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

It's very impolite of them to go to the research institute with such a large group of people without even saying hello.

“Yuuki just contacted me, and he should have sent you a message too, but it seems like your signal is being blocked,” Shigeru explained. “He’s currently at the Birch Lab, where a special trainer suddenly appeared… supposedly targeting you.”

"They're after me?" Ash was taken aback. "What's so special about them?"

"A woman, about your age, and she seems quite good-looking..."

"Get to the point!" Xiao Zhi's lips twitched.

"Alright, alright..." Shigeru shrugged casually, his expression turning serious. "Yuuki got utterly thrashed. His opponent is incredibly strong and specifically challenged you by name!"

Shigeru's last words not only stunned Ash, but also shocked the other girls.

Yuuki is no ordinary trainer. In the previous Rainbow League, if it weren't for Ash's presence, he would have won the championship without any obstacles.

People like Tetsuya and Kaede are not in his league at all.

Ash once commented that Yuuki would definitely reach the Champion level in a short time, and even achieve greater success in the future!

As a result, he suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of a trainer who suddenly appeared.

"Who exactly is this person?" Serena asked, frowning.

"Her name seems to be Nemo, and she's a student at Orange Academy in the Padia region..."

"Really?" "So amazing, and you're still in school?"

Haruka and Rukia couldn't help but look at each other in bewilderment... Of course, they must have misunderstood something.

“You may not know this, but Orange Academy is an ancient institution with a history of over 800 years. It even existed when Paradis was still under imperial rule,” Xiao Lan explained. “Almost all the trainers in Paradis come from this school, and there are many strong individuals among the students.”

After Xiao Lan's explanation, everyone finally gained a basic understanding of Orange Academy.

That's just like a fantasy novel with an academy theme; it's a super sect that monopolizes the entire region!

“As for Nemo, what a coincidence,” Xiao Lan continued, “I happened to have investigated her family. Her parents are the founders and presidents of the recently rising mobile phone company, Rotom!”

"Ah... that company was in Padia?" Ash was immediately confused.

Goodness, there are all sorts of Electrified merchandise in the eighth generation games and anime. Ash always thought that company was in Galar, but now it seems to have been moved to Padina.

How come he had no idea the Peninsula next door was so amazing when he was strolling around Carlos?

However, it would be good to go and see him.

After all, when Ash transmigrated, Ash had just defeated Leon and become the World Championship winner.

He didn't even know what happened after the journey, while Padia had only heard of his name.

Let's try to get some information from Nemo...

Chapter 967 Unwhite Town, VS Nemo

Weibai Town is known as a town that has never been dyed with any color.

This should have been the starting point of Hoenn; both the protagonist of the Ruby and Sapphire games and Ash from the anime began their journeys here…

By the way, Pikachu also electrocuted the female lead's bicycle for the second time... It must have done it on purpose!

Completely different from the game, Weibai Town here is a vast seaside town with towering lighthouses in the harbor to guide ships, and many passenger ships that can navigate to various places are also docked at the port.

Professor Birch's lab is located on the edge of the forest in Littleroot Town, and Ash and his friends quickly found the location.

When they arrived, a boy was sweating profusely in the field in front of the gate, accompanied by Swampert and Sceptile.

"Yuuki, we meet again~" Ash greeted him, and Yuuki quickly stopped when he saw this.

"Ash... how did you get here so fast, and with so many people?" Yuuki was a little surprised to see a large group of people following Ash.

"When Xiao Mao told me about it, we happened to be on a mission in the nearby Sea Violet. We were originally planning to go back to Kanto together, but we came here to take a look."

Ash explained with a smile, and Yuuki, having understood the whole story, led everyone to find his father, Professor Birch.

"That person is listening to my father explain the three starter Pokémon of Hoenn... Judging from her appearance, I really wouldn't expect her to be so strong."

Thinking back to the crushing defeat just now, Yuuki still felt a little reluctant to look back.

When the group arrived at the research institute’s lobby, Ash saw a girl with a single ponytail squatting on the ground, carefully observing the three Hoenn animals.

She was probably wearing the Orange Academy uniform, with a green highlight on her forehead, making her look energetic and capable.

As if sensing something, the moment Ash's gaze fell on the girl, she suddenly turned around, her eyes instantly brightening.

That kind of look is the kind of expression you only have when you encounter an opponent you find extremely interesting!

"You're Ash, the one who just cleared the Hoenn Champion Road?" the girl challenged directly. "I've been waiting for you for ages! Come and battle me in a Pokémon battle!"

"Excuse me, could you wait a moment?" Ash shook his head apologetically. "This is my first time visiting the research institute, so I need to greet Professor Birch first."

