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

"Of course, giving you some other pointers is no problem," Xiao Zhi suddenly changed the subject.

Xiao Gang is a friend after all, so he can't just completely abandon him.

"I knew you were reliable!" Uncle Gang was so excited he almost opened his eyes on the spot.

"Stop simply traveling around and learning how to be a breeder; go and fight for a top spot first."

"Me... to be one of the Four Heavenly Kings?" Xiao Gang was immediately stunned.

This career ideal is quite lofty, but it's not suitable for me.

He doesn't even want to be a gym leader anymore; he just wants to be a good breeder. But then Ash suddenly wants him to become an Elite Four member...

"Believe me, becoming one of the Elite Four will solve a lot of your problems," Ash assured him. "Besides, it doesn't contradict your ideals... Even if you become an Elite Four member, you can still continue to pursue the path of becoming the ultimate breeder."

Xiao Zhi wants to say something very realistic: in a harem-like relationship where there are many men and women, the status of men and women is inherently unequal, and one side will always hold absolute dominance.

After all... if it were truly about equality, it would be one-on-one.

Saying things like "Although I have a harem, my status is the lowest" or "I love every girl equally and treat them all the same" is nothing more than flirtatious banter, or simply lies.

Take Xiaozhi himself as an example. He can give a lot to make every female companion think that he is a good person and worthy of entrusting one's life to... but he really can't lie and say that he treats everyone the same.

His status as the king of the harem was the highest, and his ability to treat his female companions differently was, in effect, an act of inequality.

What makes those exceptionally good girls willingly accept this inequality is not just affection and love, but also everything Xiaozhi has worked hard for!

The saying that men conquer the world to conquer women is very true.

So, Xiaogang's future troubles can also be resolved in this way... at least it can ensure that the older women around him won't fight too fiercely.

With his current setup, if Ash gives him some extra resources, it's only a matter of time before he becomes the Rock-type Sandstorm Elite Four member.

As for the ideals of breeders, there's even less to worry about; who says a king can't be a breeder?

If he really succeeds in getting promoted, Ash can easily entrust him with overseeing the mandatory medical examinations in Kanto and Johto, ensuring he can focus entirely on his beloved career...

Then, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to a group of girls from the Joy family calling me "Sir" in their sweet voices... before being forced to kneel on a washboard by Liz and Xiaoji.

Chapter 1025 The Emotions of the Sea, A Sudden Invitation

Setting off again, Ash and his friends bid farewell to Brock, leaving him behind at the Battle Pipe.

To reach the fifth facility—the Battle Palace—they will next set sail from Fuchsia City to Metal Island near Binu.

The good news is that several islands they pass by after setting sail will host grand tournaments, giving Haruka and Rukia a chance to show off their skills.

"Alright, I'm totally fired up! I'm determined to win the next tournament!" Haruka was filled with fighting spirit when she heard that there was a Grand Tournament in Moss Town on nearby Vanilla Island.

"Don't be arrogant, I'm the one who will win!" Rukia retorted, determined to catch up and successfully obtain the second ribbon.

The battle of egos has begun again... Ash and Serena can't help but smile.

Xiao Zhi is enjoying the current atmosphere... After all, these leisurely days are truly becoming increasingly rare.

Blue is working diligently with her research team and will soon have results; while Ash, after meeting Ukoy on Metal Island, will probably officially set off for the Seven Islands.

Next, I'll accompany them to explore the surrounding islands, and then we'll say goodbye properly...

With that in mind, Ash chose his favorite way of traveling between islands... sitting on Lapras's back.

With Lapras's current size, its back is large enough for Ash and his friends to sit comfortably. When they want to move around, they can ride on other Water-type Pokémon to play nearby.

Rukia and May even conducted special training on the back of a giant Gyarados.

And when the sea breeze is just right, Serena can even show off her flying skills... wearing that tight-fitting flight suit that Ash always adores~

But this wonderful atmosphere was suddenly disrupted just before the group was about to arrive at Vanilla Island…

"Why do I have this feeling..." Ash frowned as he looked at the coastline of the island not far ahead.

The sea appeared calm, but he always felt that something was happening.

And there was also a strange emotion, like confusion, seemingly tinged with fear, faintly emanating from the sea…

Ash was troubled by this feeling, but it disappeared after they landed on the island and arrived at Motama Town.

"Strange..." This turn of events left Ash completely bewildered, but he couldn't figure out the reason for it.

It wasn't until May and her friends went to the Grand Contest registration office in Tamamo Town that Ash suddenly had a thought and pulled out a bell that he had kept hidden away in his backpack.

The sea bell that Xiao Lan gave him when he was in the sea violet.

