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

"Thank you so much, Mr. Brock. I'm finally back in my master's Poké Ball." As Ninetales disappeared, Loko's phantom sincerely thanked Brock.

"It was just taken back like that?" Xiao Lan was stunned for a moment, clearly looking at Xiao Gang with newfound respect. "You're pretty amazing, actually finding this ball."

"After learning the truth, I kept thinking about how to help Nine-Tails resolve its inner conflict, and then I realized that I really needed to use this ball," Xiao Gang said with emotion. "The feeling was incredible. When I was alone with it, I felt like I was seeing its past experiences..."

The owner went on a trip and has been missing ever since.

In the decades that followed, everyone in the house left.

After a hundred years, the Nine-Tailed Fox knew that its master might no longer be alive. But when it tried to leave, it found itself bound by some kind of force and unable to get away from there.

And so, by the time it reached 150 years old, it had acquired magical powers;

It has been exactly two hundred years since then!

“Bound… Could it be a bound spirit?” Xiaoxia recalled the Maiden Gorge from before, where the ghostly maiden was also a bound spirit, unable to leave the stone statue.

"It's similar, but Ninetales is a living creature, not a ghost," Ash explained. "Its obsession with its trainer influenced the mutation of its psychic abilities, causing it to awaken this special power. But this obsession is tied to this ball, which is why it can't leave."

What Xiao Zhi said is the explanation given by the management sprite, and it also provides the best solution to the problem.

"I know how to help it... Come out, Nine-Tails." Xiao Gang seemed to have made a decision and released Nine-Tails again.

After the latter appeared, it still rubbed against Xiaogang's hand, but it wasn't as overly affectionate as before.

"I'm so sorry for causing you all trouble." Nine-Tailed Fox conjured up the image of Loke and bowed apologetically to everyone. "I thought that as long as I could be with Mr. Xiaogang, I could return to the happy life I once had... I was wrong."

“No, you’re just too lonely, and you’ve always been bound.” Xiao Gang shook his head, his face resolute. “Nine-Tails, I’ll give you your freedom right now!”

He held the old Poké Ball high and slammed it to the ground...

hum~

A wisp of psychic energy flashed by just in time; it was Ash who intervened and saved the ball!

"Ash, what are you doing?" Brock asked, puzzled. "This is what's been binding Nine-Tails!"

"Didn't I just say that Nine-Tails' obsession is all tied to this thing? Once it's broken, Nine-Tails won't be able to use those magical powers anymore," Ash explained. "Besides, this is its original owner's property. Now that the house is destroyed, we should leave it one last memento."

"Even if you say that, as long as this ball exists, Nine-Tails will have to stay here forever!" Xiao Gang argued.

"Why don't you just take it with you?" Ash suggested with a smile. "Anyway, it's so close to you. You can keep this ball with you and let Ninetales stay by your side from now on."

“But… I’m not its master after all! I might just be a substitute in its heart. It has the opportunity to have a new life, there’s no need for it to be bound to someone who only looks similar.”

Xiao Zhi's suggestion really appealed to Xiao Gang.

But he always knew clearly that he was Xiao Gang, not the original owner of the Nine-Tailed Fox!

But is this really the case?

“I think you can be its master, here you go~” Ash casually rubbed his hand, and a spoon formed from his superpowers suddenly appeared and flew straight into Brock’s hand.

"This is... the Nine-Tails?" Before he could figure out what was going on, the spoon suddenly bent towards the Nine-Tails!

No matter how Xiao Gang moved, the tip of the spoon remained firmly locked onto the Nine-Tailed Fox!

"Do you understand, Brock... Ninetales has found its master, and that person is you!" Ash said with certainty.

"The Nine-Tails...was waiting for me?" Xiao Gang was completely dumbfounded.

He desperately wanted what Ash was saying to be true, but this was just too absurd…

"Wait... Ash means that Brock is actually the reincarnation of Nine-Tails' owner?" Blue suddenly realized and immediately helped Ash explain.

“That’s it~” Ash revealed a smug yet unfathomable smile. “My skill in telling fortunes with a bent spoon was personally taught by my teacher, so I’m absolutely infallible in this area!”

"Fate, my past life with the Nine-Tails... was I the master of the Nine-Tails?" Xiao Gang murmured to himself, his expression growing increasingly agitated!

"Nine-Tails is said to be a Pokémon that can live for a thousand years. After waiting for two hundred years, it finally met its master's reincarnation, Brock!" Lyra chimed in, adding fuel to the fire.

"It sounds so romantic, a bond that transcends time and even life and death." Xiaoxia covered her face lightly, seemingly completely moved.

"In that case... Nine-Tails, come with me!" Xiao Gang finally shouted out the expectation in his heart, "This time, I won't leave you alone again! We'll be together forever from now on!!"

"Master!!" Overwhelmed with excitement, Nine-Tails called out telepathically and threw herself into Xiao Gang's arms.

They will never be separated again!

...

"Honey, are you serious about that spoon?" As they set off again, Xiao Lan deliberately lagged behind Xiao Zhi, muttering to herself.

She was actually a little suspicious of the bent spoon that Ash suddenly produced, but she was just cooperating with Ash at the time.

