Who needs a girlfriend when you have Pokémon?

If the child still complains, then the child is truly being a bit immature.

Of course, it's normal for children to be immature, and there's nothing to be ashamed of. However, the public opinion that blames Lillie is the one who is wrong.

However, despite the very brief contact, Tie Xuan could sense that the girl in front of him was a very polite and well-behaved child, and did not seem like the willful young lady who would run away from home over a little tantrum.

This seems to contradict the current public perception, and there may be other reasons for this.

"So, what do you want this old man to help you with?"

"Hmm..." Luo Wei stepped forward and picked up where Lillie left off, "I'll contact Mr. Daigo and tell him about what's going on here. Just tell him the specifics, but I'd like to ask Grandpa Tetsuya to keep Lillie's identity a secret."

Although not revealing his identity from the beginning could serve as a form of secrecy, Luo Wei felt that with the old man's discerning eye... if he simply summoned Daigo secretly and explained the situation, the old man would most likely have noticed.

So rather than secretly causing trouble and getting caught, only to have to explain and make amends later, it's better to be upfront from the beginning. Luo Wei believes the old man is a reasonable person.

As long as you ask him properly, he will definitely help.

As expected, the old man readily nodded after hearing this.

"No problem, you guys did help the old man out after all. It's just a small favor. However, it seems there are indeed many hidden things involved. Could that Ultra Beast be related to the Aether Foundation?"

Upon hearing this, Lillie looked surprised again, while Rowe shook his head as if he were used to it.

There are just too many well-meaning people in the upper echelons of the alliance, they're not idiots. The Ether Foundation already had enough suspicious points, so it's perfectly normal for it to be exposed.

It's only because Lillie is truly inexperienced that she couldn't grasp the key point. In fact, someone with Tie Xuan's experience, after understanding some of the key points, could easily understand the reason after a little thought.

But as I said before, it's meaningless for a few people to discover the truth unless there is solid evidence. Otherwise, the Ether Foundation can simply insist that it's all slander. What can they do to her if there's no evidence?

If pushed too far, the Ether Foundation, with its sheer size, would be extremely troublesome to deal with if things got serious. Even if the alliance is larger than the opposing force, it's not an organization that can be dealt with casually.

"Well then, let's go back first~"

"Yes, we should also go to the Pokémon Center first..."

Luo Wei glanced at the masked cat with half an afro and thought that if he didn't help her tidy up, she would bite someone.

There was something important that kept me from getting back to work. I can't just start a fight halfway through and then have Luo Wei pull out a brush and conditioner to pamper someone's hair. I have to wait until things are over.

"Haha, I see. Well then, this old man will head back to the dojo first, and I'll be waiting for your challenge later~"

"Yes, I'll be there soon~"

After leaving the underground area aboard the Magneton and returning to the power plant, they found that people were already waiting to clean up the mess.

A group of people worked together to reseal the door that had been forcibly broken open, and Tie Xuan also expressed his seriousness.

"The renovation of the underground area has already been planned, and everything that needs to be prepared is almost ready. Let's take this opportunity to completely renovate this underground area in one go..."

After saying that, he glanced at Rowe and Lillie, "Haha, once this place is renovated, you're welcome to be among the first to visit!"

"Okay, it's settled then, haha, I also promised Factory Director Kusnogi that I'd go and watch the launching ceremony of his new submarine model~"

"Oh my, that's a really busy person!"

Indeed, when Luo Wei came to his senses, he realized that he had actually accomplished quite a bit.

They parted ways immediately. Grandpa Tiexuan went back to the gym to deal with the backlog of work from the previous day, while Luo Wei returned to the Pokémon Center with Nurse Joy, who had come to help the injured electricians.

"Alright, alright, stop sulking~ Come on..."

Luo Wei sat on the bed, patted his thigh, and reached out his hand to Masked Cat.

The big cat snorted, seemingly still bothered by Luo Wei's earlier laughter. However, after staring at Luo Wei's thigh for two seconds, she decisively chose to follow her desires. With a jump, Luo Wei felt a warmth on his leg as the big cat comfortably lay down on him.

On the other side, Lillie, with great interest, rested her chin on her hands and watched as Rowe took out a brush, tweezers, and small scissors and began to tidy up Masked Cat's afro.

After more than six years of practice, Luo Wei was quite skilled and quickly made a series of snaps.

During that time, Eevee sat obediently close to Rowe, grooming itself, while Kirlia skillfully used her psychic powers to help Rowe deliver tools, instantly serving a cup of hot tea at the right moment.

Because of their telepathic connection, they can deliver exactly what Rowe needs each time, without any verbal or physical communication, as if they are of one mind.

"Okay, problem solved~"

After nearly an hour of work, Masked Cat finally transformed back into her beautiful form. Rowe smiled and patted the little one's head. However, she burrowed against Rowe's lap, seemingly unwilling to get down...

"...Uh, okay, okay, this is a special reward. Next time it'll be 'charged'~"

Chapter 106 Electric Dojo

After letting the masked cat rub against her legs for a while, she finally stretched out comfortably, arching her slender waist and yawning from head to toe.

"..."

When she was still a new leaf cat, this action wasn't anything special. But now, this big cat is doing this in front of Rowe, her soft body seems to have no bones at all, especially her slender waist and her fleshy figure. Rowe quickly reached out and pressed down on her waist.

"Alright, stop shaking, it's making me dizzy..."

As for whether it was dizziness or some other effect, it's not convenient to say more. Masked Cat seemed reluctant to get up at first, but Eevee hopped up and jumped up along Masked Cat's waist, and Masked Cat immediately jumped up with a "whoosh".

"what……"

Luo Wei could see clearly that Ibrahimovic's jump was like deliberately stepping on a reflex zone; it didn't hurt or itch, but it was irritating...

