The sky above Pallet Town was a brilliant azure, dotted with a few creamy white clouds trimmed in golden light. As the blazing sun pierced through the brilliant veil, it rose like a flaming orb, marking the start of another scorching day.
Professor Oak's Pokémon Summer Camp had begun in late July. Now, with the camp over and August already here, the calendar said autumn—but the weather still screamed summer. The clouds parted, and searing sunlight poured down like molten gold, baking the earth beneath as if the whole town had been tossed into a furnace.
Ash finished breakfast and left the house at 8:00 AM. Training lasted straight until 11:30 AM—technically the end of all his training for the day. His personal schedule had training slotted only for mornings.
[Pokémon: Pichu]
Level: LV.7 (11/68)
Type: Electric
Nature: Timid
Abilities: Static, (Hidden Ability: Lightning Rod)
Potential: Gold 0.03% (Royal Tier)
"Blessed by the world's fate itself. Bears a miraculous power of legend!"
Skills (Copyable):
[Skilled]: Thundershock (120/500), Wish (12/500), Tail Whip (3/500), Charm (13/500)
Since Ash was focused on conducting advanced training to stabilize Frogadier's newfound strength, he hadn't given Pichu any difficult tasks today.
Over the course of the three and a half hours, Pichu's training centered on improving Tail Whip and Charm—bringing both moves from Novice to Skilled level.
The workload was light, the time was ample, and Pichu breezed through the training. It even took the initiative to continue polishing some of its other skills on its own afterward.
Ash hadn't officially declared any Pokémon as his "starter," but Pichu was undeniably the first one he ever caught—the oldest member of his current team.
And yet, somehow, Froakie—who joined the team later—had surpassed Pichu in level. And now, it had even evolved.
Pichu hadn't said a word. But Ash could sense it.
That pressure. That unspoken tension. A quiet drive bubbling inside his little electric-type partner.
And he welcomed it.
Frogadier and Pichu weren't just teammates—they were rivals. Healthy competition between them was exactly the kind of environment Ash wanted in his team.
[Pokémon: Frogadier]
Level: LV.20 (32/460)
Type: Water
Nature: Serious
Abilities: Torrent, Protean (Ethereal-Gifted Ability: Bond Transformation)
Potential: Purple 1.5% (Peerless Tier)
"Favored by the fate of Kalos. Destined to save the region from an apocalyptic crisis."
Skills (Copyable):
[Mastered]: Pound (200/1000), Bubble (200/1000), Aqua Ring (1/1000), Quick Attack (1/1000)
[Skilled]: Growl (23/500), Water Pulse (347/500), Lick (117/500), Rain Dance (112/500), Water Shuriken (17/500)
[Novice]: Smokescreen (1/100)
Frogadier continued to train with razor-sharp focus and discipline.
Ten full laps swimming against the river's current.
Thirty minutes throwing stones to train arm strength.
Intensive drilling of Water Shuriken to raise proficiency.
Despite the sheer workload, Frogadier completed all his tasks before 11:30. And most importantly, the explosive, unstable strength it had gained from evolution was finally beginning to settle, rooting itself solidly within.
—
At 11:30 sharp, just as the local townsfolk wrapped up their morning fieldwork, Ash wrapped up his own training and rushed home.
Because today was a big day.
Today, his online storefront—Ash's Move Mastery Room—was officially going live!
Yesterday at noon, Ash had posted an announcement on the storefront homepage:
"Grand Opening: August 8th, 12:00 PM!"
During summer camp, many kind-hearted citizens who'd learned about Ash's home life through live broadcasts had wanted to donate money or supplies.
But Ash had politely refused all of them.
It wasn't because he didn't need money—he did.
But now that he had his own business and was confident in earning income through his skills, he didn't want to owe anyone favors. Emotional debts were the hardest to repay.
After announcing the opening, his store's follower count exploded past 100,000. He knew today's launch wouldn't be a quiet one.
—
After an intense morning of sweat, Ash took a cold shower, changed clothes, and came downstairs for lunch. His mom, Delia, had already prepared a delicious meal in celebration of the launch.
By noon, Ash, Delia, Pichu, and Frogadier were all upstairs in his room, seated in front of his desktop, eyes glued to the store dashboard.
Ash had already drafted a launch announcement, scheduled to go live exactly at 12:00 PM.
"Pidgey Pidgey!"
At exactly noon, the newly bought Pidgey Alarm Clock rang out with a clear chirp.
On Ash's computer screen, the store interface flicked—the pre-listed move training services automatically went live. Every listing was now clickable for purchase.
Ash, Delia, Pichu, and Frogadier all sat with hands clasped tightly, nervously staring at the monitor.
"Ding ding!!"
Right on time, a new message appeared in the chat panel.
A customer had arrived.
User: Speedy Pidgeotto
"Hello! I'd like to teach my Pidgeotto the move Air Slash. Can your store help with that?"
Ash immediately began typing.
Ash: "Yes! That's absolutely doable."
Speedy Pidgeotto: "Awesome! What do I need to do? Just place the order?"
Ash: "Exactly. Place your order through the store. After payment, the order confirmation page will show the Poké Ball transfer machine address for my end."
"Then, just take your Pidgeotto's Poké Ball to a Pokémon Center and have Nurse Joy send it to me using the machine's address."
"Once I receive it, I'll train your Pidgeotto. It usually takes 2–3 days, no more than 5 days max. If, for any reason, I can't teach it the move, you'll get a full refund."
"But rest assured—failure is extremely rare. Our success rate for teaching moves is over 95%!"
Ash finished the message with pride, confidence gleaming in his eyes.
The store was live. Customers were arriving.
And Ash Ketchum—reborn, focused, and full of purpose—was just getting started.
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T/N:
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