Time flowed, and three years had passed since the Guzzlord crisis. Ash had also gradually grown from a four-year-old child to... a seven-year-old child~
There's no way around it; you have to eat one bite at a time, and people grow one year at a time. Even with a protagonist halo, Ash couldn't just 'whoosh' to the age where he could travel alone.
Moreover, he was in this world that was and wasn't the original, and preparing more before traveling certainly wouldn't hurt.
At the beginning of his transmigration, Ash always thought he had come to the original Pokémon anime world, but as time went on, he discovered many plot deviations that didn't match the original story, including many extra characters.
For example... he actually met his biological father~
Although that cheap old man was away from home all year round and basically never fulfilled his fatherly duties, Ash, as an infant, had indeed seen him.
As for who Satoshis Father exactly was... that's not important for now~
Additionally, there were extra members in the Oak family. Oak's arrogant grandson, Gary, actually had a gentle and lovely older sister, Nanami.
The latter currently served as the research assistant and doctor, ensuring Oak and all the Pokémon were in excellent health and had hearty appetites every day.
Alas, a Oak who doesn't boil instant noodles in a beaker simply lacks soul~
Lila's background also had some differences... That's right, the child Ash rescued from the Ultra Wormhole was indeed one of the future Frontier Brains of the Kanto Battle Frontier – the Tower Tycoon who could communicate telepathically and had a crush on the original Ash.
Similar to the plot of the 'Ultra Sun and Moon' games, due to crossing the Ultra Wormhole, Lila lost almost all of her memories, knowing only her name.
Even her age, which was one year younger than Ash, was only roughly confirmed after a bone age test at the hospital.
By the way, as a Fall with Ultra energy, Lila was supposed to be settled by Interpol, but after some maneuvering, she has now been adopted by Ash's family.
Anyway, Ash's mother, Delia, runs a guesthouse and restaurant in Pallet Town, so they never lack space and were happy to take in a beautiful daughter~
After these three years, Lila gradually became accustomed to her new family and new life. When she had nothing to do, she most enjoyed following Ash around.
As for how the Kanto League held the Alolan organization involved – the Aether Foundation – accountable after the incident three years ago, Ash couldn't know the details, nor did he care.
Whatever the Kanto League gained from it had nothing to do with Ash; he would definitely go to Alola himself in the future!
Because of the Aether Foundation, Lila was forced to separate from her parents and even had her entire life altered... This matter had taken root in Ash's heart, and he would demand an explanation no matter what!
All of these are the discrepancies between the current world and the original story. How they will affect Ash's life trajectory in the future is still unknown.
However, that's for the future. Currently, Ash's daily routine involves learning about Pokémon from Oak and chatting about ideals and life with various Pokémon in the suburbs of Pallet Town~
Since he transmigrated as Ash, shouldn't he find Pikachu while it's still a Pichu? Shouldn't he trick... no, 'conquer' a few good partners to take with him? Shouldn't he hone his strength in advance?
If you haven't reached a level where you can at least crush ordinary Gym Trainers before traveling, you'd be too embarrassed to admit you're a transmigrator~
In short, Ash was preparing for his future travels in a systematic, comfortable, and fulfilling way... Er, sometimes not so comfortable.
"Again?" In the morning forest, the young boy playing with wild Pokémon seemed to suddenly sense something, and a faint, almost imperceptible helplessness appeared on his face.
"Ash! Sa~to~shi~"
The girl's clear, bell-like call came from behind, but what followed was not a fragrant breeze, but a slender yet strong hand directly striking Ash's back of the neck.
However, Ash seemed to have eyes in the back of his head; he merely shifted his body slightly to dodge the girl's sneak attack, and timely reached out to grab her other wrist, helping her stabilize her unbalanced body.
He was already accustomed to this kind of interaction, so natural that he didn't even need to think.
"Hmph, you found me again." Her sneak attack foiled, the girl pouted, her long brown hair bouncing on her shoulders, showing a unique liveliness and playfulness.
"Blue, you forgot again. I can now perceive my surroundings with the help of Pokémon... I detected your sneak attack dozens of meters away."
I forgot to mention earlier, this overly lively girl in front of me is also one of the plot's variations.
Blue — or rather, her nickname — is Ash's Childhood Friend, the same age as him.
"What good is finding me early? You still got caught by me!" Blue casually sat down next to Ash, deliberately slapping his knee twice, looking as if she was venting her anger.
"Tell me, is this how a brother acts? Skipping the Professor's summer camp is one thing, but making Lila cover for you... The most infuriating part is, you didn't even think to invite me?!"
"I think the last sentence is the key, isn't it?" Ash twitched his mouth speechlessly. "Besides, didn't you come by yourself? Why would I need to invite you? If you ask me, you just found the summer camp boring and wanted an excuse to sneak away... just like Gary!"
Oak's summer camp was no longer an annual event, but held once every summer month, with largely similar content. For Ash, Gary, Blue, and others of similar age, such an activity was only fresh the first time.
After the novelty wore off, Ash would spend his summers playing with Pokémon in the forest, and Gary would sneak off to Cianwood City in Johto, using the excuse of training with his master, A Si.
As for Blue... well, she came to find Ash, didn't she?
"Gary at least has the pretense of training; you just outright skipped it, and you're getting a good deal while still complaining!" Blue made a face at Ash. "Don't think I don't know, Aunt Delia's B&B is Oak's only designated accommodation partner, so your family makes a fortune every summer!"
"You... if you want something good to eat, go tell my mom yourself, or tell Lila, there's no need to make an issue out of it here."
Ash shook his head with a wry smile. With Blue's expression of wanting to feast, how could he not know what the girl was thinking?
"It's a deal then! I'm going back to find Lila right now!" Blue grinned, gave a 'V' sign, and then immediately ran off in a flurry.
"Blue..."
However, watching the girl's retreating figure, Ash subtly shook his head, a hint of worry flickering in his eyes...