"Gary, you're not secretly sent here by Sister Daisy Oak to be her lobbyist, are you?"
Ash narrowed his eyes suspiciously as he looked at Gary.
"What are you thinking?" Gary rolled his eyes. "After you rejected it that day, my sister never brought it up again. Besides, compared to outsiders like the Joy family, she definitely respects the thoughts and wishes of her own family more."
After chatting casually with Gary for a bit, Ash turned around to inspect Pichu and Frogadier's training. Seeing that neither of them was slacking off and that both were training seriously, Ash finally began his own routine.
Running.
Frog jumps.
Push-ups…
Ever since entering the summer camp, Ash had trained every single day. By now, more than half a month had passed, and long-term consistency was clearly paying off.
Not only had his Strength and Physical stats risen significantly on the system panel, but when Ash rolled up his pant legs and sleeves, clean, well-defined muscle lines were already visible on his calves and arms.
Although his abs were still only a single block for now, Ash was confident—
Eight-pack abs were only a matter of time.
[Pichu]
Level: LV.7 (11/68)
Type: Electric
Nature: Timid
Abilities: Static (Hidden Ability: Lightning Rod)
Potential: Gold (King/Royal) +0.03%
"Favored by the world's fortune, bearing miraculous and unfathomable power."
Moves (Copyable):
Skilled:
Thunder Shock (170/500)
Wish (12/500)
Tail Whip (3/500)
Nuzzle (13/500)
Thunder Wave (1/500)
After an hour of morning training, Pichu perfectly completed the tasks Ash had assigned.
The move Thunder Wave, which it had learned yesterday to paralyze Team Rocket, had now successfully advanced from Novice to Skilled.
During the remaining time, Pichu trained Thunder Shock, raising its proficiency from 120 to 170, a full increase of fifty points—something Ash found very satisfying.
[Frogadier]
Level: LV.20 (32/460)
Type: Water
Nature: Serious
Abilities: Torrent, Protean
(Heaven-Gifted Ability: Bond Phenomenon)
Potential: Purple (Peerless) +1.5%
"Favored by the destiny of the Kalos region, burdened with the mission of saving Kalos during a future cataclysmic crisis."
Moves (Copyable):
Proficient:
Pound (200/1000)
Bubble (200/1000)
Aqua Ring (1/1000)
Quick Attack (1/1000)
Skilled:
Growl (23/500)
Water Pulse (347/500)
Lick (117/500)
Rain Dance (112/500)
Water Shuriken (100/500)
Smokescreen (1/500)
Frogadier also completed its training exceptionally well.
Smokescreen had advanced from Novice to Skilled, while Water Shuriken gained nearly a hundred points of proficiency.
Combined with Ash's earlier treatment of the Water-type Pokémon in the river—
his Viridian Power had surged two levels in one go, rising from LV.15 → LV.17.
The gains from today's morning training left Ash extremely satisfied.
…
"Still… learning new moves and raising proficiency is important," Ash reflected,
"but I can't spend all my time just grinding skills."
"Every day, I still need to allocate time for leveling up. Otherwise, the system's Level Advancement Module would go to waste."
"A sharp blade is vital to a warrior," Ash thought,
"but no matter how well-forged or razor-sharp the blade is, if the warrior himself lacks the fundamentals, the blade's power can't be fully unleashed."
"In Pokémon training, overall physical capability > level and skills."
"Right now, I'm spending too much time focusing on skill training for Pichu and Frogadier. That's… slightly missing the point."
As the morning training ended, Ash carried Pichu in his arms and walked side by side with Gary, Frogadier following closely behind, heading back toward the town.
Looks like I need to slightly adjust the training plans for the two of them, Ash thought.
I can't let the focus drift too far off balance.
…
"Covered in sweat again? Ash, hurry up and take a shower, then get ready for breakfast!"
Delia's cheerful voice came from the house.
"I made your favorite—milk pancakes today!"
"Okay!!"
After returning home from training, breakfast was already prepared. As the aroma drifted out of the kitchen, Ash, Pichu, and Frogadier all felt their stomachs growl at the same time.
"Hehe~"
"Pichu~ "
"Gua~"
Rubbing their rumbling stomachs, Ash and his two Pokémon exchanged glances—and burst out laughing together.
…
Training didn't only strengthen the Trainer and Pokémon.
It also deepened the bond between them.
Although Ash had only partnered with Pichu and Frogadier for a little over half a month, through daily life—eating together, sleeping together, and training together—a deep emotional connection had quietly formed.
As close companions, they were becoming more familiar with one another every day.
To the system, Pichu's personality was labeled as timid.
But that was only toward strangers or unfamiliar environments.
Around people it trusted, and in familiar surroundings, Pichu was lively, cheerful, and energetic.
The system, after all, wasn't omnipotent.
A Pokémon's true nature could only be understood through long-term companionship.
Despite its cute appearance, Pichu was incredibly serious and hardworking during training. Like Ash, it possessed the heart of a true powerhouse—
a classic case of small body, massive energy.
Just like in the original canon, Pichu loved bright red tomatoes and apples.
Ketchup, apple pie, and candied apples were its absolute favorites.
Compared to Pichu's playful liveliness, Frogadier was much quieter and slightly introverted on the surface.
But in truth, it was warm and passionate beneath that calm exterior—a classic cold outside, hot inside personality. Sometimes, it was even a little shy… and a little adorably dense.
In the eyes of Pichu and Frogadier, Ash was sunny, handsome, more mature and composed than others his age, methodical in his actions, diligent, and sincere—kind to both humans and Pokémon alike, especially to the two of them.
Of course, when facing enemies, Ash showed no hesitation at all.
Cunning when needed.
Ruthless when necessary.
When it was time to strike hard—even decisively—Ash would not hesitate.
If his kindness made Pichu and Frogadier like him, then this resolute, decisive side of him earned their respect and recognition.
Pokémon understood the importance of strength far better than humans.
They knew that in this world, excessive naivety, kindness without power, and weakness were the greatest sins of all.
Pichu and Frogadier felt fortunate.
Their Trainer was kind—
but his kindness was backed by sharp edges.
That was the true quality required to become strong.
Of course, as his closest companions, Pichu and Frogadier were also aware that Ash had a few small flaws of his own…
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T/N:
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