The Tsuchihara Family had risen to prominence by trading Magikarp. As their influence expanded, their mission shifted toward breeding high-potential Magikarp, hoping to one day produce Magikarp that were born already knowing Tackle.
After years of breeding Magikarp, the family itself seemed to have taken on the Pokémon's traits. If the younger clan members were Magikarp, then Tsuchihara Hiken—the family head—was the lone Gyarados towering over the school.
A man obsessed with creating a true Gyarados legion, Tsuchihara Hiken looked at his clan's so-called "Magikarp" and felt nothing but frustration—hatred born of unfulfilled expectations.
Fortunately, while these "Magikarp" were shortsighted, they still feared and obeyed their "Gyarados" leader without question.
…
"Uncle, please calm down. This was indeed our mistake—mine and my brothers'," a young man stood up and said guiltily.
"We may not possess your foresight or authority, Uncle, but our love for the family is no less than yours."
"We know how the Kanto upper circles secretly mock and look down on the Tsuchihara Family. That's why we sold Magikarp to them—we wanted to raise our family's voice and status among Kanto's elite."
"Our intentions were for the family's good… even if our methods were flawed."
"What we should have done wasn't currying favor with those arrogant great families for petty profit, nor offending Ash over short-term gains."
"What we should've done was seize this opportunity properly—build goodwill with Ash and secure the greatest possible benefit for our family."
…
"Formal settings—address me as Clan Head," Tsuchihara Hiken corrected calmly, then sighed.
"As a family dedicated to Magikarp breeding, we should have held the greatest advantage in this entire affair. If we'd partnered with Ash the moment he announced the trial orders, Kanto's great families would already be looking at us differently—rather than laughing at us behind our backs."
"Still… while we've lost the initiative, the key opportunity hasn't changed."
"Ash holds the power to alter our family's fate."
"What we must do now is repair our relationship with him. We don't need preferential treatment—but we cannot remain excluded like this."
…
"Then… Clan Head, what should we do?"
"We took profits that should have belonged to Ash. Since we broke the rules, we now repay them—in full, or more. If it repairs relations, it's worth any cost."
"You mean… transfer money to him?"
"Foolish. Ash no longer lacks money. And some matters must never be stated outright—doing so only disgraces both sides."
"We send a grand gift first. No contracts. Just congratulations."
"Congratulate him for creating a method that allows Magikarp to learn Tackle—for giving Magikarp a chance to change their destiny."
"As the family devoted to Magikarp, we thank him on Magikarp's behalf—and thank him for the development opportunity he's given the Tsuchihara Family."
"Once he accepts the gift and is willing to cooperate, then we discuss contracts. Any money you mentioned earlier can be folded into future order prices."
"At prices far above those of other families."
…
"Clan Head… brilliant!"
"Then what gift do we send?"
"Ash lacks neither money nor resources. We possess no rare items worth his attention."
"So—we gift Pokémon."
"The Tsuchihara Family breeds Magikarp. Then we present Ash with an ultra–high-potential Magikarp."
"Didn't we recently produce an exceptional Shiny Magikarp? That's the one we send."
…
"What?! That Shiny Magikarp is the highest-potential Magikarp our family has ever bred!"
Tsuchihara Hiken chuckled softly.
"So what? It still doesn't know Tackle."
"Remember this well—we aim to breed Magikarp born with Tackle, not merely shiny or high-potential ones."
"And we currently lack a Trainer worthy of unlocking that Shiny Magikarp's true value. Keeping it only wastes its talent."
"If Ash accepts it and relations are restored, the benefits we gain will far outweigh this loss."
"That Shiny Magikarp will symbolize friendship with the Tsuchihara Family. Every time Ash sees it, he'll remember us—and that is invaluable."
…
"Our rise has been too recent. Aside from wealth, we lack everything."
"Creating Magikarp born with Tackle secures our survival. Turning a Magikarp family into a Gyarados family secures our status."
"But to truly establish roots, we must cultivate powerful Trainers."
"For a prodigy like Ash, building goodwill brings nothing but long-term benefit."
"Do you understand?"
…
"Yes, Clan—no… Uncle. I understand."
"And if this is an apology and a friendship offering, then one Shiny Magikarp may not be enough."
"Recently, someone acquired a Shiny Feebas in Hoenn."
"Why not send both?"
"If we give a gift—then we give one he cannot refuse."
Tsuchihara Hiken burst into laughter, pride flashing across his face.
"Good. Very good. Handle this personally."
"Yes, Uncle!"
"Haha—call me Uncle. It sounds better."
"Yes, Uncle!"
The Tsuchihara Family had finally understood:
To seize destiny, sometimes you must first bow—and offer everything.
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