Gossip is part of human nature—and even Champion Trainers like Lance, Steven, and Cynthia were no exception.
The entire livestream room was buzzing with heated discussion about the love triangle between Ash, Misty, and Serena.
Just as everyone was getting excited, the white-bordered screen began to dim, while the black-bordered one slowly lit up.
On the outskirts of the forest, Ash and Pichu were undergoing their daily training.
A year had passed since Pichu became Ash's Pokémon.
Over that year, after enduring Ash's intense triple daily training, Pichu—though not yet evolved into Pikachu—had grown incomparably strong. It had now become the Overlord of the Beginner Village.
Being the Overlord had both pros and cons.
The good part was that when walking through the forest, wild Pokémon would flee at the mere sight of it. The downside was that its growth rate was starting to slow down.
Cultivating in seclusion for thirty years, then emerging to conquer the world—those things only happen in novels.
In the real world, only high-quality battles can truly enhance strength. Blindly training in isolation can help, but the improvement is limited and can never match the results of a thrilling battle.
Alas, that was the price of being too strong—Pichu could no longer find any opponents.
It looked up at the sky, its little face practically saying: "How lonely it is to be invincible."
"Pichu!" (Ash, this forest is too small to hold our dreams. It's time to go out and see the world.)
Ash roughly understood what Pichu meant. He gave it a speechless look—small body, big ambition. But Pichu wasn't wrong; it was indeed time to find stronger opponents.
[Lt. Surge: Good, ambitious! Electric-type Pokémon should have that kind of drive.]
[Volkner: I quite like this Pichu's personality. Once it evolves into Raichu, it'll definitely be a powerhouse on the battlefield.]
[Delia: Little Pichu and Ash's Pikachu really are alike—they're both so strong-willed.]
[Will: The spirit is commendable, but unfortunately, spirit alone is useless. The upper limit for Pokémon like Pichu is already fixed. Even if it evolves into Raichu, it won't be much use—just for show.]
[Lance: Will, do you have any idea how many Trainers in the Pokémon world have Pikachu? Are you insane?!]
Pikachu was the most popular Pokémon in the entire world. Was Will seriously trying to pick a fight with everyone?
"This guy's not normal," Lance thought to herself. "Better to stay away before he gets blasted."
[Will: I'm just telling the truth.]
[Misty: Heh, I'd love to see you get humiliated by Parallel World Ash and Pichu right now.]
[Ash: Why not wish for me and Pikachu to humiliate him instead?]
[Gary: It's a bit hard for you and Pikachu to do that, Ash. Let's just look forward to Parallel Ash and Pichu's performance instead.]
[Ash & Pikachu: …]
Not long after entering the deeper part of the forest, Ash and Pichu encountered their first opponent—a recently matured Ursaring.
[Will: Humiliate me? He's lucky if he even lives to be ten! A six-year-old kid and a not-even-two-year-old Pichu challenging an adult Ursaring? Parallel Ash's IQ must be under 80.]
Indeed, the maturity he'd shown earlier was just an act. Now his true colors were showing.
[Volkner: Seriously, where is Will right now? I really want to beat him up!]
This idiot had been trash-talking Pichu nonstop, and now he was mocking Parallel Ash too. The Electric-type Trainers couldn't take it anymore.
[Flint: I heard Will's a candidate for the next Elite Four spot in Kanto and Johto, Volkner. Maybe let it go.]
[Volkner: A joke! If I'm not afraid of you or me, why would I be afraid of him?!]
[Lance: Enough, you two! It's starting—don't talk over the video!]
Despite its small size, Pichu was incredibly fierce. As soon as the battle began, it launched a preemptive strike.
Pichu's speed was like that of a hunting cheetah. Ursaring didn't even have time to react.
By the time it realized the battle had begun, Pichu was already right in front of it.
The electric sacs on Pichu's cheeks crackled, and with fearless courage, it headbutted Ursaring straight in the stomach!
Electric sparks flared, and Ursaring staggered back several steps before barely regaining its footing.
[Cynthia: Wow! That little Pichu's impact is terrifying! My Gible wasn't nearly that scary at its age.]
[Bruno: Is Pichu's talent just that strong, or is Ash's training that good? Compared to a year ago, its growth is insane.]
[Brock: I'm starting to think my Geodude wouldn't survive a head-on hit from that Pichu.]
[Misty: Don't just think—it definitely wouldn't.]
[Volkner: Hey, Will, you still standing by your words? Come out and say it now!]
[Will: Heh, in my opinion, it's not that Pichu is strong—it's that the Ursaring in this video is too weak.]
[Volkner: Still stubborn! Unbelievable!]