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

“This…” Xiao Zhi continued to ask questions, which made May’s face stiffen.

Ideals are just a personal feeling; no one is obligated to agree with them, much less to lend a helping hand.

Just like Mina-kun, no matter how hard he tries to find Suicune, what can he do?

From Suicune's perspective, I just don't agree with him and I don't want to be captured by him. What's wrong with that?

"This... I understand. Mr. Ash must have a close relationship with Ho-Oh and Lord Lugia, and he can decide whether or not they return to Ecruteak City, is that right?"

It must be said that May is indeed very clever, cunning, and insightful.

Ash unconsciously reveals an attitude of being able to make decisions for the pros, which is something that Matsu wouldn't notice at all; he would only know how to keep showing off how awesome his family's history is.

It can only be said that this is because the ability to see far is being used too much, and things up close are not being seen clearly enough.

“Mr. Ash, I can assure you… we are different from the Matsukino clan, and we would never harbor any thoughts of coveting the power of the gods. We only wish for the gods to return, to follow the teachings of our ancestors, to continue fulfilling our duties as goddesses of the gods, and to restore Edo Tenjuro City to its former glory… we ask for nothing more!”

She stated her request very solemnly, even with a humble attitude, but Xiaozhi frowned more and more as she listened.

If that was all she hoped for, it's truly a pity.

May was a woman of exceptional talent and beauty, and her younger sisters were no less so. Unfortunately, however, they clung to their clan's traditions and ancestral precepts, refusing to let go.

But her persistence clearly didn't stop there. Seeing that Xiao Zhi didn't respond, she even knelt down and bowed gracefully to him as a servant...

"Master Ash is a hero recognized by the gods. If you can truly bring back the gods for Ecruteak City, we sisters, and even everyone at the Ecruteak Dance Hall, will willingly serve you as our master and be at your beck and call!"

The air inside the room froze instantly. Upon hearing this explosive news, Ash's companions all had different expressions.

Xiao Gang's bangs were already streaked with tears. Those were five sisters! Besides the youngest, Sakura, there were at least four captivating older sisters...

But this time, Xiao Zhi took the whole pot away, leaving not even a scrap of soup or any leftover bits of food!

Xiaoxia's face also tightened. Xiaozhi had always been criticized for this, so now that he had these five sisters delivered themselves to his doorstep, he was overjoyed...

(Brother, it shouldn't be like that...) Lila was a little uncertain, her intuition telling her that Ash wouldn't be so... willing to take advantage of a situation.

Back on the island of Asia, there was also someone who cried and begged to give himself to him, but Xiaozhi never contacted that person again.

"Just keep watching." In contrast, Xiao Lan remained confident throughout.

May is a good woman, and so are her sisters... But after she made this request, which was practically a one-sided affair, she lost all appeal to Ash!

"Miss May, please get up." Ash casually waved a ball of psychic power, forcibly helping Miss May stand up straight. "The way you're dressed up reminds me of a friend... so please don't act so servile in front of me!"

No way... Ash really can't stand this.

The idea of ​​a maidservant or someone offering themselves to a man might make other men overjoyed, but Xiaozhi simply couldn't accept that kind of element.

This doesn't mean he's a gentleman; after all, he's a complete scumbag... He's even fantasized about Mrs. Rosamund in private.

Of course, it was just wishful thinking; Xiao Zhi later helped her find her husband.

Getting back to the main point, if a woman shows any signs of wanting to give up her independence in front of him, he will absolutely not have any further contact with her, nor will he be able to develop any further relationship with her.

“Miss May, I’m sorry… I can’t fulfill your expectations.” May was still at a loss, but Ash continued, “Also, I have some things to say to you, and of course to your sister and your people as well.”

"First of all, Ho-Oh and Lugia are independent beings. Whether they want to come back or not is up to them to decide... No one else—including me, of course—can force them to comply out of gratitude, no matter how close they are to them or how much they have given."

