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

"Ash, you've arrived." Ho-Oh asked softly as Ash landed. "Is everything ready?"

"I guess so, but there wasn't much to prepare."

This time, he was going to travel to another world. For such an uncertain journey, the only thing he could do was prepare himself mentally.

In this other world, Ash doesn't know what he will encounter, nor how much of his power he will have left.

Fortunately, the management spirit had told him that Xiao Lan's Celebi could be used as a trump card, so he wouldn't be completely lost on the other side.

"Ho-Oh, after we get there, how can I retrieve your resurrection power?" Ash asked directly after composing himself.

"I'm sorry, I'm not entirely sure either..." Ho-Oh shook his head apologetically. "I lack understanding of that world; I only learned about it by chance, that my power had been projected there..."

"Hey, aren't you just messing with me?" Little Blue grumbled in dissatisfaction, and Phoenix King's expression couldn't help but show a hint of shame.

"Alright, tell me what you know." Ash tugged at the girl's sleeve, while giving Ho-Oh a reassuring look.

“Ash, you should know Marshadow, right? He’s the Shadow Guide.” Ho-Oh began to explain, “After the incident in the Orange Islands, I asked Celebi for help to exile Marshadow to that world.”

"It was a dangerous experiment. Marshadow almost got lost in the rift between worlds, and Celebi and I were also greatly weakened. Fortunately, it succeeded in the end. At the same time, I also discovered the restrictions left by the Creator God. It set up a powerful seal to prevent any legendary Pokémon from crossing the world."

"So, that's why you asked humans for help?" Ash exclaimed in realization.

"Yes, that other world was a part that was separated from the current world and slowly evolved. The reason why the mountains we are in are so barren is because its prosperous appearance was left in that other world."

Ho-Oh continued to explain, "Perhaps it is because of this connection that the Creator God could not completely separate the two worlds... Even if the seal stops the Legendary Pokémon, humans and ordinary Pokémon still have a chance to pass through."

"Over the years, I have occasionally received some of Marshadow's thoughts, but they are all vague information. It seems to still be active as the Shadow Guide, but the specific situation of the world is unknown... Ash, I'm sorry."

"It's alright, I'll act according to the situation once I get there." Ash didn't mind at all. "Ho-Oh, I can leave now."

"Take this." Ho-Oh flapped its wings, and a different colored hair flew out from each of the three legendary beasts and wrapped around Ash's wrist.

"This is the Ho-Oh Guard's credentials. It should be of some help to you once you get there," Ho-Oh instructed. "Also, you can try to bring Marshadow back. If it's willing to submit, you can stay and serve as its guard."

"That's a story for another time." Xiao Zhi wasn't very interested in that; he really didn't like that sixth brother.

"Ash, all I can do now is wish you a safe journey..." Ash was ready to set off, but Ho-Oh's voice became hoarse.

"Ho-Oh, are you worried?" Ash was taken aback.

“Of course Lord Ho-Oh would be worried,” Suicune replied on his behalf. “Before you arrived, Hero, I hesitated and even considered giving up…”

"Ho-Oh, your power was stolen by that guy, and I was chained to red chains by it, and you chose me... Perhaps this is fate's arrangement, and only I can help you regain your lost power!" Ash waved his hand to comfort him.

"Therefore, I will absolutely not fail! You and Lugia, just wait here for me to return!"

"Ash...you must come back!" Seeing that Ash was determined to leave, Ho-Oh put aside its worries and sincerely hoped that he could return.

"Don't worry." Xiao Zhi nodded with a smile, then turned to the girl beside him, "Xiao Lan, could you please wait for me a moment?"

"Mmm," the girl responded softly, everything understood without words.

"Screech!" Ho-Oh let out a long cry, and Blue's Celebi also released a powerful spatial force, opening an irregular rift in the void!

A rainbow enveloped Ash, carrying him and his friends Pikachu as they slowly ascended into the sky, heading towards an unknown world.

Everyone watched Ash leave, but just as he was about to cross the rift, the two Luxury Balls were suddenly forced back by an invisible force!

"Hu?!" "Luca!"

Alakazam and Lucario jumped out of the ball anxiously, but when they tried to chase after it, they found that the crack had already disappeared!

"What's going on?!" Xiao Lan exclaimed in surprise.

“It must be a restriction imposed by the world’s rules,” Ho-Oh guessed. “In that world, if he is not allowed to master these two powers, the Pokémon closely associated with him will naturally be excluded as well.”

"Alright..." Xiao Lan sighed helplessly. Even someone as clever as her was now powerless.

Fortunately, Ash had Pikachu and Charizard by his side.

"What are your plans next?" Phoenix King asked curiously.

“I’ll wait for him here,” Xiao Lan said matter-of-factly. “No matter how long it takes, I’m not going anywhere until he comes back!”

