088: My Ideal To Become the World's Mightiest!!
One by one, the students walked onto the stage to introduce themselves.
As he listened, Ash's attention gradually shifted to the "Student Score Ranking List" displayed on the large electronic screen mounted behind the podium — a standard setup during major events, similar to how rankings were displayed during the Indigo Plateau Conference in the Pokémon Adventures manga.
If the student currently introducing themselves ranked within the top ten, Ash would focus and listen carefully to their self-introduction.
If it was a student outside of the top ten rankings, Ash would simply glance away, paying little attention to their presentation.
Although each student showcased a variety of hobbies — such as bug-catching, surfing, or berry cultivation — when it came to their ideals, there was a surprising consistency across the group.
That ideal was to become a Champion.
Nearly everyone was striving toward a single ultimate goal: standing atop the Pokémon League as Champion.
Students hailing from Kanto aimed to claim the title of Kanto League Champion, while those from the Kalos Region aspired to be the Kalos Champion, perhaps dreaming of becoming someone as admired as Diantha — the reigning Kalos Champion, a powerful Trainer and a famed movie actress.
Of course, there were a few exceptions. Some students aimed to become Pokémon Breeders, like Brock's dream described in early manga chapters; others wanted to be Coordinators competing in Pokémon Contests, or Performers shining on the Showcase stages, or even actor-celebrities like Diantha.
Among them, two girls — Stephanie and Lena — along with Shauna (Xiaochun), admitted in their introductions that they still didn't know what career they wished to pursue or what kind of person they wanted to become in the future, revealing the honest confusion of young Trainers still finding their paths.
Meanwhile, during the self-introductions, Kenji (Gang Ping), Professor Oak's trusted research assistant, stood beside Oak, carefully recording the names, hobbies, and dreams of each student.
He circled the names of students who clearly expressed specific dreams and, based on the performance of students during this afternoon's Hello Battles, he discreetly marked a few names for special attention — those students who had shown potential beyond the ordinary.
"Next!!"
As other students continued approaching the podium — some excited, some visibly nervous — the rotation steadily advanced, and soon, it was Ash's turn.
Ash rose calmly from his seat and walked to the podium, facing both the curious eyes of the gathered students and Professor Oak's steady, encouraging gaze.
Facing everyone, Ash spoke with a serene but firm tone:
"I'm Ash, from Pallet Town. I don't have any particular favorite or disliked foods, and I don't have a single favorite Pokémon either because I love all Attributes and all kinds of Pokémon equally."
"My hobbies are training the Pokémon I tame, and immersing myself in nature to connect with wild Pokémon."
"As for my dream I want to reach the summit of all Trainers, and become the World's Mightiest Pokémon Trainer."
Ash's expression remained calm and his voice steady, but the students listening below were visibly shaken.
The Pinnacle of Trainers. The World's Mightiest.
It wasn't the usual "I want to be Champion" answer.
Most of the other students, when asked about their dreams, naturally set their sights on becoming League Champions — after all, in their young hearts, the position of Champion represented the ultimate pinnacle of success.
However, Ash's goal transcended even that.
He wasn't aiming merely for the title of Champion within a single region he aspired to stand above all Trainers in the world, surpassing even legends like Red of Mt. Silver or the legendary Elite Four members referenced in earlier Pokémon manga arcs.
Given the strength Ash had displayed during the afternoon's welcoming battles defeating five opponents consecutively, including tough challengers from both Kanto and Kalos it was clear to everyone present that he was not boasting idly.
The dream he declared... might just be possible.
When Ash finished his self-introduction on the podium, although all the students and even Professor Oak paid close attention to his words, in truth, most of those present had already guessed Ash's ideal in advance.
Naturally, they thought it would be the common ambition — to become a Pokémon League Champion.
However, after Ash calmly declared his goal, the entire auditorium of Yin Yamato students realized that they had underestimated Ash.
