In the group, Ash stood at the pinnacle in various fields, and everyone was a remarkable figure in their own world.
However, this also meant they were already set, standing only at the pinnacle of one specific domain.
To transform or learn other knowledge and skills would require commonality between areas, like Tactical Master Ash and Champion Ash; otherwise, they wouldn't pursue knowledge in other fields, and even if they did, they couldn't achieve the same pinnacle status as other Ashes.
But the new Ash was different. He was at a stage where he knew nothing, yet had the potential to learn everything.
The Ashes in the group represented the developmental potential of Ash from each parallel world, meaning that theoretically, Newbie Ash held the potential of every parallel world Ash.
He had the potential to become a Breeder, a Tactical Master, a top Trainer, an expert Fisherman, Mechanician, Chef, and more.
Therefore, the various Ashes in the group discussed and unanimously agreed on one thing: to cultivate the new Ash into an unprecedented, all-round Ash!
If they actually achieved this, the impact on the world of the new Ash would be tremendous, perhaps... he could accomplish what no Ash had ever done: defeating the Creator God of the Pokemon Realm, Arceus!
However, these ideas were merely conjectures; whether they could be realized depended on how much potential Newbie Ash could unleash and whether he was willing to learn from the group.
Fortunately, even with all there was to learn from the group, Newbie Ash showed no sign of giving up; he was determined to become a Pokemon Master at all costs.
The people in the group did not reveal their expectations or what they hoped Newbie Ash would achieve, as doing so would place too much pressure on him.
Currently, Newbie Ash was making steady progress, and everything was moving in a good direction.
...
After preparing food for Metapod and Pikachu, Ash also told Misty to release her Pokemon.
Apart from a Goldeen, Misty's Pokemon were capable of surviving on land temporarily but would need water after some time. Releasing them for a meal was no problem.
"Come out, my sweethearts~~" Misty called out tenderly, releasing her two Pokemon, a Staryu with a brown body and a little gem in the center, and a Starmie with a water-blue body adorned with a dazzling red gem.
Starmie was the evolved form of Staryu. This was new knowledge Ash had learned from the group, leaving him a bit puzzled as to why Misty had captured two Pokemon of the same species.
But that was trivial. This was the first time in three days Misty released her Pokemon. Pokemon in Pokeballs were in a state of minimal energy consumption, so they could go a week without eating.
It was also the first time Ash saw the level of Misty's Pokemon—Elite Level!
Starmie, Elite Peak.
Staryu, Elite Advanced Level.
One was just a step away from Professional Level, and the other was at Elite Advanced Level, no wonder Misty said those things back then.
If Pikachu had fought Misty's Pokemon at that time, the odds of winning would have been next to none.
As for now...who knew?
Misty had special Pokemon food for Starmie and the others, although she didn't have much, and Ash didn't recognize the brand.
"Misty, where did you get this? The logo on the package... why is it a water droplet?" Ash asked curiously, eyeing the droplet logo on Starmie's food packaging.
Pokemon food in malls and supermarkets usually had recognizable manufacturer logos, but Ash didn't recognize this brand Misty had.
"Uh...haha, this is from a small supplier of Water-type Pokemon food; it's not well-known, so it's normal you haven't heard of it."
"Is that so? Misty, are you hiding something from me?"
"What could I be hiding from you? You're being too sensitive, aren't you?"
"Really?" Ash's face got closer to Misty's, making her break into a cold sweat, but just as he got within five centimeters, he backed away suddenly.
"Well, since we've only been together for a few days, it's normal not to talk about everything, but I believe as we spend more time together, you'll definitely trust me." Ash grinned, hands on his hips.
"To...together? You mean traveling together!!"
"Hmm? Isn't it the same?"
"No, it's not!!"
...
After this little episode, the two and their Pokemon enjoyed a delightful lunch.
After eating and drinking their fill, they tidied up and were about to rest a bit before setting off when a flash of light shot towards Metapod beside Ash.
With quick reflexes, Ash caught the figure attempting to attack Metapod, seizing the nape of its neck.
"What the heck? Pidgeotto?" Ash asked once he caught a clear sight of the attacker, revealing it to be the evolved form of Kanto's common gatekeeper bird Pidgey, Pidgeotto.
Pidgey was a Flying-type Pokemon commonly seen in Kanto, just like Spearow, often called the gatekeeper bird, but Pidgey had a gentle temperament, making it suitable for Newbie Trainers.
However, once Pidgey evolved into Pidgeotto, its temperament changed dramatically, becoming difficult for beginners to control, much like Spearow.
Still, no matter how fierce, when caught mid-dive by a human with no chance to fight back, any wild nature would become tame.
Was this guy even human?
"So, what were you trying to do to my Metapod?" Ash held Pidgeotto up to his eyes, casting a mischievous glance.
This guy clearly looked like it wanted to eat his Metapod!
"Pi...Pidg..." Pidgeotto sweat a little from its brow, insisting it had done nothing, just felt a certain kinship and came over to say hello.
"Is that so?"
"Pidgey!!"
"Then I'll believe you this once, let's have a battle. If you win, you can go free; if you lose, you'll become my Pokemon."
"Pi?"
"What?" Ash's words baffled not only Pidgeotto but Misty as well—why suddenly a capture battle?
In recent days, Ash had met many Pokemon, but apart from Caterpie, he hadn't tried to capture any. Even when he encountered Spearow or Pidgey, he didn't capture them.
Why was it that now, with this Pidgeotto, Ash wanted to battle for its capture? Didn't he want to start raising from Pidgey?
Of course, Misty's guess wasn't the truth at all.
Ash wanted to capture this Pidgeotto because...of the suggestions from the group veterans and the fact that this Pidgeotto had strong potential.