"Pi—ka—chu!!"
A piercing crackle of electricity accompanied by a wave of intense hostility surged forward! Golden snakes of lightning danced wildly around Pikachu, and the air filled with the skin-pricking scent of ozone. The lights in the laboratory flickered violently, looking as if they would be extinguished at any moment.
Professor Oak instinctively took half a step back and shouted, "Ash, look out! It's going to—"
However, Ash's movements were faster and far more unexpected.
He didn't try to pull out an empty Poké Ball or bark an order like those before him had, nor did he shrink back. An instant before that violent burst of electricity erupted, Ash made a move that left both Professor Oak and Pikachu stunned.
Instead of defending or retreating, he took a sudden step forward, extending his right arm and opening his palm—not toward Pikachu, but slightly to the side. At the same time, the preliminary Aura Power he had mastered began to circulate within his body with unprecedented intensity!
Hum...
A thin, pale blue, translucent barrier of energy instantly coalesced in front of his palm. It wasn't large, but it was positioned perfectly between himself and Pikachu!
Zzzzt—!!!
A violent Thunderbolt erupted, slamming into that thin barrier of Aura. The barrier trembled violently, emitting an overburdened hum as fine cracks instantly spread across its surface. Clearly, it wasn't strong enough to completely withstand this strike born of pure rage.
It seems my Aura Power still needs a lot of work.
The remaining current surged around the barrier and crawled up Ash's body. The intense numbness and stinging pain forced a muffled groan from him, and his frame shook slightly. However,
he gritted his teeth and didn't retreat a single inch; his extended arm didn't even waver. His gaze remained clear and resolute, locked onto Pikachu, who looked slightly bewildered that its attack had been partially blocked.
"Pika?" A flash of doubt crossed Pikachu's small eyes. This human... seems a little different. Why isn't he afraid? Why isn't he using that hateful red and white ball?
"It's okay," Ash spoke. His voice was raspy from the stimulation of the electricity, yet it was exceptionally gentle, devoid of any blame. "I know you're scared, and you're angry. Being locked in a ball and facing a stranger must be very uncomfortable, right?"
He struggled to maintain the remnants of the barrier with his Aura Power while working even harder to project waves of understanding, comfort, and total lack of malice just as he had comforted that Sentret at the summer camp, only this time, his subject was countless times more powerful and volatile.
"Look, I mean you no harm." He slowly, extremely slowly, withdrew his trembling arm, which still crackled with lingering arcs of electricity, as if fearing any sudden movement would provoke the creature again. Then, under Pikachu's wary watch, he reached into the side pocket of his prepared backpack.
Pikachu immediately arched its back, sparks rising again.
But what Ash pulled out was neither a Poké Ball nor a weapon, but a bottle of... ketchup.
Professor Oak: "???"
Pikachu: "Pi... ka?"
Under the bewildered gazes of both Pikachu and the Professor, Ash carefully squeezed a small dollop of bright, red ketchup onto the back of his hand. Then, he slowly extended his hand again, presenting the ketchup-smeared skin to Pikachu while wearing the friendliest smile he could manage.
"Try this. I'm sure you'll like it." As a loyal fan of his own past life's legend, he knew that Pikachu had zero resistance to ketchup. This was the source of his confidence.
Pikachu's nose twitched slightly. That bright red, viscous substance emitting a peculiar sweet and sour scent seemed to... pique its curiosity.
Its desire to attack was momentarily suppressed by instinctual curiosity and appetite.
It remained vigilant, but the sparks on its cheeks dimmed slightly.
Ash held his breath, maintaining his posture, his Aura Power running at full capacity to project maximum goodwill and patience.
If he couldn't win Pikachu over like this, he might as well go find a block of tofu to bash his head against and die.
Finally, Pikachu edged closer and extended its tiny red tongue, quickly licking the ketchup off the back of Ash's hand.
It froze.
The next second—
"Pikachu! (★ω★)"
Its eyes suddenly lit up, and its tail gave a happy little wag! Clearly, the flavor of the ketchup far exceeded its expectations! It immediately took several more licks, even using its tiny paws to grab Ash's wrist as it focused entirely on enjoying this unexpected feast. The unsettling electricity around its body vanished completely.
Professor Oak stood to the side, dumbfounded, his jaw nearly hitting the floor.
