"Th-this…"
When Professor Sycamore suggested that Ash adopt and look after Fennekin, Ash hadn't expected the request. However, now that the Professor had brought it up, he found himself genuinely tempted.
The Shiny Fennekin possessed Blue+ (Perfect) Potential. With proper training, its future strength could rival that of a pseudo-legendary Pokémon.
On top of that, it had a natural talent for magical cultivation. Although Ash already had quite a few exceptionally gifted Pokémon on his team, he couldn't help feeling tempted by such a remarkable prospect.
After all, even among the Pokémon in his own lineup, a Pokémon with this level of talent would easily rank in the upper-middle tier.
"Ash, you should accept," Sophie, an old acquaintance of Sycamore and a fellow researcher, urged him. "Today's situation was practically a death sentence for this little one. You were the one who saved it. You gave it a second chance at life."
"Just look at how attached Fennekin is to you. I suspect this little fellow has already chosen you as its Trainer. Imagine how heartbroken it would be if you refused to take it in!"
"Besides, I doubt there's another Trainer out there who could successfully become this little one's partner."
Although the little Fennekin had no idea what Ash, Sophie, and Professor Sycamore were discussing, it seemed to sense that the conversation concerned its future.
"Fenne!"
As soon as Sophie finished speaking, the little Pokémon nestled in Ash's arms let out a soft cry. Its big eyes turned toward Ash, and it gazed at him with an utterly pitiful expression, as though silently pleading with him.
"Th-this… All right. I'll take care of this little fellow."
With Professor Sycamore and Sophie taking turns persuading him, Ash finally stopped hesitating. Continuing to refuse would only make him seem insincere and overly modest.
If he was being honest with himself, how could a professional Trainer possibly remain unmoved by a Pokémon with such extraordinary talent?
Especially one with an innate aptitude for magical cultivation!
Although Fennekin had only just joined the world, it possessed an additional path to becoming stronger that ordinary Pokémon didn't have. That meant its growth rate could be remarkably fast.
As long as Ash could help Fennekin find a suitable magical cultivation technique, he was confident that the little fellow would soon catch up with the others. It might even reach the first tier of his team before long.
"Little one, would you like to become my partner and fight alongside me?"
Having agreed to Professor Sycamore's request, Ash casually reached into his System inventory and took out an empty Poké Ball. He held it out in front of Fennekin.
"Fenne! (^~)"
Fennekin nodded. Then, without the slightest hesitation, it raised one little paw and pressed the button on the Poké Ball.
In the next instant, its small body transformed into a streak of radiant light and was drawn inside.
"Beep… Beep… Beep… Ding!"
The Poké Ball shook several times in Ash's hand before finally producing a clear, cheerful chime.
The little Fennekin had officially become Ash's Pokémon!
"Come on out, little one!"
Fennekin had only hatched a short while ago. Now that the capture was complete, Ash immediately released it from its Poké Ball again.
"Fenne! (^~)"
The moment it emerged and saw Ash, its new Trainer, the little Pokémon leapt straight into his arms. It rubbed its head against his cheek, then let out an adorable, soft cry as it snuggled against him.
"From now on, we're partners, little one. I look forward to working with you."
Looking at the tiny Pokémon in his arms, with its vivid crimson ear fur and fluffy gray coat, Ash couldn't hide the affection on his face.
"Fenne!"
"Ash, congratulations on catching another Pokémon!"
"Ash, congratulations! You've managed to add another exceptionally talented Pokémon to your team."
"…"
"…"
Seeing that Ash had successfully caught the Shiny Fennekin, the others—who had deliberately held back from interrupting earlier—finally came forward to offer their congratulations. Among them were Clarissa Joy, Serena, and the others.
For a professional Pokémon Trainer like Ash, there were few things more worthy of celebration than adding a highly talented Pokémon to his team.
And now, counting his Shiny Gyarados and Shiny Milotic, Ash had captured a total of three exceptionally gifted Shiny Pokémon!
Just thinking about it made Clemont, Tierno, and Trevor feel envious. Of course, it was only ordinary admiration. They were close friends, and none of them would ever feel jealous of Ash.
In their eyes, Ash deserved everything he had achieved.
Not only was he more talented than the average person, but he also worked harder than most. And, perhaps most importantly, he was kinder than many people.
He had saved a Pokémon Egg that had been on the verge of death. It was only natural that the Pokémon which hatched from that Egg would choose him as its Trainer.
Why couldn't other people obtain so many exceptionally gifted Shiny Pokémon like Ash?
The answer was simple: Ash had accomplished things that ordinary people couldn't.
His Shiny Gyarados and Shiny Milotic had come about because he had previously performed a miracle by helping a Magikarp learn Tackle. That achievement had earned him the gratitude of the Tsuchihara family, who had given him those two Pokémon.
And this time, the Shiny Fennekin had chosen him because he had cured the genetic conflict between its two types.
Ash had accomplished something that most people couldn't even imagine, and in return, he had gained an opportunity that ordinary people would never encounter.
There was nothing unreasonable about that.
"Professor, there's actually something else I'd like to ask you for help with. I wonder if you'd be willing to do me this favor?"
After successfully catching Fennekin, Ash suddenly turned toward Professor Sycamore and spoke.
"Oh? What is it?" Sycamore asked curiously.
"It's about my healing Psychic abilities."
Ash paused briefly before continuing.
"Professor, you might not know this, but after the summer camp at Professor Oak's ended, my exceptional talent as a Trainer became known to others. Unfortunately, my ability to heal injuries using Psychic powers was exposed at the same time."
"Because of that, I've been targeted for assassination several times by Team Rocket, the criminal organization that has been entrenched in the Kanto and Johto regions for many years."
"On one occasion, they openly intercepted and attacked me while I was traveling between Viridian City and Pallet Town. On another, they used the Skill Shop I founded as a means of getting close to me. They sent over a Drowzee with expertise in hypnosis, intending to put me to sleep without anyone noticing and abduct me."
Ash's expression grew more serious.
"Now that my Psychic abilities have also been shown to have the power to heal genetic conflicts between different types in Pokémon Eggs, I believe you can understand the value of such an ability."
"Any medicine developed from this discovery could save countless suffering Pokémon and Pokémon Eggs. But at the same time, it would put my own life in even greater danger."
"I trust all of you, and I trust the Pokémon League. But the criminal organizations lurking in the shadows of this world are capable of anything. They have no qualms about using whatever means necessary to achieve their goals."
"I need to protect myself, as well as the people close to me."
Ash looked directly at Professor Sycamore.
"So, I'd like to ask you to keep one thing confidential: the fact that my Psychic abilities can heal genetic conflicts between different types in Pokémon Eggs."
"Until I officially set out on my journey and become strong enough to protect myself, please don't reveal this information to anyone outside this room."
Ash had finally stated his request.
However, after hearing his words, Professor Sycamore, Sophie, Clarissa Joy, Serena, and the others all fell silent.
For a moment, nobody said a word.