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

Considering that this place is relatively close to Lavender City, Ash decided to borrow the Fairy City Gym's space and also visit his partner, Marie.

Logically, everything was arranged, but Nanami didn't seem very excited.

Xiao Zhi knew, of course, that it was his own initiative that had disrupted the other person's original plan.

"Nanami-neechan, don't be angry." On the way to Lavender City, Ash coaxed her like a good boy.

“I’m not angry, just a little disappointed…” Nanami immediately shook her head, her gentle smile returning. “Besides, now that everything has been made clear, there’s no point in me continuing to monitor Vladari.”

She won't get angry with Ash; she'll only think of Ash wholeheartedly.

Kalos can certainly be the champion, but having Diantha ready to take over right now doesn't guarantee that Ash and Kanto's interests will be maximized.

Ash proposed the Grand League plan, which Nanami had heard about. All her actions in Kalos were actually aimed at achieving this goal.

He established himself in Kalos through business means, used capital operations to monitor key figures such as Diantha and Lysandre, then let Lionhead go down the path of villainy, and then brought Ash over to forcibly suppress him!

With this arrangement, Carlos is essentially considered one of the affiliated alliances.

Diantha could certainly become the champion, but it would be better to do so after this process... or add some conditions, such as letting Ash use his expertise to win over the actress and then personally select her as the champion.

But now that things have turned out this way, Diantha has clearly been motivated by Ash.

If she really solves Kalos's problem on her own, then Ash and his friends won't have a chance to get involved anymore...

"Anyway, it's all my fault. I should have discussed this with you beforehand," Ash said with a forced smile, linking his arm with Nanami's. "As for Lydari, let's not keep an eye on him for now. You've worked so hard for so long, just treat it as a break for yourself, and you can travel with me later~"

"A trip?" Nanami was taken aback, clearly not expecting Ash to suddenly extend an invitation.

"You can leave Kalos and go travel to other places," Ash said with a smile. "I'm going to Alola next to help with the establishment of the League there. You and Serena can go on vacation together. After that, I might go to Hoenn and other places. We can all go together if you want."

“In that case… okay~” Nanami smiled. “Anyway, I’m just an employee. Since the boss needs me to accompany him, I’ll do it.”

"Hey, it's a deal then." Ash smiled happily.

This way, even after Korne went to Kanto, he still had two girls accompanying him, maintaining a very stable character profile.

However, there is one thing that Ash hasn't realized yet.

He showed a completely different attitude towards Carlos than he did towards Hoenn.

When Ash went to Hoenn, he didn't care at all about the so-called world line—that is, the original plot of the anime.

Not only did he wreak havoc, but he also left behind a super-powerful fighter, partly to protect someone and partly to seize a key item in the Hoenn storyline.

As for how the Hoenn storyline will turn out after all this commotion, he doesn't care.

However, Ash always unconsciously tries to maintain the timeline when it comes to Kalos, including guiding Diantha to become the champion.

He also regrets missing the celebration in Biyi City, and there are many similar details.

The management elf was fully aware of this, knowing that his psychological laxity stemmed from his favoritism towards Serena.

It also started to think about finding an opportunity to remind Ash.

...

The group soon arrived in Aroma City, a peculiar little town full of natural scenery, with various ancient trees and green spaces everywhere.

It is said that the giant tree in the city center is 1,500 years old, and it was this tree that brought together the city's original settlers.

Upon learning of Xiaozhi and his group's arrival, Maxiu disregarded the shop and rushed over to greet them.

"Mr. Ash, Ms. Nanami, it's been a long time, everyone." She was still wearing that big and gorgeous butterfly-sleeved dress, and she bowed gracefully to everyone as if she were dancing.

"I will immediately prepare the venue to ensure that Mr. Ash and the upcoming Ms. Dianthus have the best possible battle experience."

Ma Xiu and Diantha are acquaintances. The actress has many classic roles related to Pokémon, and the costumes were specially designed by Ma Xiu.

Now that she hears that Ash is going to have a full-on battle with the opponent, she is naturally very interested.

However, what Ma Xiu was more interested in... or rather, surprised about was something else entirely.

"I heard that Mr. Ash brought Ho-Oh back to Ecruteak City?" When she privately approached Ash, Ma Xiu's big eyes were filled with amazement. "This is an unparalleled surprise. I don't even know how to express my feelings."

She seemed genuinely overwhelmed with excitement, and could only respectfully bow to Ash... just like the Ecruteak sisters before her.

“Miss Mashu, I was just fulfilling my duty as the Rainbow Hero. Ho-Oh returned to Ecruteak City voluntarily.” Ash didn’t want to take credit for it. “Besides, I might as well tell you what I told the Ecruteak Sisters now… You don’t need to take the tradition of the Dancer of the Ritual too seriously. Just focus on your own dreams.”

“But my dream has something in common with this.” Ma Xiu said with a serious expression, even a hint of stubbornness.

