Although the Viridian Blessing possessed the power of Source Cleansing, which could improve a Pokémon's Potential, it was an extraordinarily gradual process.
The difference between ordinary Purple Potential and High Purple Potential represented two minor realms of difference. If Ash were to slowly nurture a Pokémon's Potential himself, who knew how much time it would take? By his initial estimates, bridging that gap alone would require at least ten years of dedicated effort.
Moreover, both Beedrill and Persian were exceedingly common Pokémon. In the early stages, Source Cleansing could improve their Potential relatively quickly, but the higher their Potential became, the more difficult further improvements would be—especially when compared to Pokémon that naturally possessed higher base stat totals.
Since he had the opportunity to choose a Beedrill Egg with High Purple Potential, why would he choose the Persian Egg with comparatively lower Purple Potential?
Furthermore, Ash wasn't particularly fond of Normal-type Pokémon.
Although Normal-types could learn a vast number of off-type moves and would become extraordinarily powerful when paired with the Ascension Trainer System's Skill Copy Module, his other Pokémon could enjoy those same advantages as well. He didn't feel there was any particular need to deliberately cultivate a Normal-type Pokémon solely for that reason.
Even if he intended to raise one, Persian wasn't especially appealing to him.
After all, compared to Persian's base stat total of 440, wasn't Snorlax better? Wasn't Slaking better?
Beedrill, on the other hand, was different.
Although its overall base stat total was relatively low, nearly all of its strengths were perfectly concentrated into two areas—Attack and Speed.
As a burst-oriented assassin-type Pokémon, tremendous stamina and exceptional defenses weren't particularly necessary.
If raised similarly to Fearow—pursuing the absolute extremes of its strengths without compromise—it could easily become one of Ash's fiercest and most lethal Pokémon.
Especially considering that he currently lacked a true Bug-type battle ace among his main combatants.
One could say that Giovanni's Beedrill Egg had arrived at precisely the right moment.
"Teacher, I choose the Beedrill Egg."
Without the slightest hesitation, Ash gently picked up the yellow-and-black tiger-striped Pokémon Egg before him.
"Oh? Are you certain?" Giovanni's expression revealed a trace of surprise.
Although he knew perfectly well that the Beedrill Egg possessed superior Potential compared to the Persian Egg, Ash shouldn't have known that.
After all, between a Beedrill with a base stat total of only 395 and a Persian with a base stat total of 440, anyone who wasn't particularly fond of Beedrill would naturally choose the latter.
Furthermore, although Ash had somehow learned previously that Giovanni's strongest Pokémon was his Beedrill—and even knew that it had once defeated Lance's Dragonite—the circumstances surrounding it were rather sensitive.
Ordinary people throughout Kanto might not know the details, but the Pokémon League certainly knew that Team Rocket's leader possessed an extraordinarily powerful Beedrill.
In other words, under certain circumstances, Beedrill was an exceptionally sensitive Pokémon.
If Giovanni's true identity were exposed in the future, people would ordinarily assume Ash knew nothing of his Teacher's involvement with Team Rocket.
However, if Ash suddenly possessed an extraordinarily talented Beedrill...
The general public might not think much of it, but the upper echelons of the Pokémon League would undoubtedly become suspicious.
As the Indigo League's number one prodigy, Ash would inevitably attract speculation and scrutiny from the League's leadership. His future path toward becoming the Indigo League Champion would certainly become far more difficult than originally anticipated.
And Giovanni was convinced that, given Ash's intelligence and foresight, he couldn't possibly have overlooked these implications.
It was precisely because of this that Giovanni found Ash's choice so surprising.
"Ash, the Persian Egg's Potential isn't inferior to the Beedrill Egg's by much. Are you absolutely certain about your choice?"
"You should understand that, as my disciple, possessing an extraordinarily talented Beedrill Egg carries certain implications in the eyes of the Kanto League's upper echelons."
With an amused smile, Giovanni asked once more.
"What implications could it possibly have?" Ash asked casually with a smile. "As long as neither Teacher nor I publicize the matter, an exceptionally talented Beedrill simply means that I have good judgment, remarkable luck, and that Viridian Forest possesses abundant wild Pokémon resources."
"And besides, what does it matter how the Kanto League's upper echelons view me?"
"'The Light of Kanto' was a title given to me by enthusiastic fans, while 'the Indigo League's Number One Prodigy' was likewise something the League bestowed upon me."
"Up until now, although I've received certain procedural privileges, the actual resources I've obtained that genuinely improved my strength as a Trainer have been rather limited."
"My goal has never been to become the Light of Kanto or the future Champion of the League."
"My goal has always been to stand at the pinnacle of the Trainer profession."
"As long as one's strength is sufficient, becoming one of the Elite Four or even Champion is hardly worth mentioning."
"For a genius who appears only once every several decades—or perhaps even once a century—it should be the League that actively invests tremendous resources into nurturing such talent."
"It shouldn't be the other way around."
"After all, there isn't only a single Pokémon League or a single power within the Pokémon world."
"If the Indigo League truly grows suspicious of me because of a single Beedrill, then I'll simply develop elsewhere."
"Most of the resources that allowed me to grow this far were earned through my own efforts, after all."
"So tell me—does the opinion of others truly matter?"
"And even if it does, can it possibly be more important than obtaining an extraordinarily talented Pokémon?"
"I believe one shouldn't live too humbly."
"And likewise, neither individuals nor organizations should place themselves upon too lofty a pedestal. Those who fail to recognize their own limitations will ultimately pay the price for their ignorance."
Master and disciple seemed to be speaking in riddles.
Yet when faced with Giovanni's second inquiry, Ash's answer remained calm, confident, and utterly unwavering.
"Hahahaha! Well said!"
"For a Pokémon Trainer, true strength has always been supreme. An extraordinarily talented Pokémon is infinitely more valuable than empty praise and meaningless titles."
"A genius ought to possess such confidence and such invincible conviction."
Giovanni's face was filled with admiration after hearing Ash's words.
To hesitate endlessly when investing resources into nurturing genius—calling it prudence and caution when speaking kindly, or narrow-mindedness when speaking frankly—was simply laughable.
Through his own efforts alone, Ash had already grown to his current heights. At this point, he truly didn't particularly care about the League's resources.
Only a fool would reject such an extraordinarily talented Pokémon merely to maintain a favorable impression in the eyes of the League's upper echelons.
He was a genius.
And more importantly, he was a genius who had already become nearly fully matured through his own efforts.
The Pokémon League should be seeking him—not the other way around.
All he needed to do was continue growing stronger.
As for everything else...
There was no need to tread so cautiously.
After all, for a Pokémon Trainer—
Strength was always the most persuasive language of all.