Meanwhile, Kanto Region, Pallet Town.
On the country road leading to Professor Oak's Research Lab.
A boy in pajamas was tearing down the road at full speed.
"Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charmander—any one of you is fine! Just wait for me!"
Ash was utterly frustrated. Today was the day he could receive his starter Pokémon, and he had been too excited to sleep last night, resulting in him waking up too late.
At this hour, all the children in town must have already received their starter Pokémon and set off on their journeys!
Don't let them all be taken by someone else! Ash was frantic.
He put every ounce of strength into running and finally reached Professor Oak's Research Lab before the last trainer departed.
In front of the lab, a cheerleading squad made up of beautiful girls was constantly cheering around a handsome, arrogant boy.
"Amazing, amazing! Gary Oak, Gary Oak, go, go!"
In his panic, Ash shoved through the crowd and slammed straight into Gary Oak.
"Ow!" Ash clutched his head.
"I'm the one who should be saying that, shouldn't I?" Gary Oak said. When he saw who it was, an intrigued expression immediately appeared on his face. "Ash?"
"Gary Oak?"
"It really is Ash?" Gary Oak suddenly said with a strange expression, "Ash, you were late right from the start?"
"Gary Oak..."
"Call me Master Gary Oak!" Gary Oak looked proud. "But you were actually late today. As my rival, you've been thoroughly defeated by me from the very beginning!"
"So that means you've already received your starter Pokémon?" Ash's eyes widened at once.
Gary Oak smiled faintly, then took out a Poké Ball. "That's right. It's in this ball!"
"Gary Oak, Gary Oak, amazing, amazing!" the beautiful-girl cheerleading squad began shouting again.
Gary Oak raised both hands and