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

Seeing Ash's ever-calm face, 'Hiroshi' could no longer bear the pressure. He suddenly grabbed a small knife from the table and, with a ferocious expression, stabbed Rika!

"Hmph, a mere trick!" Before Xiaozhi could even make a move, the young lady snorted and swung her arm. Suddenly, a special 'pattern' on the sleeve of her kimono came to life, like a sharp sword that sliced ​​the dagger in half and sent it flying!

Bang!

At the same time, Xiaozhi also twisted 'Zhenghui's' wrist and slammed his head directly onto the table, even cracking the tabletop!

"Damn it..." The imposter, having suffered a heavy blow, gradually went limp and eventually turned into a puddle of purple mud!

"Is it one of those special Dittos?" Rika exclaimed in surprise.

The ones impersonating Zheng Hui were actually those strange creatures that had invaded the city of Ordron!

"It seems that all the current clues have come together," Xiao Zhi said seriously.

Now we can see the connection: it really was that group who stole the Max Candy!

They invaded Ordron Castle to attack themselves; they impersonated Bill to seize the Pokémon Transfer System; and they stole the Max Candies to increase their power!

“It seems Dr. Zheng Hui has been kidnapped. I wonder where he is now,” Li Jia said with a sigh.

Masahiro is definitely still alive... Rika was able to confirm this after interrogating Himura.

This special Ditto needs a corresponding waveguide and special consciousness transmission to simulate humans, so it needs to leave the hostages behind as living refueling packs.

"Hmm... what's that?" While searching around, Ash found a card in a crack in the floor... it was a boat ticket!

"Let me take a look too, the Sea Flame Horse... isn't this the passenger ship that sails to the Seven Islands?"

Chapter 999 The Follow-up Plans... and a Little Interlude

The situation is getting a bit complicated.

After the incident in Orudron City, the capital city of Daikan is now on full alert, with unusually strict checks in all aspects, yet the enemy still managed to exploit a loophole.

Zheng Hui had obviously only recently disappeared, otherwise Luca should have been able to smell the scent here when he was investigating Dr. Gordon.

However, Luca is currently unable to determine Zheng Hui's whereabouts, which suggests that he has been abducted to a very distant place... or perhaps he is in some kind of enclosed space where no trace of his presence can escape.

Perhaps it's on the seabed?

Nanatsu no Shinobi...

Ash examined the Rapidash ticket in his hand, considering whether he should head over there to continue his investigation.

In fact, he had been planning this trip for a long time.

Since being defeated in Kanto, Giovanni has been out of the public eye... but Ash knows he will definitely come back!

He still possesses Deoxys and the defensive technology stolen from Larus, and he will never let this go!

Ash couldn't pinpoint Giovanni's exact hiding place, but based on the games, he should have been on the Seven Islands at this time.

However, due to various delays, Xiaozhi hasn't had a chance to set off yet...

"Mr. Ash, do you have any plans for the next step?" Rika asked softly, waking Ash from his deep thoughts.

"Let's go back to the gym first. I'll contact Xiaolan and the others, and we can discuss it together." After some deliberation, Xiaozhi decided it was best not to act rashly.

Looking at the previous conspiracy in Ordron Castle, we can see that the enemy has considerable power and their style of doing things is heading in the direction of using any means necessary. If Ash really plunges headlong into the September Island where the situation is unclear, he is very likely to fall into the enemy's trap.

Furthermore, the situation in Osaka is also very worrying right now.

The other party replaced Masahiro without anyone noticing. In other parts of Okanto, were there others who were replaced by this genetic monster?

Just how far have Kanto and Johto been infiltrated...? Before we figure this out, taking any rash action will only result in more harm than good!

“In that case, I’ll go back and prepare.” Rika nodded in agreement, and at the same time took out the release device she carried with her, removed the captured state from Ditto, and forcibly imprisoned it in a Poké Ball.

This is how Ash previously dealt with Ultra Beasts from another world. He used a similar approach in Ordron City. The Ditto that were captured are currently being studied by Ash's research team, who are trying to find a way to accurately distinguish the imposters.

"That's all right... Hey, what are you looking at, Mr. Ash?" Having dealt with the genetic monster, Rika turned around and found Ash smiling at her the whole time.

"It's nothing, I just think Ms. Rika is really amazing, she subdued the enemy so easily." Ash praised sincerely.

The young lady can be described as a perfect woman, not only possessing both talent and beauty, but also being skilled in both literature and martial arts.

In that kind of sudden situation, an ordinary girl would have panicked and screamed, but for Lijia, it was a piece of cake.

The same thing happened when dealing with the Ditto; the purple slime kept trying to escape, but it couldn't break free from Rika's seemingly slender but actually incredibly strong hand.

After all, this seemingly delicate young lady can easily draw a 40-pound bow... Let alone a genetically engineered monster that has revealed its true form, even Dr. Zheng Hui himself would be easily defeated here.

“This is all thanks to Mr. Ash’s help.” Rika chuckled and pulled up a piece of paper from her sleeve. “I unexpectedly got along well with it… With it and Leafeon helping out, the efficiency of pruning flowers has increased considerably.”

