

They must be close by.

[EXCITED]

- Hm? - Hm?

[CERTAIN]

Prepare for trouble, I've seen enough.

And make it double, we're quick and tough.

Stop! You spoke too soon.

You stop! We were just starting to get warmed up.

Now look. We're getting cold.

No, you're the dopes who didn't look. Heads up.

- Hm? - Hm?

Cheats.

The nerve. We've been hoodwinked.

[FRUSTRATED]

Of course. The science Twerp did this.

[indistinct yelling]

[electric crackling]

[expl*si*n]

For some reason, I'm not surprised.

[PAINED]

SANPEI This is where we are

and this is where the manor is. Hm..

CLEMONT That means we'll have to wind around this way.

But if we do that, then there's no way

we'll be able to get there before the sun goes down.

And then, you won't deliver the secret scroll on time. Now what?

We could fly. Of course we don't know how. Right?

Are there any shortcuts?

There's one, but we can't. I'd worry about all of you.

I don't want to take the risk.

- Don't worry. - Huh?

We can handle it. No matter what.

[CONFIDENT]

It'll be a breeze. Don't you think, Dedenne?

[CONFIDENT]

Okay. That's what we're gonna do.

Agreed.

Oh, Ash, all of you..

Alright. Then let's go.

ASH/BONNIE/CLEMONT/SERENA Yeah.

GROUP Who's that Pokémon?

GROUP It's Barbaracle!

[EXCITED]

Everyone. Be careful.

Be really, really careful.

Remember, slow and steady wins the race.

I know all of that. But I'm worried about how you're doing.

Who, me? I'm doing just fine.

[screaming]

- Serena. - Clemont.

[DETERMINED]/[EXERTION]

[DETERMINED]/[EXERTION]

Huh!

[screaming]

[sighs] That was a close call.

Hey! Are you guys doing alright?

- Yeah, we're fine. - Thanks to you two.

[HAPPY]

BONNIE Oh! More climbing?

[SHOCKED]

SANPEI 'Nope.'

- No need to climb any more. - Oh! Ohh!

Look. Over there.

That cave is connected to the other side.

Awesome. Let's do it.

[EXCITED]

I see. What a lucky break that the cave slopes down.

And that means when we make it out

we're at the foot of the mountain.

[STARTLED]

Hey, what's that sound?

PIKACHU [ANXIOUS]

[all gasp]

A group of Golbat.

[screeching]

Oh no! What are they gonna do? Ahh!

We've wandered into their territory. They don't like that.

Golbat! Knock it off.

[ANGRY]

[all screaming]

No choice. Greninja Smokescreen, let's go.

[SMOKESCREEN MOVE]

Quick, now's our chance.

[panting]

[EXHAUSTED]

[EXHAUSTED]

GRENINJA [CONFIDENT]

Huh?

Hey, look! The manor's over there.

Alright. Hey, guys.

Huh?

[ANGRY]

[coughing]

What was that?

[PROUD]

Hand over the sacred scroll at once.

ASH We're not handing over anything.

Hold on. Leave this to me and go find everyone else.

- No. I'm not leaving you alone. - Huh?

We can win this battle if we do it as a team.

Let's hurry up and beat them, then go and find the others.

Wow, Ash.

[AMAZED]

Hmm.

As you wish.

- Use Double Team. - Use Double Team.

[DETERMINED]/[DOUBLE TEAM MOVE]

[CONFUSED]

- Use Water Shuriken. - Use Water Pulse.

[ATTACK]

Dodge it, quick.

[DETERMINED]

Keep up the attack, Pikachu Electro Ball.

[ELECTRO BALL MOVE]

Block that with Razor Shell.

[RAZOR SHELL MOVE]

[AMAZED]

[SHOCKED]/[DETERMINED]

- What was that? - More enemies?

Prepare for trouble, the enemies mount.

And make it double, these enemies count.

To protect our ninja reputation.

Our throwing stars will rule the nation.

Our code of the ninja will cut you no slack.

We jump from the shadows, and then we attack.

- Jessie. - And James.

Team Rocket is master there can be no debate.

Defeating all ninjas, thus sealing their fate.

Meowth, that's great!

[PROUD]

Team Rocket. What do you want?

[ANGRY]

If you have to ask

you're even dumber than you look.

There's no rest for the delightfully

wicked when it comes to catching Pikachu.

Of course, that means you.

Ha!

[PANICKED]

[ATTACK]

- Huh? - Huh?

- Hey! - Out of the way! Ninja brats.