...Just because of that little prick, Masked Meow couldn't help but jump up. On the other side, Eevee used the wall as a springboard to leap directly into Rowe's arms, tilting its head and smiling at Masked Meow, who was fuming and seemed ready to confront it.

"..."

Oh no, could this little guy be a cunning schemer?

Lowe shook his head, both amused and exasperated. He reached out and cupped Eevee's little face in his hands, rubbing it vigorously twice before speaking to Masked Meow.

"How about that? I got revenge for you!"

"..."

You clearly just want to rub it yourself, meow!

Although Masked Cat saw right through Luo Wei's thoughts, it didn't seem angry at all. Despite their antics, they were truly fighting side by side when it came to a fight, so it didn't really matter.

However, one thing at a time, there are some things that we still can't be too careless about.

Eevee, that little guy, seems to be consciously trying to run away because of its small size. Back when Masked Meow was still Newleaf Meow, it often took advantage of its size to gain an advantage, and she knows that very well.

"...Alright, how's your rest? If not, rest a little longer. If you're all set, we'll go challenge the gym! Grandpa Tetsuya is really strong, so we can't afford to be unprepared and overworked!"

Masked Meow confidently raised its chin, and Kirlia beside it also responded that there was no problem. Lowe nodded in agreement.

"Alright, let's go then!"

As he stood up, Lillie, who was standing next to him, also slung her backpack over her shoulder. Rowe glanced at her bag.

Previously, thanks to the little guy in the bag who absorbed two of Riot's Z-Moves, Rowe created an opportunity to win. Otherwise, it might not have been possible to determine the winner so quickly against Electabuzz.

Especially after the generator starts and the Electric Beam Wood absorbs more electricity, its strength will increase even further, making it even more difficult to deal with.

However, judging from the situation with Electric Wood, the power of Ultra Beasts is also increasing.

Or rather, they have become more adapted to this world. Previous Ultra Beasts were unable to even unleash their ultimate power, let alone use Z-Moves or set up type terrain.

It's not that the Ultra Beasts have become stronger, but rather that they are gradually regaining their original strength. On the other hand, the Ultra Beasts that were defeated by Rowe were just defective products whose strength had decreased due to being unaccustomed to the new environment.

Who knows what other troublesome situations might arise if this isn't resolved...

Fortunately, Rowe's own strength has also improved quite rapidly. Unlike Ultra Beasts, which only regain their original strength, Rowe is genuinely improving every day.

By combining practical experience with real combat skills, and encountering only top-tier opponents, one's abilities naturally improve significantly...

And this time, the opponent is undoubtedly a master...

Known as the "cheerful old man with electric shocks"... He is the Gym Leader of the Electabuzz City Gym, the oldest Gym Leader in the Hoenn region, and his strength surpasses that of Sedum and Rosaline...

There's still debate about who's the strongest Gym Leader in Hoenn. The competition for first and second place is fierce, with strong contenders being Roy's father, Senri, and Sootopolis City Gym Leader, Wallace...

There's nothing we can do about it. Both of them are genuinely strong enough to go toe-to-toe with champions, and are definitely at the level of the Elite Four. They became gym leaders for various reasons, which is a huge blow to the fighting power of the other gym leaders.

The third place is basically a contest between Grandpa Iron Spin and Miss Naki, the gym leader of Lilycove City. Currently, Grandpa Iron Spin has a slightly higher chance of winning.

...After all, Grandpa Tie Xuan has an advantage in terms of his strengths, but when you take into account all the specific factors, they are about evenly matched.

In other words, what Luo Wei is going to challenge now is... a solid top-three level of the Hoenn region's Gym Leaders. Although the gap between this top three and the first and second place is a little big, it is still a genuine top-ranking level in the region.

Soon, Rowe arrived at the entrance of the Electric Shock Dojo. Before he even went inside, the staff member in charge of welcoming him greeted him warmly.

"Welcome, welcome! Thanks to your help before, Lord Tie Xuan, we've been waiting for your challenge!"

"Haha, then we mustn't keep the old man waiting!"

As he said this, Rowe stepped into the gym, and Lillie quickly followed. The two of them were stunned by the gym's layout as soon as they entered.

With a burst of powerful music, accompanied by a heavy metal rock tune, the lights in the dojo focused on them, and on the other side of the arena, Grandpa Tiexuan waved familiarly to Luo Wei and his companion.

"...Yo, you're here, kid Rowe~"

"This really surprised me..." Luo Wei looked around; each dojo had its own unique characteristics.

For example, Rowe's dojo is more like a Pokémon academy, focusing on teaching new trainers basic knowledge, while Fujiki's dojo is more like a boxing gym. Although Rowe and Fujiki didn't fight in the dojo, the effect was actually similar.

Iron Whirlwind's martial arts school is surprisingly styled like a heavy metal rock band, highlighting a punk aesthetic.

Having spent time with him before, I really didn't realize the old man was a rock music enthusiast...

"Haha, it's just that I suddenly developed a liking for music and rock after getting older. Many people say that this is a hobby of young people, but I, an old man, don't think so. I'm open to all new and interesting things anytime, anywhere. This is the kind of place called Zijing City, and this is also the kind of life I've lived..."

From a corporate slave solely focused on development and performance, to a gym leader who later repented and corrected his mistakes, and finally to the cheerful, lively, and popular old man he is today...

Life is constantly changing, but one thing remains unchanged...

"...All our love for Pokémon is embodied here~"

The old man took out a Poké Ball, his eyes gleaming with extraordinary light...

"Come and feel... the power of electricity!"

With a sudden, rapid melody, the Poké Ball in Tiexuan's hand, accompanied by a trail of golden arcs of electricity, flew into the arena...

Pokémon battles...

……start!