Ever since he had reincarnated into this world, he had trained his body from childhood to pursue his dream of becoming a Pokémon Trainer. His physical fitness easily put his flabby body from his previous life to shame.
He had worked especially hard on his grip strength. After all, how could he become a powerful Pokémon Trainer if he could not even hold a ball firmly?
And now, that training had come in handy.
Despite his bruised, swollen face and bleeding nose, Ash still cast a smug glance at the Applin struggling in his hand. "Come on, little guy. Keep making trouble! You wouldn't take the easy way, so now we're doing this the hard way. Since you can't do anything to me, why not be good and get in the ball? I don't want to hurt my first partner either."
He only dared act so cocky because he was certain that, at this stage, Applin could not learn many moves that overcame the limitations of its body.
Still, this Applin was no ordinary specimen. It had actually inherited three moves: [Sucker Punch], [Rollout], and [Defense Curl].
Those gave it some ability to battle even before it evolved.
In Applin's small, expressive eyes, Ash actually saw hatred and a resolve to fight to the death.
Ash really liked that refusal to give up, because it showed its drive to improve and its desire to become stronger.
From a Pokémon Trainer's perspective, a Pokémon like this was undoubtedly ideal to catch.
Still, this was his first little partner. It would not do to sour their relationship too much.
Was I really that lacking in personal charm?
While Ash pondered that, Applin had quietly slipped its true body out of the apple it inhabited.
Suddenly, Ash had a bad feeling.
He could