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

"Huh?!" Articuno was startled by the girl's call and nearly fell headfirst off the frozen rock.

It managed to steady itself and carefully examined the strangely appearing uninvited guest before realizing that it was an acquaintance who had come to visit.

"With such a big reaction, you must miss me a lot, right?" Xiao Lan asked familiarly, her face beaming with joy.

"Woo~" However, Articuno showed a human-like expression of disgust, clearly not wanting to support Blue.

"Waaaaah, you've gone too far! 'Old friend' indeed!" Seeing this, Xiao Lan immediately used her fake crying trick, while also adding a threat, "Believe it or not, I'll get Xiao Zhi to deal with you?"

"Ugh..." Articuno was in a terrible mood. It would rather save a hundred stray climbers than listen to Blue's babbling hoot anymore.

He even went to Ash... well, Ash definitely could handle him.

When they met last time, the three legendary birds knew that Ash had gained Lugia's approval, but Articuno discovered this time that this approval had increased exponentially!

Other Pokémon might not sense it, but it is one of the three legendary birds, and is naturally extremely sensitive to Lugia's scent.

Standing before it now, Ash felt as if the god of the sea had descended upon him!

"Long time no see, Articuno. Blue was just joking, don't take it to heart." Ash greeted Articuno with a smile, making Articuno feel flattered.

While Xiaolan was with Articuno for a while, Xiaozhi had roughly checked the frozen rock under Articuno.

The detection results from the management Pokémon indicated that it was a special frozen stone that had endured the cold for many years and absorbed a lot of Articuno's power. It could also be used as a special ice stone, which would definitely benefit Ice-type Pokémon that needed to evolve.

As for the choice of Ice-type Pokémon, the management Pokémon has already picked out a suitable one for Ash, which is definitely a completely new evolution unlike anything he has ever done before.

However, the problem of Articuno still needs to be solved.

According to Articuno, it sensed something was wrong and went out to check, which is how it was discovered.

"Is that not right?" Xiao Zhi asked, puzzled.

(It was just spatial disorder... about a few days ago.) Articuno recalled.

Where did you discover this disorder?

Ash did some calculations and realized that it happened precisely when the modern Celebi caused the spacetime distortion, and also when the Unknown Totem mysteriously fell from the sky. It might be related to this kind of disorder.

(As for the location... it seems to be in the center of the continent?)

Is it the center of the continent of Jodo...?

A thought suddenly struck Xiaozhi, reminding him of a very special place.

Chapter 524 The Blue Team, A Pair of Drama Queens

When Ash thinks of the central area of ​​the Johto region, one place immediately comes to mind.

Aluf Ruins.

It is a ruin located in the southwest of Kikyo City, in the central area of ​​Johto, and is famous for being home to a large number of unknown totems.

Incidentally, Ash should have experienced the movie "The Emperor of the Crystal Tower," but he completely missed it due to time constraints. The movie takes place in Greensavanna, which is actually near the Ruins of Alpford.

Based on this reasoning, Articuno observed spatial disorder a few days ago, and coincidentally, the Unknown Totem G also fell from the sky, which might indicate that something went wrong at the Ruins of Aluf.

"Were there similar disturbances later?" Xiao Zhi asked thoughtfully.

(That's all; it only appeared once.)

Articuno really felt wronged. It only went out once without paying attention to the timing, and as a result, it has been plagued by all sorts of troubles these past few days.

"Perhaps we should wait and see." To be honest, Xiaozhi was reluctant to rush over and investigate based on such unsubstantiated rumors.

Of course, the truth is that he didn't want his companions to get involved.

The matter of the Unknown Totems can be big or small. On a small scale, these little guys can only use their awakened power; but if they come together, they can easily fill a theatrical version.

So let's put it aside for now, at least until our companions arrive in Enoki City and settle down.

In the meantime, let's do some preparatory work.

Just then, looking at the respectful Articuno in front of him, Ash had some ideas.

He tried to contact Lugia secretly using the Silver Feather and quickly received a response.

(If you think it's okay, then it's fine. Anyway, they'll be protecting this child in the future.)

Xiao Zhi: ...

Honestly, Lugia's current performance is putting him under a lot of pressure.

But if the other party says that, it should be considered an acceptance, right?

“Articuno, if you find this place troublesome, you can just go somewhere else,” Ash said after thinking for a moment. “These climbers are all here to find you. As long as you’re not here, most of them won’t come back.”

(That's what I say... but I don't know where to go. And even if I leave, many humans will still come looking for me, and they'll be in danger just as easily.)

