The sun was setting.
On the way home, Ash glanced at the system screen floating in front of him.
It was displaying the effects of the trait he had just plundered from Gary earlier that day.
[Family Resources (Gold): Blessed by fortune. Greatly increases daily luck (e.g., encountering rare Pokémon in the wild, picking up valuable items).]
[Increases the chance of high-IV offspring when hatching Pokémon eggs.]
Besides enhanced luck, the gold-tier trait also came with additional effects:
[Network Magnet: Easier to build connections. Starts with baseline goodwill during first-time conversations with strangers.]
[Leadership Aura: Speeches gain a passive charisma boost, increasing influence over others...]
Gary's gold-tier trait was the result of generations of accumulated prestige from the Oak family—an invisible privilege passed down through legacy.
In the original story, that trait alone had been enough to make him the protagonist's main rival.
For example, Gary frequently received gifts or discounts when shopping at Poké Marts.
At school, he was always the recipient of scholarships.
But these "benefits" weren't just due to good luck.
If someone had to receive special treatment, people would rather favor the grandson of Professor Oak.
That name wasn't just a title—it was a spotlight.
It naturally made people want to associate with him.
Originally, with [Family Resources], Gary could challenge Gyms without needing appointments.
He could walk in the same day and get a battle immediately.
Once people heard he was the grandson of that Professor Oak, they didn't dare turn him away.
That was the efficiency that came with connections and background.
Meanwhile, an average Trainer who showed up unannounced would likely be turned away for not following procedures.
"No appointment," "No manners," "Come back later"—they'd be made to wait for days.
After all, random challengers were everywhere.
If every one of them received special treatment, Gym Leaders would burn out in no time.
Only Trainers like Gary—born into prestige—could receive special consideration.
Yes, this was the Pokémon world.
A beautiful one—but still realistic.
And now, all of those privileges… belonged to Ash.
"…According to the system, everyone connected to the 'target' will have their memories automatically adjusted."
"Which explains why everyone's attitude toward me and Gary changed so suddenly today."
Anyone affected by the Plunderer System wouldn't sense anything strange.
Just today, Ash had stolen Gary's [Family Resources] trait—and already people were approaching him to build connections.
Meanwhile, Gary had become a forgotten outcast, probably sulking in some corner right now.
"This system is insanely overpowered."
Feeling the overwhelming power of the system, Ash involuntarily sucked in a breath.
He had originally worried that recklessly stealing traits from others might come with some negative side effect.
Now?
It looked like that concern had been completely unnecessary.
"I wonder if there's a way to steal traits outside of battle…"
With that thought, Ash had already begun planning how to efficiently plunder even more high-tier traits.
He wasn't the same old "dumb kid" who sacrificed himself for others.
The current Ash would never pass up an opportunity to become stronger.
You could even say—this was the 'darkened' version of the original Ash.
"Hey~ Ash!"
Just as he was walking and thinking about his next steps, a clear, playful voice snapped him out of his thoughts.
A familiar figure suddenly popped out from the side of the path.
"You've been spacing out all day. What are you thinking about?"
Leaf always had that cheerful, energetic vibe.
Looking at the sunny smile of the girl in front of him, Ash gave a slight smile himself.
"Nothing important," he said.
"Just thinking that now that we've graduated, it's time to start planning my journey properly."
"After all, the Indigo League stage doesn't wait for anyone."
He used the kind of line young Trainers always used.
At his age, nearly everyone dreamed of becoming the Champion of the Indigo League.
That was the ultimate goal.
"Is that so?"
Hearing Ash's calm words, Leaf blinked.
The calmness and quiet confidence in his voice made her heart skip a beat.
Then she tilted her head and smiled.
"Ash, you seem… different somehow."
As someone from the same town, Leaf had grown up seeing the old Ash—loud, brash, always careless.
Now?
There was something about him that just felt more composed.
Was this what people meant when they said boys change at eighteen?
"Time pushes us all to grow," Ash replied calmly.
Leaf nodded unconsciously.
It was true.
Today was graduation day.
Starting tomorrow, they'd be on their own—supporting themselves through battles, taking League missions to earn money, raising their Pokémon, and growing stronger day by day.
…If they failed to become Trainers, their only options were Pokémon-related support jobs, or to live as ordinary people.
And for Pokémon lovers like them, that kind of future was unacceptable.
Realizing that, Leaf smiled again.
On such an important day, it was only natural that some people would start to change.
With that thought, she let it go and leaned closer with a curious grin.
"Ash, I found something interesting today. Want to hear it?"
[End of Chapter]