Chapter 8: Capturing the Ninja Frog! Serena's First Companion!

Professor Bulateno's face-changing antics, worthy of Sichuan opera, were so funny that Ash almost couldn't hold his laughter.

Hmph! Useless thing, you're free!

What a Pokemon-version Shinji!

Remembering that boy I met in Sinnoh, who seemed like a gamer transported to reality, caring only about individual Pokemon,

Ash curled his lips; in this life, Shinji certainly hasn't suffered little at his hands.

Speaking of which, the Snivy we caught in Unova last time was like this too.

If my old Charizard were a bit less foolishly loyal, having even half of these two's strong-willed personalities, I wouldn't have ended up drenched in rain to the point of mortal danger.

Of course, Ash also knows this very well.

The more this is the case, the more he cannot let himself be indebted to Charizard.

Next, Ash recounted to Professor Bulateno what had happened between him and Froakie.

Upon hearing this, the professor was delighted.

"Thank goodness, this kid has already given up on four rookie trainers; thanks to you, Ash, coming here, otherwise he'd probably spend his whole life just retiring with me."

Because he approved of Ash's thesis on super-evolution, the professor paid close attention to Ash.

Naturally,

knowing that Ash is not only a rising star in the scientific community but also an excellent trainer,

even achieving five consecutive championships in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Unova,

knowing that Ash is exactly the type of trainer Froakie has been waiting for.

Giving the problematic Froakie to Ash will not only cause no issues, it's just perfect.

"In that case, just give this Poké Ball to you, Sophie!"

The professor looked at the female assistant and reached out his hand to ask for the Poké Ball,

However, the female assistant named Sophie directly bypassed the professor's intention to take advantage, and while handing the Poké Ball to Ash,

she asked for Ash's consent and took a photo together.

This drew a resentful look from the professor,

"Unfair! I'm also a celebrity; why won't you take a photo with me!"

"Tch!"

She put away her phone, gave Bulatenuo a white-eyed look, and Sophie turned and left directly.

Seeing this, Serena's mouth twitched: "Well... what a characterful assistant."

Ash and Clemont also nodded deeply in agreement.

Although they are subordinates, they treat their superiors this way; moreover, the professor seems completely indifferent to too much, showing that their relationship is far from simple as it appears.

……

Seeing Sophie off,

The professor's smiling face gradually faded, and he brought Ash and the four of them to his office,

He picked up two completely red, square, thin props from the desk,

"This is the Kalos region's Pokédex; point it at a Pokémon and it will identify the Pokémon's information in the Kalos region."

Speaking, the professor grabbed three red-and-white balls from the silver box filled with red cloth on the desk and opened them.

Red light burst forth,

Three Kalos region starter Pokémon appeared on the ground.

The professor demonstrated by aiming one of the Pokédexes at Froakie,

The transparent crystal in the middle instantly displayed a ring like a loading bar, and in less than a second,

the ring faded, Froakie's image was projected into the air, and a synthetic voice sounded at the same time,

【Froakie, Water-type, Bubble Frog Pokémon, smooth skin, with a pair of large eyes, it produces Froakie foam on its chest and back; the foam can withstand attacks and reduce damage received】

After the demonstration, the professor handed the Pokédex in his hand to Ash and Serena,

Serena immediately followed suit, taking the Pokédex and aiming it at the remaining two,

【Chespin, Grass-type, Spiny Nut Pokémon, skin dark and dull, as if wearing a green headscarf; the thorns on its head are normally soft, but when agitated they become sharp, even hard enough to pierce rock】

【Fennekin, Fire-type, Fox Pokémon, lively and cute, with a pair of large ears and tail; eating small twigs makes it energetic, and it can spew flames over 200 degrees Celsius】

When released, this Fennekin happened to support the ground with its front legs and lift its hind leg to scratch its chin,

its short legs wiggled back and forth, extremely cute,

and instantly earned Ash's approval,

Not mentioning its evolution, Fennekin's looks are truly beyond words.

Serena's gaze lingered on Froakie and Fennekin, seeming unable to decide.

Finally, Serena's gaze turned to Ash for help.

"Ash, which one do you think I should choose?"

Ash didn't directly answer the question, but instead unexpectedly posed a question to everyone.

"What is Serena's goal?"

"My... goal?"

Seeing Serena's confusion, Ash spoke gently to guide her,

"Do you want to become a strong trainer? Or like May and Dawn, a coordinator, a performer popular in Kalos? Or perhaps a breeder?"

"If you want to be a trainer, you need to focus on strength; possessing the hidden ability to change freely, Froakie naturally has the highest potential,"

"If you want to be a coordinator or performer, you need to focus on beauty; the unevolved Fennekin might be the best choice."

"If you want to be a breeder, the Grass-type Chespin would be better."

Seeing that these words had already moved Serena,

As Ash showed a smile on his face, he continued.

"Of course! If you want to reach even higher peaks, you also need to ask the Pokémon's feelings and confirm whether they share the same goal as you."

"Well said!"

Hearing this, Professor Bulatano was simply stunned,

At that moment, his recognition and praise for Ash were almost beyond words, and he clapped excitedly.

Although Clemont and Serena didn't speak, they also wore expressions deeply moved.

Especially when thinking of Ash's Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur, the doubts that had lingered in his mind for years were finally answered at this moment.

And the three little ones who were praised, along with Ash's Froakie, all showed a look of shared pride.

Only Yurie half-understood, feeling a bit confused.

The Froakie perched on Ash's shoulder felt boundless ambition welling up in its chest.

"So I have the highest limit?"

At this moment, the Froakie felt as if wielding a halberd, as if it could plant a flag and take anyone's head.

Amidst everyone's gaze, Serena's beautiful face lit up with a smile.

"I've decided, I want to become an outstanding performer!"

Actually, there's still something she didn't say.

That is, if the trainer's skill isn't enough, the only way to be worthy of Ash's status as a five-time champion is to become a world-class model and star like Xiao Ju'er.

Furthermore, being a performer happens to be the profession Serena likes.

Suppressing her shyness, Serena placed both hands on her black-silk-wrapped knees and looked at the crowd watching her.

Head held high, chest puffed out, adorable, like a victorious Vulpix.

"Vulpix, do you like performing? How about we go on stage together?"

"Hek!"

Vulpix nodded seriously.

Kalos trio: Froakie/Vulpix/Bunnelby.

Witnessing Serena fully gaining Vulpix's approval,

Ash's gaze lingered on Vulpix's status screen.

【Pokémon】: Vulpix (♀)

【Type】: Fire

【Ability】: Blaze (When HP is below one third, the power of Fire-type moves increases by 1.5 times)

【Level】: lv5

【Moves】: Tail Whip, Spark

【IVs】: 5 HP, 0 Attack,

【Base Stats】: Total 307, HP 40, Attack 45, Defense 40, Sp. Atk 62, Sp. Def 60, Speed 60,

……

5 HP 0 Attack, can prevent cheating, absolutely perfect!

Vulpix's Hidden Ability isn't impressive, so Ash directly looked at the enhancement effect of Blaze.,