“Then I’ll stay too.” Ho-Oh thought for a moment, then turned to the still anxious-looking Jackal beside him. “Lucario, would you like to train in Aura under my guidance? I can teach you advanced uses of Aura.”

"Lucario?" Lucario was taken aback. Was this a windfall?

But... does this top-tier expert really understand the power of waveguides?

"The life force I possess is actually a higher form of Aura, and our powers are interconnected." Ho-Oh noticed Lucario's hesitation and patiently explained, "You may not know this... but from ancient times to the present, all the heroes I have chosen have been Aura users."

"Furthermore, you are also connected to a big secret, and becoming stronger will definitely help Ash."

"Lucario!" Lucario had no more doubts. It was determined to become stronger, no matter how difficult the training was!

"Then let's practice some combat with them first." Phoenix King flapped its wings, and the three legendary beasts immediately formed a triangular formation around the jackal, a powerful sense of oppression sweeping over them!

"Hu~" Seeing this, Hu Di also floated away to a corner and began to meditate.

It shares the same belief as Lucario: to become stronger!

If they can become powerful enough, even stronger than the seals placed between the worlds, they will never have to be forced to separate from Ash again!

"In that case, I'll get some training too." Xiao Lan tossed out a few Poké Balls she had with her, told her friends to train, and then took out a tent from her backpack.

The girl's expression at this moment was unusually serious!

...

Outside the world, as Ash drifts forward, his consciousness grows increasingly blurred.

The rainbow-colored feather that originally adorned his body had also subtly begun to emanate a jet-black hue…

"Go to sleep now, Ash. Aren't we going to the lab to get our first Pokémon tomorrow?"

Chapter 616 Different Worlds, Same Skin... Mouse

"So that's how it is... This is what it means to become someone else."

In the cozy little house, Xiao Zhi looked at himself in the mirror and realized he was much shorter than before, and let out a helpless sigh.

This is truly like traveling back two years in one go.

In the previous world, Ash was already almost thirteen years old, and he was a dashing, rich, and handsome man when dressed, and a muscular monster when undressed—a truly top-tier human.

But now, he has become a typical ten-year-old child who is only 1.4 meters tall.

Yes, he dressed up as 'Ash', specifically the version that just went on a trip, and his clothes were the classic Muji style... only the pattern on his hat was slightly different.

The only saving grace is that he still retains a little bit of the Super Rookie's constitution... He discovered this when he crushed his alarm clock this morning.

"Satoshi... Huh, you're already up? After turning ten, I really don't need to wake you up anymore."

At that moment, his mother, Hanako, came up and placed a backpack in Satoshi's hands.

"Take this. Once you get your Pokémon, you'll probably go on a trip right away, right?"

"Thank you, Mom," Xiao Zhi replied gratefully, and began checking the contents of his bag.

Gloves, changes of clothes, rope—these are all travel necessities.

However, he didn't have any of the following: a luxury ball, a cell phone, a Z-Crystal, or an Evolution Keystone.

When he woke up this morning, he searched the entire room, but unfortunately found nothing…

(Those things are still there, but they're temporarily blocked by the world's rules, so don't worry too much... Also, once you start taking action, you'll gradually find your lost companions...)

(That's good... But why do you look so weak?) The Pokémon's words reassured Ash a lot, but the latter's condition was a bit off, and his voice sounded weak.

(To preserve your memories, I consumed most of my power... otherwise you really would have had to start training all over again from age ten.)

(Thanks...) Xiao Zhi thanked him silently in his heart, but at the same time, he had some worries.

The amnesia that occurs when traversing worlds is likely an effect of the alpaca seal.

I only avoided being affected because of my ability to manage spirits, but what about Marcia?

Could it be that it has already forgotten who its original owner was...?

Lost in thought, Ash hurried to Professor Oak's lab, only to be dumbfounded to find three children crammed inside.

Seriously? I got up on time, and I still missed it?

"Of course I choose Squirtle!" The spiky-haired boy made his choice first.

"I want Bulbasaur." A girl in an orange dress chose the Grass-type Starter; her back view looked somewhat familiar.

"Then I'll take Charmander!" The last chubby boy picked Charmander.

Right in front of Ash, the three starter Pokémon were completely taken over.

"Xiao Mao..."

"Excuse me."

Ash wanted to say hello, but the spiky-haired boy didn't even glance at him and left with Squirtle.

The other party didn't know him, and they weren't even acquaintances... Xiao Zhi keenly noticed this.

"Let's go too." The girl with Bulbasaur brushed past Ash. Ash paused for a moment, then quickly remembered who she was.

This is also a character who appeared in the anime. In the Orange Islands, she is a trainer who, like Misty, is skilled in Water-type moves and has also caught a Psyduck. I think her name is Xiaozhuang.

As for the last boy…