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[Start of the chapter]
"Pika—CHU!!"
A piercing crackle of electricity, thick with hostility, slammed into him head-on! Golden arcs writhed wildly around Pikachu, and the air filled with that skin-prickling stench of ozone. The laboratory lights flickered violently, as if they might black out completely at any second.
Professor Oak took an instinctive half-step back and hurriedly shouted, "Ash, watch out! It's about to—"
But Ash moved faster than he did—and in a way no one expected.
He didn't do what the previous would-be Trainers had done: he didn't try to pull out an empty Poké Ball, didn't bark an order, and didn't retreat. In the split second before that raging bolt erupted, Ash made a move that left both Professor Oak and Pikachu frozen.
Instead of defending or stepping back, he suddenly stepped forward. His right arm shot straight out, palm open—yet not aimed directly at Pikachu, but slightly off to the side. At the same time, the Aura he had only just begun to grasp surged on its own, roaring into motion with an intensity he'd never felt before!
Hmm…
A pale-blue, semi-transparent, incredibly thin energy barrier condensed instantly in front of his palm. It wasn't large, but it formed precisely between Pikachu and him!
BZZZT—!!!
Thunderbolt detonated in a violent blast, slamming into that fragile Aura screen! The barrier shuddered hard, letting out an overloaded hum as hairline cracks spread across it in an instant—clearly unable to fully withstand an attack fueled by anger.
So my Aura still needs work.
The remaining current curled around the barrier and surged into Ash's body. The intense numbness and stabbing pain forced a muffled grunt from his throat; his body trembled, but he clenched his teeth and didn't take a single step back. The arm he held out didn't wobble even slightly. His gaze stayed clear and resolute, locked firmly on Pikachu, who looked momentarily stunned that its attack had been partially blocked.
"Pika?" Confusion flickered in Pikachu's tiny eyes. This human… was different. Why wasn't he scared? Why wasn't he using that hateful red-and-white ball?
"It's okay," Ash spoke. His voice was a little hoarse from the electricity, but it was unusually gentle—without a trace of blame. "I know you're scared. And angry. Being shut inside a ball, facing unfamiliar humans… that has to feel awful, right?"
He struggled to maintain what remained of the Aura barrier, while pushing even harder to send out emotions of understanding, reassurance, and absolute lack of malice—like the way he'd soothed that Sentret at summer camp, only now his target was countless times stronger and far more volatile.
"Look. I don't mean you any harm."
Very slowly—so slowly it was almost exaggerated—he withdrew his trembling arm, which still crackled with lingering sparks, as if any sudden movement might set Pikachu off again. Then, under Pikachu's wary stare, he reached into the side pocket of the backpack he'd prepared in advance.
Pikachu immediately arched its back again, electricity flaring at its cheeks.
But what Ash pulled out was neither a Poké Ball nor a weapon.
It was a bottle of… ketchup.
Professor Oak: "???"
Pikachu: "Pika…?"
Under the double-layered confusion of Pikachu and Professor Oak, Ash carefully poured a small, vivid puddle of ketchup onto the back of his own hand. Then he slowly extended his hand again, showing the ketchup-smeared knuckles to Pikachu, forcing his face into the friendliest smile he could manage.
"Try this. I think you'll like it."
As Ash-sama's loyal fan, he knew Pikachu had zero resistance to ketchup—this was exactly where his confidence came from.
Pikachu's nose twitched faintly. That bright red, sticky substance, giving off a strange sweet-and-sour smell… it seemed to spark a sliver of curiosity.
For the moment, instinctive curiosity and appetite pressed down its urge to attack—just a little.
It stayed cautious, but the electric glow on its cheeks weakened.
Ash held his breath and maintained the offered posture. His Aura ran at full power, pouring out the greatest goodwill and patience he could muster.
If this still didn't win Pikachu over, he could go find a block of tofu and slam his head into it.
Finally, Pikachu crept closer, stuck out its small red tongue, and quickly licked the ketchup on the back of Ash's hand.
It froze.
The next second—
"Pika-chu! (★ω★)"
Its eyes lit up brilliantly, and its tail gave a small, happy swish! The ketchup was clearly far beyond what it expected! It immediately licked several more times—then even wrapped both little paws around Ash's wrist, focusing wholeheartedly on this unexpected feast. The uneasy crackling electricity around it vanished without a trace.