His dream was not merely to become the Champion of one region's League, but to ascend beyond that — to climb to the absolute summit of Pokémon Trainers and become the World's Mightiest Trainer!!
Upon hearing Ash's declaration, many female students, who had already become his admirers after watching his impressive battles that afternoon, as well as some simple-minded but enthusiastic male students, felt their blood boil with excitement.
They were filled with intense admiration for Ash and awe for the magnitude of his dream.
But not everyone shared the same enthusiasm for Ash's ambition. Among the students sitting below, a few skeptics quietly scoffed at his words.
Despite Ash's spectacular winning streak in the afternoon's battles, some students dismissed his performance, attributing it to nothing more than good fortune — after all, the Froakie (Bubble Frog) he was assigned wasn't originally his own Pokémon.
In their opinion, if they had been given Froakie, they could have also achieved five consecutive victories.
"He just got lucky with his assigned Pokémon. Acting like he's some prodigy," one student muttered under his breath.
"Big talker. Dreaming about being the world's strongest Trainer? Ridiculous," another sneered.
"Yeah, if bragging could win battles, he'd already be a champion!" a third chuckled mockingly.
After finishing his introduction, Ash stepped off the podium and, without showing any sign of the emotions swirling around the room, returned to his seat.
Using his latent Aura (Waveguide) abilities — an element subtly referenced in earlier chapters when Ash first showed sensitivity to Pokémon emotions — Ash could faintly sense the feelings of awe, excitement, disdain, and skepticism radiating from the crowd.
Yet, he maintained a calm expression.
Although Ash was neither arrogant nor dismissive by nature, he didn't argue or defend himself — he knew that time and actions would ultimately prove everything.
Still, among the sea of reactions, there were two individuals who firmly believed in Ash's dream without hesitation.
One was Serena (Ser Lena), seated beside Xiaolan (Shauna). Already an earnest admirer of Ash after witnessing his battles, she believed in Ash's future with unquestioning devotion. In her young heart, there was no doubt: Ash could and would achieve greatness.
The other was Professor Oak, standing calmly beside the podium.
However, Oak's confidence was rooted not in emotion but in rational observation and professional insight.
"Loving all Pokémon, showing genuine joy in training them, and cherishing encounters with wild Pokémon..." Oak thought silently.
"Even based on just these traits, Ash would already be qualified to become one of the greatest Pokémon scholars or researchers."
"And judging by the raw Trainer talent Ash displayed in today's matches the strategic acumen, the instinctive bond with Froakie it isn't empty boasting to dream of reaching the summit of Trainers worldwide."
>"Talented, hardworking, ambitious... Ash, I am looking forward to your future more and more."
Watching Ash return to his seat, Oak's heart swelled with anticipation.
Then, clearing his throat lightly, Oak addressed the gathered students:
"Alright, now that each student has introduced themselves on stage, sharing their hobbies and dreams, I believe everyone has a deeper understanding of each other."
He then added with a note of seriousness:
"However, I must remind you all this Pokémon Summer Camp isn't just a simple gathering. I have prepared ten major assessments for all participants."
"Each of you will be evaluated based on your performance in these tests."
Professor Oak paused to let the words sink in.
"Today's five-match challenge, following the distribution of your temporary partner Pokémon, was your first official assessment."
>L "The results from those battles are already reflected in the preliminary rankings displayed behind me."
He gestured to the leaderboard behind the podium, and students craned their necks to get a better look.
"Each assessment score will be accumulated throughout the summer camp. Once all ten evaluations are completed, the students with the top three cumulative scores will earn the title of Outstanding Students and receive special awards."
Oak's sharp eyes swept across the excited, nervous faces below.
> "Therefore, whether you are currently leading the rankings or trailing behind, remember — every opportunity counts. Give it your all!"
As the meeting concluded, Oak stepped aside to fully reveal the Leaderboard Display on the wall screen, showing the students' rankings based on the afternoon's performances.
The moment he did, a ripple of energy swept through the auditorium a single announcement had reignited everyone's fighting spirit.
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