"I'm glad you like it," Xiao Zhi said with a happy smile.

The young lady paired with a paper sword is indeed a pretty good combination... Pictures don't lie!

However, there are other Grass-type Pokémon that match Rika's abilities and temperament, so you can certainly look for them if you have the chance.

After checking the entire lighthouse again to make sure no clues were missed, Xiao Zhi dismantled and stored all of Zheng Hui's equipment, and then called the company.

This incident was truly dangerous. If Ash hadn't impulsively decided to come to Cape White to investigate, the imposter Bill might have already attacked the teleportation system!

Next, the Pokémon teleportation system in Osaka will have to be operated by Professor Akihabara for the time being.

Ash also had to put his Pokémon and Blue's two Porygon IIs into the network to closely monitor the teleportation system.

Once we're certain nothing bad has happened, we'll see if we can find any more clues.

...

After returning to the Rainbow City Gym, Ash first called Serena and the others back and explained the situation to them.

For some reason, Ash felt that May and Rukia's expressions were a little strange.

They seemed to be glancing at her every now and then, as if they wanted to ask something, but they remained silent...

Ash didn't think too much about it. After telling them to rest well, he took Rika and Serena and started a video call with Blue and Green.

Upon learning what had happened at White Cape, the expressions of the two people on the other side of the screen gradually turned serious.

“There’s a high chance of an ambush on the Seven Islands, so you really can’t make any rash moves right now,” Little Blue said thoughtfully. “Let’s wait a bit longer. The shipyard in Kaina City is already doing tests, and the submarine will be ready to set sail in two months at most. It will be safer to go there in that. It will also give the researchers more time to see if they can find a way to identify those Ditto.”

"You can continue challenging the Battle Frontier. I can go check out the Seven Islands first." Shigeru also had an idea. "Didn't you get the information from Himura? I'll go investigate Team Magma's movements."

“In that case, I’ll lend you Lucario,” Ash said after thinking for a moment. “It will make the investigation easier, and it also has some clues.”

"Okay... but what about you? Won't you lack support?" Xiao Mao asked curiously.

“I have other helpers, so you don’t need to worry.”

The so-called helper is, of course, the ever-invisible Mew. It is definitely Luca's best substitute, and no one can detect it after it transforms.

The general plan has finally been finalized. The three primary colors continue to split up and take action. Ash will attract the enemy's attention in the open, Gary will take Luca to infiltrate the Seven Islands to investigate, and Blue will lead the researchers to work hard to solve the current hidden dangers in the Great Kanto!

Meanwhile, Rika has already contacted Yulongdu and instructed Champion to send a single message to the high-ranking officials in Kanto and Johto... The situation is unusual recently, so it's best not to be alone!

And, no matter what problems are discovered, prioritize self-protection!

As for Serena, she naturally took on the task of contacting and taking care of the other partners.

From now on, Ash will have to focus more on important matters, which Serena can't share, but she can help Ash with the trivial matters on his journey.

And after Ash left, he continued his journey alone with the two girls.

"So what exactly happened to them?" After finishing their business, Xiaozhi remembered his earlier question.

The somewhat strange situation between Haruka and Rukia...

"Who knows? Maybe it's just envy and jealousy." Serena gave someone a deliberately resentful glare, mentioning it. "We were shopping perfectly fine at the department store, but after walking around Miss Lika's perfume shop, this is what happened~"

"Oh... could it be that the shop assistants said something to them?" Xiao Zhi felt inexplicably guilty.

“Yes, they told me everything.” Serena nodded matter-of-factly. “It’s said that before someone became famous, they bought eight bottles of perfume in one go, covering all age groups from ten to thirty… So, what’s that word again?”

“You’re sharing the spoils equally.” Before Ash could react, Rika chimed in, “Speaking of which, like the other two, I’ve never received any perfume from Mr. Ash… On the contrary, I’ve given him a bottle.”

"I... am truly a sinner~" Looking at the two women's scrutinizing yet slightly amused gazes, Xiao Zhi fell silent.

There's another saying... It's not about scarcity, but about inequality.

Xiao Zhi buys perfume like he's buying wholesale, and nobody cares about that anymore.

But if you have it and I don't, that's a big problem...

Chapter 1000: The Journey Continues, A Clash of Spirits Among Young Girls

Regarding the incident involving the perfume, Xiaozhi felt there was no need to go and tell the two girls right now.

He knew perfectly well that things hadn't progressed to that point yet, and if he really wanted to give perfume, now wouldn't be the time…

With that thought in mind, Xiao Zhi took the opportunity to go to the department store alone... ostensibly to resupply.

They stayed in Celadon City for a few days, and Haruka and Rukia also witnessed the second Grand Contest in Kanto.

The two women have been vying for attention lately, so they both went all out this time.

For the first stage performance, Skitty and Milotic were chosen, their lively and cute nature contrasting with their elegant and beautiful appearance. Both successfully advanced, although Rukia's score was slightly higher.

In the ensuing spectacular battles, there was simply no opponent who could stop Super Blaziken and Super Altaria from meeting in the finals.

Ash sometimes thinks that the Coordinators in Kanto might be a bit unlucky.