We want them, not you. Stay out of this.

We want Pikachu.

Take your silly scroll. What does that have to do with us?

Now, Wobbuffet, teach them a lesson they won't forget.

I want in too. My Fury Swipes is gonna show you.

Block them with Razor Shell.

[RAZOR SHELL]

- Froakie, Water Pulse. - Greninja, Water Shuriken.

[WATER PULSE MOVE]

[WATER SHURIKEN MOVE]

[all screams]

TEAM ROCKET We're blasting off again.

[FRUSTRATED]

Now, let's pick up where we left off.

Wait. Why did you two help us out?

My reasons are my own. Barbaracle, Poison Jab.

[POISON JAB MOVE]

Dodge it.

[DETERMINED]

Froakie, Double Team!

[DOUBLE TEAM MOVE]

Froakie, use Cut. Pikachu, Iron Tail.

[ATTACK]

Barbaracle, Mud-Slap.

[MUD-SLAP MOVE]

[PAINED]

[PAINED]

Froakie!

[STRUGGLING]

Pikachu.

Greninja! You've got to be strong.

I'd say this is over.

Barbaracle, Poison Jab.

[DETERMINED]

[PANICKED]

Look out!

[STRUGGLING]

[POISON JAB MOVE]

[DETERMINED]

[all gasping]

[CONFIDENT]

[PAINED]

- That light. - It's evolving.

Froakie's evolving?

[SHOCKED]

Froakie. You just evolved.

[PROUD]

POKEDEX Frogadier, the Bubble Frog Pokémon

and the evolved form of Froakie. Frogadier's speed is unmatched.

'It can climb a tower over'

'two thousand feet tall in one minute.'

Awesome. It's also got brand-new moves!

Even if Froakie did evolve, it's still no match for us.

Barbaracle, Razor Shell.

[RAZOR SHELL MOVE]

Now, Frogadier, use Cut.

[DETERMINED]/[CUT MOVE]

[STRUGGLING]

Their strength's the same.

Frogadier's putting up an equal fight.

Watch this. Do it, Frogadier.

[FOCUSED]

Use Poison Jab.

[POISON JAB MOVE]

Okay, Frogadier, use Aerial Ace.

[DETERMINED]

[AERIAL ACE MOVE]

[PAINED]

Had enough?

Alright then. Time for Ninja Leaf Shroud.

- Oh! - Alright, now go to the manor.

There, you will discover the whereabouts of your friends.

Alright. Let's go to the manor.

But wait. What if it's a trap?

It just might be a trap.

But that's all we have to work with right now.

I say we have to go.

I hear you.

Excuse me. I, Sanpei, have arrived.

Hey, is anybody here?

I've come to deliver the secret scroll.

- 'Hello?' - Huh!

Look over here.

[HAPPY]

Hi, Ash. Hi, Sanpei.

- Hey, guys. You alright? - Welcome.

[all groaning]

[laughing]

- Huh? - Huh?

I'm most impressed you made it all the way here.

Well done, Sanpei.

Huh?

SANPEI 'Saizo?'

Hey, what's going on?

There's nothing written on it.

No way, master. What's this all about?

- I was testing you. - Testing me?

You are a ninja who went on a training journey.

So I thought I should give you a test.

To see just how much you've grown.

Saizo didn't want us to get in the middle of any trouble

that might have put us in harm's way.

So he brought us over here to the manor.

Unfortunately, Ash, we weren't able to find you and Pikachu.

Now I get it. You're alright.

That's what really counts.

Whether it's blank or not

I've delivered the secret scroll on time.

Which means our mission is now complete.

Mm-hm.

SAIZO You made a heartfelt

connection with your friends

and overcame formidable obstacles along with Greninja.

And I saw it all with my very own eyes.

I'll make a full report.

Directly to the village elder.

[chuckles] That's great.

Thank you so very much.

[HAPPY]

A Frogadier. Is that who I think it is?

Of course. Ash's Froakie must have evolved.

Oh, I wanted to see that, I know.

You can go back to being Froakie.

Then I can watch you evolve too.

Bonnie? That's not really how it works.

- 'Sanpei.' - Huh.

Your mission is all done. So what do you say?

- You wanna have a battle? - This time I'll win.

We'll give it our all. Right, Frogadier?

[CONFIDENT]

NARRATOR After a fierce battle against Saizo, the masked ninja

Froakie has evolved into Frogadier.

Soon, our heroes will be off once again

as their journey to Coumarine City continues.

[theme music]