In truth, Ash was just overthinking. This world was the real Pokémon world, after all. The surname Mugino showing up here was likely just a coincidence. With a world this vast, it wasn't strange for someone to share the same surname. Nothing to get worked up over.
Ding~!
[The system has detected extreme emotional fluctuations in the host. Initiating sleep mode.]
Just as Ash's thoughts spiraled, the system's voice rang in his mind. His vision went black, and he suddenly lost consciousness—falling into a world of white.
"Ash! What's wrong?!"
"Ash, can you hear me?!"
Brock and Cynthia cried out in panic. Ash had fainted without warning, and they both rushed to his side. Cynthia, in particular, looked especially shaken.
Her golden eyes brimmed with tears as she gazed down at Ash. Emotions could take time to grow, but once someone made up their mind, the process could accelerate rapidly—just like with Cynthia now.
She had finally earned Ash's recognition and trust, but now his physical condition had her deeply worried. She knew how dangerous the side effects of his psychic abilities could be. His sudden collapse made her fear the worst.
"Damn it... where the hell is this?!"
Ash groaned, holding his aching head. He was standing in a pure white void.
Ding~!
[This is the host's mental space. The system activated sleep mode due to intense emotional disturbance.]
"Sleep mode? Are you kidding me?" Ash snapped. "I've had emotional spikes before—why didn't this happen then?! You messing with me, system?"
Ding~!
[The system does not interfere with host actions. However, when fluctuations exceed projected thresholds, and there's over a 60% chance of triggering an uncontrollable mutation in the host's Sharingan, emergency protocols are activated. ]
"Sharingan?" Ash frowned, confused for a moment. Then he remembered—his spiritual ability granted by the system was based on the Sharingan. He was well aware of how it worked.
In Naruto's world, a regular three-tomoe Sharingan could only evolve into the Mangekyō Sharingan through overwhelming emotional trauma—most commonly, the death of someone close.
But even then, if one's spiritual power wasn't strong enough, the evolution wouldn't happen. This proved that mental strength was essential to developing the Sharingan further.
"My Sharingan's already a Mangekyō. Even if my emotions fluctuate, it shouldn't go beyond that. Unless... there's something else affecting me?" Ash muttered.
"Wait…" A memory surfaced. "Right before I died in my last life—from that nuclear blast—I saw something red wrap around me. Could that be it?"
Ash clenched his fists. "Ever since I awakened the Sharingan, I've maintained clarity… but at times, I feel a surge of aggression, like I need to release something violent. It's not the Sharingan's doing—I've used it long enough to know that. That violent tendency… it's something else."
He grit his teeth. "System, forget my body for a second. I want answers. If this really is the Pokémon world, why does the surname Mugino exist here? Isn't that from a completely different universe?"
Ding~!
[This world is a Pokémon-based reality. While there are deviations from the original timeline, this is not a fusion of secondary fictional universes. Any similar names are coincidental or adapted into this world's setting.]
Ash let out a breath. That answer gave him some relief.
Every world is its own independent system. And given the sheer number of surnames and characters out there—especially in his past life's anime-loving world—some overlap was bound to happen.
"I really overthought this," Ash laughed at himself. "Never thought I'd become this paranoid."
"System, now that everything's cleared up—when can I wake up?"
Ding~!
[Host's mental state has stabilized. You may awaken at will.]
"Then do it! What are you waiting for, you dumb system? You scared me for nothing!" Ash shouted. In all his time with the system, he'd hardly gotten anything helpful out of it. Could you even call that "cool"?
In the next moment, his soul returned to his body.
From the outside, Ash stirred and slowly opened his eyes. But something felt strange. His head was resting on something soft—definitely not a pillow.
"Ash! You're awake! How are you feeling?" Cynthia asked anxiously. Tears stained her cheeks, and her tone was full of relief.
Because they were camping out in the wild, Brock had quickly set up a tent and left Ash in Cynthia's care. Not knowing what else to do, Cynthia had gently held Ash in her arms and let him rest against her—on a part of her that no one else had ever touched before.
Needless to say, anyone seeing the scene would be extremely jealous.
...
TN:
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