"Then, how many Pokémon have you captured? Are you too embarrassed to even say it out loud?" Gary teased.
"I… I'm not embarrassed at all…" Ash said awkwardly.
"Come on, cheer up. The number you've captured really isn't that important," Misty said helplessly, not expecting Ash's confidence to be hit so hard by Gary.
"Amazing. I checked the Pokédexes of all four of you. In terms of Pokémon encountered, Red has only seven; Gary has about sixty; Leaf has seventy-three; and Ash has actually surpassed one hundred!"
"That's incredible!" Leaf said in surprise, not expecting Ash to have encountered so many kinds of Pokémon.
"Uh…"
"Yay!"
Cold sweat dripped down Gary's face—he didn't expect to lose to Ash in this regard.
Meanwhile, Ash mistakenly thought he had beaten Gary and raised his right hand in celebration.
"Wait, that's not right. Red definitely has more than seven Pokémon," Leaf said in confusion.
"This only counts the number of encounters, not captures. When it comes to capturing Pokémon, Gary is still far ahead," Professor Oak explained.
"I've already mastered the basic data of Pokémon from various regions, so I don't have the habit of opening the Pokédex. I mostly use it to explain things to others."
Red explained why he had only used his Pokédex seven times.
"I see!" ×4
Professor Oak had long been accustomed to Red's exceptional talent, so he wasn't particularly surprised.
"Anyway, Ash probably opens the Pokédex every time he sees a Pokémon. Instead of listening to explanations, he'd rather hurry up and catch it," Gary mocked, perfectly exposing Ash's style.
As expected of Ash's childhood friend.
"Is that what you do, Gary?" Ash asked.
"Of course. That's what being a Pokémon Trainer is all about!" Gary replied confidently, then turned to Professor Oak. "Grandpa, let's take a look at the Pokémon each of us has captured."
"That sounds good. Everyone, follow me."
...
Moments later
Everyone followed Professor Oak to the storage area where Poké Balls were kept. This warehouse contained many Pokémon captured by Trainers who had set out from Pallet Town.
"First, let me introduce the Pokémon Ash has captured."
After speaking, Professor Oak led them to the shelf holding Ash's Poké Balls.
To distinguish the shelves, Professor Oak had decisively placed each person's photo at the top—though it looked somewhat unintentionally amusing.
"Although it reaches a total of thirty-four, thirty of them are Tauros from the Safari Zone," Professor Oak explained.
The remaining four were Kingler, Muk, Primeape, and Butterfree, who had yet to return.
But Ash firmly believed Butterfree would return to Pallet Town one day, so he had sent the Poké Ball to Professor Oak for safekeeping.
"As for Leaf, she has captured seven Pokémon. None are duplicates like Ash's thirty Tauros, so it's also quite an impressive number."
After introducing Ash's Poké Balls, Professor Oak brought everyone to Leaf's shelf. Aside from the six Pokémon she carried with her, there were seven Poké Balls placed on the shelf.
Afterward, Professor Oak also introduced Gary's Pokémon. He had captured over two hundred Pokémon. Due to the sheer number of Poké Balls, Professor Oak didn't bother taking everyone over to see them and just explained briefly.
"There are about one hundred fifty kinds of Pokémon living in the Kanto Region. Excluding unexpected captures from other regions, there should still be some duplicates," Misty said casually.
"Capturing one isn't enough for me. Who knows if the next one I encounter might be stronger?" Gary explained calmly.
"That's not true! You clearly don't understand Pokémon at all. Pokémon and I are companions—numbers don't matter!" Ash boasted.
"You're just saying that because you can't win in numbers. Didn't you also capture thirty duplicate Tauros?" Gary said indifferently, thinking Ash was just talking big.
"In that case, how about we settle this with a battle right now?!"
Angry, Ash challenged Gary again, intending to test their strength through battle.
"See? Getting worked up again so quickly. You're such a kid," Gary teased, waving his hand helplessly.
"Aren't you a kid too?!" Ash snapped back.
"Actually, neither of you is wrong. Ash understands Pokémon in his own way, and Gary has his own way as well," Professor Oak explained, encouraging them to let go of their bias.
"Pokémon are incredibly mysterious creatures. They possess the special ability to evolve, something that can be said to surpass biological limits. We must solve that mystery and learn to live harmoniously with Pokémon."
"The coexistence of humans and Pokémon has been my life's research topic, and it begins with understanding each Pokémon."
After Professor Oak's mediation, Ash temporarily gave up the idea of battling Gary.
Next, Professor Oak led everyone to Red's Poké Ball shelf. This was a research subject he was especially proud of, so it was placed in a more central area.
"..."
When Red saw the photo at the top of the shelf, he looked helpless. Professor Oak had deliberately placed a photo of Red at age seven with him, rather than a more recent solo picture.
"Grandpa, you really are…"
Gary looked at Professor Oak speechlessly, unable to complain.
Aside from the six Poké Balls at Red's waist, there were fifteen more on the shelf, meaning Red had captured a total of twenty-two Pokémon.
"Professor Oak, what's that strange Poké Ball?" Ash asked curiously, pointing at the only Ultra Ball on the shelf.
Because of how eye-catching it was, everyone immediately focused on it.
"Oh, that one."
Professor Oak had clearly expected this reaction. With Red's permission, he explained directly.
"This is an Ultra Ball. Compared to regular Poké Balls, it can contain stronger power. Inside it is the Zapdos that Red captured."
"What?! Zapdos?!" ×4
Except for Ash, the other four turned to look at Red in disbelief, instinctively thinking he and Professor Oak were joking.
But upon thinking it through, this was indeed something Red could accomplish.
"Zapdos? What kind of Pokémon is that?" Ash asked.
Seeing this, Red took out his Pokédex and explained,
"Zapdos, the Electric Pokémon. When the sky darkens and lightning strikes continuously, this legendary Pokémon will appear."
After hearing the Pokédex explanation, Ash finally realized how powerful Zapdos was. He then looked excitedly at the Ultra Ball on the shelf, eager to battle it.
"Red, as expected of you. You've easily accomplished something we couldn't," Gary sighed.
"Brother, let my Pikachu battle your Zapdos!" Ash said excitedly.
"Pika?!"
Pikachu looked at Ash in horror, never expecting to be sent to its doom.
After all, Pikachu had no courage to fight this legendary "Thunder God" Pokémon.
"Sorry, Ash. I'm also looking forward to battling Red next, so you'll have to wait in line," Gary said calmly, turning his battle-ready gaze toward Red.
"Sorry, Gary. I'm also looking forward to battling Red!"
Leaf, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, her eyes burning with fighting spirit as she looked at Red.
For a moment, Red was locked onto by the fiery gazes of all three.