"At first, when I saw the uproar in the shop's fan groups, the explosion of discussion in the Pokémon Trainer community, and all the forums, message boards, and social platforms buzzing nonstop—
when I saw internet influencers pushing and promoting the news—I was honestly really excited."
"But later, when major forces across Kanto started contacting me one after another, wanting to sign contracts for hundreds or even thousands of Magikarp, asking for long-term cooperation…"
"Only then did I gradually realize how serious this matter was.
Only then did I truly understand the scale of its impact."
"I finally understood that while this decision brought me a huge opportunity, it also brought enormous trouble—and possibly danger."
"But now that it's already happened, I…"
Ash looked at Professor Oak with watery eyes, wearing an utterly innocent and pitiful expression.
"Sigh…"
After listening to Ash's explanation, Oak let out a long breath.
"Ash, you act far more mature and steady than children your age.
So much so that people unconsciously treat you like an adult."
"But in reality, you're still just a six-year-old child."
"What complicated thoughts could a child possibly have?"
"Exactly," Ash nodded even more earnestly.
"I'm just a six-year-old kid—what complicated thoughts could I have?"
Oak shook his head helplessly, then smiled faintly.
"Ash, you're a good child. Whether it was wanting to help a friend, or wanting to help Magikarp as a whole species, your intentions and starting point were good."
"And that feeling you described—focusing on a single goal, researching relentlessly, finally producing a result that can benefit both humans and Pokémon, and then desperately wanting to share that achievement with the world…"
"I understand that very well."
"This time, acting on impulse, making a snap decision—
that's understandable."
"But next time, when you're about to make a decision of this magnitude," Oak said seriously,
"remember to come discuss it with this old man first."
"As you said yourself, publicly announcing the ability to help Magikarp learn Tackle is both an opportunity and a crisis."
"Grabbing the opportunity can wait.
Right now, the priority is getting through this crisis safely."
"Mm…" Ash nodded obediently.
"I was still in the lab earlier," Oak continued,
"If not for the researchers from the Lake of Rage Magikarp Research Institute in Johto, and calls from the Kanto League, I wouldn't even have known something this big had happened."
"You were already targeted by Team Rocket once after revealing your exceptional Trainer talent."
"Now that you've exposed a strategic ability capable of helping Magikarp learn Tackle…
it won't just be Team Rocket. Many other forces will start paying attention to you."
"The League will deploy more personnel to protect Pallet Town, and for now, it would be best if you didn't leave the town's vicinity."
"Emm…" Oak paused, then took out a Poké Ball and handed it to Ash.
"Ash, take this Poké Ball."
"Back in my younger days, I was a professional Pokémon Trainer too. I wasn't weak by any means."
"But over the years, I devoted myself to research, and my Pokémon were neglected. Their strength has declined."
"Right now, only a few of my original ace Pokémon still retain decent combat power."
"Dragonite needs to stay with me."
"I've sent Blastoise to stay by Daisy's side to protect her."
"Venusaur is temporarily with Gary."
"So for now… this Charizard will stay with you."
Oak placed the Poké Ball into Ash's hand.
"Professor!!"
Seeing Oak hand over one of his ace Pokémon as a personal bodyguard, Ash felt a deep surge of emotion.
"Go on, open it," Oak said warmly, smiling.
"Mm-hmm."
Pop—!
Ash pressed the button, releasing the Pokémon inside.
"ROAR—!"
A bipedal, orange-scaled Pokémon with broad wings and a blazing flame at the tip of its long tail appeared in the room—
a creature bearing the unmistakable majesty of a dragon.
Suddenly finding itself in an unfamiliar place, with a strange boy holding its Poké Ball, Charizard froze for a moment.
But when it noticed Professor Oak nearby, its eyes lit up, and it leaned forward affectionately, rubbing its head against Oak's face.
"Alright, alright, Charizard…"
"Charizard," Oak said gently, stroking its neck,
"this is Ash. He's run into some trouble lately, so for the time being, I need you to stay with him and protect him."
"Roar—!"
Charizard nodded without hesitation, showing no resistance to the arrangement.
"Charizard, I'll be counting on you from now on," Ash said, stepping forward and patting its cream-colored belly.
"Roar~ ^_^"
Sensing Ash's calm, soothing aura—an aura that naturally inspired trust and closeness—
the usually hot-tempered Charizard grew unexpectedly friendly, despite it being their first meeting.
"Ash, you really do have an incredible affinity with Pokémon," Oak chuckled.
"This is the first time I've ever seen Charizard get this close to someone it just met.
You know, it usually barely acknowledges Gary."
"After Team Rocket attacked you, I originally planned to leave Charizard with you as protection," Oak continued.
"But I was worried about its temper, so I wanted to talk to it properly first."
"Then the lab got too busy, and I forgot about it."
"If I'd known Charizard would get along with you this well, I would've given it to you a week ago."
"But even now… it's not too late."
Oak laughed softly.
-----
[Pokémon: Charizard]
Level: LV.85
Type: Fire / Flying
Nature: Hot-tempered
Abilities: Blaze
(Hidden Ability: Solar Power)
HP: 78
Attack: 84
Defense: 78
Sp. Atk: 109
Sp. Def: 85
Speed: 100
Total: 534
Potential:Blue (Perfect)
Moves (Copyable):
Scratch, Growl, Ember, Smokescreen, Dragon Breath, Heat Wave, Fire Fang, Slash, Flamethrower, Scary Face, Fire Spin, Inferno, Flare Blitz, Dragon Claw, Air Slash,
Mega Punch, Mega Kick, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch, Fly, Hyper Beam, Giga Impact, Solar Beam
…
While Professor Oak was speaking, Ash quietly scanned Charizard's data with the Ascension Trainer System.
He froze.
LV.85?!
It was even higher than the Dragonite Oak had shown back at the Summer Camp.
And Oak had just said his strength had "declined"?
At his peak, Oak had been half a step into Champion class—
with 2–3 Pokémon at true Champion level.
Dragonite.
Charizard.
Blastoise.
Venusaur.
All Champion-class.
And he still called that decline?
Even though Oak had unintentionally flexed on him,
receiving a Champion-class Pokémon as a personal guardian filled Ash with genuine gratitude.
--------------
T/N:
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