Chapter 63: Professor Oak's

After Meow Meow left, Huo La lay upright on the bed, arm resting on his forehead, eyes fixed on the chandelier on the ceiling, but his thoughts had already drifted back to the evening battle scene—more precisely, back to the string of data he quietly accessed from the system when Ash was holding Pikachu.

Pokemon: Pikachu

Gender: Male

Level: Lv50

Su Xing: S

Status: Lightly Injured (Slash wound)

Nature: Calm

Attribute: Electric

Ability: Static (30% chance to cause paralysis when hit by contact moves)

Height: 0.6 m

Weight: 7 kg

Carried Item: Electric Ball

Moves: Electric Flash (77% mastery), Thunderbolt (46% mastery), Iron Tail (64% mastery), Electric Ball (21% mastery), Thunder (17% mastery), High Speed Move (11% mastery), Volt Attack......

Improvement Count: 1 (???)

Huo La couldn't help but click his tongue.

A Lv50 level is a downright dimensional‑reduction strike when placed in a rookie Trainer's team; most beginners consider a starter Pokemon reaching Lv15 already decent. Not to mention the S‑Grade Su Xing—Pokemon with such a Su Xing are absolute rarities, even a Heavenly King Class Trainer would consider having one a priceless treasure.

And the full slate of moves and mastery levels: Electric Flash reaches seventy percent, Iron Tail exceeds sixty percent, and even the high‑tier Electric skill Thunder is already mastered—though its mastery is only 17%, it can be reliably released in battle, far surpassing the capabilities of an ordinary Pikachu.

The crucial piece is the Electric Ball; a normal Pikachu holding it can double the power of Electric‑type moves, and this Pikachu, when using it, could boost Thunderbolt's power to near the level of Thunder.

"What kind of rookie Trainer's starter Pokemon is this? It's clearly a Half-finished Product that Professor Oak cultivated in advance," Huo La massaged his brow, and the doubt in his mind finally found an answer.

He had long found it odd—when Ash first set out he didn't even know basic battle tactics, yet he could make Pikachu hard‑resist Rock-type moves in the Nibi Gym, easily defeat Water-type Pokemon in the Hualan Gym, and even beat Raichu in the Withered Leaf Gym.

Now it seems that the previous belief that Ash had a 'gifted talent' enabling Pikachu to repeatedly perform miracles was simply a misunderstanding.

At this stage, the truly impressive factor is not Ash's command but Pikachu's absurdly solid foundation; conversely, the current Ash, lacking battle experience and with immature tactical judgment, becomes a 'burden' that drags Pikachu's hind leg.

Looking back now at Professor Oak's initial actions, Huo La feels every detail was a foreshadowing.

Knowing that Red would come this year to receive a starter Pokemon, how could Professor Oak, as a top Pokemon research authority, only prepare three ordinary starter Pokemon? He likely planned from the start to hand this Pikachu to Ash.

A Lv50 level, S‑Grade top‑tier Su Xing, and the rare item Electric Ball that can double Electric‑type move power… this is hardly a rookie Trainer's 'Initial Partner'.

Clearly it's a 'trump reserve' tailor‑made for a future League Champion.

"Ash could obtain this Pikachu not merely by 'good luck'," Huo La said, lying on the bed, the image of Professor Oak's gaze when he mentioned Ash flashing in his mind.

That mixture of anticipation, regret, and an indescribable complexity, plus the occasional hesitation when the topic turned to 'Ash's grandfather', always made him feel there was an unknown backstory hidden behind it.

Perhaps Ash's family once saved Professor Oak's life, or perhaps Oak saw in Ash a trait beyond ordinary people, such as an unreserved devotion to Pokemon, so he deliberately used this Pikachu to lay an 'invisible stepping stone' for him, helping him gain footing early in his journey.

"However, even with the best 'stepping stones', for a Pikachu with a Calm nature to willingly run wild with Ash, and even cooperate with his impulsive tactics in battle to unleash super‑level power, Ash does indeed possess something extraordinary," Huo La turned onto his side, a smile tugging at his mouth.

System data doesn't lie.

The Pikachu's nature column clearly reads 'Calm', yet it is willing to accompany Ash in chasing wild Pokemon through forests, to instinctively cover Ash's command mistakes; despite having the power to crush beginners, it patiently cooperates as Ash fumbles his battle techniques; this bond that transcends commands cannot be bought by 'pre‑cultivation' alone.

As for why he could defeat Pikachu today, Huo La knows well that it's largely because the current Ash still doesn't match Pikachu's strength—if a seasoned Trainer were to command it, with Pikachu's Su Xing and move pool, the outcome would likely be decided the instant they clashed.

"Next, let's see if Ash can quickly grow and truly master this Pikachu," Huo La closed his eyes, the massive silhouette of a Super Ancient Dragonite flashing in his mind, "And that Dragonite—hope the Rocket Team runs into it, don't let it cause any trouble for me..."

Weariness gradually set in; having risen too early and endured a high‑intensity battle, he soon fell into a deep sleep.

When Huo La awoke again, it was already evening.

The restaurant was scented with seafood porridge; Xiao Gang was busy placing the roasted nuts on the table, Ash cradled the revitalized Pikachu, debating the route to Vermilion City for tomorrow with Xiao Xia and Lilian, while Zheng Hui laughed nearby, smoothing things over.

After a lively dinner, everyone moved to the living room to sip tea and chat.

At some point, a thick veil of fog silently enveloped the Lighthouse; the sea breeze blew, the mist churned under the light, as if draping the Lighthouse in a mysterious veil.

The horn atop the Lighthouse continued looping that low‑pitched tone, like a solitary call echoing into the night.

Huo La lifted his tea cup, his gaze fixed on the thickening fog outside, then glanced at Ash playing with Pikachu, his expression inevitably grew solemn—fog, Ash, the Lighthouse, night; all the necessary elements had gathered, tonight would not be calm.

Suddenly, a deep, lingering hum rose from the black sea opposite the Lighthouse! The sound pierced the fog, bearing a soul‑shaking force that made the living‑room glass window tremble slightly.

Zheng Hui slammed his tea cup down, his face instantly breaking into ecstatic joy, he lunged to the window, pointing toward the sea, his voice trembling:

"It's coming! Huo La, did you hear? It's here, right? It's that Super Ancient Dragonite!"

"Probably," Huo La sprang to his feet, his tone tinged with excitement, "Let's go to the top of the Lighthouse; the view's better there, we can see more clearly!"

Before the words finished, he was already sprinting toward the stairs;

Zheng Hui followed closely, clutching a high‑magnification camera, fearing to miss any detail;

Ash, hearing 'Super Ancient Dragonite', his eyes lit up instantly, cradling Pikachu as he followed, muttering, "Super Ancient Pokemon! I have to see it with my own eyes!"

【49】 Xiao Gang, Xiao Xia and Lilian exchanged glances and hurried after them.