There were two ways to use Pokémon items.
The first was to wear them externally, like accessories.
The second was to integrate them into the body.
Each method had its own advantages and disadvantages.
1. External Equipment (Worn Items)
Advantages:
Can be freely equipped and removed
Can be shared and rotated among different Pokémon
Highly flexible
Disadvantages:
Risk of being lost, stolen, or taken by force
Lower level of bonding, meaning the item's power cannot be fully utilized
…
2. Internal Integration (Fused Items)
Advantages:
Allows the item's power to be fully unleashed
Cannot be lost or stolen
Disadvantages:
Permanently bound to the user
Cannot be removed unless the bearer dies
Cannot be shared with other Pokémon
Although Pokémon items were extremely valuable, Ash's current financial strength meant that, in the future, every Pokémon on his team would have its own dedicated item.
He had no intention of making his Pokémon share equipment like hand-me-downs.
That kind of thing—
Was simply not his style.
But the real reason Ash chose to let Pikachu fuse with the Light Ball was much simpler.
The Light Ball was an exclusive item for the Pikachu evolutionary line.
Only Pikachu could truly unleash its full potential.
For other Pokémon, its effect was negligible—almost meaningless.
And since Ash had no intention of giving it to anyone else—
There was no need to keep it removable.
Moreover—
Pikachu was his starter Pokémon, and also the one with the highest potential on his team.
Letting it permanently fuse with the Light Ball was the most logical decision.
After two months of effort at the City Arena, obtaining the Light Ball marked a satisfying milestone for Ash.
-----
After leaving the arena, Gary headed toward the food street with his Pokémon to grab something to eat.
Meanwhile, Ash escorted Clarissa back to the Viridian City Pokémon Center.
"See you tomorrow, Clarissa."
Standing outside the Pokémon Center, Ash held Pikachu in his arms and waved goodbye with a smile.
"See you tomorrow, Ash."
Clarissa hugged Happiny gently and replied with a soft, sweet smile.
After saying goodbye, Ash retrieved his bicycle from the system storage.
With Pikachu—now equipped with its powerful new item—and the newly evolved Greninja accompanying him, he rode off toward the outskirts of Viridian City.
Ring—ring—
The crisp sound of the bicycle bell echoed through the evening air.
His figure gradually faded into the golden glow of the setting sun.
-----
Outside the Pokémon Center—
Clarissa stood quietly, just like she always did.
She watched in the direction Ash had left.
And she kept watching—
Until his figure completely disappeared from sight.
But today—
There was something different in her expression.
Alongside the usual feelings of anticipation, longing, and excitement for tomorrow—
There was also a trace of unease and sadness.
Ash had been training, studying, and interning at the Pokémon Center for over a month.
Longer than originally expected.
But now—
He had already learned everything there was to learn.
His skills in treating Pokémon injuries had become highly proficient.
"Tomorrow…"
"…is Ash's last day here."
After completing tomorrow's training and internship, Amelie would officially represent the Pokémon League Medical Division and grant Ash his medical certification.
After that—
He would no longer return here for training.
"What should I do…?"
Standing there, gazing at the empty street, Clarissa felt a quiet ache in her heart.
Her eyes dimmed slightly, filled with a faint sense of melancholy.
-----
Meanwhile—
Ash, already riding far away, had no idea what she was thinking.
Just like how he had been consistently battling at the City Arena every day to earn money—
He had also come to the Pokémon Center with a clear purpose.
To obtain his medical license.
And to gain the support and endorsement of the Joy family and the League's medical authority—
So he could officially open the clinic section of his online shop.
Now that his goal was about to be achieved—
There was no doubt about it.
Ash felt nothing but excitement and satisfaction.
…
As for Clarissa—
Ash didn't think too deeply about it.
Over the past month, they had studied, trained, and worked side by side.
Acting as doctor and nurse in the emergency room.
He had to admit—
Having someone like Clarissa as a partner made everything more enjoyable.
But in his heart—
Their relationship had always been carefully kept at the level of friends.
He had deliberately avoided letting it develop into anything more.
…
Soon, his training at the Pokémon Center would come to an end.
But Ash didn't feel any particular sense of loss.
After all—
Clarissa would still be working at the Pokémon Center.
And he could come back anytime.
For Pokémon Trainers, Pokémon Centers were places they frequently visited.
And they had already exchanged contact information.
So even after he stopped training there—
Their connection wouldn't disappear.
So what was there to feel troubled about?
Of course—
Men and women often viewed things differently.
For Ash—
The end of his training meant only one thing:
Excitement.
The clinic section of his online shop was about to launch.
His Pokémon were all highly talented.
With the help of the system, their strength was steadily—and even increasingly—growing.
But for Ash himself—
Things were different.
Because he only had two active clinics in Stone Bridge and Dashiwan Valley, the number of wild Pokémon he treated each day was limited.
As a result, the growth of his own Aura Powers had begun to slow.
And having grown accustomed to rapid progress—
This slower pace made him feel restless.
Even anxious.
He was eagerly anticipating the opening of the online clinic system.
Because unlike the slow spread of his reputation among wild Pokémon—
His fame in human society was spreading rapidly.
At present, Ash's title—
"The Light of Kanto" and "Future Indigo League Champion"
Was already well-known not only across Kanto—
But also in regions like Johto, the Orange Islands, and even beyond.
And with that—
A new stage of his journey—
Was about to begin.
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