Inside the lighthouse owned by Bill, Ash stood in front of the videophone, helplessly looking at Professor Oak on the screen.
"Grandpa, come on… I told you I'd leave Suicune with you after the Indigo Conference. Weren't you excited to study it?"
After more than an hour of back-and-forth, Professor Oak finally ended the call. Ash sighed in relief. He had wanted to speak with his mother too, but all the time had been eaten up by this argument.
Still, thinking about his champion-level Pokémon calmed him. When he had revealed his custom-made potions, Ash already sensed danger looming. Maybe some people would hesitate, more interested in the large wooden house behind him than in stirring up trouble—but there would always be fools who weren't afraid of death. That's why having his champion-tier Pokémon around gave him peace of mind. Combined with his Kaleidoscope Sharingan, there weren't many who could pose a real threat to him.
The next day
Ash took his team to the beach, hoping to use the time before Dragonite's arrival to help stabilize their current strength.
"Tyranitar, your strength is formidable, but your water resistance is poor. Go train on the shoals. Get used to the water's resistance—don't fear it. You don't need to like it, but at least be able to counterattack in a water battle."
"Suicune, you're the strongest among my Pokémon. Honestly, I don't have a perfect plan for your training right now. Focus on mastering the techniques I taught you. The most important thing is increasing the speed at which you release your moves."
"Steelix, your speed's always been a weak point. While you have a trick to temporarily make up for it, I want you to rely on your own strength to boost your attack speed."
"Scyther, your main task is to get familiar with your skillset. As for the Metal Coat, I've already convinced Grandpa to send it over. It'll take a little while to arrive."
"Arcanine, your training will focus on firepower and speed. Start by releasing your fire techniques over the ocean. In battle, maintaining a move can be just as important as raw strength."
"Pidgeot, honestly, your growth rate has been the fastest, but your battle experience is lacking. So for now, you'll spar with Suicune—just light combat, nothing too serious. Suicune needs the skill practice too."
"Venusaur, you skipped the Ivysaur stage entirely, so your control over your abilities is the worst right now. You'll also spar with Suicune. Before your next real battle, I need you to learn to control your power properly."
"Pikachu, you were my very first Pokémon. Realistically, you've hit your current cap unless you evolve or learn to harness the laws of battle themselves. For now, help the others refine their skills."
After organizing everyone's training, Ash sat cross-legged on the beach and entered a meditative state, maintaining his peak mental sharpness. With the looming fight against the colossal Dragonite, Ash estimated that—Suicune aside—the odds of victory for the rest of his team were below 30%.
"I've got the Sharingan now, so my own strength matches that of a high-tier Legendary Pokémon. But the side effects are brutal… I need a way to counter them."
"I can't rely on the system. I don't know when I'll draw the Eternal Mangekyō. Maybe that should be my next goal…" Ash muttered in meditation, anxious about his own limitations.
After all, the current Kaleidoscope Sharingan was gradually going blind. It could dispel illusions, yes—but it wasn't a permanent fix. He couldn't use it recklessly.
Meanwhile, near the Bill Lighthouse, Sundae—Giselle—was washing up and chatting with Brock, who was preparing food.
"That guy's Pokémon are crazy strong. They're even stronger than my sister's. Is he really a rookie trainer?" Giselle asked, a hint of disbelief in her voice.
Without looking up, Brock stirred the pot and replied, "Ash? He's a real champion. His Pokémon's levels skyrocketed, but their strength is still unstable. It's both a blessing and a curse. They'll need a lot of focused training."
In the forest near the lighthouse, a woman with long, flowing blonde hair walked along a narrow path, muttering to herself, "That Sundae… Why is she messing around with someone named Ash? And Dad too—what's with this marriage arrangement?"
This woman was Girona Yoto, Sundae's older sister. At 28, she was undeniably beautiful and mature—though occasionally a bit airheaded.
After Ash lifted the supply restrictions in Sinnoh, Girona had come to Kanto. She'd heard her sister was now involved with Ash and, knowing Sundae's bratty nature, was worried she might have already offended him. And if she had—well, things wouldn't end well.
Of course, that was only part of her reason for coming.
More importantly… Ash was her arranged marriage partner.
In this world, polygamy was commonplace. Age differences were rarely a concern.
Years ago, Professor Oak had helped arrange the marriage. Naturally, it involved significant political and financial benefits. His family gained access to Ash's powerful medicine and mental-enhancement potions, taking 50% of the profits, while the Yoto family received 20%.
Even though different regions often competed or even feuded, marriages like these helped maintain diplomatic balance. As long as there wasn't an unavoidable conflict, such ties ensured stability.
Professor Oak had seen Ash's potential from the beginning. As Ash's reputation and influence grew, it became all the more essential to find him suitable partners. With Oak's guidance and Ash's pharmaceutical contributions, the Oak family had become a leader not just in research, but in the economy too. Even though their combat power hadn't fully caught up, their foundation was solid—and unshakable.
Originally, Professor Oak had considered arranging a marriage between Ash and someone from a prominent family in Kanto. However, most of the age-appropriate candidates were either too immature or lacked the strength and presence required. As a future wife, especially in a polygamous society like this one, it wasn't enough to simply exist within the harem—she needed to command respect, maintain balance, and support her husband during times of trouble.
After a careful selection process, Professor Oak ultimately set his sights on Cynthia Yoto, the Champion of the Yoto family. Though she was several years older than Ash, her maturity, strength, and steady temperament made her the ideal choice—one that left Professor Oak extremely satisfied.
The price for this alliance hadn't been cheap, but it was more than worth it. And it wasn't as though Cynthia would suddenly become a Kanto native after marrying Ash. No—she remained Yoto through and through. Her allegiance and identity wouldn't shift; she would continue to represent the Yoto family, even as Ash's wife.
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TN:
Cynthia waifu get~! 😏
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