"Hmm… can that special Psychic Ability Ash possesses really help a Magikarp learn Tackle?"
"You have to understand—the Tsuchihara Family has been selectively breeding Magikarp with excellent genetic lines for years, yet even now they haven't produced a single Magikarp that is born with the move Tackle."
"Even on the rare occasion one inherits traces of the move, it's never been stable. In short, Tackle has never been firmly encoded into Magikarp's genetic inheritance."
"Moreover, the Breeders' Association and the academic community have long been researching ways to allow Magikarp to learn Tackle. But to this day, there has been no substantial breakthrough."
"So personally, I remain skeptical. I believe Ash's claim is nothing more than a commercial marketing tactic to promote his Move Mastery Room."
Inside the grand conference chamber of the League Headquarters, a young councilor voiced his doubts without restraint.
"I don't agree with Councilor Miller's opinion."
Another councilor immediately stood and countered him head-on.
"First of all, Ash's Move Mastery Room is already doing exceptionally well. Skill comprehension requires time, and his shop strictly limits the number of orders it accepts."
"Even for basic moves, trainers who queued on the very first day—August 8th—still haven't all been served."
"In other words, his business is already booming. There's no need for publicity stunts."
"Second, Ash is only 6 years old. His shop is run with the help of the Rotom gifted by Professor Oak. They're hardly backed by a massive commercial family like Councilor Miller's—marketing strategies aren't even something they'd think about."
"Third—and this is the most important point—everything the Tsuchihara Family, the Breeders' Association, and the academic world has done relies on traditional inheritance and conventional skill-learning methods."
"But Ash uses Psychic Ability to enhance a Pokémon's own comprehension, allowing the Pokémon to personally realize the move."
"Have you ever seen an ability like that? Have you ever encountered such a power?"
"If not, then why are you using your limited understanding to judge something entirely unprecedented?"
The rebuttal was sharp and uncompromising.
"…Enough."
At last, the League Council Chairman, seated at the head of the chamber, raised his hand.
"I didn't call you all here to debate whether Ash's method is real or not. I've already contacted Professor Oak—verification is underway."
"What we need to discuss is this: if Ash truly can help Magikarp learn Tackle, how should the League respond?"
"Magikarp is the most numerous Pokémon species in the world. Once evolved into Gyarados, its combat power skyrockets."
"That means Ash holds a capability that could reshape the balance of the Pokémon world and significantly raise overall combat strength."
"The news has already spread. How will other regional Leagues react? And what about Team Rocket, who previously attempted to assassinate Ash?"
"Ash has already been classified as a Grade-One Seed Talent by the League. A clean-background prodigy born in Kanto, now wielding an ability of immense strategic value."
"Our protection measures must be strengthened."
"But how do we protect him? And how should the League utilize this strategic capability?"
The Chairman's words caused the chamber to erupt into heated discussion.
"I don't see what there is to argue about."
One councilor scoffed.
"The safest place in all of Kanto is Indigo Plateau, where the League Headquarters is located. If we're protecting the boy, bring him here."
"He comes from a single-parent household—just his mother. Relocate them both to the League's residential zone."
"As for utilizing his ability, he's a League citizen. Naturally, he should comply with League arrangements—training Magikarp with Tackle for the League free of charge, helping us build a Gyarados corps."
This was Councilor Miller again, straightening his silk collar with an air of arrogance.
"…Hah."
A soft laugh echoed.
"What are you laughing at?" Miller snapped.
The one laughing was the very councilor who had rebutted him earlier. He rose and tapped his temple lightly.
"I'm laughing at your thinking."
"Just moments ago you doubted whether Ash could even do this. Now you've already decided how to exploit his power—and with such arrogance."
"Since when does the League have the right to strip citizens of their freedom?"
"Since when are League citizens obligated to contribute their abilities for free?"
"Councilor Miller, why doesn't your family donate medical equipment to Pokémon Centers without charging Poké Dollars? Are you not League citizens as well? How curious."
"Ash was born to a civilian family. Before the Summer Camp, his mother barely scraped together the starter Pokémon tax—and yet the League didn't provide him with a Pokémon for free."
"Yes, the League values Ash now—but that only happened after he proved his talent."
"At this point, calling it 'support' is generous. At best, it's icing on the cake, not salvation in a snowstorm."
The chamber fell silent.
"Our League classified Ash's talent as top secret—but somehow the information still leaked. It seems family networks are even tighter than the League Council."
"Other regions surely know by now."
"And now, with Ash revealing an ability that could drastically shift regional power balances…"
"If this is mishandled, Kanto may lose a citizen."
"Or perhaps… another region will gain one."
"You—how can you say such things? Are you even a Kanto League councilor?" Miller shouted, furious.
"I am," the councilor replied calmly.
"And I'm also a citizen born to an ordinary family."
"I'm merely reminding certain people of who they are."
"You are not feudal lords. You are League councilors—and citizens of Kanto."
The words fell like a hammer.
Silence followed.
-----
Ash wasn't just changing the fate of Magikarp.
He was quietly beginning to shake the foundations of the Pokémon world itself.
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T/N:
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