svetikya Chapter 151 Pure Goodwill, Expectations for the Future
Chapter 151 Pure Goodwill, Expectations for the Future
"Since you can figure out exactly how to activate Chimchar's Blaze, then why...?"
"Stimulate? What is stimulated?"
Shinji interrupted Ash, replying with a cold gaze:
"No matter how talented you are, it's useless if you can't master it; no matter how outstanding you are, you're weak if you get defeated! It contains miracles, that's obvious. Even the dumbest people sitting in front of the TV can see how extraordinary this guy is."
"Ouch..."
Although Shinji's words were harsh, they could be considered a compliment to Chimchar.
It then raised its head, still wanting to say something, but was frightened away by a look from Shinji.
Shinji closed his eyes, and at that moment Ash could feel the fatigue emanating from Shinji.
His words seemed to be about Chimchar, but they also revealed his inner conflict.
“I gave it enough time, but it failed to meet my expectations. Even though it successfully ignited the fire today, it ultimately controlled less than a tenth of what I had hoped for.”
"But, if it evolves..."
“I’ve already said I’ve given it enough time, but it has never had the courage to face that power. There are many Fire-type Pokémon to choose from, but it… isn’t in that category.”
"..."
The little fire monkey lowered its eyes and gently tapped the dusty ground with the back of its hand.
Release them back into the wild.
Shinji's Pokémon all understand that if they can't deliver a result that satisfies him, this is the outcome they will face.
Was it happy when it was with Shinji?
The little fire monkey couldn't help but ask itself this question.
While there were moments of joy, there were far more moments of disappointment and pain. The grueling daily training left it covered in bruises, but it could also feel its own growth. It wanted to repay Shinji with its performance, but—
It failed.
It ultimately failed to live up to his expectations.
"..."
"You seem to have something you want to tell me."
Shinji looked at Ash, who was frowning, and said this calmly.
"Your decision was flawed, but it also had some merit—"
"It is too weak and goes against my principles."
Shinji closed his eyes, put his left hand into his pocket, and threw the Poké Ball of Chimchar in his right hand forward.
Just as Chimchar and Ash subconsciously thought that Shinji was planning to destroy the Poké Ball, Ash suddenly realized that Shinji's Poké Ball was being thrown at him.
"you--"
Ash took the Poké Ball from Chimchar and was about to say something when Shinji interrupted him again.
"Perfect, let weak Pokémon stay with weak trainers... Whether the so-called power of bonds you speak of can actually help Pokémon break through their limitations... you shall prove it yourselves."
"..."
Ash and Chimchar exchanged a glance, both of them looking somewhat dazed.
"Perfect, the silly expression matches perfectly."
Shinji gave a final sneer, ignoring Ash who seemed to have something to say and the somewhat bewildered Chimchar, and left with a final message before departing:
"However, after losing so much, my words are not convincing."
Shinji looked at the two of them coldly and said:
"Before the Sinnoh League begins, I will defeat you once, so that you will understand that weakness will only lead to defeat."
Shinji left, and all his actions seemed so hurried, leaving one with an indescribable feeling.
"So, he handed you over to me?"
"Oji."
Chimchar looked at Ash with a confused expression, unsure of how to respond.
Is this considered being released or abandoned?
Or is it...?
"As it turns out, he's always been very optimistic about your talent."
Ash revealed the truth that Chimchar had always vaguely suspected but dared not say.
"And that guy even challenged us."
"Ouch..."
The little fire monkey's answer had no literal meaning, yet it seemed to express all its feelings.
"Your talent has been shown to everyone today, but as Shinji said, this is not the end."
Ash crouched down beside Chimchar, who looked somewhat bewildered. He gently placed his hand on Chimchar's head, stroking it as he spoke:
"I know you also want to master this power, don't you? I swear to you, you... no, I should say we. We can definitely do it. After mastering the power of the raging fire, let's announce your meteoric rise to Shinji, to the whole world!"
"Oji..."
Chimchar stared blankly as Ash clenched his fist in front of him.
It looked into Ash's eyes, and although it wasn't the first time, it saw only purity in Ash's eyes.
More accurately, it was pure goodwill and pure determination.
It felt warmth from the bottom of its heart. How long had it been since it had felt this warmth?
Thinking back, it seems like the last time it was there was in the forest.
After being hungry for a long time, it finally found a fruit tree. It picked the fruit, leaving most of it in the tree hole and carrying the rest with it.
Climb to the top of the tree, feel the warmth of the morning sun, and enjoy the rare and delicious food.
Is it weak?
It should be.
After all, it was indeed afraid of its own fierce fire and dared not face it head-on or defeat it.
Even in its weakness, it desires a higher level of satisfaction.
It wants to meet the expectations of others.
Because it has always been alone, the concept of companionship becomes even more precious to it.
When it was with Shinji, it had a good life and was able to eat.
But when it lay battered and bruised on the ground, feeling the mocking gazes of its companions and the dejected look in Shinji's eyes...
It couldn't help but think—
Are companions really that terrifying?
It suppressed its true nature, trying its best to appear more mature and composed in front of Shinji, but it still couldn't satisfy his desires.
Today, Shinji has entrusted it to someone else.
Even though we've only met a few times, I can feel warmth, unconditional expectation, and recognition in his eyes.
Now, he stretched out his clenched fist and placed it in front of him.
Smiling.
It is bathed in kindness.
The little fire monkey came to its senses, feeling as if some kind of magic was pulling it. Its head was empty, but it raised its right fist.
It paused for a moment, then brushed the dust off its fist and carefully bumped fists with Ash.
"Then, please take care of me from now on, little fire monkey."
"Oji!"
The little fire monkey shouted with an unprecedentedly high voice and its eyes gleaming, as if afraid that all of this was just a beautiful dream.
.......
P.S.: I had a fever of 38°C tonight, and the antigen test from the school clinic is gone. I don't know if I'm positive, and I don't know if I'll have the energy to write tomorrow, so I'm writing it all tonight. Anyway, the plot is coherent, so don't say I'm having writer's block.
PS1: Recently, the number of reads and the price per read have indeed stabilized, which is much better than before. Whether I can continue writing up to the point of Unification and Carlos depends on everyone's efforts (??w??).