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

It was just one bite short...

"Bana." But just then, perhaps acknowledging the other's strength, Venusaur swung its Vine Whip at its flower disc behind it, and rubbed a ball of pollen in front of Heracross.

"Hera! Hera?" Upon smelling the fragrance of pollen, Heracross immediately perked up, hurriedly swishing all the pollen in one gulp before looking at Venusaur with a puzzled expression.

Whatever the reason, let's eat first... That's so Heracross!

"Bana~" Venusaur pointed behind itself with its Vine Whip, then pointed to Ash beside it, its meaning couldn't be clearer.

"Hera! Heracross!" Heracross immediately understood, wiped his mouth, and turned to Ash, showing off his muscles in a somewhat anxious yet comical manner.

"He would actually beg to be subdued just for food?" Xiaoxia was dumbfounded. Heracross completely refreshed her understanding of foodies.

What's so special about this? Is freedom more valuable than rice?

"Then please guide me... We'll be partners from now on, Heracross~" Seeing that the food offensive was very effective, Ash happily took out a Poké Ball and gently pressed it on Heracross's head.

The gluttonous insect warrior has successfully joined the team!

...

"What's going on? Why did I get half the Perfect Points for completing the mission?" In a certain part of the city, a young man couldn't help but feel bitter and resentful as he checked his earnings.

(The deviation has not been fully corrected; reward deducted.)

"Damn it... So why did I even have to do all these trivial things?!"

(To correct the discrepancy in the world line, if the protagonist disagrees, they can choose to directly annihilate the opponent.)

"Hmph!" The young man snorted coldly, his bravado masking his inner weakness, pretending not to see the notification from the management sprite.

(The following are newly released missions, which the protagonist can choose to accept.)

1. Steal the opponent's GS ball and give it to Steel in Azalea Town.

2. Ensure that your opponent's Charizard is left in the Charizard Valley of the Nature Park.

3. Go to Kikyo City and make those who shouldn't have encountered your rivals disappear.

My choice is…

For a moment, the young man fell into deep thought.

Chapter 334 A Pokémon's Dream Shouldn't Be Just About Getting Stronger

After successfully catching Heracross, Ash and his friends continued their journey towards Violet City.

During the journey, he also devised a series of training plans for Heracross... and incidentally sent over a special 'training tool'.

And so, Lila and her two companions had the good fortune to witness Heracross's muscles bulging as it lifted the sleeping Snorlax with each stroke.

"Honestly, in terms of using whatever materials are available during practice, I would call Xiaozhi the strongest," Xiaogang said with emotion.

What kind of thought process could come up with this kind of exercise?

Most importantly, Heracross can actually lift it... and even throw it high every now and then!

Snorlax is pretty amazing, it didn't even wake up after all that fuss!

Xiao Gang had also heard that when the younger members joined the team in the past, the objects they lifted high were small bags... but as time went on, their weight gradually became insufficient.

"But is this really okay...? Training just to eat pollen, it feels like the motives aren't pure," Xiaoxia said with some concern.

She knows Ash's Pokémon better, which is why she felt that Heracross was different from the ones he had caught before.

Heracross clearly took a liking to Venusaur's pollen, which is why it was captured, and Ash made a deal with it.

He will train Heracross and command it in battles; if it performs well, Heracross will receive pollen as a reward.

In other words, all Heracross wanted was a bite to eat, even though he was sweating so much.

This kind of reason inevitably makes people feel that it's not so sophisticated.

"I think that's precisely what Pokémon's most fundamental pursuit is," Ash, who was overseeing the training, countered. "Otherwise, what kind of mindset should the Pokémon have? Are they determined to become stronger alongside their trainers?"

"Uh...isn't that how it is?" Xiaoxia was taken aback.

“Not entirely.” Ash shook his head. “Most trainers tend to capture those warlike and spirited Pokémon because they are generally considered easier to train… But do you know why?”

Seeing the three of them shake their heads at the same time, Ash continued, "That's because these kinds of Pokémon are easier to fool and more likely to agree with the trainer's will."

For most trainers, becoming stronger is just a means to an end, ultimately serving a certain purpose.

To become a Champion, a Pokémon Master, or even a Pokémon Master, including but not limited to the above.

But these things really have nothing to do with Pokémon... Even Cynthia's Garchomp wouldn't be treated like a celebrity if it walked down the street alone.

Trainers are simply imposing their own ideas on Pokémon through bonds, making the Pokémon take it upon themselves to strive to become stronger.

