As they walked through the forest, Ash continued teaching Clarissa.
While searching for Pokémon, he pointed out different species they encountered along the way, explaining their habits, temperaments, and abilities. He also highlighted various environmental hazards and dangerous terrain, teaching her what to watch out for whenever she traveled in the wild.
Clarissa listened attentively.
She knew this knowledge would be incredibly useful in the future.
More importantly, she understood that Ash wasn't teaching her these things casually.
He was preparing her for the day they would travel together.
Of course, Ash focused mainly on Pokémon-related knowledge, wilderness survival skills, and danger awareness.
As for identifying Berries, medicinal herbs, and edible ingredients?
There was no need for him to teach those.
As a Pokémon Doctor and future Breeder, Clarissa was actually more knowledgeable than Ash in those fields.
Still, the wilderness survival lesson was only a side activity.
The real purpose of entering Viridian Forest today was to help Clarissa find either an Oddish or a Paras.
Fortunately, neither species was rare in Viridian Forest.
Not long after entering the forest, Ash spotted a Paras beneath a massive tree.
The ground there was covered with damp, decaying leaves, and the little Mushroom Pokémon appeared to be tending to a patch of fungi.
"A Paras!"
Clarissa's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Ash, look!"
"Shhh."
Ash quickly raised a finger.
"Keep your voice down."
"Paras are naturally timid. If you startle it, it'll run away immediately."
After reminding her, Ash silently issued a command to the system.
"System, scan Paras' information."
Ding.
Scanning. Please wait...
[Pokémon: Paras]
Level: LV.12
Type: Bug / Grass
Nature: Shy
Ability: Effect Spore
Potential: Green Potential
Moves (Copyable):
Proficient (1/1000): Spore
Skilled (1/500): Stun Spore, Poison Powder, Absorb
Novice (1/100): Scratch
A familiar notification sounded in Ash's ear, and a translucent status panel appeared before his eyes.
Wild Pokémon generally had limited resources available to them.
Simply surviving and finding enough food was already difficult.
Unlike trainer-owned Pokémon, they rarely underwent systematic training.
As a result, most wild Pokémon had relatively low levels.
The Paras before them was a perfect example.
Level 12.
A shy personality.
Its Effect Spore Ability was excellent.
Unfortunately, its Green Potential was too low.
Ash shook his head internally.
Although he possessed Source Cleansing and could gradually improve a Pokémon's potential, he had no intention of letting outsiders know he possessed such an outrageous ability.
Countless trainers around the world were trapped by the limitations of their Pokémon's natural talent.
If word spread that he could improve a Pokémon's potential...
The resulting sensation would be unimaginable.
And with fame would come endless trouble.
Ash hated unnecessary trouble.
Even if one day he stood at the peak of the world, he still had no intention of revealing that ability.
Naturally, he would quietly help the Pokémon belonging to family and close friends.
However, Source Cleansing required long-term use before producing significant results.
Since he couldn't remain beside everyone all the time, it was still better to start with Pokémon that already possessed strong natural potential.
That was why he had established a minimum requirement today.
At least Red Potential.
Anything lower wasn't ideal.
...
Oddish — White Potential
...
Paras — Green Potential
...
Oddish — White Potential
...
Paras — Green Potential
...
Viridian Forest stretched across both Kanto and Johto.
It was one of the largest and best-preserved primeval forests in the entire world.
A treasure trove of natural resources.
And a paradise for Bug-, Grass-, and Flying-type Pokémon.
While Oddish and Paras weren't literally everywhere, Ash and Clarissa encountered one every few minutes.
Unfortunately, most possessed only White or Green Potential.
None met Ash's standards.
Eventually, he began wondering whether he should lower the requirement slightly.
Perhaps Green Potential would be acceptable.
If necessary, he could simply work harder afterward and secretly use Source Cleansing more frequently.
After all, unlike Serena in Kalos or Misty in Cerulean City, Clarissa lived right here in Viridian City.
Ash visited the city almost every day.
Helping one of Clarissa's Pokémon improve its potential would be much easier.
"Splash..."
Just as Ash was considering lowering his standards, he and Clarissa arrived at a moss-covered stone formation deep within the forest.
A giant boulder stood before them.
Perhaps years ago a tree seed had sprouted within a crack and gradually split the stone apart.
A narrow stream trickled from the opening.
The water flowed into a small natural pool about the size of a water barrel.
Animal footprints surrounded the pool.
Clearly, many wild Pokémon used it as a watering hole.
Since it was still afternoon, however, few Pokémon were currently present.
Only a single Oddish stood by the water's edge, happily drinking.
"An Oddish?"
Without hesitation, Ash activated the system again.
"System, scan this Oddish."
[Pokémon: Oddish]
Level: LV.14
Type: Grass / Poison
Nature: Timid
Ability: Chlorophyll
Potential: Red Potential
Moves (Copyable):
Proficient (1/1000): Absorb, Growth
Skilled (1/500): Poison Powder, Sweet Scent
Novice (1/100): Acid, Mega Drain
The moment he finished reading the data, Ash's eyes brightened.
It met the requirement.
A genuine Red Potential Pokémon.
Beside him, Clarissa looked at him expectantly.
Although she had no idea how Ash was able to judge a Pokémon's talent and potential so accurately, she trusted him completely and never questioned it.
"Ash…"
"Does this Oddish meet the requirements?" she asked hopefully.
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