Basic attribute training was never about evenly developing all six stats—HP, Attack, Defense, Special Attack, Special Defense, and Speed.
Instead, it was about making deliberate choices, setting clear priorities based on each Pokémon's role and positioning.
And that positioning differed from Pokémon to Pokémon.
…
For Frogadier, its current strengths clearly lay in physical attack, special attack, and speed.
Once it eventually evolved into its final form, Greninja, its offensive stats would become well-balanced—both physical and special attack soaring past the hundred mark—while its Speed would remain its most outstanding trait, averaging around 122.
A ninja that wasn't fast… would be a joke.
So Frogadier's training direction was obvious:
Dual-blade build.
Physical Attack – core
Special Attack – core
Speed – absolute core among cores
HP, Defense, and Special Defense weren't neglected, but they were treated as supporting stats, receiving only routine training to ensure Frogadier didn't become too fragile.
…
Compared to Frogadier's dual-offense route, Pikachu's development path was far more straightforward.
As a pure Electric-type, Pikachu naturally followed a high-speed, high-burst strategy.
Speed – priority
Special Attack – priority
Even with its absurd 6×100 Mythical-tier stat panel, reality still applied:
Pikachu's small body frame meant it would never rival large, heavy physical attackers in raw physical strength or durability.
But that didn't mean its other stats were useless.
That 6×100 stat distribution wasn't decorative.
HP (100):
Ordinary Pikachu would gas out after a few Thunderbolts.
With this stamina, Pikachu wouldn't collapse after firing off a handful of big moves.
Physical Attack:
With a bit of training, moves like Quick Attack, Iron Tail, or Wild Charge wouldn't just tickle opponents—they'd hit hard.
Physical Defense:
Normal Pikachu was notoriously fragile.
With 100 base Defense, even modest training meant it could now withstand physical hits instead of being blown away instantly—though it still wouldn't compare to tanks like Golem, Steelix, or Cloyster.
These secondary attributes didn't need intense focus—just consistent maintenance.
….
As for Pidgeotto, its role was clearly that of a speed-based attacker.
Speed was non-negotiable.
Attack followed closely behind.
Throughout the Pidgey evolutionary line—Pidgey, Pidgeotto, and eventually Pidgeot—stats were fairly balanced, but physical attack naturally surpassed special attack.
That was why most Trainers chose to raise physical attackers when training Pidgeot.
But Ash knew better.
He knew about Mega Pidgeot.
After Mega Evolution, Special Attack skyrocketed to 135, completely surpassing physical attack.
So why would he foolishly focus on physical offense now?
For Pidgeotto, the correct path was:
Speed – primary
Special Attack – primary
Physical attack only needed basic upkeep.
Flying-types had natural aerial superiority.
Maintaining distance, harassing, and kiting enemies to death was far more efficient.
Why abandon those advantages to brawl head-on?
Pidgeotto wasn't Skarmory, Corviknight, or Braviary.
After carefully sorting out each Pokémon's development path, Ash summarized:
Pikachu: Speed, Special Attack
Pidgeotto: Speed, Special Attack
Frogadier: Speed, Special Attack, Physical Attack
With the priorities clearly defined, designing corresponding training tasks became easy.
Ash didn't even need to browse the web or study other Trainers' methods—this kind of planning now came naturally to him.
…
Once the base attribute training plans were finalized and revised, Ash immediately moved on to skill training.
If base training was about stabilizing rapid growth, then skill training was about controlling and refining newly gained power.
Thanks to the Ascension Trainer System's Skill Proficiency module, improving move mastery was relatively straightforward.
But Ash wasn't satisfied with merely increasing proficiency.
What he cared about more was skill architecture—how each Pokémon's moves complemented one another.
Take Frogadier's Hidden Ability: Protean.
Without a wide variety of attribute-based moves, Protean's true power couldn't be unleashed.
To instantly change typing—reducing incoming damage on defense or maximizing output on offense—Frogadier needed diverse coverage.
Similarly:
Pikachu, built for speed and burst, needed moves that amplified mobility and explosive damage.
Pidgeotto, built for agile offense, needed skills that maximized aerial dominance and speed-based pressure.
That was the meaning of a complete move framework.
------
Just as Ash finished revising the plans—
"Ash, the Tsuchihara Family contacted me again. They want a video call. Should I connect it? ~Rotom"
Ash paused.
"The Tsuchihara Family, huh… They finally couldn't hold back anymore. I thought they were content selling Magikarp forever."
"A video call?"
He chuckled lightly.
"Alright. I'm free now anyway. Connect it, Rotom."
"Roger~Rotom!"
Rotom slipped out of the phone and possessed the computer in front of Ash.
-----
Seafoam Island · Tsuchihara Family Estate
Inside the office, Katsuta Tsuchihara had tried contacting Ash multiple times earlier in the day, only to be politely deflected by Rotom.
But he hadn't given up.
After learning that every other major family had negotiated directly with Ash's family head present, Katsuta took a risk—dragging along his uncle Tsuchihara Hiken, the head of the Tsuchihara Family, despite knowing he might get scolded afterward.
After several failed attempts, the call finally connected.
….
"Clan Head Tsuchihara, Mr. Katsuta—my apologies."
Ash spoke first, smiling.
"After the Magikarp Tackle Training Service officially launched this afternoon, I've been flooded with calls from various factions about cooperation."
"Mr. Katsuta called earlier, but I was tied up at the time. I only just freed up now—sorry to keep you waiting."
"May I ask… what brings the two of you to call me today?"
Ash spoke politely, yet casually slipped in a subtle reminder of his current popularity and leverage, before calmly asking their purpose—as if he truly had no idea why they were calling.
The game…
had officially begun.
--------------
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