After calling home and asking his mom to register an online store for him on the League's official trading site, Ash's business venture had officially kicked off.
With Delia handling the setup, Ash had three main missions to focus on during the two-week summer camp:
1. Find wild Pokémon and copy their moves.
2. Ace every single assessment and secure the top rank.
3. Get closer to Serena—because a truly successful man should excel in both career and love.
There were other side quests, too—like setting traps for Goh or helping Gary and the others secure top rankings—so that in the end, he and his friends could sweep the top three spots of the camp assessments.
But compared to the main missions, those were just extra bonuses.
Once Ash had taken care of his own business, he turned to Gary, Tierno, and Trevor—who were still gossiping about him and Serena—and made them call home to check in with their families too.
As for Ash himself, he picked up Froakie and headed to the washroom for a quick bath. Afterward, seeing that it was already late, he hit the bed early.
With a full belly and good rest, he would be in perfect shape to take on tomorrow's upcoming camp challenge.
His money-making plan was in motion, and his desire to earn the "Top Camp Performer" honor had never been stronger.
Because only by earning that distinction would the League allow him to officially keep Froakie as his own Pokémon—even before turning ten and officially starting his journey. Froakie would then be more than just a temporary camp partner… it would be a fated companion.
The night passed quietly.
At the first hint of dawn, the alarm clock rang, startling Froakie awake.
Still half-asleep and recalling how deeply Ash had slept the night before, Froakie used its tiny webbed hand to grab Ash's nose.
When that didn't work, and Ash just turned over with his mouth wide open, Froakie narrowed its eyes, sprang into the air, and landed directly on Ash's chest—stomping hard.
"Hrrghh… mmf…"
In his dream, Ash felt like he was experiencing sleep paralysis—something heavy pressing rhythmically on his chest.
Driven by sheer willpower and a primal survival instinct, he seized a chance and bolted upright, gasping for air, ready to fight the invisible specter attacking him.
Only to open his eyes and see… Froakie, standing smugly on his chest.
"…Seriously?"
"Froakie, good morning!" Ash greeted it with a sleepy smile.
Froakie, now hopping off his chest and landing beside him on the bed, gave an enthusiastic "Kero!"
Ash was a firm believer in the power of discipline—especially when it came to early mornings, a hallmark of the world's most successful and diligent people.
Ever since sleeping in and nearly missing the Kalos delegation's arrival two days ago, Ash had been strict with himself.
He'd also given Froakie (and the Pichu currently in Delia's care) special instructions: if the alarm rang at 6:30 a.m. and he was still asleep, they were to use any means necessary to wake him up.
Get up. Wash up. Get dressed. Fold the blanket.
After ticking all the boxes on the "model camper checklist," Ash tiptoed around his still-sleeping roommates—Gary, Trevor, and Tierno—and quietly left the cabin.
The sky was just beginning to lighten, and the campgrounds were still and peaceful. Not a single staff member was in sight, let alone another camper.
But it wasn't that the staff were all asleep.
The cafeteria lights were already on, and three chefs were busy prepping breakfast for the students.
"Hey!! James, Meowth—look! There's a kid up already! Is he sleepwalking?" said the magenta-haired female chef at the entrance, pointing in surprise.
"Nah, Meowth doesn't think so. Who sleepwalks fully dressed like that? That kid's just an early riser."
"I think I recognize him—that's Ash, right? The one who got five wins in a row during yesterday's opening battles. Professor Oak seems to like him a lot."
"The number one student, huh? What do you think—should we try to recruit him into Team Rocket?" mused the woman.
"Pfft. No way. A top-performing student like him, handpicked by Professor Oak? No chance he'd join our 'evil organization.'"
"True, true…"
At this point in the story, the plot hadn't officially kicked off yet, so the intelligence of these three Rocket agents—Jessie, James, and Meowth—hadn't been dulled by the will of the world. They were still sharp, clever… and dangerously competent.
"But Jessie, that gave me an idea—Meowth~"
"Even if that Ash kid won't join us, we could target other campers who aren't doing so well… Meowth."
"Like that one who lost all five of his matches yesterday… the one who got a Magikarp."
"The League hosts these summer camps to scout future talent. If we manage to recruit a few campers to Team Rocket, the boss will definitely reward us!"
"And maybe even…"
"Promotions, raises, and becoming Rocket executives!!" the three chorused in unison.
Ash had no idea.
In what was supposed to be a safe and secure summer camp for future Trainers, three members of a criminal organization had already infiltrated.
And thanks to him waking up early today, their original plan—to steal all the campers' Pokémon—now had a new addition: recruiting campers into Team Rocket.
Had Ash known, he would've raised his guard.
But as for Team Rocket setting their sights on Goh? Targeting him of all people?
Ash's response would probably be: "Good job!!"
Ash didn't leave the campgrounds. To avoid disturbing others, he walked to the outer edge of the camp—to the spot where he had helped train Froakie and guided Serena yesterday.
Yes. The reason Ash woke up so early was to train Froakie.
What he'd said last night during the orientation wasn't just a speech.
His declared hobbies—training his Pokémon and interacting with wild ones—were absolutely genuine.
After all, as a transmigrator who had been a massive Pokémon fan in his previous life…
Ash's love for Pokémon ran deeper than most could imagine.
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T/N:
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