"Knock, knock~"
"Come in~"
Ash knocked lightly on the door, and a familiar voice soon came from inside the archive room.
"Professor~"
Looking at the elderly man bent over his desk, carefully organizing documents, Ash greeted him softly, his tone filled with respect.
At this age, most people would have long since retired and begun enjoying a peaceful life. Yet Professor Oak was still fighting on the front lines of research and work. Perhaps this was the clearest difference between someone with ambition—and someone without.
"So it's you, Ash," Oak said as he looked up, setting the files aside with a chuckle.
"You've been quite the hot topic lately. Especially after yesterday afternoon's match at the Viridian City Arena—online they're already calling you the Light of Kanto and the future Indigo League Champion."
"Professor~ you're teasing me too?!"
Facing the old man who could be kindly and grandfatherly one moment, then suddenly turn into a mischievous old fox the next, Ash felt a bit speechless.
"I'm not joking at all," Oak said seriously.
"For years now, the Kanto League has been severely hindered by the malignant tumor that is Team Rocket. Many talented Trainers never even get the chance to properly grow."
"Your Trainer talent is the highest I've ever seen. The Kanto League is paying very close attention to you. Being able to reach Advanced Tier in such a short time is proof—not just to the public, but to the League itself—of your potential."
"Kanto's economy has flourished steadily over the years, but a shortage of top-tier Trainer talent remains the League's biggest bottleneck."
"Agatha—that old woman—has complained to me countless times. She wants to step down from the Elite Four, but there's simply no one in the League capable of taking her place."
"Now that you, the so-called Light of Kanto, have risen so quickly, the League is naturally delighted. At this point, Ash, if you have any requests at all, just bring them up—I'm sure the League would be more than willing to support you."
"Even a pseudo-legendary Pokémon isn't off the table, you know."
Oak finished with a playful wink.
"Let's forget that," Ash replied, shaking his head.
"The Pokémon I have right now are already more than enough. Even if the League really gave me a pseudo-legendary, I wouldn't be able to rapidly increase my strength. On the contrary, it would just split my attention and slow down the growth of my current Pokémon."
"Besides, a Trainer isn't strong just because they own rare or powerful Pokémon. Otherwise, Professor, if you left your Charizard with me, wouldn't I have become a Champion long ago?"
"Good craftsmanship takes time. Training and raising Pokémon takes time—and a Trainer's own growth also takes time. Only when Trainer and Pokémon grow together can they truly unleash 100% of their strength."
"From beginning to end, Trainers and Pokémon are one whole—
their hearts connected, their fates intertwined."
Ash shook his head, speaking with calm reflection.
"Ha ha ha…"
After hearing this, Oak laughed and nodded, deeply agreeing.
"Exactly. Truly outstanding Trainers don't capture Pokémon simply because they like them or because they're rare. They're extremely cautious when choosing which Pokémon to train."
"After all, Trainers are human too—and human time and energy are limited. That's why people plan their careers, focusing most of their effort and passion into a single direction. Pokémon training is the same."
"Only by pouring limited time, energy, and passion into a small number of Pokémon that truly suit them can Trainers and Pokémon grow together—and go far."
"Every powerful Trainer walks the elite path, not the path of blindly catching everything in sight."
"…Mm."
Ash nodded.
As a veteran who had once stood half a step away from the Champion tier, Oak's experience and guidance were extremely valuable to Ash.
Those earlier remarks—Light of Kanto, future Indigo League Champion, and even the temptation of applying to the League for a pseudo-legendary—were clearly part teasing, part caution.
And seeing that Ash could remain clear-headed, understanding that with limited energy he shouldn't chase more Pokémon, rarer Pokémon—but instead calmly focus on properly training the ones he already had—
Oak felt genuinely satisfied.
"By the way, Ash," Oak asked after finishing his guidance,
"What brings you here today?"
"Yes, Professor," Ash replied.
"I want to add a new feature to my Move Mastery Room—a free psychic-powered 'charity clinic' that helps Pokémon receive treatment."
"So I wanted to ask you: if I do this, what conditions or qualifications would I need?"
"A free charity clinic on your Move Mastery Room…?"
Oak frowned slightly.
"I've heard Gary and Doctor Silas mention that in your spare time—between training Pokémon and studying—you often go to Stone Bridge and Dashiwan Valley to treat wild Pokémon."
"At first, I thought it was simply because you love Pokémon and wanted to use your psychic abilities to contribute a bit of kindness."
"But now, even with such a tight schedule, you still want to open a charity clinic online. That tells me your reasons go beyond just goodwill."
"Can you tell me why you want to do this?" Oak asked, looking at Ash with curiosity.
"My free treatments aren't only out of kindness," Ash said honestly.
"I've discovered that healing Pokémon actually has a training and improvement effect on my psychic abilities."
Ash trusted Oak completely and didn't try to hide anything.
"So treating Pokémon helps train your psychic power… I see."
Oak nodded in realization.
"When you start traveling in the future, constantly moving from place to place, you won't be able to stay in one location like this for long. An online clinic really would be necessary."
"But Ash—does helping Pokémon learn skills not improve your psychic abilities at all?" Oak asked.
"No," Ash replied, shaking his head.
"I see…"
Oak pondered briefly.
"Still, opening a clinic isn't like running a Online Move Mastery Room. This involves Pokémon lives, so there will definitely be requirements and restrictions."
"I'm not fully familiar with the specifics myself. Pokémon medical regulation has always been handled by the Joy family. I'll help you place a call and ask them directly."
With that, Oak pulled out his phone, flipped through his contacts, and selected a number to dial.
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T/N:
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