"Also," Ash added after a brief pause, fingers resting against his chin,
"when it comes to the cooperation price, let the Tsuchihara Family decide it themselves."
"If they offer a price lower than what the Kanto League is paying, then treat them as an ordinary cooperation partner—don't give them too many orders, and don't sign a long-term contract."
"If they offer the same price as the other major Kanto families, then treat them exactly the same as those families."
"But—" Ash's eyes sharpened slightly,
"if they show real sincerity and real guts, and offer a price far higher than the other Kanto families…"
"Then treat them as a deep cooperation partner. Increase the order volume, extend the contract duration, and once their Magikarp arrive, prioritize them for skill training."
Ash laid out his instructions calmly and clearly.
Earlier, the Tsuchihara Family had intercepted benefits that should have gone to him, souring their relationship. At that time, Ash had truly had no intention of cooperating with them.
But after today's video call, his impression had changed.
The Tsuchihara Family wasn't as unbearable as rumors suggested. Clan Head Tsuchihara Hiken possessed remarkable composure and decisiveness—and after that extravagant gift, Ash's attitude naturally softened.
Three days.
Those three days were a test.
If the Tsuchihara Family could hold steady and not rush to contact him, Ash would be willing to cooperate with them.
As for letting the other side name the price—that too was part of the test.
Ash wanted to see just how broad their vision was, and how much courage they truly had.
If they really were nothing more than short-sighted nouveau riche, then a shallow, ordinary cooperation would be enough. Once the favor was repaid, there would be no need for deeper entanglement.
But if they proved far-sighted, sincere, and bold…
Then Ash would be more than willing to cooperate with them genuinely—not merely as a relationship of mutual exploitation like with the other great Kanto families.
And Ash was never someone who liked taking advantage of others.
If the Tsuchihara Family chose to cooperate with him sincerely, he would never let them suffer a loss.
"OK~ Rotom!!"
Rotom nodded enthusiastically, confirming the instructions.
…
"System, scan the data for Magikarp and Feebas."
With matters regarding the Tsuchihara Family settled, Ash turned his attention back to the two Pokémon in the water basin.
[Pokémon: Shiny Magikarp]
Level: LV.5
Type: Water
Nature: Timid
Ability: Swift Swim
Hidden Ability: Rattled (inactive)
HP: 26
Attack: 13
Defense: 72
Sp. Atk: 19
Sp. Def: 26
Speed: 104
Total: 260
Potential: Blue (Perfect)
Moves (Copyable):
Unfamiliar (1/100): Splash
Ash glanced through the Shiny Magikarp's data.
Level LV.5.
Moveset: Splash only.
Exactly as expected.
However, as a Shiny Pokémon, its potential was outstanding—Blue. While it still couldn't compare to Frogadier or Pikachu, it had already surpassed Pidgeotto in raw potential.
Thanks to its exceptional talent, this Shiny Magikarp possessed dual abilities, just like Frogadier, Pikachu, and Pidgeotto—Swift Swim plus the hidden ability Rattled, though the latter had not yet been activated.
…
[Pokémon: Shiny Feebas]
Level: LV.5
Type: Water
Nature: Inferiority
Ability: Swift Swim
Hidden Ability: Adaptability
HP: 26
Attack: 19
Defense: 26
Sp. Atk: 13
Sp. Def: 72
Speed: 104
Total: 260
Potential: Blue (Perfect)
Moves (Copyable):
Unfamiliar (1/100): Splash
After reviewing Shiny Feebas's data, Ash nodded thoughtfully.
Just like Shiny Magikarp—LV.5, Splash only, Blue potential, dual abilities.
Even more striking was that both Pokémon had identical total base stats: 260.
Under normal circumstances, Magikarp and Feebas both had base stat totals of 200.
Yet these two Shiny Pokémon exceeded the average by a full 60 points.
That number was outrageous—borderline terrifying.
For early-stage Pokémon, being sixty points above the species average was almost unheard of.
Even if Ash's future training were merely average, as long as that surplus was inherited during evolution—
Gyarados: 540 + 60 = 600
Milotic: 540 + 60 = 600
That already placed them firmly at pseudo-legendary tier.
"No matter how you look at it… the Tsuchihara Family really spared no expense," Ash murmured.
"And I owe them a huge favor now."
"But since I've accepted it, I'll make sure to repay that favor properly during our cooperation."
Ash felt no regret.
To a Trainer, Pokémon were everything.
And Shiny Pokémon—especially ultra-rare species like Feebas—were things one might never encounter even once in a lifetime.
Although Ash possessed the Viridian Power and could gradually raise Pokémon potential, that process required time.
And for Ash, time was far more precious—and far scarcer—than he'd originally imagined.
…
Ash placed a call to a Pokémon food shop in Viridian City, ordering three days' worth of specialized Pokémon food for both Shiny Magikarp and Shiny Feebas, along with a large, high-quality glass aquarium.
By the time he finished handling matters related to the online shop, cooperation with Kanto's great families, the Team Rocket crisis, and Pikachu's training plans…
The sun was already noticeably slanting westward.
After an entire afternoon of nonstop work, Ash took his Pokémon outside for a walk.
Since Shiny Magikarp and Shiny Feebas had only just joined the team that afternoon—and had arrived as gifts from the Tsuchihara Family—
They weren't like Pikachu, bound to him by fate itself.
Nor were they like Pidgeotto, captured in open battle after a long period of contact and mutual understanding—and even saved by Ash's own hands.
Shiny Magikarp and Shiny Feebas lacked those deep emotional bonds.
Naturally, their affection toward Ash wasn't very high yet.
To help them integrate with him—and with the rest of the team—Ash carried them outside in a water basin instead of keeping them inside Poké Balls.
Letting Pokémon stay outside their Poké Balls and spending time together was the most effective—and lowest-cost—way to deepen bonds.
As Ash walked into the evening light with his Pokémon by his side, the foundations of something far greater were quietly being laid.
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T/N:
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