The problem that had plagued him for months had been settled... just like that? This kid really was...
Ash watched Pikachu gorging itself on the back of his hand and let out a long sigh of relief. A massive sense of achievement and a warm current surged through his heart. He had made it past the first step!
In that moment of emotional turbulence, just as the preliminary bond with Pikachu was established, a cold, emotionless voice abruptly echoed in the depths of his mind:
[Detected host has established a preliminary bond with 'Destiny Protagonist Grade' partner 'Pikachu.' Energy threshold met...]
[Perceiving special Aura frequency of the host's soul... matching...]
[Myriad Realms Mall System bound successfully! Welcome, the one and only Host.]
Ash froze, his pupils shrinking slightly. A System? The Myriad Realms Mall?
[This mall links all the heavens and myriad realms. You may use 'Realm Essence' to exchange for items within the mall.]
[Realm Essence can be obtained through the following methods:]
[1. Interacting with rare or Legendary Pokémon.]
[2. Completing major historical milestones or changing established fates.]
[3. Accomplishing special tasks randomly issued by the system.]
[4. Significant improvements in the host's own strength.]
[Initial Realm Essence granted: 100 points (binding reward). Please explore actively, Host, and work hard to earn more Realm Essence.]
Immediately following, a high-tech, semi-translucent virtual interface expanded across his retina, with categories clearly defined:
*Pokémon World:*
Poké Ball (100 points/each), Great Ball (500), Ultra Ball (1000), Master Ball... 1,000,000?
Potion, Full Restore, PP Restore...
Evolution Stone (Thunder Stone 5000, Fire Stone 5000...)
Mega Stone (Insufficient capability, currently locked)
Z-Crystal (Insufficient capability, currently locked)
Dynamax Band (Insufficient capability, currently locked)
*Myriad Realms:*
Naruto: Military Rations Pill (200 points), Paper Bomb (500 points), Three Basic Jutsu Scrolls (5000 points)... Sharingan (One Tomoe: 100,000 points)
One Piece: Sea Prism Stone Fragment (3000 points), Basic Taijutsu Insights (8000 points)... Devil Fruit (Logia-type starts at 10,000,000 points)
Demon Slayer: Nichirin Sword (Standard: 5000 points), Breathing Style Basics (Water/Thunder/Flame... 20,000 points each)
(Many panels are still waiting to be unlocked...)
*Host Status:*
Name: Ash
Physique: Relatively Robust (Preliminary Aura reinforcement)
Special Ability: Aura Power (LV.1) - (Can absorb and fuse other psychic traits to upgrade)
Held Realm Essence: 100
Task List: [No current tasks]
Ash's heart pounded against his ribs! A massive stream of information slammed into his brain. This system... while perhaps not as "god-tier" as he had imagined, was absolutely practical!
Not only did it contain all the items from the Pokémon world, but it could even allow him to exchange for power systems from other worlds! Furthermore, these external power systems could also be applied to Pokémon.
Though the high-end goods were ridiculously expensive, it undoubtedly opened a door to infinite possibilities for him!
The methods for obtaining "Realm Essence" were also perfectly aligned with his goals of traveling and changing his fate.
"Ash? Ash? Are you alright?" Professor Oak's voice pulled him back from his internal shock.
"Huh? Oh! I'm fine! Professor, I'm great!" Ash snapped out of it, a smile he couldn't suppress spreading across his face. He shook his hand, which was still being held and licked by Pikachu. "Look, it seems he's accepted me."
"It's truly hard to believe..." Professor Oak pushed up his glasses, stepping forward to carefully inspect the now completely relaxed Pikachu. "You achieved with a bottle of ketchup what we couldn't do in months... Ash, you really were born for Pokémon."
"Maybe." Ash smiled, offering no explanation regarding his Aura or the System. He gently stroked Pikachu's tail, using a massage technique he had learned.
Pikachu merely let out a comfortable "Pika," showing no resistance.
"Alright, since you've won its approval, he is your partner now."
Professor Oak handed Ash Pikachu's Poké Ball and five empty Poké Balls, then pulled out a Pokédex. "This is your beginner gear; use them well. I look forward to you verifying our theories during your journey!"
"Thank you, Professor! I won't let you down!" Ash took everything solemnly.
The protagonist is about to set off. Won't everyone give him a little push?
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