044: Gary's Suppression Plan!!
...With Claire's identity exposed, everyone turned to look and whisper. As the center of attention, Xiaochun seemed a little embarrassed and shy, while Xiaohao the one who revealed the secret stood tall, pride brimming on his face.
"Hmph ~" He puffed air through his nostrils, as if everyone's awe and envy were directed not at Claire, daughter of Professor Sakuragi, but at himself for being associated with her.
Among the group of local students from Pallet Town mingling with those from the Kalos Region, one pair stood out. Seeing Xiaohao standing so smugly, practically aiming his nostrils toward him, Gary Oak's expression twisted in displeasure.
"Ash, I really can't stand this guy," Gary muttered, glancing sideways.
"Haha, then Gary, should I help you by announcing that you're the grandson of the Professor Oak? Once everyone hears, you'd instantly overshadow him. Bam! You'd be the star of the entire summer camp." Ash elbowed Gary playfully, smirking.
"Forget it. I'm not that petty... but this Xiaohao guy no matter how I look at him, I just don't like him." Gary lowered his voice even further. "Once we're in the summer camp, how about we find a chance to mess with him a little?"
"Master Gary, I'm a good boy. Don't try to corrupt me," Ash said with mock seriousness, blinking at him.
"Come on, Ash. I know you better than that." Gary rolled his eyes. "You didn't have to say anything. From the moment you laid eyes on this guy, I could tell you didn't like him. Your energy changed."
"I just don't vibe with the guy, that's all," Ash replied half-heartedly. "But you're being dramatic."
"You can play innocent all you want, but we were born in the same year, same month, same day. We grew up side by side. I know you like the back of my hand. The second your butt twitches, I know whether you're gonna poop or pee."
"I can feel how irritated you are, Ash. Admit it or not, I know. And I swear, once we're deep into that forest section of summer camp this afternoon, I'm going to find the perfect chance to put him in his place," Gary muttered darkly.
Ash chuckled. "Wow, so now our Mr. Future Pokémon Researcher has 'Psychic mind-reading powers,' huh? Fine. Once we're out there in the forest, let me know when you're ready. I'll be there."
"Tch, you're the Psychic, not me. I'm not the one who made a mental connection with every Pikachu he's ever seen." Gary crossed his arms, then added smugly, "But whether it's liking someone or hating someone, I can tell. You're an open book."
"When you look at that girl Serena from Lumiose, your eyes practically sparkle. It's obvious you like her."
Gary leaned in closer, voice dropping. "But when it comes to this Xiaohao guy even though you put on your usual dense face I can sense the hostility in your aura. Believe me, Ash. I know you better than you think."
"Oh " Ash dragged the sound out, smiling slyly as he turned his head to look at Gary. "Since you know me so well, then tell me, Gary... do I like you or hate you?"
"Fuck off!!" Gary turned away quickly, avoiding Ash's gaze. His cheeks were faintly red as he muttered under his breath.
"..."
"..."
Students from other cities in the Kanto Region also arrived today for the joint Pokémon Summer Camp. Following tradition, Professor Oak gathered everyone in the plaza and, standing beside his trusted assistant Samson, briefly reiterated the safety protocols and daily schedules. He emphasized the importance of respecting wild Pokémon and nature, and reminded everyone to regroup at the town gate by 1:30 in the afternoon for departure.
"It's nearly noon," Professor Oak concluded with a smile. "Let's all go home for lunch. Get a bit of rest afterward. The forest camp begins shortly, so be ready"
Even though Xiao Hao had caused a minor stir earlier in the day, he no longer occupied Ash's focus. In Ash's eyes, Xiao Hao was merely a boastful six-year-old, too immature and far from being any real threat at least for now.
Currently, Ash saw himself as the true Chosen One blessed not only by fate but by the world's very luck. Ever since that strange incident involving the near-fatal fall from the tree, his senses had sharpened, and he'd begun awakening the dormant Psychic talent hinted at in both his mother Delia's family and in Professor Oak's personal records.
While it's possible that, like in the Pokémon Journeys anime of Generation VIII, Xiao Hao might later rise to co-protagonist status and chase dreams like capturing Mew, that time had not yet come.
There was still Kanto. Then the Orange Islands. Johto. Hoenn. Sinnoh. Unova. Kalos. And Alola. Seven full regions before Galar's arc began. Ash was still the main protagonist of the world's journey, the sole boy destined to touch the hearts of all regions.
And Xiao Hao? To Ash, he was just another name written lightly in the back of his mental notebook someone to observe from time to time. If ever the need arose and their goals clashed, Ash wouldn't hesitate. No mercy, no holding back. He'd crush him with precise, overwhelming force.
"But first," Ash mused, walking back home alongside Tieruno and Trevor, "I need to secure a top spot in this summer camp. Only by achieving high marks can I get early access to my Pokémon license, and from there, everything else begins."
With that in mind, Ash mentally mapped out the next steps of his plan: daily training once he obtained his first Pokémon, skill mastery in battle and terrain, and earning money and information by subtly using his emerging Psychic abilities. If necessary, he'd borrow from his system skills abilities he copied or mimicked in secret. He also needed to continue refining his control over Psychic energy to unlock deeper potential.
"Ash, wait up! I'm coming to your house for lunch again!" Gary shouted, waving goodbye to Xiaolan and jogging to catch up.
Ash stopped and turned. "Gary, seriously? Again? You've been showing up every day. Why aren't you eating with those two kids staying at your place?"
Gary shrugged, smirking. "They're obsessed with Grandpa. I arranged for them to have lunch with him and the lab researchers. Honestly, those two think it's an honor. They'll probably start fighting over who gets to clean Grandpa's desk."
"Haha, whatever you say…" Ash replied. He didn't really care about the two Carlos Region students temporarily staying with Gary. To Ash, they were just extras on the stage.
In fact, whether it was the local kids from Pallet Town, the visitors from Kalos, or even the freshly arrived batch from other Kanto cities, it didn't make much difference to Ash.
Out of the sixty students attending this Pokémon Summer Camp, only a few truly mattered to him: Gary, his lifelong rival. Tieruno and Trevor, his dependable friends from Kalos. And of course, the trio of girls next door Xiaolan, Shauna, and Serena, the latter of whom had stirred something unfamiliar and warm in his chest.
As for Xiao Hao and Xiao Chun, who had only just arrived this morning, Ash had noted them briefly. They were newcomers, but for now, they weren't worth worrying about.
Yet while Ash remained indifferent, the reverse could not be said.
Other students, especially the Kalos team, had already noticed Ash. Despite having arrived late on the day of their first group assembly, this "minor" incident only increased their curiosity.
A quick inquiry with Pallet Town's host families revealed something surprising the boy who had overslept was no slouch. He was one of the famed "Twin Kings" of Pallet Town's youth, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Gary Oak.
It didn't take long for whispers to spread among the campers, each new arrival eager to size up the legend of Pallet Town's two prodigies.
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