Pokémon, Ash is going to become a perfect man from now on.

"Xiao Zhi?" Xiao Gang was taken aback. He didn't understand why Xiao Zhi, who had been so generous just moments before, would make such an opportunistic request.

"Well... alright." The curator pondered for a moment, and finally agreed. "Actually, these three fossils were originally intended to be revived. If they succeed, someone will need to take care of them. Mr. Ash is an excellent trainer, so he can naturally keep the revived fossil Pokémon."

"Mr. Curator, thank you so much for your generosity," Xiao Zhi said sincerely.

In this way, Xiao Lan's worries were also resolved.

...

The events at Mt. Tsukimi quickly came to an end, and after resting, Ash and Brock set off again for their next destination.

However, as he left the mountains, Xiao Gang seemed to be lost in thought.

"Ash... do you think that the development of Pewter City and the stability of Mt. Moon are truly incompatible?"

The thought that the Pokémon of Mt. Tsukimi would be affected by the prosperity of his hometown made even Uncle Gang feel sentimental.

"I can't say for sure, and it's not something we can control right now."

Honestly, even if Ash possessed the power of Viridian, he wouldn't naively believe that humans and Pokémon could achieve perfect harmony.

People's hearts are still hidden behind their skin, let alone those who are not of our kind.

Furthermore, the very existence of trainers implies a difference in status between humans and Pokémon.

Humans and Pokémon will only gradually reach a delicate balance through struggle and reconciliation... and even that will be a very long process, and it is by no means something that can be achieved by a small number of people or through short-term efforts.

So instead of thinking about these things, it's better to do something practical.

If you want to protect wild Pokémon, you need to have the ability to do so. Don't just talk the talk; you can't even take apart a light bulb.

If you don't want the city to negatively impact the surrounding environment, then work hard to learn technology and strive to make Nibi City self-sufficient in the future!

When one is unable to shoulder more responsibility, all sentiments are merely empty talk and have no practical meaning.

...

"So that's how it is... He got involved in the Tsukimiyama affair?"

In a dark and secluded base somewhere unknown to anyone in Kanto, Giovanni, the mastermind behind Team Rocket, is listening to the latest intelligence from his subordinates.

Two people... no, to be precise, one person, actually managed to disrupt Team Rocket's operations at Mt. Tsukimi, which surprised even Giovanni.

That boy was as courageous as ever.

That makes sense, considering he dared to charge at the Gluttonous King when he was only four years old. Now, with just a dozen or so hesitant soldiers, he naturally wouldn't take them seriously.

"Give me the order: all Team Rocket members operating within Kanto territory, if they spot Ash in Pallet Town, immediately remain silent and do not engage in conflict with him unless absolutely necessary!"

After witnessing Ash's performance, Giovanni decided to temporarily avoid confrontation.

He wasn't afraid of a greenhorn; he was just worried that Ash's special background and frequent conflicts with his team might affect Team Rocket's overall strategy in Kanto.

“But what about Musashi and Kojiro’s group?” Giovanni’s confidential secretary reminded him. “They reported earlier that they seemed to have discovered a special Pikachu…”

"Let them make a scene. Those idiots are perfect for keeping the Kanto leadership in check."

“Understood… There’s one more thing. We just received news from Niijima that it seems to have been stimulated in some way and has now awakened.”

"Increase the inhibitor dosage and put it back into a dormant state! From now on, keep a close eye on Silver Corporation's movements and obtain that ball as soon as possible!"

In the darkness, the Boss's commands were delivered methodically, as if everything was under his control...

Chapter Twenty-Six: Cerulean Dojo... Should we call the police?

Cerulean City, the water capital of the Kanto region, a mysterious and enigmatic city of azure.

Ash and Brock traveled here together in order to obtain the second badge.

Although there was a slight mishap at the Pewter City Gym, preventing Ash from experiencing a battle beyond the level of the original story, Ash still had high expectations for Cerulean City.

As the weakest gym in the Kanto region in the original work, if the three beauties can learn from their mistakes, it would be a good thing to be ashamed and then improve.

The banner from Professor Oak's lab will surely be very happy~

Therefore, Ash made thorough preparations well in advance and would never do anything distracting before the challenge, such as accompanying Brock to see a water ballet performance...

"Thank you, the tickets for three people cost 1500 yuan."

"What did you say?" When Ash arrived at the gym with the Sea Lion sign, he was taken aback by the staff member at the gate reaching out for money.

"Didn't I make myself clear? I'm here for the gym challenge, not to watch some kind of underwater ballet performance." Ash tried to explain to the staff that he was a legitimate trainer, not some pervert...

At least he doesn't look old at all!