Ash was taken aback by this answer; he hadn't expected that Articuno would care so much about humans.

However, having this idea made Xiaozhi even more satisfied with it.

"You don't need to worry about the human mountaineers. Just put on a show to make them believe you're leaving. As for your new destination... the Ice Island near Asia Island, the former habitat of the Ice God, what do you think?"

"Whoa?!" All the Articuno birds exploded.

It knows that place that Xiaozhi mentioned all too well!

That is the dwelling place of the most powerful Articuno, who has been granted divine authority by Lugia!

At this moment, Articuno couldn't help but start daydreaming.

Ash... uh, Ash-sama, why is he bringing up Ice Island at this time? Is he intentionally trying to have me succeed him...?

No, Articuno dared not think any further, afraid that his emotions would get too intense and he might accidentally melt his brain.

“The priesthood over there is indeed vacant, and Lugia hasn’t decided on a successor yet,” Ash nodded. “Since we’re friends, I can recommend you give it a try… but there are conditions.”

"Woo!" Articuno listened intently; compared to a divine title, Ash's condition probably wasn't a big deal to it.

At worst, they'll be subdued. Can humans ask for anything more?

"Wait a moment." Ash contacted Lugia again, and a moment later, three silver orbs of light broke through space and appeared around Ash.

Those were three silver feathers, which Lugia had just delivered.

"Of these three feathers, one is for you, and the other two need to be given to Moltres and Zapdos. Also, please tell them my request," Ash explained. "You've been through thick and thin together before, so it shouldn't be a problem for you to continue being companions, right?"

"Woo, woo!" Articuno nodded hastily, agreeing quite readily.

But soon, it looked troubled.

It's okay to contact Moltres. After the three birds parted ways, it saw Moltres fly south of Kanto, probably near the Seven Islands.

Zapdos came to Johto with it, but there's been no news of it lately!

"Zetzart has gone missing?!" Ash was taken aback, instinctively sensing that something was wrong. "After leaving here, go find Moltres immediately and move with it to the vicinity of Asia Island. It's best not to show up again until you receive a message from Silverfeather."

"Woo!" Articuno nodded solemnly, realizing the seriousness of the situation.

Zapdos must have gotten into trouble; he and Moltres will likely become targets of the enemy.

This is definitely Articuno's biggest worry, after all, it has not only been captured, but also fused together... and the fused form is so ugly, it's a past that's hard to recall.

"Then it's settled like this for now." Ash nodded. "As for letting people know you've left, I guess we'll have to have a battle first..."

"That's right, you can choose to be captured or driven away~" Little Blue interjected with a mischievous grin, instantly causing Articuno's expression to freeze.

Just as it was struggling with its decision, Ash chimed in, "There are only these two choices, and Blue will be the one accompanying you."

"Woo..." Articuno twitched its beak with a sullen face.

If the target is Xiao Lan, then it's like the difference between fifty steps and a hundred steps.

If Ash himself were to appear, Articuno would at least be willing to be captured or driven away... given its relationship with the Sea God, and its own strength.

But if it were Little Blue instead, hehe~

Not to brag, but the other party is just relying on being Ash's spouse. Someone like her, I could beat her even if I had to kneel down!

"Hey, you look down on me, huh?" Blue put her hands on her hips. "Just you wait and see. This time, I don't need Ash's help. Watch how I capture you!"

"Woo~" Articuno also showed a human-like disdainful expression.

Sure, it's just about subjugating them.

If you can really do that, I won't bother acting anymore; I'll just let you use me as a handheld device.

Humans only live for a few years. I can take over the duties of the God of Ice after I've outlived you.

"Uh... Little Blue's decision to capture Articuno, isn't that a bit too hasty?" Uncle Gang is definitely an honest man. The two of them are arguing on the surface, but they have actually reached a consensus long ago.

"Ignore those two drama queens, they planned this all along." Xiao Zhi rolled his eyes helplessly.

Articuno is indeed destined to be with Blue; even their cunning schemes have converged.

One used Ash as a pretext to imply that he could capture him; the other simply agreed to be captured and deliberately agreed to the other's conditions.

Articuno isn't stupid; it definitely needs to repay Ash for such a great benefit.

Instead of placing that reward on Ash, it would be better to choose someone close to him... such as Blue, who would be a good fit.

That's why it openly made a bet with Xiao Lan, but in reality, it was informing Xiao Lan of its choice.

"You two can figure this out yourselves." Ash ignored the two drama queens and turned to his sister, "Lyla, let's release the Crystal Onix and see if it can evolve here."