Professor Oak stared from the side, dumbfounded, his jaw practically hitting the floor.
A problem that had plagued him for so long… got solved like this?
This kid is… unbelievable.
Ash watched Pikachu devour the ketchup on his hand and let out a long breath. A huge rush of achievement and warmth flooded his chest.
The first step—he'd made it through.
And at the exact moment his emotions surged and that first bond with Pikachu took shape, a cold, emotionless voice abruptly rang out deep in his mind:
[Detected initial bond between host and "destined protagonist-tier" partner "Pikachu." Energy threshold satisfied…]
[Detected host soul's special Aura frequency… matching…]
[Myriad Worlds Shop System binding successful! Welcome, the sole host.]
Ash jolted, his pupils tightening slightly. A system? A Myriad Worlds Shop?
[This shop connects to countless worlds. Use "World Essence" to exchange for items.]
[World Essence can be obtained through the following methods:]
[1. Interact with rare/legendary Pokémon.]
[2. Complete major historical event nodes or alter predetermined fate.]
[3. Accomplish special tasks randomly issued by the system.]
[4. Host's own strength increases significantly.]
[Initial World Essence granted: 100 points (binding reward). Please explore actively and strive to earn more World Essence.]
Immediately after, a sleek, high-tech, semi-transparent interface unfolded across his vision. Its categories were clear and orderly:
Pokémon World:
Poké Ball (red-and-white ball 100 points each, Great Ball 500, Ultra Ball 1000, Master Ball… 1,000,000?)
Potions, Full Restores, PP Restores…
Evolution stones (Thunder Stone 5000, Fire Stone 5000…)
Mega Stones (insufficient capability; locked)
Z-Crystals (insufficient capability; locked)
Dynamax Band (insufficient capability; locked)
Myriad Worlds:
Naruto: Military Rations Pill (200), Explosive Tag (500), Three Basic Techniques Scroll (5000)… Sharingan (one tomoe 100,000)
One Piece: Sea-Prism Stone Fragment (3000), Basic Combat Techniques Notes (8000)… Devil Fruits (Logia starting at 10,000,000)
Demon Slayer: Nichirin Blade (standard issue 5000), Breathing Style Fundamentals (Water/Thunder/Flame… 20,000 per style)
(More panels awaiting unlock…)
Host Status:
Name: Ash Ketchum
Physique: fairly sturdy (Aura reinforced—initial)
Special Ability: Aura (LV.1) — (can absorb and fuse other psychic/supernatural traits to level up)
World Essence Held: 100
Task List: [No current tasks]
Ash's heart pounded wildly. The flood of information battered his mind.
This system… wasn't as absurdly overpowered as he'd imagined, but it was absolutely practical.
Not only did it include items from the Pokémon world, it even allowed him to exchange for power systems from other worlds! And those Myriad Worlds systems could also be applied to Pokémon.
Sure, the high-end goods were outrageously expensive—but it had opened a door to infinite possibilities.
And the ways to earn "World Essence" lined up perfectly with his goal of traveling and changing fate.
"Ash? Ash? Are you okay?" Professor Oak's voice pulled him back to reality from the shock inside his head.
"Huh? Oh! I'm fine, Sensei! I'm great!" Ash snapped back, unable to stop the smile spreading across his face. He shook the hand Pikachu was still hugging and licking. "Look—it seems like it's accepted me."
"That's unbelievable…" Professor Oak pushed up his glasses and stepped closer, studying the now fully relaxed Pikachu. "You did with a bottle of ketchup what we couldn't do in months… Ash, you really were born for Pokémon."
"Maybe." Ash smiled and didn't explain anything about Aura or the system. He gently rubbed Pikachu's tail—an approach he'd learned.
Pikachu simply let out a comfortable "Pika," showing no resistance.
"Alright. Since you've earned its approval, it's your partner now."
Professor Oak handed Ash Pikachu's Poké Ball and five empty Poké Balls, then produced a Pokédex. "This is your beginner kit. Use it well. I'm looking forward to you testing our hypotheses on the road."
"Thank you, Sensei! I won't let you down!" Ash accepted everything solemnly.
(End of Chapter)
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