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The morning light filtered through the intertwined branches and leaves, casting dappled spots of light on the forest path.
Ash and Iris continued their Unova journey with brisk steps, Pikachu, as always, sat steadily on Ash's shoulder, enjoying the excellent view from its exclusive perch, its tail tip rhythmically sweeping Ash's nape, emitting a contented purr.
Just in this tranquil atmosphere, the bushes by the roadside suddenly shook violently, accompanied by a stubborn and urgent Growl, breaking the quiet of the forest.
"Osha, Osha!"
A blue-and-white figure shot out like an arrow from a bow, landing precisely in front of Ash, spreading its small arms, and firmly blocking the way—it was the Oshawott that had once cut through Team Rockets' balloon with its sharp Razor Shell.
Its chest heaved, and its smooth fur was stained with dew and grass clippings, evidently having rushed all the way.
Its dark, round eyes stared unblinkingly at Ash, sparkling with undeniable determination and a hint of imperceptible stubbornness.
Its small paw tightly clutched the beloved scallop on its chest, as if it were a symbol of its entire courage and pride.
"Oh, it's you."
Ash stopped in surprise, squatting down to eye level with it, his tone filled with pleasant surprise, "Why are you here? Did you specifically chase after us?"
Oshawott immediately nodded its small head vigorously, its short tail slapping loudly behind it, splashing tiny mud specks, and emitting an urgent sound from its throat, as if eagerly expressing something.
"Haha, I totally get it!"
Iris, seeing this, immediately beamed and came closer.
Before Oshawott could react, she enthusiastically embraced it, holding it tightly in her arms, and rubbing her cheek against its smooth, cool head.
"This little guy must have been conquered by my charm and talent, right?
You've fallen for me too, haven't you? Good taste! Come, come, don't be shy, let big sister catch you!"
She said confidently, while eagerly reaching for the Poké Ball at her waist.
However, Oshawott struggled violently in her arms, letting out a clearly displeased Growl, its short legs kicking wildly in the air, completely rejecting this overly enthusiastic hug and the conclusion of "being caught."
It suddenly exerted force, broke free from Iris's embrace, and like a blue cannonball ready to launch, charged directly at Ash again.
What happened next left everyone dumbfounded.
Utilizing its small and agile body, its two small paws nimbly grasped Ash's pant leg, and with the help of the wrinkles, it climbed up in a few movements, its target clear, heading straight for the supreme "throne"—Ash's right shoulder.
"Pika!"
Pikachu, enjoying the morning breeze, felt a sudden, forceful collision from the side.
Unprepared, it cried out in surprise, its entire body forcibly pushed off its most familiar, most comfortable, and irreplaceable throne position.
"Pika!"
Pikachu instinctively performed a nimble flip in the air, landing steadily on all fours.
But it quickly raised its head, and on its golden-yellow cheeks, the red electric sacs began to flicker violently and uncontrollably, emitting dangerous and dazzling electric sparks, crackling loudly.
It narrowed its usually gentle large eyes, its sharp gaze like a tangible force, locking onto the audacious Oshawott that was smugly occupying its territory, a low, angry Growl rumbling deep in its throat.
The surrounding air seemed to instantly freeze, becoming tense and scorched by the overflowing electricity.
Oshawott, however, was completely unafraid, even with a hint of deliberate provocation.
After stabilizing itself, it even used Ash's black hair as a temporary throne cushion, rubbing against it comfortably.
Then, it cast a condescending glance at the displeased Pikachu on the ground, slowly took off its beloved scallop from its chest, meticulously wiped off non-existent dust with its paw, and then solemnly put it back, as if flaunting its victory and the change of kingship.
That posture was full of smugness, proclaiming "this spot is taken," and disdain for Pikachu.
"Hey, hey, Oshawott, get down. This isn't right!"
Ash finally reacted from his shock, reaching out with a wry smile, trying to take down this self-important "hot potato" from his shoulder.
But Oshawott's small paws tightly gripped his shirt collar, its small body wriggling like a slippery loach, emitting even louder and more urgent protests, refusing to get down, determined to occupy that position.
Pikachu watched this almost insulting act of provocation, its tail dangerously held high like a battle flag, the arcing electricity around its body becoming even more violent, clearly at the brink of eruption.
