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

"Thank you!" Xiaoxia and the others were overjoyed.

Not to mention Johto, Steel is a world-renowned Poké Ball craftsman, and the Poké Balls he makes by hand are absolutely exquisite.

So, everyone happily split up. Ash went to the police station, while Misty and the other two were taken by Chie to the back mountain to pick fruit.

The little girl had invited Xiao Yin, but he refused and went to a different place to do special training by himself.

After interacting with Ash, Silver was clearly deeply moved and couldn't wait to verify it.

At the same time, it's also to prepare for the upcoming battles!

...

After arriving at the police station, Ash interrogated several Team Rocket members at the squad leader level, easily probing their minds using his psychic powers.

"Is it just for making money?" Through investigation, Ash discovered that Team Rocket's operation was indeed just for financial gain.

Due to a series of setbacks and the destruction of their internal league network, the Rockets are now facing a severe financial crisis.

They cut off Slowpoke's tail and captured Totodile and other Pokémon, all for the purpose of selling them.

Moreover, after the nails in Kaji were removed, they have now lost their own channels for selling stolen goods and have no choice but to cooperate with the poaching gangs they have always looked down upon.

This gang is none other than the Gur poaching group!

Very good, the information provided by the true protagonist trio has now connected.

Team Rocket had arranged to meet the poaching group in Leaf Town to deliver the captured Pokémon, which is why they temporarily stored them in the Paulownia Forest. This was partly to avoid being discovered, and partly to allow Slowpoke to grow more tails.

Once the goods are delivered, the poaching group will naturally transport them by sea to other regions to sell them.

Ye Zhi Town…that’s right!

As Ash carefully recalled the original storyline that took place there, a sudden inspiration struck him.

"Miss Officer Jenny, is a Pokémon trade fair going to be held in Leaf Town, which is located on the edge of the Paulownia Forest and by the sea?" Ash immediately asked Officer Jenny in town.

“Yes, judging by the time, it should be about a week.” Officer Jenny thought for a moment and said, “Leaf Town isn’t far from here. If you’re interested, Ash, you can go there after you’ve challenged the Azalea Gym.”

"I'm not the only one interested in that place... Please immediately notify all police forces in Azalea Town to stand by, and request the cooperation of the Leaf Town police. According to the latest intelligence, Team Rocket is suspected of colluding with the Gul Poaching Group and is about to carry out a large-scale criminal operation in Leaf Town!"

Ash realized that the poaching group's big move, which the main trio had mentioned before, was referring to this exchange conference!

The Gur poaching group was clearly planning something big; they might be aiming to steal all the Pokémon at the exchange event and smuggle them out of Johto along with Slowpoke's tail!

Moreover, it is very likely that this contains a Pokémon egg that was stolen from the Mt. Silver Reserve!

We must stop them no matter what!!

Thinking of all this, Ash immediately notified Meowth and the other two, asking them to prepare the submarine and land-based machinery and to arrive in Leaf Town ahead of time to stand by.

Officer Jenny has also contacted the authorities in Ye Zhi Town. Police from both locations are currently working diligently to set up an encirclement, determined to ensure the smooth running of the exchange conference and to wipe out the enemy in one fell swoop!

After everything was arranged, Ash finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But at the same time, he felt a little sad. The Rockets were really going downhill... If Giovanni were still around, his men would never have associated with a bunch of nobodies.

It seems that Giovanni was truly moved by Silver's words and is considering giving up on Team Rocket...

Unfortunately, the remnants of Team Rocket, led by General Athena and currently active in Johto, are unaware of Giovanni's true intentions and are still eagerly awaiting their leader's return.

Little did they know, they had already been treated as expendable pawns.

...

After confirming the major events in Leaf Town, Ash rushed back to the Steel House, only to find Lyra sitting alone in the yard, looking preoccupied.

"What's wrong?" Xiao Zhi asked with concern as he sat down beside her.

"Nothing, just wanted to relax a bit..." Lila shook her head. "Xiaoxia and Xiaogang went to pick Apricots, and Xiaogang even caught a Pokémon. They're waiting for Mr. Steel to make a Poké Ball... I was a little unsure what to do, so I thought I'd come out for some fresh air..."

"Lyla, something must be on your mind?" Ash smiled gently, tidying up the stray hairs on the girl's head.

“I knew I couldn’t hide it from you, brother.” Lila nodded obediently. “Lately, I’ve been feeling a little off, just like when I saw the giant Gengar open the Spirit Gate… The strange thing is, even though I didn’t see anything, I still felt unwell.”

"As expected... it's the Ultra Hole." Ash had always known that although Lyra's memories were hazy, she still harbored a lingering fear of what happened back then.

Moreover, as Fall who has been tainted by ultimate energy, she will inevitably sense it when the Ultimate Void opens.

So, the seven-colored distortion I saw earlier was indeed the Ultimate Hole!

This is undoubtedly what Ash has always cared about most, and of course it's not just his old grudge against Guzzlord!

Little Blue's parents disappeared because of this, and Lila's past is also hidden across the street...

"Brother... was that Ultimate Hollow opened because of me...?" Lila asked worriedly. "What exactly is hidden behind it...?"

"No matter what it is, I will face it with you!" Xiao Zhi's tone was exceptionally firm, and the tenderness within it swept away the girl's worries.

"Yeah, as long as my brother is with me, that's enough~" Lila's expression brightened again, and she gently rested her head on Ash's shoulder.

