"Still, I personally suggest that you shouldn't capture too many Pokémon right now," Professor Oak said seriously. "Training and raising Pokémon requires not only massive resources, but also an enormous amount of time and energy."
"At the moment, the three Pokémon slots granted to you by the League will already be more than enough until you officially set out at the age of ten."
"I understand what you mean, Professor," Ash nodded. "The reason I want the limit removed isn't because I plan to immediately capture a large number of Pokémon."
"It's just that I don't want to miss out on a truly high-potential Pokémon in the future simply because I've run out of slots."
"So that's the reason. Alright, I'll help you submit the application to the League," Oak replied. "Other than lifting the Pokémon limit and arranging protection for your safety, do you have any other requests?"
"…If possible," Ash thought for a moment before answering, "I'd like the League to grant me borrowing access to the official library or data archives."
"I've already planned out my daily schedule. In the mornings, I'll train my Pokémon. In the afternoons, I'll study Pokémon theory. And at night, I'll focus on psychic meditation training."
"Library and archive access?" Oak smiled. "That doesn't even require approval from the League. I can handle that directly for you."
"No matter what Pokémon-related career you choose, whether Trainer, Breeder, or Coordinator, if you want to go far and achieve real success, you must have a solid foundation of theoretical knowledge."
"Ash, I'm very happy that you've realized this."
"I'll open your access on the computer in a moment. As long as it's not classified information, you'll be able to browse League archives freely."
"On top of that, I'll also open full borrowing privileges for you at all public libraries across Kanto."
"And the authoritative research journals and academic publications in my laboratory will also be available for you to consult anytime."
"If there's anything you don't understand in theory, you can call me or come directly to the lab. I'll explain it to you myself."
"Thank you, Professor," Ash said sincerely, deeply moved by Oak's support.
"By the way, Ash," Oak added, "can you help me with a small favor as well?"
"What kind of favor? As long as it's something I can do, I'll definitely help," Ash replied without hesitation. He trusted Oak completely.
"It's nothing serious. Since you already said your routine is training in the morning and studying in the afternoon…"
"If possible, could you bring Gary along with you during those sessions?" Oak asked.
"Oh, that?" Ash laughed. "I thought you were going to ask for something difficult. That's no problem at all. I was actually worried studying alone would be boring. If Gary comes along, that'd be even better."
"Good, good…" Oak nodded with satisfaction.
Using the lab's Poké Ball Transfer Machine, Ash tested the League-issued portable version. After confirming it worked perfectly, he finally felt at ease.
Now that the Poké Ball transfer issue was settled, and with his online shop officially opening at noon tomorrow, everything was finally moving into place.
Ash didn't leave the lab for the rest of the afternoon.
One reason was that he hadn't seen Daisy Oak in a long time, and the two of them had plenty to catch up on.
The other reason was that he sought Oak's advice regarding the training plans for Pichu and Froakie.
Back in his prime, Professor Oak was half a step into Champion-level strength. Later, as he devoted himself fully to research and scholarship and grew older, the time he spent battling as a Trainer gradually decreased.
Even so, his true strength was still considered terrifying among top-tier elites.
Oak had said Pallet Town was one of the safest places in Kanto aside from the Indigo Plateau itself, and that wasn't only because of League protection. The real reason was Oak's presence as a near-Champion-level powerhouse.
By humbly seeking Oak's guidance, Ash learned a great deal. His understanding of Pichu and Froakie' training paths became much clearer as well.
Saffron City. Joy Family Main Residence
An elderly Joy with signs of aging on her face hung up the phone. Her eyes drifted into the distance as she gazed through the carved stained-glass window at the vast estate outside, her thoughts unreadable.
"Mother, has there been news from Pallet Town?"
A middle-aged Joy woman with noble bearing entered the room and asked.
"We offered such generous conditions. That boy named Ash shouldn't possibly refuse us, right?"
"Heh…"
"You miscalculated this time, Elena," the elderly Joy shook her head slowly. "Miho's daughter Daisy called just now. She told me that boy, Ash, has already refused."
"…He refused?"
Shock and confusion flashed across the refined Joy woman's face.
"Our Joy Family offered the utmost sincerity and the most generous conditions. That boy should have had no reason to refuse."
"We saw his family background during the summer camp broadcast. His circumstances are modest, so we were willing to fund every expense along his Trainer journey."
"He already has a girlfriend, and yet we even promised not to interfere with his relationships."
"Why would he refuse? Could it be that we still didn't offer enough? Did he make any demands on his side?"
The Joy woman named Elena could not hide the disbelief in her voice.
"According to Daisy, that child did not find our conditions insufficient. On the contrary, he was very tempted after hearing them," the elderly matriarch replied calmly.
"But in the end, he still rejected us. He made no greedy or unreasonable requests at all."
"He only asked Daisy to convey his gratitude and regret to us."
"He also explained his reason for refusal."
"He said he could not give us what we wanted."
"And that he personally believes in free love."
The elegant Joy woman frowned slightly.
"Believing in free love sounds like an excuse. What exactly does he mean by saying he can't give us what we want?"
"Does he already know what we seek from him?"
"He is a very intelligent child," the old matriarch said slowly. "And we never truly hid our intentions. Daisy must also have told him clearly."
"Our Joy Family's true goal has always been to obtain the Healing Grace ability within him."
"Passing down a psychic bloodline would cause no harm to him in theory."
"Yet he said he could not give us what we wanted…"
"Which means only one thing."
"That the ability within him cannot be inherited through blood."
With just a few sentences, the elderly Joy had already deduced the truth hidden behind Ash's refusal.
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T/N:
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