"Secondly, I think Miss May places too much importance on family traditions and inheritances, even turning them into shackles that bind her destiny. I would like to say that you and your sisters are all outstanding women, so why not try to let go of your obsessions and pursue the dreams that truly belong to you?"

"Is your dream, the dream of you five sisters, simply to guard this dance floor forever, hoping for the legend to return sometime in the future? And then, after I reject you, continue to impose your regrets on the next generation in the name of inheritance?!"

“This…” May finally began to show her emotions as she listened to the end.

But she always looked distressed and clearly confused.

“Master Ash, what you say may make a lot of sense, but as you said… this is the destiny of us sisters! The women of my clan must carry on the legacy no matter what, until Ecruteak City regains its former prosperity!”

“Speaking of which, I think you’re on the right track.” Ash shook his head, his face showing more admiration. “Every time there’s a dance performance, there’s a harmonious scene of people and Pokémon getting along well… I was thinking while I was shopping today, even if it’s fake, I hope it can continue forever.”

“Mr. Ash?” May was stunned. For the first time, she saw a look of affirmation in Ash’s eyes.

What he was certain of was not the five sisters' piety towards the gods, but rather the deliberately created harmony!

At that moment, May seemed to be deep in thought, as if she had understood something.

For a long time, they, along with Xiaosong's family, and even most of the Yuanzhu people, have perhaps cared too much about those two gods...

This was something she would never have dared to think about before, but strangely enough, when facing Ash, she had the courage to have such a thought.

“A false harmony is still harmony, and as long as it can be maintained, it can exist forever,” Ash said solemnly. “True prosperity does not rely on the glory of the gods, but on the concerted efforts of everyone! If the scene of today’s shopping street can be found throughout Edo Tensei and even the entire Johto region, then what does it matter whether Ho-Oh and Lugia return?”

“But, the mistakes we Yuanzhu people made in the past…” May was clearly beginning to waver, but she was still somewhat uneasy.

“That’s not a mistake at all!” Ash waved his hand and said, “I can assure you of that. Ho-Oh and Lugia have never cared about those things. They are also just ordinary people and have their own emotions. As humans, we don’t need to make wild guesses, let alone worry about gains and losses or even put unfounded accusations on ourselves!”

"The path to making Ecruteak City more prosperous and to achieving greater harmony between humans and Pokémon is clearly laid out before us; all we need to do is firmly walk down that path!"

"As for those legendary gods, we can certainly hold them in awe, but let them quietly stay in the corners of the world."

"Wouldn't it be better if both sides didn't disturb each other, lived peacefully, and pursued a happy life together in this world?"

Chapter 537 The Nine-Tailed Fox in the Mist Used Magic…

On the main road leaving Ebony City, every time Circle Bear took a step, Xiao Gang would turn his head three times on the raft.

He was still savoring the unique farewell ceremony that had just taken place... even though it wasn't for him.

After their late-night conversation, Xiao Zhi didn't know how much May had actually taken in, nor did he particularly care.

After all, they were just strangers who met by chance. It was only because the other party took the initiative to come to him that Xiaozhi gave that lecture.

To his surprise, when they left Ecruteak City the next day, the five sisters chased after them all the way to the outskirts of the city, insisting on seeing Ash and the others off.

They were all dressed in gorgeous kimonos and danced a dance of inheritance for Ash in the middle of the road... According to the three women, Tamao, this was a gift they had prepared for the gods, hoping that the passing heroes could help convey their respect.

This dance was indeed extremely graceful and beautiful. Xiao Zhi could still resist it, but Uncle Gang had completely fallen for it.

"They're gone just like that... Ash, aren't you really disappointed? Those were all beauties." Even after Ecruteak City was no longer in sight, Brock was still filled with regret, feeling a deep sense of loss for Ash's harem of five.