Ash gave this thing to Silver, and after Silver shook it, he seemed to say that he heard some kind of call.

There must be a connection between the two...

Bell~

While he was pondering this, Xiao Zhi's phone suddenly started ringing incessantly.

The call was from Lijia; there's an update.

“Shall we go now… Alright then, Miss Rika, please get ready first, I’ll bring you over in a ring later.”

"Has something happened?" Serena asked with concern after hanging up the phone.

May and Rukia, who had just finished registering, also rushed back and anxiously surrounded Ash.

“I may need to go to Metal Island immediately. Miss Lijia told me that Mr. Yu Kang, the pioneering brain there, has something very important to discuss with me.”

Ash had a vague feeling that what Ukyo wanted to say was definitely related to the Water People.

Ash was surprised that it happened so suddenly. He had planned to talk to the other person in detail after he arrived at Metal Island and cleared the Battle Palace, but the other person contacted him ahead of time.

"I have to leave... But it's okay, Ash has his own things to do and can't stay with us all the time." Haruka said seemingly cheerfully, trying to comfort herself.

Having just established a relationship with Xiaozhi, and wanting to be together every day, she was naturally unwilling to accept this separation.

But she also knew that there were some things Xiaozhi had to do.

They have their dreams, and Xiaozhi has his own responsibilities!

"We'll take good care of ourselves!" Rukia obediently promised. "And... next time we meet, my ribbon count will definitely surpass Haruka's!"

"That's impossible!" The two girls immediately started bickering, and the gradually warming atmosphere diluted their sorrow of parting a little.

“Business is important, so don’t worry about it,” Serena said with an understanding smile. “I’ll take care of them, so don’t worry… Besides, with cell phones and rings, it won’t be difficult for them to meet up.”

"That's true." Ash chuckled and stepped forward to embrace Serena.

Nowadays, there's no need for further words between them, and it's precisely because of Serena's protection that he was able to leave with peace of mind.

A moment later, Ash used the Ring to remotely fetch Rika, said a brief goodbye to everyone, and then crossed over to the location of the fifth battle facility—Metal Island.

...

"The environment of this island is completely inconsistent with its name."

As soon as Lijia stepped out of the circle and her foot touched solid ground, she was immediately drawn to her surroundings.

Metal Island is a place that doesn't live up to its name at all. Not only does it have nothing to do with metal, but it also preserves a large amount of virgin forest and extremely complex landforms.

Ash let Pikachu fly around and looked around. It felt like this place could be called a forest maze. No wonder Rika looked overjoyed and even let Bellossom and Leafeon out to play.

"Venusaur, Chikorita, Sceptile, come out too." Such a good environment is indeed rare, so Ash also brought his Grass-type Pokémon to his side.

This island gives him a feeling of Taipong Island, where the natural energy is more abundant than in other places, but it's not so abundant that the local Pokémon have grown to enormous sizes.

Even so, staying here is beneficial, at least it will help the Lizard King recover from his injuries.

The reason why this island is so unique has already been revealed to Ash by the management spirit.

(The emerald green stone slab is on this island; you can look for it when you have time.)

Grass-type stone slabs, this is a pleasant surprise.

However, Ash still planned to go see Yu Kang first, since the stone tablet was there and could be taken away whenever he wanted.

He carried the constantly whining Chikorita in his arms, and led Rika and a group of Pokémon through the forest for a while, and soon found a palace that looked ancient and grand.

At the palace gate, a sprightly old man leaning on a cane seemed to have been waiting for a long time.

"Mr. Xiaozhi, and Ms. Lijia, my name is Yu Kang. Welcome to your esteemed presence."

"Hello, Mr. Yukang." Xiaozhi nodded in return, confirming that the other party was indeed the Water People he was looking for!

His cane had an 'α' pattern similar to Kyogre's, and through the power of Kyogre, Ash also sensed a unique power emanating from him.

That power also exists in Xiao Lan; only those who have come into contact with and integrated into the indigo orb will have it remain in their bodies!

"Mr. Xiaozhi, may I ask if you possess the power of Poseidon and have been fully recognized by a sea god?" As if the situation was urgent, Yu Kang did not engage in much politeness and went straight to the point.

“That’s right, Lugia guided me to obtain a portion of Poseidon’s power,” Ash said in detail.

"So you also sensed something?" Yu Kang asked urgently. "The prince of the Azure Sea has appeared in the world, and... I even happened to hear the sea weeping!"

"It really is Manaphy..." Ash's expression suddenly turned serious.

Will there be another theatrical version so soon?

Chapter 1026 The Disconnected Prince; The Once Glorious People of the Water

Ash was right; Ukon, a Water Clan member, was indeed looking for him about Manaphy.