"And ever since Ash put up the service to help Magikarp learn Tackle on his online shop, many major families across Kanto—including the League itself—have signed large contracts with him."
"He shouldn't be short on money at all now."
"So why would he suddenly want to open a clinic?"
The girl tilted her head slightly, her expression filled with confusion.
"Oh?"
Hearing this, the Joy Family clan head—also the girl's mother—smiled teasingly.
"I didn't expect you to be paying such close attention to Ash. Looks like you've really acknowledged him as a potential husband."
"Ah—!"
"Mother, you're teasing me again!" the girl said shyly.
"Ash is so outstanding—there's no way he'd look at me, alright?"
"How could that be?" her mother replied warmly.
"Our Clarissa is beautiful and virtuous. How could Ash not look at you?"
"The reason he declined the proposal before was simply because his psychic bloodline couldn't be passed on to the next generation—that's why he refused."
"If Ash had seen our Clarissa in person, he'd definitely be completely captivated."
"Ash really is an exceptional child," Joy Rong said with a sigh, her face filled with regret.
"He's opening a clinic on his online shop not to make money, but to treat Pokémon for free."
"A child with such kindness and compassion… why couldn't he have been born into our Joy Family?"
"Born into the Joy Family?"
Hearing her grandmother's words, the girl puffed out her cheeks.
"No way~"
"Haha," her mother laughed.
"Mother, if Ash had been born into our Joy Family, he'd be a girl. And even if he were somehow a boy, Clarissa would at most gain another brother—but she'd lose a boyfriend."
"Exactly, exactly!" Joy Rong laughed along.
"It's better that Ash wasn't born into our Joy Family. That way, our Clarissa gets a husband, and we won't have to worry about choosing one for her."
"Ahh!! Mother, Grandma!"
"Why do you two always tease me like this?"
"I haven't even met Ash—we don't even know each other yet!"
The girl threw herself into her mother Joy Elena's arms, her face burning red as she protested.
"Haha, you haven't met him yet, but he's already living in our Clarissa's heart," her grandmother laughed.
"Once you meet him, who knows what will happen~ (^▽^)"
"Ah! Grandma, Mother—I forbid you from talking about this anymore!"
"Alright, alright," Joy Rong said, smiling.
"Grandma won't say another word."
"So, Clarissa," she continued, her tone turning serious,
"you said earlier that you came to see us today because of something important?"
"Yes."
Clarissa nodded.
"I came to see both Grandma and Mother today because there really is something."
"As the Joy Family's heir, after I officially debut at ten, I'm required by clan rules to work at Pokémon Centers below for five years as practical training."
"But if that's the case, then I won't be able to free myself to travel at all."
"That's why this issue has been troubling me these past few days."
"However," she continued softly,
"this problem no longer troubles me now."
"Ash has already sent me the answer."
"Oh?"
Joy Rong raised an eyebrow.
"You mean to say… you plan to follow Ash's example and operate a mobile Pokémon Center in the form of an online shop?"
"Yes, exactly."
"That way, I can gain work experience while traveling freely."
"Although I won't be able to carry large amounts of medical equipment or handle extremely complex or severe cases—"
"Every time I reach a city with a Pokémon Center during my travels, I'll go there to assist and make up for the missing work."
"That's a good idea," Joy Rong nodded thoughtfully.
"But there's one more thing."
"Under normal circumstances, when you turn ten and begin your training at major city Pokémon Centers, there will be senior staff guiding you step by step."
"If you operate a Pokémon Center independently through an online platform, without anyone mentoring you hands-on at the beginning, there will be many things you won't be able to handle properly."
"So if you truly intend to independently run a Pokémon Center through an online shop after debuting—
then over the next four years, you must at least pass the Novice Pokémon Breeder Examination, and immediately begin studying and training at a Pokémon Center."
"Clarissa," Joy Rong asked seriously,
"are you willing to do that?"
"I am," Clarissa answered without hesitation.
As the Joy Family's heir, the girl wasn't just a porcelain-doll beauty—
she was decisive, resolute, and full of determination.
"Good."
Joy Rong smiled with satisfaction.
"Worthy of being my granddaughter—responsible and courageous."
"And as a reward," she added with a mysterious smile,
"for your upcoming Pokémon Center training, Grandma will arrange a partner for you—so you won't be too lonely."
A sudden thought crossed her mind, and her smile deepened.
"A partner?" Clarissa asked curiously.
"Who is it—Lavina? Or Sister?"
"Neither," Joy Rong replied, her expression enigmatic.
"This partner I'm arranging for you… Clarissa, you'll definitely like them."
"Ahh, Grandma, don't keep me in suspense~"
Clarissa grabbed her grandmother's hand and pouted cutely.
"Just tell me already~"
"No, no," Joy Rong laughed.
"If I tell you now, there won't be any surprise."
"Alright then," she concluded.
"Clarissa, go back and pack your things."
"Tomorrow, I'll have your Aunt Amelie escort you to the Viridian City Pokémon Center."
"For the next four years, you'll be studying and training there."
"Huh… why Viridian City?"
"Why not Saffron City? That's so far away."
"Enough, enough," Joy Rong waved her hand.
"Why so many questions?"
"Once you arrive at the Viridian City Pokémon Center, you'll understand Grandma's good intentions."
"When that time comes, you'll definitely thank your mother and grandmother for this arrangement."
-----
Pallet Town
"Professor, I'm heading out then."
"Alright~"
With the matter of setting up the clinic on his online shop finally resolved, the pressure in Ash Ketchum's heart eased considerably.
Next, all he needed to do was head to the Viridian City Pokémon Center and cooperate with the Joy Family—or rather, the League Medical Authority—
to conduct tests on his Viridian Power · Healing Art.
After that, he would undergo basic medical theory training and hands-on practice in treating Pokémon injuries at the Viridian City Pokémon Center.
Once completed, not only would his online shop be able to openly and officially host a clinic, but it would also have the Joy Family and the League Medical Authority standing behind it.
In other words, the risks he bore would be reduced to the absolute minimum.
"When the third free clinic opens on the shop," Ash thought to himself,
"the cultivation speed of my Viridian Power will definitely increase even faster."
"And when I officially set out on my journey, I won't have to worry about not having patients or injured Pokémon to treat anymore."
"Still…"
Ash shook his head with a helpless smile.
"The next stretch is going to be busy."
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T/N:
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