CHAPTER 60

060: Professor Oak's Optimism!!

Turning his head to look at Gary who was still frozen in disbelief Ash couldn't help but frown and reprimand him, "Gary, you're not supposed to freeze up just because you lost a match."

"Your Fletchling is still injured. As a real Pokémon Trainer, the first thing you should do is take Fletchling to Nurse Joy for treatment, not stand here sulking."

Ash's words cut through the fog in Gary's mind, bringing him back to reality. Meeting Ash's steady and concerned gaze, Gary let out a wry smile, tinged with frustration.

"I've always seen you as my biggest rival. I really believed I was your equal… but to be beaten in just two rounds in our first official battle it stings."

"I can't accept it that easily." Gary shook his head, forcing a smile as he turned back toward the battlefield to gently scoop up his fainted Fletchling.

"Well, I guess this proves I'm stronger than you, huh? Are you scared now?" Ash teased, grinning mischievously.

"As if! You wish I was scared. I just slipped up today, that's all. Next time, I'm the one who's going to win just you wait!" Gary snapped back with mock defiance, regaining his confidence thanks to Ash's jab. With his pride slightly restored, he walked away with the unconscious Fletchling in his arms, heading toward the temporary Pokémon Center tent set up by Nurse Joy near the camp dam.

"Professor, I can't believe it Gary actually lost to Ash. That was unexpected," said Okahira, one of Professor Oak's research assistants, as he watched Gary walk off solemnly.

"It's unexpected for you, but not for me," Professor Oak replied with a calm smile, his hands folded neatly behind his back.

He wasn't disappointed in Gary's loss in fact, there was a hint of satisfaction in his voice, as if he'd been waiting for this moment.

"Yes, I suppose you did predict this outcome, Professor," Okahira admitted, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

"You said it earlier: Ash is no ordinary kid. Even though he just received Froakie half an hour ago, he already demonstrated commanding control in battle. He not only utilized Froakie's frubbles with precision but also directed his movements with sharp tactical sense."

"Exactly," Okahira continued, adjusting his glasses as he gazed toward the young boy. "During that fight, Ash was so composed and tactical it's hard to believe he's only six years old. His command reminded me of an experienced trainer, like those who've been battling in the Indigo Conference for years."

The boy standing confidently in the clearing, dark hair tousled and eyes bright with excitement, hardly looked like a rookie.

"Haha… You're not wrong," Professor Oak chuckled. "Honestly, even I was caught off guard by how well Ash performed today."

"His talent as a Pokémon Trainer is frighteningly high. I've met many young Trainers in my career kids from all over Kanto and Johto but even those trained by elite families rarely start at this level."

As a senior figure in the Pokémon League and a legendary researcher, Oak had evaluated countless talents. Few ever made him pause.

"Wait, are you suggesting Ash's potential could rival Mr. Lance?" Okahira asked in disbelief. "Lance the Champion of the Indigo League?"

Seeing his assistant's shocked expression, Oak's grin widened.

"It's not that Ash's talent matches Lance's… It surpasses it."

"You can't be serious… That's" Okahira trailed off, lost for words.

"I may not be a battler anymore, but I know how to read people. And I know what I saw today. That boy has something special," Oak said, his voice full of conviction.

"I believe you, Professor," Okahira replied earnestly, though still dazed by the weight of Oak's words. "It's just hard to accept that someone so young could have talent even greater than the Champion."

Oak nodded slowly. He understood the doubt it mirrored what he'd once felt watching young Trainers like Agatha, Bruno, and even Blaine in their prime.

"Still," Oak continued thoughtfully, "talent alone isn't enough. It takes time, experience, and the willingness to grow. If Ash can turn this talent into true strength, then one day… he might surpass even the legends."

"But no matter what, Ash's future is incredibly bright."

Just then, back in the central field of the dam, Ash stood tall with his Froakie at his side. Victorious from his first official match, he called out confidently to the crowd of trainers milling about the summer camp:

"I'm Ash from Pallet Town! Anyone else wanna battle and have some fun?"

"I do!!" a voice boomed as a husky boy stepped forward from the crowd, his arm raised with energy.

"I'm a fat guy from Tsukimidai Town in the Carlos Region, and my partner is Machop! Let's see if you're still that confident when I'm your next Rival!"

Wearing a khaki long-sleeved shirt, this young boy, with a simple and honest appearance, exuded a certain bravery as he released his Pokémon partner Machop, the humanoid Fighting-type Pokémon with gray skin.

"Okay." Ash observed the boy, who was known as Fatty, noticing his stronger-than-usual waveguide aura compared to the other students. Ash couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction with this new Rival.

"System, scan the opponent's Machop," Ash mentally commanded, transitioning into battle mode.

[Machop]

Level: LV.5

Type: Fighting

Nature: Impatient

Ability: No Guard

Qualification: C (Normal)

Moves:

Low Kick (Proficiency: 27/500)

Leer (Proficiency: 9/100)

Focus Energy (Proficiency: 9/100)

The system gave Ash a clear scan, and the results were clear: the Machop was a low-level opponent, at just LV.5. It only knew three moves two of which were support-based and its proficiency was significantly lower than Ash's own Froakie's. This gave Ash a sense of ease, even if some might still consider Froakie's own abilities less advanced.

For this Rival, Ash felt little pressure. He knew that even though his Froakie wasn't a powerhouse yet, it had the right skills to take on Machop and win.

Seeing that both Pokémon were ready to fight, the researcher, who was officiating the match, raised his arm and called out with authority, "The match begins!"

Looking at the two Pokémon, Ash noticed that two of Machop's moves were support moves, and Fatty, the boy controlling it, was clearly not the type to lean on those. It was clear that, like many Trainers at this level, he preferred to start the battle with aggressive attacks and ignored the utility of status moves.

"Machop, rush over and use Low Kick!" Fatty ordered without hesitation, fully committing to a direct approach.

"Machop!!" The Fighting Pokémon roared energetically, charging toward Froakie with full force.

Seeing that his opponent was rushing in with all his might, Ash remained calm. He wasn't going to start with the same defensive tactics he had used before. There was no need to waste time on defensive moves like "Growl" this time.

As Machop charged, Ash observed carefully, waiting for the right moment. He counted down in his head, watching as Machop drew closer. Once Machop was within range for Froakie to strike with its long-range bubble attack, Ash gave the command, his voice steady and full of confidence.

"Froakie, use Bubble Mousse, aim for Machop's feet!"

"Grrr!" Froakie responded instantly, showing remarkable agility as it darted into action. Without hesitation, Froakie scooped up two spheres of bubbles from the moisture at the back of its neck and flung them at Machop's running legs.

The "cake fight" feeling of the move wasn't lost on Ash as Froakie threw the bubbles expertly, not aiming for Machop's face, but targeting his feet with precision. The bubbles exploded on contact with Machop's legs, causing the Fighting Pokémon to trip momentarily, his fast charge halted by the slippery impact of the bubbles.

The crowd of students watching from the sidelines reacted with audible surprise. The sheer speed and execution of Froakie's attack took them off guard, especially since they hadn't expected such quick thinking from a Trainer so young.

Machop stumbled and tried to recover, but the battle was only just beginning, and Ash knew this was his chance to capitalize on Froakie's agility.

.....

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