This year's Pokémon Summer Camp was part of a cross-regional cultural exchange between Kanto and Kalos, jointly organized by Professor Oak's Laboratory and Professor Sycamore's Institute. It had already attracted significant public attention even before the camp officially began.
Yet, on just the second day of camp, a serious safety incident had occurred.
During the fishing event yesterday, one of the campers—Goh—had been attacked by a Gyarados and was seriously injured, resulting in hospitalization.
The accident threw the entire Summer Camp into a whirlpool of public opinion.
It quickly became the hottest and most talked-about issue in the Kanto region—and even people in distant Kalos were paying close attention to this Pokémon Summer Camp hosted by Professor Oak's lab.
Today was the first day media outlets were allowed into the camp. With live broadcasts now underway, countless parents and members of the public were watching closely.
As Yoko conducted interviews with campers and staff, one name kept coming up: Ash.
Everyone spoke of him in glowing terms, praising him with admiration.
Watching from home, both the parents of other campers and the general public were filled with curiosity about this so-called "genius camper."
And now, with Yoko finally getting a live interview with Ash, viewers were full of anticipation—wanting to know everything about this remarkable kid.
The camera zoomed in on the confident, handsome black-haired boy, and the moment he appeared on screen, Ash's looks and presence instantly captivated the audience. His self-assured demeanor left a strong impression.
The interview had only just begun.
After Ash introduced himself, Yoko casually asked what inspired him to aim for such a lofty goal.
And Ash?
He gave the most Ash-like answer imaginable—utterly serious, yet utterly hilarious.
"As a Trainer… if I don't become the strongest in the world, if I don't become a Pokémon Master, then I might as well just go home and sell sweet potatoes."
That one line—so blunt, so bold, and so adorable—left the viewers in absolute stitches.
Yoko couldn't hold back her laughter either.
"Pfft—!!"
She burst into giggles, revealing a flawless set of pearly-white teeth.
"Ash-kun, you're too funny and too cute! I heard from some of the campers and staff that before joining this Summer Camp, you used to sleep in all the time. But since arriving here, you've been getting up at 6:30 every morning for training—even before the sun is up. What changed? Can you tell us the story behind your transformation?"
Ash scratched his head a little awkwardly.
"Ehh… it's kinda embarrassing, but just like Yoko-neesan heard from the others, I did have a habit of sleeping in before the camp."
"A few days ago, when the Kalos campers were arriving, Professor Oak asked us to go meet them outside town. But I overslept and showed up late... I felt really bad about it."
"That night—the first night after I arrived at camp—I had a dream."
"I dreamed about the day I would start my Trainer journey at age 10. In the dream, I slept in again—so much that the sun was already high in the sky. I ended up rushing out in my pajamas without even changing, and went to Professor Oak's lab like that to get my first Pokémon… and then started my journey in those same pajamas."
Ash's expression turned deadly serious.
"As someone who wants to reach the top of the Trainer world, to become the strongest Pokémon Trainer—if people found out I had a habit of sleeping in, it would be way too embarrassing."
"So I made a decision. After arriving at the camp, I started forcing myself to wake up early and train."
"…Though, to be honest, I still rely on Froakie to wake me up every morning."
He scratched his head again, this time even more embarrassed.
But rather than making him look bad, it only made Yoko—and everyone watching the livestream—find him even more adorable.
"Haha… so that's the reason! Ash-kun, you're just too honest and too cute," Yoko said, laughing behind her hand.
"Thanks," Ash replied with a grin. "But if you said I was handsome instead of cute, I'd be even happier."
"Hehe~ Well then, our handsome and adorable Ash-kun," Yoko giggled, "I've also heard from other campers and staff that you have some sort of supernatural power that allows you to heal injuries. Is that true?"
Ash nodded without hesitation.
"Yeah… it's true."
"Wow, that's amazing! Would you be willing to show us your ability? Normally, when we hear about superpowers, it's always telekinesis. I've never seen healing powers before!"
Yoko's eyes were full of curiosity.
Ash blinked, then said, "Hmm… no problem. Yoko-neesan, did you happen to get scratched or hurt earlier today? Even a bruise or a little scrape would do."
"Actually, yes!" Yoko lit up. "I scratched my arm on a thorn bush earlier when I was interviewing campers in the forest. My arm's still bleeding a little."
She rolled up her sleeve, peeled off a bandage from her wrist, and revealed a small, two-centimeter-long cut that was still oozing blood.
"Think you can help your big sister out?" she asked playfully.
"Of course!" Ash smiled and raised his hand over the wound.
Activating the power of the Viridian Blessing, he silently chanted: Healing Grace.
—BZZZMMM—
Ash's small palm began to glow with a vibrant green light—full of life energy.
The camera zoomed in for a close-up.
Back home, viewers watching the broadcast widened their eyes in disbelief.
While the Pokémon world was no stranger to miraculous abilities, it wasn't often that humans displayed supernatural powers like Pokémon did.
Sure, some people had psychic abilities, but healing powers? That was something else entirely.
Still, even though Pokémon powers far surpassed those of humans, that didn't stop people from being absolutely fascinated—and envious—of humans who did have special powers.
Under the glow of Ash's healing aura, Yoko's bloody cut quickly closed, the skin regenerating right before their eyes. In mere seconds, the wound had healed completely.
Not even a scar was left behind.
"Woooow!! That's incredible!! Not even a scar!"
Yoko stared at her now-flawless wrist like she had just discovered a national treasure.
"Ash-kun, maybe you shouldn't become a Trainer. With your powers, you'd make an amazing cosmetic surgeon! I swear, you'd be the top aesthetic healer in the entire Pokémon world!"
She was practically glowing with excitement now.
"Double eyelid surgery, facial restructuring, C-section scars…"
With the ability to heal wounds without leaving any trace, Ash could really become every woman's dream doctor.
No…
Scratch that.
With this kind of power…
[He might just become the Pokémon world's greatest "Friend of Women"!]
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T/N:
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