Xiao Zhi took the opportunity to put his arm around the girl's waist, expressing in this way that he would always be her support.

He really wanted to help Lila find her past, even her family... but as for whether he could accept Lila leaving him, the answer was undoubtedly no!

No matter what, they will never separate!

Chapter 355 The Insect Encyclopedia: What is Shuttle most afraid of?

Ash couldn't just stand by and do nothing about the Ultra Hole incident.

Given the connection between this thing and a certain faction, Ash immediately contacted a girl in Alola to discuss the situation.

"The Ultimate Hole has opened again... That shouldn't be the case?" Upon hearing this news, Xiao Lan on the other end of the phone was also stunned. "As far as I know, the Aether Foundation's research has only just begun, and they have only barely managed to create the Ultimate Ball."

Blue stayed in Alola as Dr. Barnett's assistant, and Barnett had a deep collaboration with the Ether Foundation. She herself was also a close friend of Lusamine, the president of the Ether Foundation.

Thanks to this convenience, Xiao Lan was able to obtain a lot of first-hand information.

The Aether Foundation's technology regarding the Ultimate Space is not yet mature, and they are still unable to open a stable Ultimate rift. Moreover, even if they could open it, they could not ignore the threat from Ultra Beasts.

Therefore, what they are currently focusing their research on is actually methods to suppress Ultra Beasts.

First up is the Ultra Ball. Several test balls have already been made, and Blue said he will mail one to Ash.

In addition, there seems to be a research project called 'Beast Slayer', which is the most confidential technology of the Aether Foundation. Little Blue only knows the name.

"Anyway, that's all I know. The Ultimate Hole that suddenly opened on your end was probably because you accidentally leaked energy while testing the Ultimate Aura," Xiao Lan tried to analyze over the phone.

"That's the only way to think about it for now." Testing the Ultimate Ball could indeed trigger the Ultimate Aura, so Xiao Lan's explanation makes sense.

Without any further information at hand, Ash could only choose to wait and see.

Then let's prepare for the gym battle first. He's determined to get the second badge in Johto!

...

The next day, after Ash had made preparations for the battle, he led everyone into the Azalea Gym.

Incidentally, in order to observe the 'enemy situation,' Xiao Yin also came along, walking alone at the back of the group, not quite fitting in.

The Azalea Gym is a Bug-type Gym, so the entire gym has been decorated as a botanical garden, with lush bushes and flowers everywhere.

Hidden among these plants are all sorts of Bug-type Pokémon, including Caterpie, Kakuna, Balloon, and many more.

"I will never come back to this place again!" Xiaoxia walked carefully beside Xiaozhi, while tightly hugging her boyfriend's arm, as if afraid that something might pop out from the surrounding bushes.

Honestly, this place was like a mountain of knives and a sea of ​​fire for her. If it weren't for accompanying Xiaozhi, she would never have dared to come in.

Hmm... thinking about it this way, Zhixia is definitely true love~

"Welcome, everyone, to the Hinoki Gym."

On the battlefield of the gym, a boy dressed as a well-behaved child, not much older than Ash, is standing ready. He is none other than the best among the Bug-catching boys—Bee, the Bug-type gym leader!

Speaking of Abi, he is a celebrity in the Johto region.

He is the youngest Gym Leader in the Johto region and also an excellent Bug-type Pokémon researcher. It is said that he was the first to discover the move "Cut-Cut," making him a player with unlimited potential.

Such a person is naturally full of vigor. At this moment, he pointed his bug-catching net at Ash, looking very determined.

"Mr. Ash, I've been looking forward to this battle for a long time! I've always believed that only those who conquer Bug-type Pokémon can conquer the world, so please witness the power of me and Bug-type Pokémon!"

"Alright, let's have a great battle!" Ash responded with equal enthusiasm.

What Abi said makes some sense.

At least the Bug-type moves are indeed rich and diverse, and their various additional effects are also excellent.

For example, the most powerful priority move is Bug-type, the status move that boosts Special Attack the most is Bug-type, not to mention the amazing move U-turn, perfect for guerrilla warfare.

In addition, Bug-type moves are often dazzling and beautiful, such as Quiver Dance, Dust Powder, and Silver Whirlwind, which are often particularly suitable for the three-hit combo of dancing, dusting, and exploding in a grand contest.

Therefore, the Bug type is indeed a pretty good type. It has a strong coverage effect, it has strong resistances, and it has strong average base stats.

"The Cypress Gym uses a three-on-three format, and my first one is this... a Bug-type Tough Guy, Shuckle!" The match officially began, and Abi sent out a surprise weapon first, a giant defensive shield that looked a lot like a little turtle.

"Shuttle...it looks pretty cute. It's a Bug-type too?" Xiaoxia couldn't help but be curious. It was the first time she had seen Shuttle, and like Brock's Pokémon, it refreshed her preconceived notions about the appearance of Bug-type Pokémon.

"Shuttle is a Bug/Rock type Pokémon with incredibly strong defense," Brock explained from the side. "If you get caught up in the opponent's offensive and defensive rhythm, even Ash will find himself in a tough fight."

"I'll leave the first battle to you, Gengar!" Ash pondered for a moment and sent out the veteran Ghost-type from Kanto.

With his current strength, fighting in these gym battles isn't even considered leveling up, so there's no need for him to keep sending out new Pokémon.

Using a combination of experienced and new personnel not only facilitates tactical practice but also allows everyone to get to know each other and grow together.