*Ding!*
[SSS-Rank: Data Collection for Ga-Rule Adaptation to Real-World Combat]
[Notice] Today's data collection complete.
[Subject] Battle Arena
[Reward] Scratch Card ×1
[Cooldown] 23h
With a thought, Natsu made a Scratch Card with a Pokéball design appear in his hand.
"System, why isn't this a Great Ball?"
**Battle data collection rewards random-quality Scratch Cards.**
"Fine." Natsu shrugged and tossed the red-and-white Scratch Card back into the system space.
Even low-quality Scratch Cards were worth saving up to scratch all at once later.
"Rotom, open the map."
*Roto~*
The Rotom in Natsu's phone floated in front of him, displaying a detailed map of Pewter City.
After a mont of observation, Natsu tapped a location on the map and followed the navigation.
To avoid getting separated from Ash at certain points, he had attached tiny trackers to the others' clothing.
Soon, guided by Rotom, Natsu located Ash and his friends.
They were at a small hydroelectric shed by a river in the outskirts.
By the ti Natsu arrived, faint flashes of electricity were already visible inside the shed.
Near the river, the shed had an enormous waterwheel.
Since it was the dry season, the river's flow wasn't enough to turn the wheel.
Ash stood on the wheel, only two boards high, pedaling it like a bicycle to make it spin.
Watching Ash, tiny in comparison to the massive wheel, Natsu's mouth twitched slightly.
No wonder they call him the *Superhuman of Pallet Town*.
At the entrance, Misty held her backpack in front of her, seemingly wary of the occasional sparks inside.
"The flashes are going to get stronger in a mont," Natsu warned as he passed.
"Huh? Do you want to get out of here?"
"No, you could also stand behind a reliable man, like Ash."
Natsu shrugged.
"What do you an by that?!"
Misty's cheeks flushed as she hugged her bag and backed away hurriedly.
*Creak~*
Natsu pushed open the wooden door, which groaned under the movent.
Inside, Pikachu sat on a stool, his cheek pouches connected by wires extending from the generator.
"Natsu, you're here."
Flint didn't seem the least bit surprised by Natsu's arrival, speaking without turning his head.
"I'm curious—where did you learn this thod?"
Natsu narrowed his eyes and glanced at the generator's readouts, showing Pikachu's average current tolerance. Clearly, Flint wasn't experinting blindly.
"Back when I was a Gym Trainer, I was also a Pokémon Breeder. Pewter Gym handled so Pokémon breeding business as well," Flint said with a hint of nostalgia, recalling the past.
"This thod… I discovered it by accident. By passing a specific current through the body, the moves of Electric-type Pokémon can be greatly amplified."
"So naturally talented Electric-types can even see their power triple!"
Flint emphasized his words, and Natsu couldn't help but be surprised.
**Triple!**
Though Pikachu's base stats are generally modest, if his moves could be strengthened threefold, his attack would rival Legendary Pokémon!
No wonder even Alolan Exeguttor needs to use a Rock to block Pikachu's Thunderbolt.
And if you add a Light Ball on top of that… wow.
This was the first ti Natsu had heard this claim clearly. He forced himself to suppress his racing thoughts and asked Flint:
"And then?"
"Then…" Flint suddenly looked dejected, "I began promoting this thod to Trainers who sent their Electric-type Pokémon to my Nursery."
"Isn't that a good thing?" Natsu said, pausing for a mont.
Wait—that shouldn't be troubling. If it were good, everyone would already know about it.
"But it didn't last," Flint's voice suddenly choked with emotion.
"These Electric-type Pokémon, after being enhanced by the current, experience a sudden drop in level after a certain period. Many Trainers ended up abandoning them because of this."
"I am guilty. I don't deserve to be the Pewter City Gym Leader."
Natsu: ???
For a mont, Natsu was stunned by Flint's words, but then he realized.
*So in the original story, every ti a region changes, Pikachu's level resets… and that's all your fault!?*
"You still used this on Ash's Pikachu?"