Ash looked at the furious Pikachu, and then felt the little guy on his shoulder who refused to leave and had a "I won" expression, clearly realizing that a head-on clash was inevitable.
He sighed, but his eyes gradually became sharp and serious, the decisive demeanor of a Trainer emerging.
He stepped back a few paces, creating distance, and first cast a reassuring but incredibly firm look at the verge-of-exploding Pikachu.
"Pikachu, I know you're very angry, and I completely understand!"
His voice was steady, filled with trust, "But a new partner wants to join, and understanding and testing each other is a necessary path."
Then, he turned his head and said to the Oshawott on his shoulder, his voice calm and strong:
"Oshawott, you are strong and very brave, I know your determination to follow. But do you see?"
He pointed to the ready-to-fight Pikachu on the ground, his tone intensifying,
"That is my most important and strongest partner, who has crossed countless regions and experienced countless battles with me. This shoulder,"
He pointed to his empty left shoulder, then to his currently occupied right shoulder, "carries our bond and trust, and cannot be obtained by brute force!"
"Osha!"
Oshawott stood ramrod straight on Ash's shoulder, puffing out its small chest, and cried out without backing down, its eyes still full of unyielding fire.
"Good!" Ash's eyes also ignited, no longer trying to persuade, "Then let's decide in the most direct way, use battle to prove your determination and strength. And let Pikachu acknowledge you! Pikachu!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu could no longer hold back; upon hearing the command, it immediately leaped forward fiercely, electric snakes dancing around its body, its aura astonishing.
It was determined to defend its dignity and unshakeable position with absolute strength.
"Oshawott, if you truly want to travel with me, first win this qualification battle. Let Pikachu and I see your abilities."
The moment Ash's words fell, the battle erupted.
Oshawott was the first to puff out its cheeks, a clear but still somewhat weak Water Gun spraying out, aimed directly at Pikachu.
Pikachu's figure instantly blurred, transforming into an elusive golden Quick Attack, effortlessly grazing past the water jet, its speed so fast that it only left a faint afterimage in its original spot.
The next second, it had already slammed hard into Oshawott's soft abdomen.
Oshawott was sent tumbling several times by this swift blow, crying out in pain.
But it was unexpectedly resilient, immediately struggling to get up, shaking its head, the ferocity and fighting spirit in its eyes even stronger.
This guy, it can take a hit!
Not to be outdone, Oshawott grabbed the scallop on its chest, its edge instantly glowing with a sharp, light blue light—Razor Shell!
It took off with its short legs, fiercely slashing at Pikachu with an unstoppable momentum.
Pikachu's eyes were terrifyingly calm, like an experienced hunter, intently watching the charging Oshawott.
Just as the gleaming Razor Shell was about to strike, it once again used Quick Attack, not only perfectly dodging the attack but also ghost-like, slamming into Oshawott from the side once more.
"Osha."
Oshawott was knocked flying again, this time falling harder, rolling several times on the ground.
It got up, its small head clearly a bit dizzy, shaking it, evidently annoyed and frustrated by Pikachu's absolute speed and power.
It looked at Pikachu, especially at Pikachu's calm and powerful stance, and the position it currently held (though now empty) that Oshawott coveted, and its stubborn, unyielding spirit was completely ignited.
Oshawott suddenly changed its strategy. It abandoned the inefficient frontal assault and began to run quickly around Pikachu, its small eyes darting around, occasionally feigning an attack, but its target was no longer Pikachu itself, but constantly trying to find gaps and opportunities to jump onto Ash's shoulder again.
It even took advantage of Pikachu's seemingly inadvertent turn, suddenly gathered strength and leaped, its small paws grabbing directly at Ash's pant leg, attempting to use the same trick to directly reclaim its perceived "throne."
This blatant disregard and provocation completely ignited all of Pikachu's long-suppressed rage.
Invading its Trainer, stealing its unique position, disrespecting its authority as the strongest partner.
Unforgivable.
Golden thunderous power accumulated and compressed within Pikachu at an unprecedented speed, like a star about to go supernova.
It would use this absolute power to unleash a judgment of thunder, to make this challenger, who didn't know its place, fully understand.
Who was the true, undisputed king here.
A terrifying pressure, like a tangible storm, swept out from Pikachu's small body, even dimming the surrounding light a few shades.