“There’s nothing to regret. I was never going to have much interaction with them anyway,” Xiaozhi said calmly. “I just hope that they can listen to me and really develop Edo Tensei into the kind of city that’s like the one in the dance drama.”

"Is that really true?" Xiao Gang still seemed doubtful.

"If it were you, you might have really fallen for her, but Xiaozhi wouldn't," Xiaolan chimed in. "Think about it, what kind of girls are around Xiaozhi... when has he ever neglected his duties because of women?"

Xiao Zhi doesn't shy away from discussing romantic relationships, and he's always been transparent and direct in his approach to relationships, consistently taking the initiative.

Feelings are always reciprocal. While the female companions with whom he can develop a relationship crave Xiaozhi's honesty, initiative, and gentle care, Xiaozhi also has his own expectations of them.

For example, one should always maintain independence and gradually become a better version of oneself.

To put it bluntly, even if all five sisters in Edo City were put together, they wouldn't compare to Rika, who also loves wearing kimonos.

Xiao Zhi might admire their dance moves, but he wouldn't be interested in them as people...

Even if they were truly willing to offer themselves up as maids.

"Alright, Brock doesn't actually know either. He's a man with the Will of Rock." Seeing Brock's slightly embarrassed smile, Ash casually changed the subject. "Besides, there's no need to be disappointed. Didn't we have a great haul this time?"

He turned to Xiaoxia, who hadn't joined the conversation but was instead holding a light brown egg with obvious affection.

It was given to Xiaoxia by the fifth sister, Sakura, in her own name when she said goodbye to the five sisters, as a parting gift from a friend.

Since they've already gone this far, it would be rather unreasonable for Xiaozhi to stop them.

What's more, it's an Eevee egg, and Xiaoxia definitely wouldn't want to miss it.

She had always wanted to tame a water spirit, and now this one had come to her doorstep.

"When will it hatch...? Should I start preparing water stones in advance?"

See? Ever since they set off, Xia has been preoccupied with these very things.

...

After leaving Ecruteak City, the group's next destination is Cassiopeia Town, where Ash will challenge Psy to win the seventh badge of Johto.

This trip truly exhausted Quan Quan Xiong.

During their journey, they needed to cross Mount Leibo, the most complex terrain in the Jodo region. The entire mountain road was filled with caves and various uphill and downhill sections, and they often encountered sections of dense fog with extremely low visibility.

The Ursaring was affected by the fog and accidentally slipped on a steep slope. Luckily, Ash used his psychic powers to stabilize everyone, otherwise they would definitely have fallen flat on their backs!

"Are you all alright?" Just as everyone was barely managing to steady themselves, a strange young girl suddenly approached them.

She was dressed in traditional Chinese clothing, carrying a lantern that emitted a soft glow, and was looking at everyone with concern.

Beside her followed a beautiful nine-tailed fox with gorgeous fur.

"Ah, Miss, you are so beautiful! Please tell me your name!" Upon seeing his beloved lady appear, Uncle Gang rushed forward and knelt on one knee, almost tearing his heart out to give to her.

"I am Luo Ke. The fog here is very thick, and it is very dangerous to walk on the mountain road now... If you don't mind, please come to my house to rest for a while."

The girl seemed innocent and hospitable. If a normal person suddenly saw so many people, including Ash and a fierce-looking bear, they would keep their distance even if they weren't wary. But she took the initiative to extend an invitation.

Perhaps feeling a connection with Xiao Gang, the nine-tailed fox kept nuzzling affectionately against Xiao Gang's palm during this time.

"I am so touched! Miss Luo Ke is not only so beautiful, but also so kind!"

"Then I'll have to bother you." Since Brock was already in this state, what else could Ash say?

He knew that they had encountered the Nine-Tailed Fox from the anime, a creature that had lived for two hundred years.

The Loke in front of you is just an illusion created by Nine-Tails. The girl and the Pokémon actually only exist as a single waveguide signal.