Pokémon:
First Tier
Pikachu — Lv.48
Greninja — Lv.48
Pidgeot — Lv.47
Fearow — Lv.48
Second Tier
Shiny Gyarados — Lv.28
Shiny Milotic — Lv.28
Third Tier
Bulbasaur — Lv.16
Items:
Soothe Bell, Divine Catalyst Ring, Green Pearl Bracer, Light Ball (fused with Pikachu), Quick Claw, Sharp Beak (fused with Fearow), Scope Lens (fused with Fearow), Razor Claw, Razor Fang, Wide Lens
Awards & Special Items:
Cerulean Water-type Pokémon Beauty Contest Champion Crystal Trophy, Water Stone...
…
Although Aura Power was a native power of the Pokémon world—and one that was normally exclusive to Pokémon—it was understandable that, after fusing with Jujutsu, the system recognized it as a legitimate skill.
Even so...
Ash couldn't help feeling surprised when it actually happened.
But this was unquestionably wonderful news.
The fact that Aura Jujutsu and Aura Laijutsu had been officially recorded by the system meant that, from now on, the training of both martial arts could also benefit from the system's Move Proficiency feature.
That would make improving these techniques vastly easier than ordinary training.
Under normal circumstances...
Even someone blessed with extraordinary talent, abundant resources, and ideal conditions would still need ten or even several decades of relentless practice to elevate such martial arts to the level of a true grandmaster.
But now...
With the system assisting him through guaranteed proficiency gains...
Ash was confident he could reach the equivalent of the grandmaster level from his previous life in one or two months, or half a year at the absolute most.
Comparing the two...
Decades of effort versus one or two months—or at worst six months.
That represented an astonishing increase in efficiency—roughly sixty to one hundred times faster.
The system's enhancement wasn't merely significant...
It was overwhelming.
…
Of course...
Just because Aura Jujutsu and Aura Laijutsu had been recorded by the system didn't mean Ash could slack off.
Unlike ordinary Pokémon moves, which consisted of a single technique...
Jujutsu and Laijutsu were complete martial systems.
Training an ordinary move meant performing it once—a matter of only a few seconds.
But completing an entire Jujutsu or Laijutsu form required far more time...
And consumed a tremendous amount of Aura Power.
Because of that...
Although Aura Jujutsu and Aura Laijutsu had already been added to the system over the past week, and Ash practiced them diligently every morning...
Their proficiency had only reached the Skilled level so far.
Meanwhile...
Despite both martial arts consuming so much of his time and Aura...
His Aura Sphere had already reached the Mastered rank and was steadily approaching Grandmaster.
…
The successful fusion of Aura Power with Jujutsu and Laijutsu—and the fact that the system now treated them as legitimate skills—was only one of the many fortunate developments over the past two weeks.
The second piece of good news was...
(2) Every Pokémon Began Training Even Harder, Resulting in Explosive Growth
Ash's Pokémon had always trained with incredible dedication.
They constantly competed with one another, pushing each other to improve.
As a result...
Their growth had always been remarkably fast.
Among the First Tier Pokémon in particular...
Fearow had repeatedly received new held items from Ash.
Every few days another item would be fused into its body, resulting in explosive increases in strength.
Meanwhile...
Magikarp had evolved into Gyarados.
Feebas had evolved into Milotic.
Pressure from equally powerful teammates...
Pressure from lower-ranked teammates trying to catch up...
All of it created an intensely competitive atmosphere within Ash's team.
But now...
Things had escalated even further.
Not only were teammates applying pressure...
Not only were the younger Pokémon chasing from behind...
Now even their own Trainer had begun placing pressure on them.
…
Before...
Ash's Aura abilities had only supported and strengthened them.
Now...
He had begun developing Aura into a genuine combat power.
The Pokémon watched as Ash sparred head-on against Blaziken—albeit with Blaziken suppressing its own strength.
They watched him exchange blows with Greninja without immediately being overwhelmed.
At long range...
Even though Aura Sphere was currently the only offensive Aura technique he possessed...
Its Mastered, nearly Grandmaster-level, proficiency made it extraordinarily versatile.
When Pikachu, Pidgeot, Fearow, and the others were called over to spar with him...
Even they couldn't hide their surprise.
…
The Pokémon world was a civilization built upon humans and Pokémon working together.
Pokémon possessed overwhelming supernatural power.
Humans possessed exceptional intelligence.
After countless years of coexistence...
Certain unwritten rules had naturally formed.
For example...
Pokémon that wished to travel, become stronger, and reach greater heights generally chose to follow a human Trainer.
The Trainer would provide systematic training...
Resources...
Guidance...
And a path toward becoming stronger.
In return...
The Pokémon offered their loyalty.
They protected their Trainer.
They fought for their Trainer.
That was the mutual bond between them.
…
Now, however...
Ash himself had begun developing combat abilities.
As an Aura user...
There was nothing wrong with that.
Yet...
Pikachu and the others couldn't help feeling as though their own value was somehow being diminished.
Watching Ash's personal combat strength rise at such an astonishing pace...
Watching him become stronger day after day...
Pikachu...
Greninja...
Pidgeot...
Fearow...
All of them experienced an unprecedented sense of pressure.
It almost felt as though...
If Ash ever became stronger than they were...
He would abandon them.
Even though...
After discovering those thoughts, Ash had repeatedly reassured them—
He would never do such a thing.
Still...
His rapid growth undeniably placed tremendous pressure upon them.
They trained even harder than before.
They fought even more desperately in the City Arena.
Although they knew Ash would never cast them aside...
None of them wanted to be surpassed by their own Trainer.
To them...
Being overtaken by Ash somehow felt...
Humiliating.
…
Pikachu...
Greninja...
Pidgeot...
Fearow...
Fortunately, they still possessed a considerable advantage.
Their levels remained well above Ash's.
Combined with their complete move sets...
Ash still wasn't truly their match in an all-out battle.
But...
Gyarados...
Milotic...
And Bulbasaur...
Were in an entirely different situation.
They felt every bit of the pressure that Pikachu and the others experienced...
Yet their own sense of crisis was even greater.
Because...
Their Trainer...
Was already stronger than they were.
Not only was Ash's Aura cultivation several levels higher...
His combat system had also become frighteningly complete.
For close combat...
He had Aura Jujutsu.
For mid-range weapon techniques...
He wielded Aura Laijutsu.
For long-range attacks...
He possessed Aura Sphere.
In other words...
Ash's Aura level already exceeded theirs.
And his actual combat power in battle...
Surpassed them by an even greater margin.
That realization...
Completely lit a fire under Gyarados, Milotic, and Bulbasaur.
They could hardly bear the thought of falling behind their own Trainer any longer.
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