Xiao Zhi couldn't help but feel uneasy, realizing that he was more able to read Ma Xiu's thoughts than others.

Her reverence for tradition, her longing for Ho-Oh, her joy at learning of the legend's return…

And the boundless gratitude towards Xiaozhi... even including thoughts of bowing down to him, going through fire and water, and willingly sacrificing everything, are all incredibly clear.

This is the effect of the super-power, indicating that Mash is psychologically closer to Pokémon than ordinary humans, and is completely unguarded towards Ash!

Her mindset might even lead to further changes!

Mashu seems to have discovered that as long as she continues to uphold her faith in Ho-Oh, she may actually achieve her dream of becoming a Pokémon from being human!

She can now speak Pokémon language without any instruction. If this continues, once her mental strength reaches a qualitative leap similar to that of Nine-Tailed Fox Loretta, she might be able to unleash Pokémon special moves with her bare hands.

This world is truly magical; the boundary between Pokémon and humans has been broken down several times already…

Unlike Xiao Zhi's sentimental remarks, Ma Xiu was extremely excited and immediately began to refer to herself as his personal maid.

Xiao Zhi certainly didn't agree with this, but Ma Xiu was much more stubborn than the five Yuan Zhu sisters. If Xiao Zhi went into too much detail, she would blink her big eyes and pretend she didn't understand.

Considering that he would have to borrow her space for the battle, Ash could only let her have her way for now... But he should try to stay away from her as much as possible afterward to avoid overhearing any of her more outrageous thoughts.

"Oh, right, this is for Mr. Ash." After completely treating Ash as an honored guest, Ma Xiu pulled out a Pokémon egg from somewhere.

It's round and has light purple patterns; it looks quite pretty.

“I found this egg by chance, and it should hatch into a Sticky Baby,” Ma Xiu explained. “I originally planned to send it to the nearby wetlands, but now it seems more appropriate to let Mr. Xiao Zhi raise it.”

Kalos is a pseudo-legendary character, and Ash Ketchum also captured him in the anime.

The wetlands that Ma Xiu mentioned should be the place where Zhi Ye released the Nianmei Dragon.

"Thank you very much then." Of course, Xiaozhi wouldn't refuse.

Although Slug has always been criticized as the weakest pseudo-legendary, it is still a pseudo-legendary, and its value in training is self-evident.

Furthermore, the management sprite also helped Ash scan out some special information.

Perhaps Kalos's timeline has changed, and Ash got Goomy when it was still an egg... and it doesn't have the Wet Body ability!

In addition, like Misty's Savage Bass and Serena's Togekiss, it has some special features...

Chapter 678 VS Karuno, First Victory

"Miss Karuno, you've finally arrived."

Ash had been eagerly anticipating this for a week when Diantha finally arrived.

He was quite uncomfortable during this period.

Ash is being eagerly offered the position of master by a fairy-like gym leader who looks and acts even more like a fairy... Ash thinks, whoever wants this good fortune can have it.

As someone who always takes the initiative, Xiao Zhi has never been interested in Ma Xiu's low-key, clingy behavior.

In particular, Ma Xiu herself had impure motives.

She wanted to indirectly serve Ho-Oh by serving the Rainbow Hero, thereby enhancing her own spiritual power and striving to become a Pokémon as soon as possible...

Xiao Zhi simply didn't want to get involved in such an outrageous matter.

Fortunately, Karuno arrived in time, otherwise his life might have continued to be chaotic.

"Mr. Ash, I'm so sorry." Seeing Ash's expression, as if he had seen a long-lost relative and wanted to give her a big kiss, Diantha couldn't help but feel embarrassed.

She thought she had delayed for too long, causing Xiaozhi to wait anxiously.

Of course, I can't let him kiss me... they're not close yet~

Furthermore, Diantha noticed that Ash had an extra Pokémon by his side.

"Mr. Ash, did you catch Goomy?"

A week has passed, and the Pokémon egg has hatched. Ash's Pokémon, which he is good at raising, are not around, so he has to hold it himself.

Seeing this Pokémon, Diantha mentally raised her opinion of Ash even higher.

She was certainly familiar with Carlos, a pseudo-god, not to mention that she herself raised a Goodra, which was one of her weapons in this battle!

The Crimson Star of Kanto lives up to its name; it seems to be getting stronger all the time!

Fighting against someone like that might actually help you break through your own limits!

"Miss Diantha, it seems you're ready?" Ash asked with a light laugh, sensing the change in Diantha's emotions.

His fighting spirit had reached its peak, and he desperately needed a battle where he would fight with all his might!

"Mr. Ash, I hope I won't let you down!" At this moment, Diantha displayed the demeanor of a strong person.

"Me too, I don't want to disappoint Miss Karuno!"

Having confirmed their feelings for each other, the two arrived at the battlefield, ready for battle.

The people at the aromatherapy center also began their preparations in earnest.

Serena and the other two women naturally acted as spectators, while Ma Xiu herself served as the referee for the competition.