"So I've actually transmigrated into Ash!"
Staring at the reflection in the water, with Pikachu perched on his shoulder, Lin Zhi's expression was a little helpless. He never imagined he would transmigrate—and even end up as the protagonist, Ash Ketchum.
From the memories in his mind, Ash had just completed his very first journey in the Kanto region. He made it to the Top 16 in the Indigo League, became an Honorary Trainer in the Orange League, and then returned to Pallet Town.
Just moments ago, he and his companions Brock and Misty had finished packing their bags, preparing to head west to the Johto region to challenge the Johto League.
In addition, Professor Oak had given him another task: deliver the GS Ball to Kurt in Azalea Town.
"From now on, I am Ash!"
The strange feeling in his body instantly faded as Lin Zhi's soul fused completely with Ash's, becoming a brand-new Ash.
"From here on, the Silver Conference in Johto, the Ever Grande Conference in Hoenn, the Lily of the Valley Conference in Sinnoh, the Vertress Conference in Unova… I'll win every single championship! And then I'll claim the Champion's title in Kanto itself—making up for all the regrets I had before transmigrating!"
Ash clenched his fists tightly. This time, his journey would leave no regrets. His transmigration would not be in vain.
"Still, Ash's performance in Johto was way too bad. None of his Johto starters evolved to their final forms, and his results in the league were awful."
"Not just that—most of the Pokémon he caught in Kanto were either loaned out or released. Aside from Charizard, none of them even got much screen time. Bulbasaur was the worst off, ending up as a babysitter in Professor Oak's backyard."
As a transmigrator, Ash discovered that he had also gained a system—called the Bond System.
The name immediately reminded him of Ash's journey in the Kalos region, where Greninja achieved a one-of-a-kind transformation through their bond—evolving into Ash-Greninja.
Although in the end they still lost to Alain's Mega Charizard X in a type disadvantage battle, it had been the peak of Ash's tournament performances.
The system had only three main functions: a built-in shop, a system space, and a Bond Value tracker.
It could measure Ash's bond value with his Pokémon. Once the bond value reached a certain point, he could undergo a bond transformation with them—just like with Greninja.
Even Charizard, who was already capable of Mega Evolution, could achieve a special Ash-Charizard form through this system.
How cool was that?
As for the shop, it only allowed the exchange of items and certain special abilities from the Pokémon world, such as the Power of Viridian or the Dragon Tamer's Power.
Exchanging for actual Pokémon? Impossible.
The shop's points, called exchange points, were awarded based on his battle performance after every victory.
After completing his first region's journey, the system had tallied things up and granted him 3,000 exchange points. Not a bad starting balance at all.
"Hmm, maybe I should redeem the Aura Power!"
Having read the original storyline, Ash of course knew he possessed Aura, and was even called the "Aura Guardian with a Pikachu." But the original Ash had never trained in it, nor did he know how.
Lin Zhi, however, had a suspicion—that Ash's bond transformation ability was connected to his Aura.
And coincidentally, the price of Basic Aura Power was exactly 3,000 points.
A flash of blue light rippled across Ash's body. His eyes brightened as he began to understand the rudiments of Aura usage.
"Pika?"
Pikachu tilted its head and cried out curiously. It could sense that Ash felt… different.
"Haha, Pikachu, I'll be counting on you from here on out!"
Ash glanced at the Bond Value list the system displayed:
Pikachu: 180 / 255
Charizard: 140 / 255
Snorlax: 120 / 255
Squirtle: 120 / 175
Bulbasaur: 120 / 180
The second number was a little confusing, so he checked further.
It represented the compatibility limit—the maximum bond value that could be reached with a given Pokémon.
But this limit wasn't fixed. It could rise with evolution, intensive training, and long-term companionship.
It was kind of like how married couples gradually came to resemble each other over time.
To undergo a bond transformation, a Pokémon's bond value had to hit 255—the maximum possible value.
So right now, the Pokémon with real potential were Pikachu, Charizard, and Snorlax.
Ash hadn't expected Snorlax's compatibility to be so high.
As for Pikachu—despite never evolving—it already had such a strong compatibility with him. Of course! Pikachu was his soul partner, the one true exception. Truly the child of destiny!
Squirtle and Bulbasaur? He wouldn't force them. Neither of them wanted to evolve.
"Pika!"
Hearing Ash's words, Pikachu's fighting spirit flared up. Its expression practically said, Leave it to me!
"Ash, what are you doing? We're lost again!"
Just then, Misty's voice rang out in exasperation.
Ash suddenly remembered—they had just left Pallet Town heading west toward their first destination, New Bark Town—the town where the winds of beginning blow.
But instead of arriving after crossing the forest, they had been trapped in a dense fog and lost their way.
It was in that confusion that he had transmigrated here.
"Don't worry, Misty! We'll find our way out!"
Now that Ash had mastered Aura, he was confident he would never get lost again.
At that very moment, he felt a mysterious and powerful Aura—gentle yet strong.
Looking up, he saw a shimmering blue figure in the water before him.
"Suicune?"
Of course he recognized it. That was Suicune's apparition!
Suicune gazed at him, then leapt gracefully in one direction, clearly guiding them.
Ash felt its Aura gradually fade until it vanished completely.
"Thank you, Suicune! Wait for me somewhere in Johto!"
Ash shouted aloud, certain Suicune would hear him.
This was also his declaration to the entire Pokémon world:
He had arrived.
Pokémon—wherever you are in this world—wait for him!