"The spoon is real, but whether it can tell fortunes is another matter~" Xiao Zhi said with a mischievous smile. "Xiao Gang is a bit stubborn in some ways, so I always have to give him a way out... Isn't it good that they are like this now?"

He looked up ahead and saw Xiao Gang walking with Jiuwei, who remained very close to him.

But soon, Xiao Zhi discovered that it was now Luo Ke chatting and laughing with Xiao Gang in front of him.

The Nine-Tails' aura is still there, but it's now focused on Loke...

This situation seems to have occurred before in the house!

The Nine-Tails' magic briefly altered reality...

Recalling the scene in the anime where Ash transforms into Pikachu, Ash can't help but wonder... is Lorelei, who stays by Brock's side whenever Ninetales is absent, just an illusion?!

But... it doesn't seem to make much difference whether it's true or not~

Basically, they'll have to sleep in fewer tents and shared beds in the future, and book more single rooms in hotels, otherwise it will be really inconvenient.

And it's not just Xiao Gang; he's also waiting for Xiao Lan to fulfill her bet and perform a sleep-inducing dance!

Chapter 540 Kaji Town, the Land of Ninjas

After several days of travel, Ash and his friends finally arrived at the location of the seventh gym, Kaji Town.

"It's so quiet here, completely different from when I came last time," Xiao Lan said, looking around.

The last time she was here was when the three primary colors, red, green, and blue, launched a surprise attack on Team Rocket's Johto base. At that time, Cajon Town was invaded by Team Rocket and was a chaotic battlefield.

But when they came back this time, the surroundings were quiet and peaceful, even somewhat desolate.

Being here, you might even feel that time has slowed down...

"Oh right, they should sell Angry Buns here, right?" Xiao Lan suddenly remembered something. "I left in such a hurry last time that I didn't have time to buy a few to try."

Angry Buns are a specialty of Kaji Town. Although the name says "bun," they are actually steamed red bean buns.

This is absolutely a popular snack in the entire city, and it is even famous worldwide... It is said that the muscular fighting king Shiba and the imposing Dr. Yamanashi are both hopelessly in love with the Angry Bun.

In the distant Unova region, people can even wake a sleeping Daruma baboon with a raging bun.

Then think of Ah Si, who loves cake, and Cai Dou, who loves chocolate…

These tough guys and action stars' favorite thing is definitely sweets!

"I've also heard that this place is known as the land of ninjas?" Lila recalled some local customs and traditions. "It's said that Kaji Town is the oldest birthplace of ninjas."

"Ninjas, are they like Mr. Aju's family?" Xiaoxia began to imagine curiously. "Does that mean that everyone living in this town is dressed in tight-fitting clothes and can fly over walls anytime, anywhere?"

“That’s impossible.” Xiao Gang shook his head, holding up the guidebook. “The ninja culture in Kaji Town has basically declined. There might be descendants of ninjas here, but they should have already integrated into the lives of ordinary people. They wouldn’t just randomly appear on the street, let alone throw a shuriken at us!!”

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly saw several black darts fly out from behind the nearby wall, spin in the air, and then pierce straight toward his head!

"Lord Xiao Gang!"

Suddenly, Luo Ke's figure appeared beside Xiao Gang. The girl in ancient costume glared, and an invisible force immediately imprisoned several shurikens in mid-air. Then, she transformed them into pieces of paper, tore them into fragments, and scattered them in the wind.

This scene made Ash sigh inwardly, realizing that magic truly is a wondrous power.

Loke, or rather Nine-Tails... Ash always has a hard time distinguishing them because he can sense Nine-Tails' aura every time she appears.

Generally, when a Pokémon is captured in its Poké Ball, no waveguide signal can be detected, but Ninetales is clearly an exception.

The magic it displays goes beyond the scope of ordinary Pokémon's superpowers. Instead, it allows characters like Ash and Sabrina to directly change the shape of objects with their own power!

For example, turning people into dolls... Yes, Ash can do that easily now, whether it's a miniature doll or a life-size one, no problem~

Ordinary Pokémon do not possess this ability; only legendary beings or ancient deities like Alakazam can accomplish something similar.

The difference lies in the unique spiritual power of living beings... or rather, the power of the mind!

...

As they were walking, they were suddenly shot with a volley of shurikens. Just as Ash and his friends were wondering what was going on, a woman dressed as a ninja rushed out from next door in a panic.

"Excuse me, are you alright... Hey, isn't this Mr. Ash? What brings you and your friends here?"

"Miss Ayame?"

Not only were the women surprised, but Ash and the others also never expected to encounter Kikyo's sister here!

"Ah! Miss Ayame, I never expected to meet you here again. This must be a wonderful fate bestowed upon us by heaven!"

Uncle Gang is online, spinning and jumping with his eyes squinted, showering everyone with attention.

Hmph… Xiaoxia sneered inwardly, her face full of anticipation for a good show.

She didn't plan to use her ear-pulling technique this time, because she figured someone else would handle Xiaogang...

That Luo Ke... uh, Nine-Tailed Fox, just based on how clingy it is with Xiao Gang, how could it tolerate Xiao Gang flirting with other women?

Just wait and see, Xiao Gang will definitely be turned into a life-size body pillow in a moment...