“I know you’re a trainer, but you still have to pay.” The staff member explained seriously, “The gym challenge will be scheduled after the show. During this time, this door will be the ticket checkpoint, and everyone must enter with a ticket.”

"Well... paying isn't out of the question, but there are only two of us, so why should we pay for three people?" Xiao Zhi decided to accept the loss, but he didn't want to accept it completely.

"You misunderstand. The three people I mean are the three beautiful sisters from Hua Lan. Each of their tickets costs 500 yuan, so the three of them would naturally cost 1500 yuan."

The staff member stretched out his hand to the side, and Xiao Gang, who was already out of sorts, obediently handed over his share of the toll money, which immediately made Xiao Zhi speechless.

"Excuse me, is it possible for me to watch only one person's performance?"

"Sorry, underwater ballet is a group performance..." The staff member clasped their hands together and gave a professional smile, "So, the price is 1500 yuan~"

"Okay, I'll give it to you." In order to get the badge as soon as possible, Ash decided to bleed himself out.

Anyway, I'm not short of money...

Ouch, that hurts!

"Enjoy the show." After receiving payment, the staff led Ash to the door. "Also, after the show, trainers can redeem a special surprise by showing their ticket stub."

"A surprise... what is that?"

"Our dojo guarantees you excellent value for your money."

Upon hearing this, Ash became intrigued.

Excellent value for money... Could it be that Cerulean Gym is going to innovate and start giving bonuses to challengers like in the game?

According to the guidebook, the Cerulean Gym battles are three-on-three. Considering the prize money in the game, winning should net you at least 3000 yen…

The tickets were only 1500, which is definitely great value for money.

With that thought, Xiao Zhi suddenly stopped feeling like he had lost too much blood.

Xiao Zhi patiently followed Xiao Gang into the audience seats, then tore off a tissue and handed it to the smirking man next to him…

"Here, wipe your drool."

"Ah...yes, this water is so white..."

Xiao Zhi: ...

To be honest, the legs of the Hua Lan sisters... ugh!

Xiao Zhi meant that, from a professional and technical point of view, this performance was only average. The reason it could maintain such a high attendance rate was mainly due to the actors driving the box office... Of course, costumes and action design were also key.

After all… looking around, 99% of the audience were gentlemen~

The most gentlemanly person is the one next to me!

Looking at Brock beside him, who was completely absorbed in the moment, Ash couldn't help but think to himself... If he ever became a lecherous old man, it would definitely be because Brock had led him astray~

"Pikachu, don't look either, you'll learn bad habits." Ash hugged Pikachu and covered its eyes with his hand.

However, Pikachu quickly managed to pry open a gap between its fingers with its tiny little arms...

Pikachu:

After finally getting through the show, Ash rushed backstage and stopped the three sisters, expressing his desire to have a gym battle.

"You've come to challenge the gym, huh? I understand." After learning Ash's purpose, the three sisters led him to the battle arena at the back.

Just as Ash was about to step into the challenger position, his older sister Sakura clapped her hands and summoned a small sea lion, which then stuck out its tongue and brought him the badge from its mouth!

(Are they really going to give away badges for free?!)

At this moment, another person appeared. She was furious when she discovered that the three sisters were going to give up their badges without even fighting.

However, after realizing that Ash didn't immediately accept it, she chose to wait and see again...

"What does this mean?" Xiao Zhi asked, frowning.

So, this badge is going to be given away for free?

“Here’s a badge for you, isn’t that what you wanted?” Second Sister Ayame said, pointing to the badge. “When you came in, didn’t the staff say that trainers who come to challenge the gym will receive a special surprise?”

"What you mean by a special surprise... is giving away badges for free?" Ash continued tentatively. "What about gym battles? Aren't they required?"

Could it be that, just like in the original story, he was so badly beaten that he no longer has any usable Pokémon left?

"Of course there's no need to do it. We're busy making ourselves beautiful every day, how can we have time to do battles?" Third Sister Peony said matter-of-factly. "Anyway, the trainers in Kanto are all so strong now, they always have Grass and Electric type advantages and disadvantages, we can't beat them anyway, so we might as well just give them badges."

"So... I spent money and wasted time watching a pointless performance, and in the end I didn't even get to fight, I just bought a badge?"

Seeing the Cerulean Three-Colored Vase completely fall apart, Ash was really angry this time!

"Hey, little brother, what are you saying? What do you mean by a nonsensical performance? The three of us are so beautiful!" Changpu retorted in a shrill voice, dissatisfied. "Look closely, aren't all three of us sisters fair-skinned, beautiful, and with long legs? You should be secretly happy after watching the performance!"

"That's right! The three ladies are simply too perfect, please be sure to..."

"Bro, shut down." Ash immediately pressed the mute button on Bro.