Using Viridian Power at Level 41 and distributing it in a 9:1 ratio, Ash activated the technique Will Empowerment · Z-Move · Pseudo.
Pikachu's original level of LV.39 was instantly boosted to LV.63 (Pseudo–Elite Four Tier).
Although this enhanced state could only last 1 minute and 36 seconds, it still created overwhelming level suppression against Caldor's Heatmor.
"What is this…?!"
"Is this that kid's psychic ability?"
Caldor stared in stunned disbelief.
"If he had so many trump cards, why on earth did he wait until now to use them?!"
Ash didn't care about Caldor's confusion.
The duration of Will Empowerment was limited.
He couldn't afford to waste even a second.
Without hesitation, Ash immediately ordered Pikachu to launch a frontal assault.
…
"Pikachu—use Surf!"
Ash swept his arm forward and shouted with tremendous momentum.
"Pika—Pika!"
Pikachu instantly moved.
Previously it had maintained distance to prevent Heatmor from getting close.
But now—
Pikachu charged straight toward Heatmor.
As it ran forward, Pikachu's body seemed to grow taller and taller.
Of course, Pikachu itself wasn't getting bigger.
Rather—
A massive wave surged up beneath its feet.
1 meter…
3 meters…
5 meters…!
The wave rose higher and higher as Pikachu rode atop it.
…
"Heatmor! Dodge it!!"
Caldor shouted anxiously.
Across the field, both Caldor and Heatmor looked horrified as the building-sized wave crashed toward them.
"Hiss—!"
Heatmor struggled desperately to get back up.
But the paralysis from Thunder Wave had not yet faded.
Electric sparks flashed across its body.
Its limbs trembled weakly.
With a painful groan—
Heatmor collapsed back onto the ground.
All it could do was watch the enormous wave descend upon it in despair.
"CRASH—!"
"BOOOOOOM!!"
The towering wave slammed into the battlefield.
Foaming water exploded outward like snow scattering across the shore.
Ash had originally planned to follow up with Electro Ball to finish the fight.
But that turned out to be unnecessary.
The overwhelming Surf attack alone was enough.
Heatmor collapsed instantly.
It had lost the ability to battle.
…
"Pika… haa… haa…"
As the enhancement from Will Empowerment faded, Pikachu's body finally relaxed.
Although it had previously been fully restored by Wish, the intense battle had still exhausted it.
Pikachu lay on the ground, panting heavily.
At that moment—
A familiar system notification rang in Ash's ears.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You defeated Heatmor (LV.55). Experience +11,001!]
[Ding! Pikachu has reached the level-up requirement.]
[Level Up Complete! Current Level: LV.40!]
Heatmor's level was extremely high.
Although Pikachu now required much more experience to level up than before, this huge wave of experience still pushed it over the threshold.
Pikachu had finally reached LV.40.
Now—
Ash officially possessed an Elite-tier Pokémon.
Even though he currently had only one Pokémon at that level, the achievement alone would already shock countless people.
But the most astonishing part wasn't that.
What truly shocked people was this:
A LV.39 Pikachu had defeated a LV.55 Gym-tier Heatmor, crossing two major battle tiers.
Of course, part of the reason was that Caldor was primarily a craftsman rather than a professional Trainer.
His battle tactics and combat experience were naturally weaker than Trainers of the same level.
But regardless of the circumstances—
Pikachu defeating an opponent two tiers above itself was still an undeniable fact.
From this alone, it was clear that under Ash's careful training—
Pikachu had become extraordinarily powerful.
"Heatmor… you did well."
"Return and rest."
Caldor recalled his defeated partner.
Then he looked toward Ash.
His face was filled with complex emotions—admiration, regret, and disbelief all mixed together.
"Kid… I must admit, you're impressive."
"You won this battle."
"You passed my test perfectly."
"According to the rules I set for myself, I will forge a custom item for you free of charge."
Then Caldor suddenly paused.
"Oh right…"
"I still don't know your name."
Ash stepped forward and picked up Pikachu, who was still exhausted.
"Thank you, Master Caldor."
"My name is Ash."
"Ash?"
Caldor narrowed his eyes.
"And your surname?"
He clearly seemed very interested.
"Ketchum."
"My name is Ash Ketchum, from Pallet Town."
Ash replied honestly.
"Ash Ketchum… from Pallet Town?"
Caldor frowned slightly.
He had never heard that surname before.
He had assumed that this boy—who looked barely six or seven years old—
Yet already owned Pokémon before the official Trainer age of ten…
And had just defeated a Gym-tier opponent…
Must be the heir of some ancient family or a powerful organization in Kanto.
Yet the surname Ketchum was completely unfamiliar to him.
"Could he belong to some newly risen family or faction?"
Caldor wondered silently.
…
Ash saw the confusion on Caldor's face.
Even without using Aura Power, he could easily sense the old man's doubts.
Remembering that everything started because of a misunderstanding, Ash couldn't help but chuckle.
After thinking for a moment, he decided to explain.
"Master… actually, I'm just an ordinary kid from a civilian family in Pallet Town."
"I'm not the descendant of any noble clan."
"Today I came to Rainbow Radiance Jewelry Shop simply to find a skilled craftsman to help make a piece of jewelry."
"I even prepared the design blueprint myself."
"The craftsman only needed to follow the design—nothing complicated."
Ash shrugged.
"But I didn't expect Master Caldor to be a hidden expert living here."
"And somehow you misunderstood my identity."
"Well… everything that happened afterward, you already know."
"This was all… a misunderstanding?"
Caldor looked completely stunned.
"Yes."
"It was just a misunderstanding."
"I came here as a regular customer to make jewelry, not Pokémon items."
"And before today, I didn't even know Master Caldor."
Ash explained calmly.
…
"Hiss…"
Caldor sucked in a sharp breath.
His expression turned rather awkward.
He had never imagined that the entire situation had been the result of his own assumptions.
Everything—
From beginning to end—
Had been something he imagined on his own.
"You brat."
"If this was a misunderstanding, why didn't you correct me from the start?"
Caldor glared at him with mild dissatisfaction.
…
Ash scratched his head slightly.
"Well… even if it started as a misunderstanding…"
"Meeting a hidden master capable of crafting Pokémon items like you is still an incredible opportunity for a junior like me."
"And when opportunity appears—"
"Regardless of the reason behind it—"
"The only thing a person should do is grab it firmly."
Ash smiled brightly.
Then he added:
"By the way, Master Caldor …"
"You said earlier that anyone who defeats you would receive one custom item crafted for free, right?"
"Just now, thanks to your mercy, I was lucky enough to defeat your Heatmor."
"That should count as meeting the conditions, correct?"
"So… if possible…"
Ash's eyes shone brightly.
"…could you craft that item for me?"
…
Caldor snorted.
"You brat."
"Don't flatter this old man."
"The rules were made by me."
"And since I made them—"
"I will absolutely keep my word."
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