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The Chapter get Retranslated
Ash, of course, heard it too, but he was actually wronged. He wasn't without ambition, nor was he careless in his actions.
It was just that for his future partner, destiny had already given its guidance, so there was really no need to bother worrying.
Although he didn't necessarily have to follow the original plot, it was impossible to ignore the overpowered Pikachu and choose other Pokémon, right?
He looked forward to this fated encounter, but Pikachu was still the same Pikachu, while he was no longer his original self, and the story would inevitably be different.
"So you've made up your mind?" These things were clear in his own heart, and he didn't care how Gary would see him. Though he said that, he was still concerned deep down.
Actually, the current Gary was just high-spirited and arrogant. It wasn't until after the Johto League that the proud Gary truly became convinced.
"I... I won't tell you!" Hearing this, Gary subconsciously wanted to speak, but after thinking about it, he didn't tell Ash what he wanted to choose.
"Well, suit yourself! Hmm?? A bite!?"
Ash didn't mind; he had only asked to divert attention anyway.
Splash! Splash! Splash!
Just then, water splashed up from the river. Ash quickly stood up. While chatting, a Pokémon had already taken the bait. He quickly pulled the fishing rod, carefully turning the reel with controlled force.
The force wasn't particularly strong. As the fishing rod gradually pulled, it quickly surfaced. Water splashed, and Ash increased his strength, directly flinging the caught creature onto the grassy bank.
Flop! Flop! Flop! Flop!
A fish with red scales all over its body was flopping on the grass. With wise eyes and two long yellow whiskers on its cheeks, its fins resembled a crown. It just flopped on the ground, posing no threat at all.
"A Magikarp!"
Ash walked over to it. The Magikarp seemed terrified from being caught. Ash walked forward, crouched down, and gently reached out to stroke its scales.
He channeled the power within him, gently calming its emotions. Slowly, the Magikarp's emotions began to settle.
"Sorry for scaring you, but unfortunately, I don't have any Poké Balls yet. See you again if fate allows!" Ash smiled at the calmed Magikarp, then took some fish bait from a nearby box and fed it. After that, he picked it up.
He walked to the riverbank and released it back into the water. The Magikarp went into the water, poked its head out, and looked at Ash. Its round, wise eyes narrowed into a crescent shape, as if smiling. It nudged Ash's hand, then dove to the bottom of the river and swam away.
Gary watched this scene from across the river, filled with envy. He was also very puzzled; not only at the lab but even these wild Pokémon got along so well with Ash.
But he still suppressed his envy, not showing it.
"Gary, it seems I won!" Ash said, standing up and smiling at Gary.
"Hmph! It's just a Magikarp, what's so great about it? You wouldn't not know that Magikarp is the weakest Pokémon, would you?" Gary pouted, turning his head to the side.
"Would Gyarados still be weak?" Ash replied, sitting back down and casting his rod into the water again, looking at the river in a daze.
"Uh... I..."
"Actually, there are no weak Pokémon, only weak Trainers. If every Pokémon were strong enough, wouldn't being a Trainer be too unchallenging?"
"Helping weak Pokémon become stronger, isn't that a Trainer's responsibility? Gary, as Professor Oak's grandson, you wouldn't not understand this, would you?" Ash deliberately asked Gary in a surprised tone.
"I... How could I not know!"
"I mean, it's still early, and I can catch a Magikarp too!" Actually, Gary was different from Paul later on.
He wouldn't dismiss a Pokémon as having no training value just because it was weak, like Paul did. He said what he did purely because Ash caught a Pokémon first. Ash just smiled, saying no more.
Gary also remained silent, and the scene fell into quietude again. After waiting a while, both their fishing rods showed movement.
"A bite!" Gary's eyes changed, and he exclaimed excitedly.
Ash didn't speak, his gaze becoming serious. Both of them pulled their rods simultaneously, feeling a strong pull. As their reels turned, the two fishing lines gradually emerged from the water, visibly close to each other.
"Could it be that we caught the same thing?" Gary couldn't help but ask.
Splash!
Water splashed up. The two fishing lines were taut, and at their center, a round object was hooked. Both looked over to see their hooks simultaneously snagged on a worn-out Poké Ball.
"A Poké Ball?? This must be a sign that I'm about to become a Trainer. Ash, it's mine, let go quickly!" Gary's expression changed at the sight of the Poké Ball, then he glared at Ash.
Because in this world, although you could become a Trainer at 10, Poké Ball regulation was quite strict. Stores wouldn't sell Poké Balls to children under 10, no matter how much money you had.
So, for someone who hadn't yet become a Trainer, getting a Poké Ball was undoubtedly lucky. Though it didn't mean anything definitive, it could be considered a good omen.
"We caught it together, so you should be the one to let go!" Ash had no intention of yielding. He suddenly exerted force. After three years of training, his strength had increased considerably.
Crack!
The moment he pulled, the Poké Ball in the middle instantly made a sound. With a snap, the red-and-white Poké Ball sprang open, each half hooked back by their respective fishing lines, with only half still dangling.
"Ah! It's broken? It looks really old, the connecting parts are loose!" Gary said, looking at the Poké Ball.
"It seems the real outcome will have to wait! Once we become Trainers, the winner of the real match will get the other half!" Ash took down his half of the Poké Ball, glanced at it, put it away, and then turned to leave.
"Ash! Hmph! I'll definitely be the one to win in the end." Three years ago, Gary wouldn't have been convinced.
Because for him, he wouldn't even admit a draw against someone as unmotivated as Ash. But now it was different; deep down, he already considered Ash a rival.
*Psychic Powers:* An innate superhuman ability to attack with mental power, manipulate objects, telepathy, and even alter form. Representatives: Sabrina, Olympia, Anabel.
*Aura Power:* Everyone possesses aura. It allows one to sense surroundings without sight, form a 3D image of the environment, and also possess telepathy, even manifesting as physical attacks. Representatives: Sir Aaron, Ash.
*Viridian Power:* The ability to read a Pokémon's thoughts with one's spirit, and to heal Pokémon. A mysterious power bestowed by Viridian Forest once every ten years. Representatives: Yellow, Lance.
*Arceus's Power:* The ability to communicate telepathically, transmitting one's thoughts into the spiritual world of a deranged Pokémon, and even pacify the rage of legendary Pokémon. Representatives: Sheena, Damos.
*Dragon Control Power:* The power to easily command powerful Dragon-type and dragon-like Pokémon, while also enhancing their strength. Representatives: Lance, Clair.
*Bond Phenomenon (Awakening Power):* When a Trainer and a Pokémon meet the strength requirements and have a deep enough bond, they can undergo Bond Evolution without a Key Stone or Mega Stone.
The Pokémon gains a new form and even greater power than Mega Evolution. If the Trainer's power is strong enough, they can even undergo Bond Evolution with multiple Pokémon simultaneously. Representative: Ash (protagonist's cheat).