Ten days later, Ash's Magic Island officially opened to the outside world.
At the same time, the facilities of Dream Forest and Maple Leaf Town were unveiled. With the cooperation of the Pokémon League and the major families, their fame spread at an astonishing speed, reaching a level that could only be described as terrifying.
Ash also made his position clear—
Maple Leaf Town would accept only 100,000 permanent residents.
The quota was filled almost instantly.
Countless people failed to secure a spot, and complaints erupted everywhere, yet no one could change the decision.
The most famous features of Maple Leaf Town were threefold:
the origin of the newest pharmaceutical industry, the abundance of rare medicinal herbs, and the Pokémon inhabiting Dream Forest.
Every tree within the forest radiated vitality. The fruits they bore were rich in nutrients, and the Pokémon living there were all robust and powerful, brimming with life force.
Even Ash's own Pokémon loved the place. They spent their days swimming, basking in the sunlight, and roaming freely.
Maple Leaf Town enforced a strict and civilized regulation—
Pokémon within Dream Forest could not be captured through battle.
Battles for enjoyment were permitted, but subjugation was forbidden. Unless a Pokémon followed a Trainer of its own free will, any violator would be permanently barred from stepping onto Magic Island again.
Ash's pharmaceutical products—and especially the Full Restore Capsule—triggered an enormous uproar across the world.
The reputation of Ash as the strongest Champion had yet to fade, and he delivered another shocking surprise. Many wealthy individuals immediately recognized the capsule's true value and spared no expense to secure advance reservations.
On the very first day, profits from capsule sales reached a frightening level.
Within the Kanto region, purchasers accounted for more than 80% of total sales. As for other regions, anyone wishing to buy had to pay double the price.
Kanto residents could purchase at standard prices simply by presenting local identification. This arrangement was universally accepted—after all, this was Ash's home territory.
Naturally, many people turned to friends in Kanto to purchase on their behalf. Even so, the eight major Kanto families, Officer Jenny's lineage, and the Pokémon League all reaped enormous benefits.
Because of the pharmacy alone, the League's reputation among Kanto citizens soared to unprecedented heights.
A few days later, the Pokémon League released another piece of explosive news—
The Dark City Gym was officially abolished.
In its place, a brand-new Gym was established on Magic Island, with Ash himself named as the Gym Leader.
The Gym was named the Maple Leaf Gym.
Because Ash intended to continue traveling, the position of acting Gym Leader was temporarily filled by Mewtwo. Challengers would face Pokémon drawn at random from Dream Forest through a lottery system.
Victory would earn the Maple Leaf Badge, regardless of luck.
Those confident in their strength could also choose to challenge one of Ash's own Pokémon stationed on Magic Island. As long as they defeated even a single one, they would receive the badge—and could additionally select one self-created move to learn.
With Ash's current level of power, the techniques he developed were refined through relentless combat training.
His Pokémon trained daily under the nourishment of Mokuton vitality. Their routine was brutal—bordering on self-destruction—and their growth was correspondingly terrifying.
Even if an opponent learned a move of the same tier, it meant nothing when facing Ash's Pokémon. The difference in foundation and vitality was absolute.
Since mastering Mokuton, Ash's training methods had become exceptionally harsh.
Even fatal injuries could be healed within minutes under the infusion of life force, leaving Ash no choice but to sigh in amazement.
Mokuton truly deserved its reputation as one of the most resilient abilities in the Naruto world.
No wonder Uchiha Madara could fight evenly even against Eternal Mangekyō-level opponents—there was nothing unreasonable about it.
With the opening of Maple Leaf Town, the overall situation in Kanto entered an unprecedented golden age.
People from other regions could only look on with envy.
But in the end, they could only blame one thing—
Their region did not have a genius like Ash Ketchum.
"Ash, have you made your decision?"
Inside the Oak Research Institute in Pallet Town, Samuel Oak looked at Ash with a calm expression. After Maple Leaf Town had fully stabilized, Ash had already decided to resume his journey to the next region.
"Yes," Ash replied with a nod. "I'll be leaving this afternoon."
"Most of my Pokémon will remain in Dream Forest. This time, I plan to take Pikachu, Ralts, and Eevee with me."
"As for the rest," Ash continued, "I want to head to the Johto region and see if there are any Pokémon there worth cultivating."
Samuel Oak listened quietly, then nodded.
"Very well. I'll talk to your mother for you," he said gently. "Have a safe journey."
Watching Ash turn and leave, Samuel Oak could only agree.
With Ash's current status, there was no longer any real need for him to travel to other regions at all.
Yet from the perspective of age—and the time he had formally spent as a Trainer—Ash was still, undeniably, a rookie.
That fact could not be changed.
That afternoon, Ash packed his belongings and set off for Johto together with Sabrina.
Cynthia had already departed due to the end of her holiday in the Sinnoh region, while Suzie had no choice but to stay behind to oversee the production of the Full Restore Capsules.
As a result, this journey consisted of only Ash and Sabrina.
"I wonder if there are any Pokémon in Johto truly worth catching," Ash said casually as they traveled.
Perhaps because he had spent over a decade in the Naruto world, seeing Sabrina again made him realize something—
The invisible distance between them was gone.
It might have been the change that came with growth. Or perhaps Sabrina sensed it as well. Neither of them spoke about it directly, but both understood it clearly.
"How are Ralts and Eevee doing?" Sabrina asked.
After returning, Ash had personally trained them intensively. Under the nourishment of Mokuton's vitality, their strength had risen rapidly, reaching the Elite level.
"They're doing well," Ash said with satisfaction. "Both have reached Elite rank."
"But their combat experience is still lacking. If they want to break through to the Champion threshold, they'll need more time."
For Ralts and Eevee, Ash was genuinely pleased.
They simply needed battle.
And Johto… was the perfect place to begin.
(End of Chapter)
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