Reunion

Chapter 356 Reunion

"That concludes the message sharing. Thank you, Ash, for battling with me. I'll take my leave now!"

Pokémon—

A complete makeover!

Before he finished speaking, Archie quickly put on his previous snake-patterned bear skin suit and dashed into the forest like a gust of wind.

"What a strange person."

As Archie left, May suddenly tiptoed to Ash's side and hugged him tightly.

"Hehe, Ash, thank you for standing up for me this time."

[Ding! Xiaoyao: Affection +2]

May's thank-you hug was so overwhelming that even Ash couldn't handle it.

Although she is usually very easygoing and doesn't pay much attention to the difference between men and women when it comes to Xiaozhi.

But her stunningly fair complexion still irresistibly drew Ash's attention.

Suppressing the urge to pinch him, Xiao Zhi coughed lightly.

"Xiaoyao, that's not what I want to hear from you. You absolutely can't be as carefree as before anymore."

"Okay, I understand."

Xiaoyao clenched her fist again, remembering how she had lost to Archie before.

"I absolutely do not want to lose the next match!"

"Very good, that's the spirit."

Xiao Zhi nodded with satisfaction, then looked around.

"May and Torchic are just too inexperienced. They should observe my battles more often to learn basic combat skills."

Although Archie is strange, he did do a good deed by helping Ash and his friends get to this plaza.

There were many trainers in the square, and Ash was itching to take a look.

"This is a rare opportunity. Let's have a good battle before we head out to find the Tree Spirit."

After restoring Taillow's strength, Ash immediately transformed into a social terrorist, challenging each of the other trainers present.

Meanwhile, May quickly followed behind him with Torchic and Max, transforming into eager learners, ready to diligently study every single one of his battles.

They were afraid of missing out on Ash's "secret teaching".

"Sister, Ash is an excellent trainer that even Dad acknowledges. You must learn from him!"

"Of course I know that, and there must be many rules among Pokémon trainers that are unknown to outsiders. I've wanted to know that for a long time."

Before embarking on her trip, May crammed on reading a lot of urban legends about Pokémon trainers.

"Like how trainers will be forced into battle as soon as their eyes meet, how money will mysteriously appear in the pockets of the trainer who wins the battle, and how all the Pokémon will lose their ability to battle and the trainer will immediately experience a blackout—"

She's always been incredibly curious.

"No, no, no, sister, these are just rumors spread by people who aren't trainers."

"Pokémon trainers are just ordinary humans at heart, there's no need to be so mysterious about them."

"Yeah?"

Then, to their astonishment, Xiao Zhi casually pulled over a standing stranger.

"Now that our eyes have met, let's have a Pokémon battle!"

"Oh no, Ash, that's not right. It's so rude!" Max exclaimed in surprise.

But to everyone's surprise, the man who had been roughly dragged over by Ash was not angry at all; instead, he excitedly took out a Poké Ball.

"Hmph, my companions are already itching for food, come quickly!"

And so began a thrilling Pokémon battle.

"Xiao Sheng, it's a rumor—"

"Haha, this is the camaraderie between Pokémon Trainers, sister."

"Your transition was too abrupt!"

Ash had a great time that day, having challenged every trainer in the entire plaza.

"Proud Swallow, peck attack!"

"Beedrill, get out of the way! Use your poison sting to counterattack!"

On the battlefield, the Turtle made a rapid forced landing, and then its sharp beak aimed at the Beedrill's abdomen and launched a fierce attack.

Beedrill tried to dodge but failed. Ash's Taillow completely outpaced Beedrill in speed, and its aerial maneuvering ability was also extremely strong.

Beedrill's movement speed was completely insufficient to dodge the attack, and it was hit squarely by Taillow's peck attack, losing the fight instantly.

-

[Ding! Congratulations to Aoguyan for learning a new skill: Pecking (Power is twice that of a peck attack. If the target is carrying a berry, it will consume the target's berry and gain the berry's effect.)]

[Ding! Congratulations, host, you have achieved the achievement "Hoenn Domination (Part 1)": Achieve a 50-game winning streak in the Hoenn region!]

【获得奖励：联盟币+5000；攻击+3；特攻+3；自由属性点+3；地区威望+5】

"Wow, Ash and Taillow won again! Counting their ten wins against Archie, they've won a total of fifty matches!"

Watching Ash shake hands with his opponent after the battle, Max and May clapped their hands until they were red, cheering for the fight.

"Yeah, the handshakes between trainers expressing friendship after a fierce battle really bring out that youthful feeling!"

"Haruka, is this all you think after watching so many matches?"

At this moment, Ash, carrying Swellow perched on his arm and Pikachu on his shoulder, came to their side.

Ash was in a great mood because Taillow had learned a new skill.

While looking at Ash's stern face, which resembled that of a teacher, Xiaoyao playfully stuck out her tongue.

Of course, she wasn't slacking off. From all the battles Ash had fought, May had learned quite a few battle techniques.

At least I won't be standing there like a fool at the start of a match like before.

"Speaking of which, Ash, you've already battled all the trainers around here. Shouldn't we go find Treecko?"

