At first, Ash's goal had been simple — reel in Gyarados under the watchful eyes of Professor Oak and the other campers, capture it, and earn himself a wave of prestige.
But as the battle truly began, something changed.
Ash didn't just want the glory anymore — he genuinely wanted to defeat Gyarados.
After all, beyond the possibility of copying a new move, a Level 23 Gyarados was the perfect XP jackpot for Froakie.
That was why, even after thirty grueling minutes of nonstop fighting, Ash refused to give up — because it wasn't every day a Gyarados willingly held back and let itself be used as an experience farm.
Of course, "willingly" was relative.
Even if Gyarados was pulling its punches, Ash and Froakie still had to earn their win.
"Froakie! Now! Use Quick Attack!!"
Sensing the weakening tension on the fishing line, Ash yanked the rod with force, his aura crackling with determination as he gave the command.
"Froaaa!"
Froakie dove underwater like a torpedo, powerful frog legs kicking rapidly as it surged toward Gyarados.
Then — splash — it burst from the water, a flash of piercing white light erupting from its body.
Like a falling meteor, Froakie launched itself forward and slammed straight into Gyarados's underbelly.
BOOM!!
"ROOOAAARRR!!!"
Already worn down from half an hour of relentless attacks, Gyarados let out a final pained cry. Its guard broken, its strength spent, it collapsed with a thunderous crash, belly-up and limp on the water's surface like a felled behemoth.
"Haaah…"
Ash, witnessing Gyarados finally fall, dropped to his knees in exhaustion. The tension left his body like a deflating balloon, and he collapsed onto the muddy ground, staring up at the gray, rainy sky. Cold droplets pelted his cheeks, mixing with sweat and mud.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for defeating LV.23 Gyarados. Gained +640 EXP.]
[Froakie meets the conditions for level-up. Upgrading… Now Level 14.]
[Ding! Froakie has learned new moves: Lick and Water Pulse!]
Three rapid system notifications chimed in Ash's ears, and a tired smile broke out across his face.
"Ash! Are you alright!?"
Professor Oak rushed to his side, lifting him up from the soaked earth.
"I'm fine," Ash said with a shake of the head. "Just… out of energy."
"You reckless rascal… that was way too dangerous."
"But I won, didn't I?"
Ash grinned proudly, despite Oak's scolding tone, which was clearly laced with concern.
"You… sigh. Fine, fine. I won't lecture you anymore."
"But catch that Gyarados already. With that catch alone, you've absolutely secured first place in today's fishing event."
Reflecting on Ash's incredible performance over the past two days, Professor Oak couldn't help but feel a wave of admiration.
"Alright!"
With Oak's support, Ash steadied himself, then pulled a blue-colored Poké Ball — the ones handed out to campers — from his pocket.
Thwip!
He tossed the ball at Gyarados's massive body.
A flash of red light engulfed the unconscious titan, and it vanished into the Poké Ball floating on the surface of the river.
Wobble… wobble… wobble… click!!
A clean, perfect capture.
The students gasped and erupted into chatter.
"Whoa!! He really caught a Gyarados! That's insane!!"
"Looks like Ash is first place again today."
"No doubt about it! Whether it was yesterday's battle challenge or today's fishing contest, Ash completely deserves his spot at the top!"
"Totally! The guy went toe-to-toe with a Gyarados for over thirty minutes and still won! That's insane!"
"I was shaking just looking at Gyarados! Ash not only faced it head-on, he challenged it and beat it. That's… unbelievable."
"Same Gyarados, two totally different outcomes: Goh got smacked away and ended up coughing blood… and Ash? He wore it down, beat it, and caught it."
"The gap between people… it's real."
"No kidding. Ash isn't just some camper — he's the guy who's sworn to become the strongest Trainer in the world. Goh doesn't even come close."
At the riverside, under the sheltering trees, the other campers watching the battle burst into cheers.
There's an old saying:
If you're a little better than others, they envy you.
But if you're far better, they can only admire you.
That was the shift in attitude toward Ash now.
Yesterday, even after his flawless five-win streak, some still dismissed his success as luck — like he'd drawn a strong starter and coasted.
But today?
After revealing his supernatural abilities, enduring a thirty-minute struggle, and finally taming a Gyarados…
No one doubted him anymore.
Even those who had once seen him as a rival now felt genuine admiration — and quietly accepted that they couldn't compete.
"Froaakie~"
Froakie emerged from the water, holding the Poké Ball in its mouth. It paddled back to shore and presented it to Ash.
Taking advantage of Gyarados still being unconscious, Ash handed the Poké Ball to Professor Oak to have the capture officially registered.
[Camp Fishing Leaderboard]
1st: Ash (Gyarados – 235.0 kg)
2nd: Serena (Azumarill – 28.5 kg)
3rd: Gary (Poliwhirl – 26.7 kg)
4th: Shauna (Goldeen – 25.9 kg)
5th: Green (Goldeen – 25.6 kg)
6th: Tierno (Magikarp – 24.9 kg)
7th: Trevor (Magikarp – 24.3 kg)
The other campers, even if they gave up competing with Ash, still shifted their sights to the other top spots.
However, thanks to Ash's behind-the-scenes support…
All top seven places?
Secured by his inner circle.
Was it unfair to the rest?
Maybe.
But Ash didn't dwell on it.
He simply whispered an apology in his heart.
Because in this world, there was no such thing as true fairness.
The summer camp's top three would receive valuable prizes.
And Ash would much rather see those rewards go to his friends than to strangers.
After finalizing the score, Ash retrieved Gyarados's Poké Ball under the pretense of healing its wounds using his psychic powers.
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