Therefore, Pokémon that are warlike and outgoing are more favored by battle-oriented trainers, because they are naturally more willing to hear such slogans.

This can't be considered a wrong or despicable tactic; all trainers do similar things, including Ash.

But Ash didn't want it to be just that. He wanted to make some distinctions and try to find some guys who were simply working hard, really just to get stronger.

He has already won over these kinds of partners.

For example, Crobat wants to become Ash's Poison-type elite and become the world's number one Crobat!

Take Dajia for example. After emerging from its cocoon, its only belief is to become strong and never again let anyone trample on its dignity!

But Heracross isn't that type, so its training requires surveillance, and it also tries to negotiate with Ash.

Now it's complaining, why can Snorlax eat and sleep all day long, but it can't?

"Heracross, if you could have a move pool like Snorlax, be able to move nimbly and quickly with a weight of 460 kilograms, and even swim across the ocean with the Butterfly Strike... if you could do just one of these things, I would allow you to eat and sleep freely."

"Hera..." Heracross's expression froze; it couldn't do a single thing!

"So, sometimes we have to face reality... This world is inherently unfair. There are geniuses among both humans and Pokémon... and Snorlax is a super genius, one in a million!"

Ash isn't exaggerating; the Snorlax he caught is absolutely one of a kind in the entire world!

In terms of talent alone, Snorlax can even be compared to Pikachu and Lucario... even Charizard can't match it!

But the same question remains: if someone has amazing talent, does that mean they have to become amazing?

Raising Snorlax to become a champion or even higher would be very meaningful for Ash, but for Snorlax itself, it's just so-so.

Putting aside its talents, Snorlax has always been just a happy, lazy bum who wants to eat and sleep all the time.

So, should Ash force it?

In order to unleash its full potential as soon as possible, it was constantly brainwashed and chanted slogans, making Snorlax obsessed with becoming stronger... and even some setbacks were arranged to destroy its current carefree and easygoing mentality, so that it would train hard every day.

Ash wouldn't do that.

Pokémon can have dreams, and they shouldn't just be about getting stronger... As a trainer, it's also my duty to protect their most genuine thoughts!

Moreover, Xiaozhi believes that only by exchanging hearts can they form a true bond with him!

Therefore, Ash doesn't need to shout any slogans at Snorlax and Heracross; he can just continue with the status quo.

If one day they truly find a reason why they must become stronger, then it's never too late to work hard.

...

"Hera~" With her training over, Heracross no longer had to hold up Snorlax. She excitedly took a clump of pollen from Venusaur and stuffed it into her mouth.

Just when it should have been resting, it suddenly wrinkled its nose and then immediately darted into the surrounding bushes.

"What's it doing?" Xia asked, puzzled.

"They probably found something good to eat," Lila said, shrugging.

Curious, the group followed the animal out of the bushes and found it sunbathing and taking a nap on a sunny lawn.

It was a small, green Pokémon that walked on all fours, with a tender leaf growing on its head, making it look delicate and cute.

"It's a chrysanthemum leaf, it's so cute!" Xiaoxia's eyes immediately turned into hearts. Although she specializes in water-type plants, cuteness is universally appealing to girls.

"Its leaves smell different from Nana's; Heracross was clearly after it!"

"Hera!" Before Xiao Gang could finish speaking, Heracross had already pounced.

"Chik?!" Chikorita, who had been taking a nap, suddenly opened her eyes and dodged Heracross's attack with a small leap.

"Chik!" it huffed and puffed, as it flicked a vine whip from its side, striking the rhinoceros beetle directly in the face.

"Hera~" But for Heracross, who was obsessed with her appetite, it didn't hurt at all. She was still eager to lick the leaves on the other's head.

Heracross, stop!

"Hera..." Heracross froze, then turned back to Ash's side, looking dejected...

However, Chikorita, unwilling to give up, suddenly launched a few leaf blades in a sneak attack... Fortunately, Pikachu released a burst of electricity, accurately severing the leaves.

"Cheeky?" Chikorita looked at the Pikachu on Ash's shoulder, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes.

“Heracross was in the wrong before, and I can apologize to you on its behalf… but you’ve already attacked it, so attacking it from behind is a bit much, isn’t it?” Ash said, stepping forward.

"Chikorita, Chikorita!" To everyone's surprise, Chikorita, extremely indignant, lashed out at Ash with its Vine Whip, pawing at him with its front paws and assuming a battle stance.

Ash's expression froze, speechless, and he turned around to glare fiercely at Heracross.

It's all that glutton's fault; he made me look like a weirdo too!