Pokémon: The Strongest Trainer (Ash SI)

"Come in!"

Just as Ash was about to knock, an energetic yet aged voice sounded from within. It was old—weathered—but carried a vitality that could not be faked.

He pushed open the door.

Inside stood an elderly man, composed and calm, yet radiating the quiet strength of a seasoned expert. Ash could feel it instantly—this man was no ordinary Trainer. At the very least, he was at the quasi-Champion level.

"Hm?"

Ash's Sharingan flickered. Through it, he spotted a faint blue energy coursing through the man's meridians—an aura remarkably similar to the Aura force that flowed within himself. No wonder the Ash of this world could wield Aura. It must be a trait passed down through the Dragon Clan bloodline!

"Young Master Ash, I'm glad you came," the man greeted warmly. His name was Serion Draconis, steward of the Dragon Clan and servant to Skye Draconis himself. Though this Pokémon school wasn't directly owned by the Clan, Serion had been sent here by Skye to gauge Ash's attitude toward them.

"Don't call me 'Young Master.' I go by Oak—Ash Oak."

Ash's eyes gleamed crimson, the chill from his Sharingan suffusing the room. The temperature dropped noticeably.

(TN: Yes, Ash is officially named Ash Oak now, but... it's just too woody for my taste~ get it? 🌳😂 He's still referred to as Ash Ketchum a lot in the original story, so we'll mostly stick with that—only bringing this up occasionally.)

"Whether you acknowledge it or not," Serion said gently, unshaken, "half of the blood running through your veins comes from your father."

He introduced himself with a slight bow. "I am Serion Draconis, steward to the Dragon Clan—your grandfather's right-hand man."

He continued, "I'm here on the orders of the family head. Your grandfather hopes you'll return to the Dragon Clan. No matter how you see it, you are still the second young master of the Clan."

"I'm not going back," Ash replied coolly. "A man must take responsibility for his choices. But I am surprised… you're the one they sent? That plaque on the front door—it's fake, isn't it?"

Ash narrowed his eyes, recalling the polished school plaque he'd seen on arrival. Too new. It had signs of being recently replaced.

"Master Ash, your father did suffer greatly in the past. And those who opposed him have already been dealt with. The family head believes it's time to let go of your anger," Serion said calmly, almost airily.

"Let go?" Ash's voice turned harsh. "Those people aren't even worth it!"

His Aura erupted like a storm. The wind surged outward from his body, and the crimson eyes of his Sharingan spun violently. In that moment, the three-tomoe transformed—forming a kaleidoscope pattern.

Scarlet. Overwhelming.

Serion's mind went blank for an instant. That gaze—it was as if Ash could rip soul from flesh with just a look!

"This isn't just Aura… It carries the properties of Aura, but something's different," Serion thought, rattled beneath the pressure. "He's only fifteen, yet his Aura is already awakened—completely awakened! Most of our Clan members are over twenty before they even start their training! His mastery… it even surpasses Skye Draconis!"

Ash turned, his voice filled with conviction.

"Hmph. Sooner or later, I'll come to the Dragon Clan. Let him wait. Everything my mother suffered—I'll return it tenfold."

He gestured to the school building.

"As for this place… I won't say more. But really, it's a joke that the League lets a school like this operate."

Leaving Serion speechless in the office, Ash exited with Brock. Now wasn't the time to fully confront the Dragon Clan. Not yet—not until he reached the Champion tier.

Ash's power was immense, yes. But its cost was high, and the duration he could maintain it was still limited. Strategically, it wasn't time to make his move.

"Such talent… such terrifying strength at his age," Serion murmured, sweat beading on his forehead. "No wonder the family head said Ash must be brought back to the Clan, no matter what."

Serion stared at the door Ash had just passed through.

"That gaze… It completely shattered my composure. He's already a force to be reckoned with. A future king among Trainers."

His expression turned grave.

"I must inform the family at once. The Aura inside Master Ash is awakening. He must be guided to the Dragon Shrine within three months—otherwise, the consequences could be catastrophic!"

Serion's solemn, calculating expression stood in stark contrast to the composed elder from moments ago.

Meanwhile, outside the school—

"Geez, do you have to be so moody all the time?"

Giselle Yoto approached Ash and Brock with a pout.

"I was just trying to give you some friendly advice, you know! Don't act like the world's about to end!"

"It was you who asked what right I had to judge this school," Ash said coldly, "I just let you feel it for yourself. Wasn't that fair enough?"

Hearing his blunt response, Giselle Yoto the ever-proud felt her wit run dry. Her face twisted with frustration.

"C-Can I apologize to you?" Sai Yoto, a member of the Yoto family, rushed in, practically sobbing. "Please… can you ask your people to back off? If this continues, our Yoto family is finished!"

"Like I care about your crap."

Ash didn't even bother glancing at him. He had just finished dealing with Serion Draconis, and the tension still clung to his shoulders. Ignoring the pitiful look on Giselle's face, he turned and walked off with Brock.

Even Brock—normally hopeless when faced with a pretty girl—knew now wasn't the time to get soft. Some lines shouldn't be crossed, and Ash's silence made it clear this wasn't a moment for sympathy.

Watching Ash leave her behind, Giselle bit her lip. She looked aggrieved but didn't chase after him. Instead, she silently prayed for her sister to arrive soon.

Truthfully, Giselle knew her own limits. Without her Champion-tier sister holding their crumbling clan together, the Yoto family would've already fallen apart. The cracks were showing.

"Damn it… this really sucks."

Ash clenched his fists as he walked. His mood had soured beyond repair. The situation with the Dragon Clan had left a bitter taste in his mouth, and now he was torn.

On one side, he wanted revenge—justice against the so-called father who abandoned him and hurt Delia.

On the other… he couldn't bring himself to hurt her again.

Delia had already forgiven that man. Ash knew this well. But because of his silence, his refusal to let go, she had never dared bring it up. And he also knew—when the day came and he finally confronted the Dragon Clan—Delia would be caught in the middle… and it would hurt her all over again.

"Hey, Ash. Breathe a little," Brock said gently, watching his friend's clenched jaw. "You've still got time. Don't crush yourself under this weight before you're ready."

"I know, I know…" Ash muttered, frustrated. "But I just can't settle down. Everything's a mess right now. What am I even supposed to do?"

Sometimes, when the world pulls you in two directions, all you can do is talk it out with the ones still standing by your side.

...

TN:

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