Taking the Poké Ball from Professor Oak, Ash took a deep breath, tapped to enlarge it, and then threw it, declaring, "Come out, my partner!"

The Poké Ball spun through the air, suddenly opening and releasing a burst of white light. The light took shape on the ground in front of them, gradually forming the outline of a petite Pokémon. As the light dispersed, a small and endearingly cute Pokémon appeared before Professor Oak and Ash.

"Pika... Pikachu?" The little Pokémon's voice was tinged with confusion as it looked up at Professor Oak, then at Ash, finally realizing that its Poké Ball was now in the hands of this human child.

The Pokémon was covered in yellow fur, with long ears tipped in black that drew immediate attention. Its cheeks were marked with red spots, which were actually sacs capable of unleashing powerful bursts of electricity.

It had two brown stripes on its back and a tail shaped like a lightning bolt, the base of which was also covered in brown fur.

This was Pikachu, an Electric Mouse Pokémon.

Pikachu

Type: Electric

Category: Mouse Pokémon

Ability: Static; Hidden Ability: Lightning Rod

Static: Pokémon with this ability can paralyze their attacker when hit with a contact move.

Level: Initial

"Achievement unlocked... Receive a starter Pokémon, reward: 1 lottery draw."

"New functions activated, achievements unlocked, quest objectives opened."

At that moment, a mechanical voice echoed in Ash's mind, startling him—it was the system!

Although he had never heard the system's voice before, it was unmistakably the sound of the system. However, Ash had no time to check it now; he needed to greet Pikachu, or as he knew it, the legendary 'Pikachu'.

"Hello, Pikachu, my name is Ash, and I'll be your friend from now on. Please take care of me..." Ash squatted down, smiling and extending his hand toward Pikachu.

Ash knew this Pikachu was not friendly toward strangers and might even respond to his gesture with an electric shock. Yet, he proceeded because he wanted to show Pikachu that he meant no harm!

"Wait, don't..." Professor Oak quickly spoke up, trying to stop Ash. His rash action could trigger Pikachu's defenses, and Pikachu might release an electric shock in response.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

However, the next moment took Professor Oak by complete surprise; he watched, incredulously, as Pikachu did not shock Ash.

Pikachu cocked its head, examining Ash's extended hand. After a brief hesitation, it touched Ash's hand with its tail.

Seeing this, Ash's smile grew even brighter. He knew that Pikachu using its tail to shake hands was not a sign of disrespect but a genuine gesture of wanting to communicate.

"Although we're not very familiar with each other yet, I believe that we will soon get to know each other well and become good friends." After releasing his hand, Ash spoke earnestly to Pikachu.

It was something Ash had learned from Professor Oak: only with genuine affection toward Pokémon could a trainer truly gain their trust and friendship.

"Pika..." Pikachu seemed a bit shy, nodding slightly before turning its face away, but it didn't reject Ash's kindness. From Ash, Pikachu sensed goodwill and an inexplicable connection.

"So, Professor, has Pikachu accepted me? Am I now officially a trainer?" Ash looked up at Professor Oak and asked.

"No... no doubt..." Professor Oak, coming back to his senses, watched Ash in amazement. He had allowed Pikachu to interact with others before, but none had ever achieved such immediate harmony as Ash had.

Even for him, his relationship with Pikachu was only about as close as that between Ash and Pikachu, despite having cared for Pikachu for some time.

"Then... Professor, aren't there some things you need to give me?" Ash, seeing Professor Oak momentarily lost in thought, gently reminded him.

"Yes, yes!" Professor Oak snapped back to reality, nodding vigorously as he walked over to a nearby table, picked up a red electronic device, and six empty Poké Balls.

"This is the Pokédex. Besides identifying Pokémon, it contains your information as a trainer. Whether it's for gym challenges or staying at Pokémon Centers, you'll need this Pokédex. You must take good care of it and contact me immediately if it's damaged," Professor Oak instructed.

"I know!" Ash, already familiar with these details, nodded and took the Pokédex and Poké Balls from the professor.

"Additionally... the compensation from the League has been deposited into your account. You'll receive three thousand Pokémon Dollars each month for a year," Professor Oak informed him.

"Really?!" Ash's eyes lit up at the news. Thirty-six thousand Pokémon Dollars a year was no small sum for Ash, especially considering his mother Delia worked at the ranch, earning just over twenty thousand a year.

Ash had been worried about the future costs of training Pokémon and his daily expenses, but this money, though not completely sufficient, alleviated much of his concern.

"Alright, time to put Pikachu away, and you should get going. Aren't you determined to challenge the Indigo Plateau Conference this season?" Professor Oak said with a gentle smile. In fact, the League's compensation was originally for six months, but he had decided to personally fund Ash for an additional six months, rounding it to a full year.

Having seen many trainers, Professor Oak believed in Ash's potential and did not want to see him get lost in the crowd. Ash had the potential to become an Elite Four-level trainer, perhaps even a Champion!

"Thank you, Professor." Ash bowed slightly to Professor Oak and then turned to Pikachu, "Pikachu, do you want to go into the Poké Ball?"

"Pika..." Pikachu looked at the Poké Ball in Ash's hand and shook its head repeatedly, clearly reluctant to enter. If it weren't for its lack of strength, it would have escaped the Poké Ball on its own long ago.

"Then come on up." Ash, knowing Pikachu's preference to stay out of the Poké Ball, put it away and extended his right hand, signaling Pikachu to jump up.

Without hesitation, Pikachu leaped up, using a bit of effort to climb from Ash's hand up his arm to his shoulder. The two seemed predestined to be together, clearly in harmony.

"Well then, Professor, I'll be off now." Although it felt unusual, Ash smiled at Pikachu and then said goodbye to Professor Oak.