Starter Pokémon evolve differently from ordinary Pokémon that simply evolve as their level increases.
Take Pidgeotto, for example.
According to Pokémon encyclopedias and Pokédex records, Pidgeotto evolves into Pidgeot at LV.36.
However, the samples used for these studies mostly came from wild Pokémon—Pokémon that had never been trained by a human Trainer.
In their natural state, a wild Pidgeotto would indeed need to reach LV.36 before its physical attributes met the requirements for evolution.
But if a Pidgeotto were captured and carefully trained by a Trainer, it could usually evolve much earlier, sometimes around LV.30.
In other words, the conclusion that "Pidgeotto evolves into Pidgeot at LV.36" contained quite a bit of variation.
Starter Pokémon were different.
Since the establishment of the Pokémon League, the Water-, Fire-, and Grass-type Pokémon chosen as regional starters had remained mostly unchanged.
When researchers studied their evolution levels, the samples came mainly from Pokémon raised by Trainers, not wild specimens.
Therefore, the commonly accepted conclusion—that starter Pokémon evolve into their final forms at around LV.36—was far more accurate.
It was extremely rare for a Trainer to raise a starter Pokémon so well that it evolved into its final form before LV.30.
Ash's Frogadier was a special case.
Born under the favor of the Kalos region's destiny, it carried a sacred mission—to one day help save Kalos from a devastating catastrophe.
Because of this, its natural talent was extraordinarily high.
And Ash himself possessed incredible skill as a Trainer.
Even so, Frogadier had not evolved early.
Instead, it had waited until LV.37 before finally evolving.
"Whoa!!!"
"This is the second time!"
"This is the second time one of Ash's Pokémon has evolved after a battle in the City Arena!"
"The first time was when Spearow evolved into Fearow!"
"And now—Frogadier is evolving!"
The commentator's voice rang out in excitement.
"You should know that starter Pokémon usually evolve around LV.36!"
"That means Ash's Frogadier has already reached at least LV.36!"
"That's unbelievable!"
The commentator quickly continued analyzing:
"LV.01–15: Beginner Tier
LV.16–30: Intermediate Tier
LV.31–40: Advanced Tier
LV.41–50: Elite Tier"
"LV.36 is already extremely close to the Elite Tier!"
"Once Frogadier evolves into its final form, it will soon step into Elite-level strength!"
"That means Ash has trained an Elite-tier Pokémon in less than three months since receiving his starter!"
"What kind of monstrous training talent is that?!"
"No wonder people call him The Light of Kanto and the future Indigo League Champion!"
"Ash!!"
"Ash!!"
"Light of Kanto!!"
"Light of Kanto!!"
The crowd exploded into a frenzy.
A six-year-old child, who had only received his starter Pokémon a few months ago, had already raised a Pokémon close to Elite Tier.
The audience erupted into waves of excited cheers.
Across the battlefield, the Thunderstorm Brothers stared at the evolving Pokémon in shock, their eyes wide and mouths hanging open.
They had only just reached the Advanced Tier themselves.
Yet Ash had already surpassed that stage and was approaching the level of an Elite Trainer.
Comparisons really do kill.
Frogadier's evolution didn't take long.
Under the gaze and cheers of thousands of spectators, its body—wrapped in brilliant white light—began to stretch and grow stronger.
Its frame became taller and more powerful.
Within seconds, the evolution was complete.
The light faded.
Standing on the battlefield was a Pokémon that looked somewhat similar to Frogadier—but far more imposing.
Greninja.
Greninja stood upright on two legs like a warrior.
Most of its body was covered in dark blue skin, while its chest and abdomen were bright yellow.
Its wide webbed hands were perfectly suited for both combat and swimming.
And its long pink tongue, wrapped around its neck like a scarf, gave it a mysterious ninja-like appearance.
Overall, Greninja looked exactly like its name suggested—
A stealthy and agile ninja, capable of striking silently from the shadows.
"Wow!!"
"So that's Frogadier's final evolution?!"
"It's so cool!"
"What's this Pokémon called?"
Someone quickly searched on their phone.
"I found it!"
"Greninja, huh? That name sounds awesome!"
"Seriously! I never expected the Kalos Water-type starter line to look this cool!"
"It's way cooler than our Kanto Water starter's final evolution, Blastoise!"
"Haha, that's true!"
The audience continued chatting excitedly.
…
On the battlefield, Ash looked at Greninja with a bright smile.
"Congratulations, Greninja."
"You finally evolved."
As its Trainer, Ash spoke warmly.
"Croak."
Greninja nodded.
Its eyes curved into gentle crescents.
Although it had evolved into its final form and grown much stronger, Greninja's trust and closeness toward Ash had not diminished at all.
Which made perfect sense.
Greninja had been the very first Pokémon Ash personally trained from the beginning.
They trained together.
Ate together.
Even slept nearby during travel.
Ash rarely kept it inside a Poké Ball, allowing it to remain by his side most of the time.
The bond between them had long reached a level that others could only admire with envy.
"System," Ash said quietly in his mind.
"Check Greninja's data."
[Pokémon: Greninja]
Level: LV.39
Type: Water / Dark
Nature: Serious, Gentle, Strong sense of Justice
Ability: Torrent, Protean
(Ethereal-Gifted Ability: Bond Transformation)
HP: 72
Attack: 95
Defense: 67
Special Attack: 103
Special Defense: 71
Speed: 122
Total: 530
Potential: Purple +6.7%
(Favored by the destiny of the Kalos region, carrying the sacred mission of saving Kalos during a future catastrophe.)
Moves (Copyable):
Mastered (1/5000):
Water Shuriken, Aqua Ring, Water Pulse, Quick Attack, Rain Dance, Smokescreen
Proficient (1/1000):
Pound, Bubble, Growl, Lick, Round, Mud Sport, Grass Knot, Fling, Smack Down, Toxic Spikes, Spikes, Haze, U-turn
Skilled (1/500):
Low Kick, Extrasensory, Aerial Ace, Smack Down, Pursuit
Novice (1/100):
Night Slash, Role Play, Mat Block, Shadow Sneak, Sucker Punch
…
Ash looked at the system panel with satisfaction.
His Greninja—
Had finally been born.
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