Not long ago, after helping Greninja complete its Bond Phenomenon training and successfully perform that ultimate technique, Ash had officially given it a name:
"Raging Torrent Golden Spiral Water Shuriken."
At the same time, Ash had secretly sworn to himself that when he eventually traveled to Kalos, challenged the Kalos League, and encountered Alain in the League, he would make Greninja use the Raging Torrent Golden Spiral Water Shuriken to defeat Alain's Charizard.
He would avenge the Greninja from his previous life's anime—the Greninja that had been robbed of its victory by the ridiculous plot-driven outcome.
Yet Ash hadn't expected that only a short time after successfully mastering the Bond Phenomenon, he would arrive in Kalos and immediately run into Alain.
Because Ash had transmigrated into this world, the events of the original storyline had already begun changing.
At only six years old, Ash had already obtained his own Pokémon. Pikachu, Greninja, and his other first-team aces were already incredibly powerful—nowhere near inferior to the strength they possessed during the original Kalos League period.
Alain, on the other hand, had only just obtained his first Pokémon.
The Charizard that would eventually defeat the original Ash's Greninja in the Kalos League finals was, at this very moment, nothing more than a little Charmander that hadn't even mastered Ember yet.
With Ash's current talent, resources, and strength, there was simply no possible way Alain could defeat him by the time the Kalos League arrived.
In fact, the plot-driven outcome of the original anime's Kalos League finals had already been completely reversed from the moment Ash transmigrated into this world.
"By the way, Mr. Ash~"
"Tomorrow, one of the Kalos Elite Four, the Steel-type Elite Four member Wikstrom, will be holding a touring lecture at the Lumiose City Sports Center."
"At the end of the lecture, he'll also accept challenges from a few participating Trainers."
"And that afternoon, he'll be holding a Knight's Trial challenge event at the Castle of Chivalry in the outskirts of the city."
"You're so strong, Mr. Ash. You absolutely can't miss tomorrow's event."
Alain's voice carried a hint of excitement as he spoke.
"Wikstrom's lecture on the path of knighthood?"
"When I arrived in Lumiose City yesterday afternoon, my friend Clemont—the Gym Leader of Lumiose Gym—already told me about it."
"I am indeed very interested in tomorrow's event. I'll definitely attend."
Ash smiled.
"By the way, Alain, are you going too?"
"Yes."
Alain nodded.
"Being able to listen to a lecture given by an Elite-level Trainer is an opportunity that naturally shouldn't be missed."
"Unfortunately, my strength isn't strong enough yet, so I'll probably only be able to listen to the lecture."
"If possible, I'd also like to participate in the Knight's Trial in the afternoon."
"But if I'm expected to battle Elite Four member Wikstrom directly, I'm afraid my current strength isn't enough to qualify."
"However, Mr. Ash, you're extremely strong, and you're also a very famous star Trainer."
"If you submit your information and register, I'm certain you'll be selected."
There was obvious respect in Alain's voice when he spoke about Ash.
Even though Ash was a full four years younger than him, the Pokémon world—especially the profession of Pokémon Trainer—had always been a world where strength came first.
Age simply wasn't that important.
"Oh?"
"So I need to submit an application to participate in the exhibition battle?"
Ash was slightly surprised by this information.
"Yes."
Alain nodded from across the training court.
"After all, Wikstrom is one of the Kalos Elite Four."
"There will be a large number of Trainers attending the event, and there will be even more Trainers who want the opportunity to battle him."
"But Elite Four member Wikstrom has limited time."
"So, according to the rules he has followed during his touring lectures in other cities, he will only battle three Trainers."
"Any Trainer who wants to challenge him must therefore submit their information and register in advance."
"If their strength isn't sufficient, there's basically no chance they'll be selected."
Alain patiently explained the process to Ash.
"If you want to participate, Mr. Ash, remember to register as soon as possible."
"The registration process is very simple."
"You can register at a Pokémon Center, or you can submit your application directly through your phone."
"The registration deadline is noon today."
"So if you want to participate, you'd better hurry."
Alain reminded him.
"I see."
"Thank you for telling me, Alain."
"If you hadn't mentioned it, I really might have missed the registration."
Ash smiled.
"And I really am interested in this event."
"After all, sitting there and listening to a lecture is one thing."
"But if I can actually battle an Elite-level powerhouse like Wikstrom, that would be even better."
"I'll submit my application later."
"Hopefully, I'll be selected."
Ash knew that a large number of Trainers would probably apply, so he wasn't completely confident that he would be chosen.
"It'll definitely happen."
"If it's Mr. Ash, I'm certain you'll be selected."
Unlike Ash's uncertainty, Alain had absolute confidence in him.
As they continued talking, Ash gradually noticed something interesting.
Alain, who normally carried himself like an aloof and cool young man—and who would eventually become Ash's rival, sometimes friend and sometimes opponent, in the original anime—was looking at him differently now.
There was a faint trace of something resembling the way a fan looked at an idol in Alain's eyes.
Ash couldn't help finding the realization strange.
At the same time, if he honestly examined his own feelings...
He had to admit it felt pretty good.
The legendary future rival who would eventually defeat his original counterpart was currently looking at him with admiration.
What a strange reversal of fate.
While supervising his Pokémon's training and occasionally chatting with Alain, the one-hour morning training session quickly came to an end.
Ash said goodbye to Alain before leaving the small park with his Pokémon and heading back toward the hotel.
Halfway there, Ash took out his phone.
The Rotom possessing his phone immediately searched for the webpage containing information about Wikstrom's touring event the following day.
Ash then began filling out the registration form.
"Rotom, which Pokémon should I register for the event?"
"The registration form requires the Trainer's information, the participating Pokémon, and the Pokémon's level Rotom"
"Only one Pokémon?"
Ash raised an eyebrow.
"Yes."
"Because Elite Four member Wikstrom has limited time, he will only accept challenges from three Trainers after the event."
"And the battle format is one-on-one Rotom"
"I see."
Ash thought about it for a moment.
"Then enter... Pidgeot."
He made his decision.
If he was going to battle an Elite-level powerhouse like Wikstrom, Ash naturally intended to give it his absolute best.
That meant there was no question that he would choose one of his first-team aces.
Among his first-team Pokémon, Fearow had the lowest strength.
Its battle style was also too focused on taking dangerous risks and pursuing a decisive one-hit kill.
But his battle with Wikstrom would be more of an exchange than an actual fight for victory.
The outcome wasn't important.
Whether he won too quickly or lost too quickly would both be meaningless.
Instead, Ash wanted to extend the battle as much as possible.
A prolonged exchange would give him far more opportunities to observe and experience Wikstrom's battle style, analyze his techniques, and gain a deeper understanding of the knightly path he embodied.
Therefore—
Fearow was eliminated from consideration.
Pidgeot was the better choice.
Not only was its strength more suitable, but its flexible aerial combat style would allow Ash to engage Wikstrom for a longer period and learn as much as possible from the Elite Four member.
Ash looked down at his phone screen.
The registration form was almost complete.
And completely unbeknownst to him, this simple decision would soon bring him face-to-face with one of the strongest Trainers in Kalos.
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T/N:
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