"Oh yeah... I guess I was too hasty~" The girl stuck out her tongue awkwardly and immediately stepped aside.

Although she has a somewhat impulsive personality, she is still very polite, befitting a well-mannered rich young lady.

"Champion, I've heard so much about you!" Professor Birch greeted him with a smile. "I never expected you to come here, and to bring Shigeru and the others along. It's truly an honor to have you here today."

"Doctor, you can just call me Xiao Zhi." Xiao Zhi quickly shook his head. "The incident happened suddenly, and I brought a lot of people with me. I hope you don't mind."

"No, no, I'm overjoyed that you could come."

After chatting for a while, Birch's eyes lit up when he learned that Ash was about to return to Kanto.

"Ash, take me with you! I'm going to visit Professor Oak! I have some questions about the starter Pokémon in the two regions that I'd like to discuss with Professor Oak in person, and I also want to investigate the Pokémon distribution in Greater Kanto."

“Okay, let’s set off together. We were planning to go back to Pallet Town anyway.” Ash naturally wouldn’t refuse Birch’s suggestion.

"Um... before you leave, don't forget to battle me!" Nemo seemed a little impatient and took the initiative to remind him.

“Yes, she’s been waiting for you here.” Yuuki also helped explain, “Nemo has the three starter Pokémon of Padia on her, so in a battle of the same type, my Sceptile and Swampert are no match for her.”

"But we're still missing a Blaziken, and Ash happens to have caught one of Hoenn's starter Pokémon, so why don't we have a 3-on-3 match?" May suggested.

She actually wanted to help Yuuki and Hoenn regain their pride. Being trampled on by an outsider with their own starter Pokémon in a same-type battle would make anyone lose face.

“No need. I already have a general understanding of the Hoenn starter Pokémon, so there’s no need to battle them again for now.” Nemo shook her head, then pointed sharply at Ash’s shoulder. “The one I want to battle is this!”

"Pikachu?!" *N

Everyone present was stunned.

You should know that Pikachu is Ash's strongest Pokémon on the surface!

Of course, in private, Ash's captured companions all know that the strongest one right now is Pokémon, whose child is still growing.

Even without any cheats, Pikachu is still a bit vulnerable against the combined might of Pocket and Tiny Pocket, who are both at their peak.

But when it comes to individual products, Pikachu, Pikachu, and Pikachu are indeed neck and neck.

"Pikachu?" Pikachu looked completely bewildered, never expecting to suddenly have a role to play.

It really hasn't had a proper match in a long time, including this Rainbow Tournament, where this guy didn't even mention registering himself as a player!

Regarding this... Ash says he is truly innocent.

As we all know, only Pokémon that you have in hand can be registered to participate in the competition, and the official standard for determining whether a Pokémon is in hand is whether it has been caught.

Pikachu doesn't even have a ball now, so what's the point of registering one?

"Alright, let's have a spar." Ash thought about it and agreed that it would be a good opportunity for Pikachu to get some exercise and also to witness the strength of the powerful Pikachu.

"I'm going to the field, hurry up!" As soon as she heard that Ash had agreed to battle, Nemo rushed out the door again.

The rest of the group also rushed to the sidelines, ready to watch this rare battle.

When Ash arrived with Pikachu, Nemo was already waiting on the other side.

She seemed to be slightly out of breath from running too fast, and her cheeks were flushed. She was catching her breath with her hands on her hips.

However, upon seeing Pikachu enter the arena, she immediately perked up and pulled out the Poké Ball she had prepared beforehand.

"Ash, let's have a battle that will be very rewarding!" Nemo struck a baseball pitcher's pose, raised one leg, and threw the ball with all her might!

The Poké Ball spun away from her fingertips... but suddenly changed direction in a strange way and fell straight to the ground in front of Nemo's feet.

Paji~

A flash of white light appeared, and a Pokémon that was about a meter tall and looked like a large orange groundhog appeared on the spot.

It plopped down on Nemo's feet and then adorably hugged the girl's leg.

"Oh dear, I'm so embarrassed again~" Nemo blushed and awkwardly covered her mouth.

She always does this; she slips her hand as soon as she throws the ball…

"This technique..." "Looks like a beginner."

Ryukia and Haruka exchanged bewildered glances, especially the latter, who felt that her pitching technique seemed less proficient than her younger brother's.

In contrast, Ash didn't have a single thought of joking, and Pikachu also became serious at the same time.

That Pokémon of theirs... is very strong!

"This is my Pokémon, Groundhog, which is an Electric/Fighting type," Nemo explained. The orange Groundhog lightly hopped into the arena and clapped its hands energetically.

Each sound brought with it a flickering arc of electricity.

"I understand, let's begin." Ash nodded, indicating that the battle could begin at any time.