Natsu demanded, almost as if questioning Flint's very soul.
Flint, quietly sobbing, stiffened. After a long pause, he wiped his tears and looked at Natsu.
"Over the past few days, I've realized that this child shares a deep bond with Pikachu. He's absolutely not the kind of Trainer who would abandon his Pokémon."
Hearing this, Natsu paused. Following Flint's gaze, he looked out the window at Ash.
At this mont, Ash was completely unaware, pedaling the wheel by himself.
"Hm."
Natsu said nothing. From his understanding of Ash, even if Flint revealed the truth, Ash would only smile and say, "It's nothing—we'll just get stronger! Right, Pikachu?"
Ash never asured his bond with Pokémon by strength.
Still, this situation wasn't ideal. Natsu wondered whether there was any way to fix this side effect.
"Co on, Pikachu!"
Outside, Ash's voice rang out, full of enthusiasm.
*Pika!*
Inside, Pikachu's face showed a hint of strain.
"Pikachu is reaching his limit. Let's step outside for now," Flint suggested.
Natsu silently nodded.
He was slightly annoyed at Flint for acting on his own. If he had been inford earlier, he might have had a way to mitigate the side effects—maybe even publish a paper on it.
As they stepped out of the shed, a bolt of lightning shot into the sky. Natsu's mind was filled with the system's voice:
*Ding!*
[S-Rank: Analyze Ash's Pikachu]
[Subject] Pikachu
[Reward] Subsequent Task Issued
[S-Rank: Research Project]
[Subject] Training System
[Objectives] Create an Electric Training System Without Side Effects
A Scratch Card with a Master Ball design appeared in his backpack, along with a new S-Rank task.
Natsu raised an eyebrow.
But soon, he felt a jolt through his body.
*Chu—*
The lightning behind them intensified, tearing the shed's roof off.
The surrounding area fell silent, leaving only the crackling of the electricity.
After a long mont, the lightning gradually dimd.
"Huh? Is it over?"
Behind Ash, Misty peeked cautiously over her shield, scanning the area.
Her eyes widened in shock.
The entire shed had been charred to black, and the surrounding cobblestones were scorched.
At the shed's entrance, two dark figures stood—Natsu and Flint exhaled black smoke in unison.
*Pika!*
A yellow figure leapt from the remains of the shed.
*Pikachu!*
Ash, standing in front of the shed, scorched himself but remained unfazed. In a few steps, he scooped up Pikachu.
"Ash, let check."
Natsu, wearing a solemn expression, approached Ash.
"Okay, Natsu, you check," Ash said, holding Pikachu out.
Rotom in his phone floated forward, targeting Pikachu.
After a brief scan, Natsu stroked his chin, his eyes showing a look of *just as I thought*.
Pikachu's Attack and Special Attack, based on his base stats, had doubled.
His base stats had increased!
This ant that Pikachu hadn't just received a one-ti boost from the dual-current enhancent; from now on, every level-up would increase his Attack and Special Attack more than other Pikachu would gain.
If you gave this Pikachu a Light Ball, even wtwo would need a shield to survive Thunderbolt.
"Natsu, how's Pikachu doing?"
Seeing Natsu silent, Ash grew anxious.
"No, Pikachu's condition is excellent."
"You scared ! I thought sothing happened to Pikachu."
Ash exhaled in relief, then quickly returned to his usual energetic self:
"All right, no ti to waste! I'm going to challenge the Pewter City Gym now!"
"Wait!"
Flint called after him.
"It's getting late. Pewter Gym is already closed."
"Yeah, Ash. We're all dirty and tired—going back to rest first makes more sense."
Nearby, Misty approached with her bag and made the sa suggestion.
"Let's head back to the Pokémon Center to recover."
Natsu made the final decision.
You can read more (around 50 free chapters) of Natsu's adventure ad-free here[sravenarchives/book/pokemon-who-let-him-leave-pallet-town]. Bulk uploads is a ss here, so updates here might be irregular.
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