Tsuchihara Hiken and Katsuta were both helmsmen and core pillars of a major family. Naturally, they wouldn't lose their composure or take offense over a few words from Ash—this much grace, they certainly possessed.
Moreover, they hadn't come today to negotiate business at all.
They had come to offer a gift—to mend relations and build goodwill with Ash.
"Ha ha ha…"
A broad, sincere smile spread across Tsuchihara Hiken's plump face as he laughed heartily.
"Ash, my young friend, you truly are remarkable. At your age, this old man was still playing on a Game Boy. Yet here you are—starting your own business, and succeeding at it no less."
Ash scratched his head lightly, putting on a modest expression.
"Not really… I still have a lot to learn."
"I once read a book detailing the rise of the Tsuchihara Family," Ash continued smoothly.
"Clan Head Tsuchihara built his fortune through Magikarp, and in less than ten years elevated the family into one of the top powers in Kanto. In the world of business, Clan Head Tsuchihara is truly a role model worthy of admiration. I still have much to learn from you."
Seeing that Tsuchihara Hiken and Katsuta still hadn't revealed the true purpose of this call, Ash likewise made no mention of how the Tsuchihara Family had previously undercut him, nor of the current business surrounding Magikarp learning Tackle.
Having lived two lives, Ash might dislike this brand of oily social maneuvering—but that didn't mean he was incapable of it. For now, he calmly played along, trading polite compliments and commercial flattery.
"Ash, you're far too humble," Tsuchihara Hiken replied with a chuckle.
When he saw that his praise hadn't made Ash lose his head, but instead earned him a graceful counter-compliment, Tsuchihara Hiken couldn't help but mutter inwardly:
What a little fox.
Knowing that further pleasantries would lead nowhere, Tsuchihara Hiken finally steered the conversation toward the real matter.
"Ash, as you know, the Tsuchihara Family has always specialized in breeding and selling Magikarp. Your breakthrough—allowing Magikarp to learn Tackle—has fundamentally changed how trainers and the public perceive Magikarp. You've altered the fate of the entire species."
"To celebrate this monumental discovery—and also on behalf of Magikarp themselves—the Tsuchihara Family would like to present you with a congratulatory and thank-you gift."
So that was it.
A gift?
Not business… but a gift first?
Ash froze for a brief moment, then quickly understood.
"Thank you for your kindness, Clan Head Tsuchihara," Ash said seriously, shaking his head.
"But I cannot accept gifts without merit. I truly appreciate the sentiment, but the gift itself—I must refuse."
Ash understood all too well that accepting a gift meant owing a favor. Naturally, he rejected it outright.
"How could this be without merit?" Tsuchihara Hiken replied calmly.
"Your research allowing Magikarp to learn Tackle—that alone is merit beyond measure."
"And Ash, you also know that our family's business has flourished thanks to this breakthrough. In truth, our success is built upon your shoulders."
"This gift is not only Magikarp's gratitude toward you, but also the Tsuchihara Family's thanks. Please, Ash—do not decline again."
Ash hesitated.
"Why not take a look at the gift first?" Tsuchihara Hiken pressed gently.
"If it doesn't suit your taste, then you may refuse."
Before Ash could respond, Tsuchihara Hiken clapped his hands lightly.
Beside him, Katsuta—who had remained mostly silent—lifted a translucent basin that looked as if it had been carved from white jade, holding it up to the camera.
Through the video feed, Ash finally saw the gift.
The gift was not the jade basin itself—
but what lay inside it.
Two Pokémon.
Or more precisely—two fish.
"…This is—?!"
Ash's eyes widened, his mouth falling open in shock.
Inside the basin swam a Magikarp and a Feebas.
But their colors were completely wrong.
A normal Magikarp's scales are red—
yet this one shimmered in pure gold.
A normal Feebas has dull, earthy-yellow scales with blue fins and scattered brown blotches—
but this one possessed deep purple scales, reminiscent of some cosmic being, with fins tinted a cold, ashen gray.
From Tsuchihara Hiken and Katsuta's sincere expressions, Ash knew there was no deception here.
These were real.
Two Shiny Pokémon.
"Stop—!" Ash exclaimed, his voice sharp as he forced himself back to reason.
"Clan Head Tsuchihara, Mr. Katsuta—this gift is far too valuable. I cannot accept it!"
Magikarp might be the most numerous Pokémon in the world, but due to the difficulty of raising one into Gyarados, it was often mocked as useless.
Feebas, though equally difficult to raise, was extremely rare—and capable of evolving into the breathtaking Milotic.
From a trainer's perspective, however, Magikarp was never worthless.
In terms of potential, Magikarp and Feebas were equals—just as Gyarados and Milotic both possessed a base stat total of 540.
Gyarados could Mega Evolve, making it invaluable to trainers.
Milotic, unmatched in beauty, was treasured by Coordinators.
And these weren't ordinary Pokémon.
They were Shiny.
Their value already rivaled that of pseudo-legendary offspring.
In other words—
The Tsuchihara Family was offering Ash two pseudo-legendary–level gifts.
It was too much.
So much so that Ash didn't want to refuse…
couldn't bear to refuse.
Tsuchihara Hiken, seasoned by decades of experience, immediately saw Ash's burning desire and inner struggle. Knowing the deal was all but sealed, he pressed on gently:
"Ash, our Tsuchihara Family has traded for generations. Few among us possess outstanding Trainer talent. These Shiny Pokémon would only go to waste in our hands."
"Only someone like you—someone with extraordinary Trainer talent, someone destined to stand at the peak of the Pokémon world—deserves companions like these."
His words landed softly…
yet with irresistible weight.
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