"No—rather than saying it's a gift," Tsuchihara Hiken corrected himself with a gentle smile,
"it would be more accurate to say that these two Pokémon are fortunate to be able to follow a Trainer as extraordinarily talented as you, Ash."
"And this time, by researching a way for Magikarp to learn Tackle, you didn't just change the fate of Magikarp—you also brought tremendous benefits to the Tsuchihara Family. We've long wanted to find an opportunity to express our sincere gratitude."
"So please, Ash—don't be polite anymore. Accept this humble token of thanks, one that represents Magikarp… and represents the Tsuchihara Family."
Tsuchihara Hiken's tone and expression were incomparably earnest.
"…In that case," Ash hesitated for a moment, then sighed softly,
"if Clan Head Tsuchihara puts it that way, continuing to refuse really would be discourteous."
"I'll accept the gift. Thank you, Clan Head Tsuchihara, and thank you as well, Mr. Katsuta. I truly like this gift very much."
After pretending to struggle internally before finally yielding to his own heart, Ash accepted the extraordinarily valuable present.
"Is there anything else the two of you wished to discuss?"
Ash asked after providing the receiving address for his Poké Ball transfer machine.
"No," Tsuchihara Hiken replied with a shake of his head.
"We called today specifically to deliver this gift. There's nothing else."
"That said, Ash, if there's ever anything our Tsuchihara Family can help you with, we would be more than willing to do so."
"There's nothing on my end either," Ash said politely.
"Since neither side has further matters, let's end the call here. I just remembered I still have something to take care of."
"Very well. Ash, go ahead and get busy—we won't disturb you any further."
"And once again, thank you for the gift. I truly like it very much."
After expressing his gratitude one last time, Ash ended the call.
On the other end, Tsuchihara Hiken and Katsuta immediately stored the Shiny Magikarp and Shiny Feebas into Poké Balls and sent them through the Poké Ball transfer system to Ash.
"Uncle," Katsuta said after hanging up, voicing his concern,
"Ash never once brought up cooperation during the call. Could he be planning to accept the gift… and then not follow through?"
"There's no need to worry," Tsuchihara Hiken replied calmly.
"Ash may only be six years old, but he clearly cannot be judged as an ordinary child. When he thanked us before hanging up, it was sincere—he has accepted the goodwill of the Tsuchihara Family."
"Helping Magikarp learn Tackle isn't an easy task. His shop listing clearly states that the skill-learning period takes around ten days, so there's no reason for us to rush."
"If we immediately push for business talks right after giving such a gift, it would cheapen the gesture—turning goodwill into a bargaining chip. That would only make our relationship feel vulgar and lower his impression of us."
"Still, to avoid any awkwardness on his side, we'll wait."
"Five days. If there's no movement after five days, then we'll proactively discuss cooperation."
"And don't worry about it being 'too late.' The skill-learning period lasts over ten days anyway. Even if we establish cooperation later, it doesn't mean our Magikarp will be the last ones helped."
"Who gets priority—that's entirely up to Ash."
"As long as we maintain a good relationship with him, even if we cooperate later, we might not necessarily be last. So relax, and be patient."
"Yes, Uncle. I understand," Katsuta nodded seriously.
….
"Shiny Pokémon… Shiny Pokémon…"
Ash murmured inwardly as he ended the call, excitement bubbling in his chest while he hurried downstairs, filled a large basin with water, and carried it back upstairs.
"Tsuchihara Hiken really is bold. I originally thought he'd resent the differential treatment, maybe even grow angry—but instead, he greeted me with a smile and sent such an enormous gift."
"They say the Tsuchihara Family are nouveau riche, but being able to rise from nothing to a top-tier Kanto family in just ten years… that clearly isn't luck alone."
Just as Ash was thinking this—
"Ash, the Tsuchihara Family has sent over the Magikarp and Feebas~ Rotom!"
Rotom chimed from the computer on Ash's desk.
"Wow—now that's efficient," Ash laughed.
Watching the Poké Balls gradually materialize amid crackling sparks in the transfer machine's slots, Ash's opinion of the Tsuchihara Family rose yet another notch.
Bang—bang!
"Come out—Magikarp! Feebas!"
Ash released the two Pokémon without hesitation.
Splash…
Glug-glug…
The two Pokémon slipped into the water basin. Though they were in a new environment, the calm, soothing aura around Ash quickly eased their nerves.
Both Magikarp and Feebas blew bubbles softly, gazing curiously at Ash.
Ash and his Pokémon gathered around the basin, half-crouching as they admired the two Shiny Pokémon.
A normal Magikarp has red scales—
but this one shimmered in gold, not the vulgar metallic gold of wealth, but a translucent, jade-like golden hue—beautiful, refined, almost sacred.
Compared to Magikarp's beauty, Feebas was… honestly ugly.
A normal Feebas already has dull yellow scales, blue fins, blotchy brown patches, vacant eyes, and thick lips.
This Shiny Feebas, however, was on another level—
purple scales paired with dark brown blotches, grayish fins… it looked almost poisoned.
By conventional aesthetics, a normal Feebas was ugly.
This Shiny Feebas was shockingly ugly.
Yet Ash's gaze held not a trace of disgust.
Instead, it burned with admiration—
as if he were looking at a peerless work of art.
And feeling Ash's gaze, the usually dull-eyed Feebas suddenly lit up with a spark of awareness—surprise, emotion… even gratitude.
In less than a minute since meeting him, Feebas's affection toward Ash skyrocketed.
"Heh… what stunning Magikarp and Feebas," Ash said softly.
"The Tsuchihara Family really did give me an incredible gift this time."
"Mm… Rotom," Ash added after a brief pause,
"wait three days. If the Tsuchihara Family can hold back and doesn't contact us about cooperation within those three days—then after three days, you reach out to them and start talks."
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T/N:
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