"Grass and Poison are both heavily countered by a lot of types."
"And there are also many types that resist Grass and Poison attacks."
"If Bulbasaur wants to stand on its own in future battles, then learning how to fight through unfavorable matchups—and even win against them—will be absolutely essential."
"Therefore, the next stage of Bulbasaur's training will focus on building a solid foundation."
"Once that foundation is complete, it can begin serious level training and start constructing its move framework."
Looking at the newly added Bulbasaur page in his notebook, Ash couldn't help showing a satisfied smile.
Bulbasaur's talent was only Blue Potential.
Higher than Fearow.
Comparable to Pidgeot.
But still lower than Pikachu, Greninja, Gyarados, and Milotic.
Yet in Ash's eyes, Bulbasaur would undoubtedly become one of his future ace Pokémon.
Its importance far exceeded what most people would imagine.
Of course, there was another issue.
In the original anime, Bulbasaur had never wanted to evolve.
Whether that had been Pikachu's influence or simply because the original Ash had indulged it, Ash wasn't entirely sure.
But now that Bulbasaur belonged to him...
Remaining forever in its unevolved form wasn't an option.
"Still..."
Ash glanced toward the corner of the room.
Bulbasaur was currently playing with Pikachu.
"It's only just joined the team."
"No need to rush the evolution issue."
"I'll slowly guide it."
"Create the right environment."
"And let it come to understand the value of evolution naturally."
Ash quietly made up his mind.
After all, some things couldn't be forced.
...
"Pidgeot."
"I'm going to do my psychic training now."
"Take me for a flight."
After finishing the training plans for all of his Pokémon, Ash went downstairs, greeted his mother, and headed out into the yard with Pidgeot.
Looking back on the trip to Cerulean City, Ash realized that his greatest gain hadn't been winning the Water-Type Pokémon Beauty Contest.
Nor had it been Gyarados and Milotic evolving.
It wasn't the successful patent application for the Remote Capture System.
And it wasn't even the publication of Feebas's beauty guidebook.
No.
His greatest gain had been discovering the correct way to use the Listening to All Things Meditation Method.
Originally, the growth rate of his Aura powers had been relatively slow.
But after discovering the true usage of the meditation technique and combining it with the Dream Law Imprint obtained through his divine contract with Mew—
Everything had changed.
Even now, with his Aura already at Level 32, two hours of daily meditation still resulted in approximately two full levels of growth every day.
According to his original plans, Aura development training would begin once he reached Level 36.
At this rate—
That goal was only a few days away.
"Pidgeot~"
In the yard, Pidgeot lowered its body.
After Ash climbed onto its back and settled into position, the majestic bird spread its wings and soared into the night sky.
The true essence of the Listening to All Things Meditation Method was simple.
One had to travel.
One had to hear the countless voices of the world.
One had to listen to as many different sounds as possible.
Most practitioners did this while journeying from place to place.
But Ash's method was completely different.
His Sky-Wandering Meditation fully unleashed the potential of the technique.
Perhaps not even the person who originally created the Listening to All Things Meditation Method would have imagined it could be used like this.
...
Pidgeot possessed an exceptionally steady temperament.
Knowing that Ash was meditating and shouldn't be disturbed, it flew smoothly and silently through the night.
Sitting upon Pidgeot's broad back, Ash felt the cool night wind brush against his face.
The peaceful darkness allowed him to enter a meditative state almost instantly.
His body relaxed.
His mind emptied.
Then—
His ears seemed to transform into receivers.
Gathering every sound around him.
The voices of Pallet Town residents chatting while preparing dinner.
The sound of flowing water from nearby streams.
The rustling of wild Pokémon moving through grass and bushes.
The mournful cries of the wind sweeping across open fields.
Countless sounds.
Countless voices.
None of them held any practical meaning.
Yet when gathered together through the meditation technique, they became fuel.
Fuel that nourished and strengthened his Aura.
Two hours passed in the blink of an eye.
Within the gray consciousness space of his meditation, the magnificent landscape formed from countless sounds gradually melted like snow beneath the sun.
The beautiful scene dissolved into pure, pale-blue liquid.
Then flowed downward.
Merging into the vast Aura lake below that resembled a perfect mirror reflecting the heavens.
The meditation session was complete.
"Pidgeot."
"Let's head back."
Ash gently patted Pidgeot's shoulder.
"Pidgeot~"
(Got it.)
The bird Pokémon immediately turned around and began flying back toward Pallet Town.
"System."
"Show me my status panel."
As they flew homeward, Ash opened his personal information screen.
"Ding. Scanning. Please wait..."
Ascension Trainer System (Severely Damaged)
Host: Ash
Gender: Male
Age: 6
Strength: 13 (Average adult: 10)
Stamina: 12 (Average adult: 10)
Intelligence: 19 (Average adult: 10)
Charm: 28 (Average adult: 10)
Pokémon
First Tier
Pikachu LV.44
Greninja LV.44
Pidgeot LV.43
Fearow LV.41
Second Tier
Shiny Gyarados LV.23
Shiny Milotic LV.23
Third Tier
Bulbasaur LV.14
Items
Soothe Bell
Divine Catalyst Ring
Green Pearl Bracer
Light Ball (fused with Pikachu)
Quick Claw
Sharp Beak (fused with Fearow)
Scope Lens
Razor Claw
Razor Fang
Wide Lens
…
"As expected."
A pleased smile appeared on Ash's face.
"My Aura level increased by another two levels."
He was getting closer and closer to the target outlined in his development plan.
...
The day's Aura training was complete.
Returning home, Ash reflected on everything that had happened.
In the morning, he had traveled back from Cerulean City to Viridian City.
In the afternoon, he had entered Viridian Forest with Clarissa to capture Oddish.
Then they had stumbled upon the Pokémon Sanctuary.
Met Melanie.
Captured Bulbasaur and Gloom.
And dealt with a whole series of unexpected events.
All in all, it had been an incredibly busy day.
Tonight, Ash didn't stay up chatting with his mother or watching television.
After taking a shower, he wished Delia good night.
Then he sent good-night messages to:
Serena.
Clarissa.
And Misty.
Earlier that evening, while purchasing Melanie's work phone and laptop in Viridian City, Ash had also stopped by the Pokémon Market District.
There, he had bought everything Bulbasaur would need.
Grass-type Pokémon food.
Poison-type Pokémon food.
Food dishes.
Bathing and grooming supplies.
And a soft sleeping cushion.
Now, after the lights were turned off and the room fell quiet—
Bulbasaur lay peacefully on its new cushion beside Ash's bed.
The newest member of the team had officially settled into its new home.
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T/N:
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