"Ash, move it already—what are you spacing out for?!"
Gary jabbed Ash in the elbow, utterly speechless. He had just been enthusiastically explaining his plans for training Eevee, only to turn around and realize Ash hadn't heard a single word.
"Sorry, sorry—my bad," Ash laughed apologetically. "But I did hear the part about evolving Eevee into Umbreon. I think that's a great idea. Dark-type Pokémon are just as rare as Psychic-types, and Umbreon's overall capabilities are excellent."
He paused, brows knitting slightly.
"What I was thinking about just now was how to open a third free clinic channel through my Skill House. Right now, the number of injured Pokémon gathering at Stone Bridge and Dashiwan Valley is still too small."
Morning training finished, Ash carried Pikachu in his arms as he and Gary walked back toward town. Still mulling over the online clinic, Ash spoke with a trace of concern.
"Speaking of free clinics," Gary said thoughtfully, "there's something I've always wanted to ask you. Ash, why are you so passionate—so tireless—about treating wild Pokémon?"
"You love Pokémon, and Pokémon love you back. Everyone knows that. But right now, you're running your Skill Wonder House, training so many Pokémon, reading and studying on top of that…"
"You're already so busy—your time is packed. Why do you still squeeze in time to treat wild Pokémon at the clinics?"
"And honestly, Stone Bridge and Dashiwan Valley should already be enough. There's no real need to open a third clinic online. Besides," Gary added perceptively, "I can tell that your affection is mainly for your own Pokémon and wild Pokémon."
"An online clinic targets trained Pokémon—Pokémon owned by other Trainers. That doesn't really fall under your usual 'acts of kindness,' does it?"
Ash slowed his steps, falling silent.
Gary—and the entire Oak family—were people Ash trusted as completely as his own mother, Delia. He had never intended to hide the truth about Viridian Power from them. Still, with his strength not yet fully mature, Ash had always revealed only parts of it, treating his abilities as a carefully guarded trump card.
After a moment's thought, Ash spoke.
"The power I have… it isn't like ordinary psychic abilities such as telekinesis, which can be strengthened through meditation."
"The ability I possess can only grow by treating Pokémon. Helping Pokémon heal is how I gain experience to strengthen it."
"Treating Pokémon… to cultivate your power?" Gary's eyes widened in shock.
"That explains it!" he exclaimed. "I always thought it was strange—you're close to wild Pokémon, but you're not especially enthusiastic about other Trainers' Pokémon."
"So healing Pokémon is how you level up your power?"
"Then what about helping Pokémon learn moves?" Gary asked curiously. "Does that count too?"
"No," Ash shook his head.
Among the abilities granted by Viridian Power—Healing, Nature Affinity, Source Cleansing, and Will Reinforcement—only Healing and Source Cleansing had so far proven capable of granting growth. Nature Affinity and Will Reinforcement showed no such effect… at least not yet.
Ash suspected they could work, but only under conditions he hadn't fully discovered—much like Healing and Source Cleansing required absolute sincerity, free of ulterior motives.
Teaching Pokémon moves, however, was a function of the system itself, not Viridian Power. Naturally, it yielded no experience.
"So only healing Pokémon gives you growth?" Gary nodded. "Then opening an online clinic really is necessary. Otherwise, once you start traveling, you won't have a steady stream of Pokémon to treat."
He grinned mischievously.
"But honestly, Ash, the way you are… you're basically a Nurse Joy already. The Joy family even tried to set you up once—are you sure you don't want to think about it?"
"We're not like those upper-class fossils obsessed with strict monogamy. Even if you already have Serena as your girlfriend, it's totally fine to have others."
"I bet Serena wouldn't mind either," Gary teased. "And really, you and the Joy family would make a great match."
Ash shot him a flat look.
"Here—take this eye roll and reflect on your life."
"The Joy family wants things I can't give," Ash said calmly. "It's better not to get involved."
Then he changed the subject.
"By the way, Gary, do you know what requirements there are for opening an online clinic?"
"That one's beyond me," Gary laughed. "But I'd bet the Joy family knows. Why don't you call them and ask?"
"Get lost."
"After breakfast, I'm training my Pokémon this morning," Ash said. "Help me keep an eye on things while I do some research."
"Sure~" Gary replied with a grin, giving a thumbs-up.
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Back home, Delia was busy preparing breakfast in the kitchen.
Ash took a quick shower, went upstairs, fed Pikachu, Frogadier, Pidgeotto, and the others, then had Frogadier help feed the Pokémon belonging to Move Mastery Room customers.
Ash himself sat at his desk, notebook open, carefully refining his Pokémon training plans.
Pikachu, Frogadier, and Pidgeotto had been with him for a long time now. Their training routes, combat roles, and future development paths were already clearly defined.
Pikachu (Speed / Special Attack):
High speed, high burst damage—a mythical 6×100 stat template. Its endurance, defense, and physical attack weaknesses had been compensated for, but the reduction of its original 120 base Speed to 100 was admittedly regrettable.
Still, 100 Speed was far from low. With focused training, Pikachu would easily meet Ash's standards for "high speed." Moreover, Quick Attack, Agility, and Double Team were already fully mastered.
In the short term, speed was no longer a concern.
As for burst damage—being an Electric-type Pokémon, Pikachu had no shortage of offensive output.
What Ash truly needed to consider was Pikachu's lack of versatility. As a pure Electric-type, when facing opponents with type advantages or specialized counters, Pikachu could be placed at a serious disadvantage.
And that… was the next problem Ash intended to solve.
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