Of all the starter Pokémon, Katakuri's favorite is Treecko, so he's always been longing for it.

"But Archie said there are geckos deep in the forest, but nobody knows exactly where they are. Why don't we head to the next city first and look for them later?"

"Sister, with your current strength, what are you going to do for the upcoming gym battles? Wouldn't it be better to gain more experience in the forest?"

"Ah, a gym competition—" Haruka's lips twitched.

"Oh well, we'll figure something out eventually. I just don't want to sleep on the floor anymore!"

"I want to sleep in a soft bed!"

"No, we need to find the Tree Spirit first!"

Seeing that the siblings were about to start arguing again, Xiao Zhi quickly intervened and separated them.

"Alright, you two, I remember the Navigator said there's a Pokémon Center nearby."

"Let's go there first today, so Haruka can get a bed, and Kacchan can try to gather some information about Treecko there."

The siblings exchanged a glance.

"Agreed!" ×2

And so, Ash and his friends quickly arrived at the nearest Pokémon Center.

But as soon as Ash and his friends entered, before they could even ask Nurse Joy if there were any rooms available, they immediately heard a commotion.

"Are you kidding me!"

"What do you mean this place is mainly for treating Pokémon and can't treat humans? My face is covered in so many scars!"

"This is an actress's most precious face!"

A disheveled girl with an unusual hairstyle seemed to be making things difficult for Miss Joey.

Two people who seemed to be her companions were trying to calm her down, but unfortunately, it didn't work.

"Miss, please calm down. I can provide you with free bandages, but the Pokémon Center doesn't have the medicine you mentioned that can perfectly remove scars."

Miss Joy looked helpless. After trying to calm the woman down, she found that the woman was still being unreasonable and shouting loudly.

"I'm so calm, this is my most precious face! Why is it that every time my Pokémon gets so badly injured, it recovers completely after treatment?"

"Alright, Jessie, that's because Pokémon are different from humans."

"Yeah, meow, stop embarrassing yourself—"

Xiao Zhi looked at them in surprise, somewhat unexpectedly.

"They are—"

"Sister, Ash, look! Miss Joy looks like she's having a hard time."

"Yes, these people are so rude."

For some reason, Ash suddenly felt a little embarrassed after hearing what May and Max said, and quickly went over to pull Jessie and the others away.

"Alright, Musashi, I have the medicine that can perfectly remove scars. Don't bother Miss Joey's work anymore!"

"Who are you, boss?!"

"Hey Ash, I didn't expect to run into you here, meow!"

At this moment, Xiaoyao also came over with Xiaosheng.

"Xiao Zhi, do you know them?"

"Yes, it's more than just knowing each other."

"Sigh, it's a new little girl and a little devil." ×3

When Kojiro and the others saw May's face and figure, they immediately thought of Ash's past.

The three guys instantly understood and eagerly went forward to greet Xiaoyao and the others.

When Ash saw their expressions, he knew there was a misunderstanding (which actually wasn't).

I quickly introduced both parties.

Of course, he didn't mention that Kojiro and the others were former members of Team Rocket; he only said that the three of them were currently his subordinates.

After introducing themselves, the siblings immediately huddled together and whispered to each other.

"Sister, they actually called Ash 'Boss'! Is Ash's family a gang?"

"Given his usual wild style, it is indeed very possible."

At that moment, Xiaoyao suddenly remembered that Xiaozhi had been willing to take the two siblings, who were like a burden, on his trip before, and had been so kind to them.

"Could it be that Ash is actually trying to gain my trust with a friendly attitude first, and then steal me back to be his yakuza wife?!"

"So, should I say yes, or should I say yes—?"

The great scholar and the beautiful young woman are caught in a dilemma.

"Of course not. Don't get your heads spinning. They just work for a small, ordinary business I casually started."

After giving May and Max a karate chop to the forehead to interrupt their wild thoughts, Ash quickly sent them to their dormitory at the center to put their luggage away.

After making the trio apologize to Nurse Joy by pressing their heads down, Ash took them all to the restaurant.

"Then, why did the three of you come here, and what happened to your injuries?"

"Well," Kojiro finally spoke after wolfing down a large plate of food.

"Boss, you know, I have a year of off-site doctoral training that I need to do."

"After Sundae found out, she thought I could help the company pave the way for its business development in the new region, and you just happened to come to the Hoenn region, boss."

"So I asked Professor Oak to recommend me to the Hoenn Labs, and that's how I got here."

"After Musashi heard that my hometown was the Hoenn region, he insisted on coming here, saying things like he wanted to participate in the Grand Contest and become a big star, and that it felt so great."

"And meow meow————"

"Since they both came, of course I came too, meow."

It was only then that Ash realized that James and the others had actually informed him before they arrived.

He was so focused on Pokémon recently that he forgot to watch it.

Sundae is so useful in every sense that Ash is now neglecting his work at the company.

I only go back to headquarters when I need to apply white lubricant to the Star Maid for maintenance. How decadent!

He could only quickly change the subject.

"What happened to your injuries?"

Unexpectedly, as soon as Ash brought this up, James and the others immediately got angry.

"We were just conducting routine data collection on wild Pokémon in the area when we unexpectedly stumbled upon cages used by poachers to capture Pokémon!"

