Fortunately for Goh, Ash's attention wasn't on him right now.
Because if Ash had been using Goh as a training target for his Aura Perception, and happened to sense the jealousy bubbling inside him…
Ash might have already sentenced him to death.
Ash was especially sensitive to the idea of someone trying to "replace" him.
Anyone else could have that thought. But Goh? Even thinking it silently was off-limits.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You defeated LV.5 Machop and gained 50 EXP.]
[Froakie meets the level-up condition. Level up to LV.6!]
"Leveled up again? Great."
Ash smiled brightly as he watched Froakie's level tick upward once more.
The other campers still believed Froakie was on par with the Pokémon they received—but after two consecutive battles, its strength had already outpaced their teams without anyone realizing it.
"Originally, I just wanted to win five matches…" Ash scanned the crowd of campers surrounding the battlefield.
His gaze suddenly sharpened.
"But now, it looks like I should battle everyone."
These students?
To Ash, they were all walking experience packs—perfect opponents to help Froakie keep leveling up.
"Anyone else want to face me next?"
Ash's fighting spirit blazed as he looked around, eyes gleaming, openly challenging the entire camp.
"I'll go!"
"I'll be your opponent!"
As soon as Ash spoke, a boy wearing a pale striped long-sleeve under a green short-sleeved shirt stepped forward with confidence.
Ash's earlier two wins were clean and impressive—but that didn't scare off the others.
At their age, fear wasn't in their vocabulary.
"I'm Rento from Fuchsia City, and my partner is this guy!"
He threw his Poké Ball with a dramatic shout.
"Go! Venonat!"
Pop!
A round, fuzzy purple Pokémon appeared on the field. It had large red compound eyes like pomegranate seeds, white antennae, and twitchy little limbs. It looked like a ball of purple yarn with bug legs.
"Vena~nat!"
The energetic Pokémon bounced in place, calling out playfully at Froakie.
"A Bug and Poison type…" Ash's eyes lit up with curiosity.
"System, scan this opponent for me."
In his mind, Ash activated his Ascension Trainer System, and Venonat's data instantly appeared before his eyes:
[Pokémon: Venonat]
Level: 5
Type: Bug, Poison
Nature: Jolly
Ability: Compound Eyes
Potential: [Green]
Skills (Copyable):
· [Skilled]: Tackle, Supersonic (26/500)
· [Novice]: Disable (8/100)
"Ohhh… so that's why he's so confident."
Ash narrowed his eyes, analyzing the data.
Compared to the Machop and Fletchling he'd faced earlier, this Venonat was much trickier.
It not only had two control-type moves, it even had higher skill mastery.
If Froakie had been assigned to any other camper, Ash estimated their odds of winning this match wouldn't be more than fifty percent.
"But too bad for you… Froakie's under my command."
Ash closed the system panel and smirked as he met the other boy's smug expression.
"If you think two control moves are enough to beat my Froakie—then you're seriously underestimating me."
By now, both Pokémon were on the field and ready.
The referee raised his hand without hesitation and shouted:
"Battle—begin!"
"Let's go, Rento!"
"You've got this, Ash!!"
From the edges of the forest camp, friends and roommates cheered loudly, creating a lively, electric atmosphere.
But while the crowd roared with excitement, Ash remained laser-focused, completely locked into the battle.
His opponent, Rento, was flushed with adrenaline—his cheeks red with excitement.
Without a second thought, he shouted just like a Trainer on TV:
"Venonat! Use Supersonic on Froakie!"
"Veeenaa!"
Venonat buzzed as its eyes lit up and its mandibles opened wide.
But Ash was ready.
He had delayed his first move on purpose—to observe the opponent's tactics.
As soon as he heard the command, he reacted instantly.
"Froakie! Plug your ears with Frubbles!"
His calm, commanding voice echoed through the camp, his amber eyes glowing with sharp insight.
"Froa!!"
Before the ultrasonic waves reached him, Froakie had already taken action—pinching two blobs of Frubbles and stuffing them into his ears.
The tiny bubbles layered within the Mousse filtered the soundwaves, reducing them to harmless static.
The same Supersonic attack that made the nearby Pokémon flinch and panic…
didn't affect Froakie at all.
Not even a hint of confusion.
"Wh-what?!"
Rento's confident grin cracked. His jaw dropped.
He had been so sure Supersonic would work.
"Now it's our turn."
Ash didn't gloat, didn't smirk. His face remained calm, sharp, and alert.
The moment he saw his opponent stunned, Ash seized the opening.
"Froakie—use Frubbles to attack!"
"Froa!"
Froakie instantly complied, launching the sticky Mousse toward Venonat with pinpoint accuracy.
"Crap!"
Snapping out of his daze, Rento scrambled to respond.
"Venonat—use Disable!"
Boom!
But before Venonat could channel the move, the Frubbles splatted directly onto its face, coating its compound eyes and mandibles.
"Wha—?! I saw it light up! Venonat did use Disable! So why didn't it work?!"
Rento was stunned, unable to accept what had just happened.
Ash calmly explained:
"Disable seals the opponent's move—but it activates after the target attacks. It's a reactive skill. If you don't know how the timing works, it's easy to waste it."
"Also— Frubbles isn't even a move."
Ash's tone was flat, almost bored. But before the other boy could process that…
He gave the final order.
"Froakie—finish it with Bubble!"
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T/N:
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