Pallet Town lay in the southern part of the Kanto continent, already quite close to the sea.
If one boarded a ship and sailed straight south, leaving in the morning, they could probably reach Cinnabar Island by four or five in the afternoon.
But Ash didn't need to go to Cinnabar Island right now.
Today, he was simply taking Valor (Magikarp) and Lumina (Feebas) to the estuary downstream from Pallet Town's river to grind against wild Pokémon and level up.
The estuary was rich in wild Water-type Pokémon, making it a perfect training ground for Magikarp and Feebas.
Valor and Lumina swam in the water, while Ash walked along the riverbank. One human, two Pokémon, moving south together along the river—before long, they arrived at the river's mouth where it flowed into the sea.
"Hua..."
The narrow river suddenly widened at the estuary, blooming open like a morning glory. Clear freshwater poured into the blue ocean, and at the point where river met sea, two differently colored bodies of water mingled while still remaining distinctly separate.
A cool sea breeze carrying a faint salty, fishy scent blew toward them. It felt slightly unfamiliar—but far more refreshing than unpleasant.
Looking out at the vast, boundless blue ocean before him, Ash couldn't help spreading his arms wide as if to embrace it.
Compared to him, Valor and Lumina—who had been coming here fairly often lately—were much calmer in their reactions.
"Valor, Lumina, get your heads in the game and prepare for battle," Ash said, tearing his gaze away from the magnificent seascape and refocusing on the real reason he had come.
"Splash~"
"Gurgle~"
Hearing Ash's words, Magikarp and Feebas poked half their heads out of the water and nodded obediently.
"Since you're both ready, let's begin."
With that, Ash activated Natural Affinity from the Viridian Blessing together with Mind Reading & Telepathy from his Aura Powers. Then, through the shimmering surface of the sea ahead, he projected his voice outward:
"All wild Water-type Pokémon living in Pallet Town's river, the estuary, and the nearby shallow seas—this is Ash from Pallet Town.
"Next, I'll be setting up a challenge arena here at the estuary, where my Magikarp and Feebas will accept battles.
"Any Pokémon that participates—win or lose—will receive Pokémon food, and I'll also use my psychic powers to cleanse and refine your body once, improving your potential.
"Any wild Water-type Pokémon interested may come to the estuary to challenge us. However, challengers must be below LV.10."
…
Ash repeated the broadcast three more times in succession.
Using Aura Perception to observe, he saw Water-type Pokémon that had heard the announcement immediately put aside whatever they were doing and began gathering toward the estuary.
For the wild Water-type Pokémon living in Pallet Town's river, estuary, and nearby sea, the name Ash of Pallet Town was anything but unfamiliar—one could even say it was thunderously well-known.
Because of Ash's free clinic at Stone Bridge, many wild Water-type Pokémon had received treatment from him before, and they all remembered his kindness.
Now that they had heard his call and knew he needed help, many wild Pokémon rushed toward the estuary—even some that hadn't fully understood what Ash was asking.
Especially those who had interacted with Ash during the Pokémon Summer Camp—
like the Gyarados whose potential Ash had personally corrected and enhanced—
and the female Gyarados, the partner of that same Gyarados, whom Ash had promised to help after Gyarados assisted him in spreading word of the Stone Bridge clinic through the nearby seas.
...
The previously calm ocean surface suddenly surged as a massive wave rose.
Moments later, two Gyarados arrived side by side.
One was enormous and powerfully built; the other slightly smaller, with white whiskers at the corners of her mouth—the smaller one was the female Gyarados Ash had first come to know.
"Gyarados, you're here too," Ash greeted them calmly as the two massive Pokémon approached.
...
The two Gyarados responded with low, rumbling calls, then settled quietly beside Ash, their eyes narrowing into crescent moons.
Every morning during training, the pair would come punctually to the Stone Bridge outside Pallet Town, allowing Ash to use Source Cleansing to improve their potential. Compared to other wild Water-type Pokémon, their gratitude toward Ash ran far deeper.
Knowing Ash intended to train his newly obtained Water-type Pokémon through real combat, the Gyarados couple immediately set aside their own affairs and hurried over to help him hold the field.
Not that it was truly necessary—given Ash's reputation and standing among the local wild Pokémon, no one would dare cause trouble. And with Ash's current Aura strength, handling any troublemakers would be easy.
Still, the couple's actions were born of pure sincerity.
"Splash—"
"Splash—"
Less than five minutes after the Aura broadcast, the surface of the estuary was already crowded with wild Water-type Pokémon—99% of them former patients Ash had helped before.
"Alright, everyone, quiet down for a moment," Ash said.
"I came here today mainly to train the real combat abilities of Magikarp and Feebas. So any Pokémon below LV.10 may step forward to challenge them.
"Anyone who participates will have their potential improved by my psychic powers, and you'll also receive a portion of delicious Water-type Pokémon food.
"If you're injured during battle, I'll heal you afterward as well.
"So—who would like to challenge us?"
As soon as Ash finished speaking, the sea immediately erupted into excitement.
The rewards he offered were incredibly generous. Improving potential alone was enough to make every Pokémon's heart burn with desire, and Pokémon food was equally tempting.
Food, territory, reproduction—these were the things wild Pokémon pursued throughout their lives. With Ash promising food as a reward, the Water-type Pokémon at the surface all grew eager and restless.
After all, Ash had said that win or lose, as long as they participated, they'd be rewarded. And since he possessed healing psychic powers, there was no need to fear injury.
But in truth, beyond the lure of generous rewards, there was another powerful attraction—one even Ash himself hadn't fully realized.
Among the many wild Water-type Pokémon gathered on the sea's surface, a shared thought quietly spread:
If I defeat Ash's Magikarp and Feebas…
Or if I perform exceptionally well in the challenge…
Will Ash take notice of me?
Could I become one of Ash's Pokémon?
The estuary buzzed with anticipation.
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