"There are two whole cages full of gas bombs and Arboks in there, meow!"

Not only Kojiro and Meowth, but even Musashi was gritting his teeth this time.

"Not only that, that poacher was a ruthless and despicable guy who didn't care what kind of Pokémon he caught!"

"Where are the poachers?" Ash's expression immediately turned serious. He had indeed seen the wanted posters on the door before entering the Pokémon Center.

If such a person were still around, Xiao Zhi would punish them severely.

However, at this moment, Kojiro and his two companions suddenly put on a proud expression.

"We've taken care of it."

"you?"

"That's right, it's us!"

"So, the injuries you sustained were from fighting that poacher?"

"Yeah, that poacher, Tyranitar, is incredibly strong. We can't beat him at all."

Because they lack daily interactions with Ash, James and Jessie's Pokémon are currently much weaker than in the original timeline.

Arbok and Weezing's attacks were just tickles, and even Wobbuffet was defeated before it could even use its Counter Punch.

However, because they were able to eat their fill and get plenty of nutrition every day, their physical condition improved considerably.

So in the end, they had to take matters into their own hands, using punches, kicks, and frantic meowing to slow down the poachers.

However, they are not Ash Ketchum after all, and cannot defeat the vicious Tyranitar and the other powerful Pokémon of the poachers entirely with their physical strength.

"The situation was extremely critical at the time, and we could only let Weezing and Arbok take their companions and run first."

"Then we were responsible for luring away the poachers, getting knocked down by Tyranitar's Hyper Beam again and again, and getting back up again and again. Thinking about it now, it's really heartbreaking."

Musashi and Kojiro hugged each other and cried bitterly.

"If we hadn't been lucky enough to run into Officer Jenny's police squad on our escape, we might not have made it back."

"But the poachers were caught later, so everyone was happy, meow."

At this moment, Musashi happily took out three certificates from his pocket: "Look, these are the ones Officer Jenny specially awarded to us to commend our contributions this time."

Back when she was on Team Rocket, Musashi never imagined she'd one day receive a medal from Officer Jenny. In short, "It feels amazing!" ×3

"It's just a pity about Weezing and Arbok; I wonder if we'll ever have the chance to see them again—"

Thinking of this, both Kojiro and Musashi couldn't help but shed tears.

The forest was so vast that, to prevent new poachers from coming, Kojiro and Jessie had no choice but to reluctantly send their Pokémon to lead their fellow Pokémon away.

This parting may be the last time they ever see each other.

"I hope they'll have a good life from now on, meow~"

They felt a sweet warmth inside after being praised for doing a good deed.

But the thought of losing Koffing and Arbok, which had been with him for so long, still made him feel lost.

Seeing this, Ash silently dialed Sundae's number.

"Please contact the Hoenn League for me. I plan to invest in a Pokémon reserve in Petalburg Woods, focusing on enhancing the area's defenses and improving the Pokémon's living conditions."

"————, I can cover the bulk of the cost." Xiao Zhi is about to suffer another major financial blow.

But this moved Kojiro and the others deeply: "Boss, you don't have to do this!"

"What does it matter? Money is meant to be spent, and it's good if it's spent meaningfully."

"And this way, Weezing and Arbok can live more safely, and maybe they'll even have a chance to meet again."

"Now you can all rest assured."

At that moment, it seemed as if the sun was shining behind Ash.

[Ding! Kojiro: Loyalty +5]

[Ding! Musashi: Loyalty +5]

[Ding! Meow Meow: Loyalty +5]

"Boss!" ×3

The three of them immediately rushed over excitedly, and Xiao Zhi, unusually, did not kick them away.

"But now you guys are going to make back double all the money I spent in the Hoenn region!"

"Yes!" ×3

"By the way, boss, we actually have some good news for you, meow."

At that moment, Meow Meow seemed to suddenly remember something.

"Before we came here, an elder from the Dragon Clan sent someone to contact us, saying that the Dragon-type Pokémon they were going to give to Ash Ketchum was ready."

"And after they found out you were traveling in the Hoenn region, they specially prepared a native Hoenn dragon Pokémon for you."

"Boss, you just need to go to Kraken City, and you can pick up the Poké Ball at the Pokémon Center there, meow."

"Really? That's wonderful!"

Ash has finally gotten his hands on the new Dragon-type Pokémon he's been waiting for so long, and he'll definitely reward his hero, Clover, with even more gold later.

"At the same time, Secretary General Shengdai has something else he wants us to pass on to you."

"What?"

Suddenly, Kojiro furtively pulled a document bag from his pocket and handed it to Satoshi like a thief.

"We got this through Team Rocket's connections—information on the beautiful female officers of Team Magma and Team Aqua in the Hoenn region!"

"Secretary Sundae instructed us that this is a key task assigned by the boss, and we must deliver it to you personally."

Kojiro gave a knowing, lewd smile.

"6

"Whoever wants this stuff, take it now!"

Ash wanted to reprimand them severely, but the girl on the cover was just too cute.

He coughed lightly, quickly pulled the document bag away and put it into his spatial storage, intending to review it later.