Every Pokémon possessed unique entries — natural abilities or traits that defined their potential.
Before reaching the Elite level, a Pokémon could hold up to five entries at most.
But without the Entry System, ordinary trainers could never unlock their Pokémon's full potential.
To everyone else, entries were invisible—just instincts, quirks, or luck.
Even a Pokémon with a golden-tier entry would barely show half its strength under a normal trainer.
At best, they could tap into power equivalent to a blue entry.
Ash knew this better than anyone.
In all his years of battling, he had defeated more than eight thousand Pokémon—most of them wild and repeated encounters, but still an astonishing number.
And among all those, only two Pokémon had ever displayed a full five-entry set:
His Pikachu, and now—this Froakie.
What was even crazier was that Froakie didn't just match Pikachu's starting configuration—it surpassed it.
Pikachu had started with two golden entries but no orange ones.
Froakie, however, possessed both a gold and orange entry right from the start.
An unprecedented combination.
In raw potential, Froakie might even be stronger than Pikachu's original state.
Ash couldn't help but be amazed.
"Unbelievable," he murmured, scanning Froakie's data again.
"Gold and orange right off the bat... you're a monster in disguise, huh?"
In the Pokémon world, entries represented a creature's innate talent.
But only Ash, with his system, could draw out their complete power.
For example, Froakie's Water Mage entry increased water-type attack power by 10%.
Yet, if another trainer owned Froakie, that same entry might not even reach 1% effectiveness.
That was the difference between a normal trainer and a system-holder.
Then there was the one entry that made Ash's heart skip a beat—Power of Bonds.
The moment he saw it, he knew.
This wasn't just any Froakie.
This was the Froakie—the one destined to evolve into the legendary Bonded Greninja, the Pokémon that shared hearts and thoughts with its trainer.
Greninja's reputation was legendary—second only to Pikachu's across the entire world.
To have this partner now, years before he was supposed to meet it…
Ash could only think one thing:
"This has to be the butterfly effect."
He frowned slightly.
"What kind of butterfly effect could reach all the way to Kalos… thousands of kilometers from Kanto?"
He stared at Froakie again. Fate had played its hand early.
Professor Oak's voice broke his thoughts. "So, Ash, how's it going? Are you satisfied?"
Ash blinked, returning to the present.
"Professor, why did you get me a starter from Kalos? Shouldn't I have gotten one from Kanto instead?"
Oak chuckled, waving a hand. "There's… a few reasons."
He cleared his throat. "Mainly because the League hasn't approved the new Kanto starters yet. And just when I was short on Pokémon, Professor Sycamore—Bratano in Kalos—contacted me. So, I asked if he had any spare starters."
He smiled innocently. "He said he did. Coincidence, right?"
Ash squinted. "Coincidence… huh."
Oak's grin faltered. "Ahem, well—truth be told, that Froakie wasn't extra per se. It was… uh… a bit of a problem child. Rejected by a few trainers."
He rubbed his neck awkwardly. "Since the Kanto starters weren't ready, I told Sycamore to send Froakie here. And honestly, Ash, you're the only one I trust to handle him."
Ash stared at the professor for a moment, then laughed softly. "A problem child, huh?"
Professor Oak smiled faintly. "I'd say you two are a perfect match."
Ash turned back to Froakie, who stood quietly beside him, still observing.
Its large eyes shimmered, reflecting both caution and curiosity.
Ash crouched, holding out his hand. "Well then, Froakie… what do you say?"
He smiled slightly. "I'm not like those rookie trainers who gave up on you. I'm different."
"I'm strong. Stronger than you think."
Professor Oak's eyebrow twitched. He's ten years old, he thought. Does he even realize how arrogant that sounds?
But then, his gaze shifted to Pikachu.
The little electric mouse sat on Ash's shoulder, tail crackling faintly.
Even standing still, its energy felt intense—dangerous, even.
That kind of aura could only belong to a Pokémon touching the Elite realm.
And it was just a Pikachu.
No evolution, no shortcuts—pure, refined strength.
Oak sighed inwardly. He really is something else.
Froakie stared up at Ash, silent. Seconds passed.
Then, slowly, the little frog stepped forward and placed its small white hand in Ash's palm.
A spark of understanding passed between them.
Ash's grin widened. "Looks like we're partners now."
"Froa~kie."
The Pokémon's voice was soft but resolute. A faint smile appeared on its face.
Pikachu clapped its paws happily. "Pika! Pika!"
Ash laughed, gently patting Froakie's head. "Welcome to the team."
Professor Oak watched them, visibly relieved. "Looks like that went smoother than expected."
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Oh, by the way, there's one more thing. A friend of yours—the one you agreed to travel with—should be arriving soon."
Ash blinked. "Traveling companion? I don't remember agreeing to travel with anyone."
He glanced at Pikachu, who tilted its head in confusion. "Pika?"
Oak checked his watch. "Should be about now, actually."
Knock knock!
A crisp, cheerful knock echoed through the lab, followed by a bright, lively voice.
"Hello! Is anyone here?"
Ash turned toward the door, startled.
Pikachu's ears perked up. Froakie straightened curiously.
Who could it be?
(End of Chapter 4)