Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

"Really, no need, Auntie, we're already very full!"

"Pikachu, Pi!"

Pikachu quickly raised its little paw in agreement, indicating that the mouse had really reached its limit.

After saying goodbye to her aunt, the crowd that had been watching the spectacle dispersed, satisfied. Miss Joey walked over with light steps, carrying the two of them in her new picture book.

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting," she said with a gentle smile, handing the Pokédex to Ash and Misty respectively. "The data and Pokémon information in your Pokédexs have all been safely transferred."

She leaned forward slightly, lowered her voice a little, and gave a playful instruction.

"When you go on adventures in the future, be sure to take good care of your equipment. Otherwise, if it gets damaged this badly again, the Alliance might have to charge you for repairs!"

As he spoke, he winked at the two of them.

The two quickly took the illustrated guide and thanked him repeatedly.

Ash immediately used the Pokédex's communication function to call his mother, Hanako, who was far away in Pallet Town, to let her know he was safe and sound. He briefly recounted his adventure in the forest and introduced Misty to her as well.

Looking at the gentle, kind-hearted woman on the communication screen, Xiaoxia couldn't help but feel a little amazed.

Ash's mother seems like such a gentle and kind person, I really don't know how she gave birth to Ash, this... uh, big boy.

Gene mutation?

Atavism?

She remembered reading in her textbook that in ancient times, humans and Pokémon would intermarry.

Could it be that Xiao Zhi's ancestors had some particularly powerful bloodline?

As Xiaoxia continued to wipe the water droplets from the ends of her hair with a towel, she casually asked...

"Xiao Zhi, what are you planning to do next?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhi clenched his fists, his fighting spirit soaring.

"Needless to say, we should challenge the gyms, collect badges, and strive to become Pokémon Masters!"

"If I remember correctly, there's a very famous dojo in Evergreen City! What's it called again..."

He picked up the guidebook and swiped his finger across it quickly, trying to find specific information and the location of Evergreen Dojo.

Upon hearing the words "Changqing Dojo," Xiaoxia's expression changed. Just as she was about to say something, Miss Joey, who was passing by, interrupted.

"Oh dear~ If you're planning to challenge the Evergreen Gym, then you might have come at a bad time~"

She crossed her index fingers in front of her chest, making an X.

Or rather, we arrived a step too late!

"Huh? Why?"

Xiao Zhi was taken aback.

Miss Joey explained patiently.

"You may not know this yet, but a couple of days ago, some strange things happened in Evergreen Forest. It's said that a large flock of Spearow went crazy and attacked trainers wearing hats who were passing by."

Xiaoxia: "!"

Xiaoxia glanced at Xiaozhi, who seemed to be still in a daze.

This is the culprit!

“It wouldn’t have mattered much otherwise,” Miss Joy said in a nonchalant tone, describing what was quite terrifying for the trainers. “They do have some restraint when they attack trainers. At most, you might get a few pecks on your bottom and then have to lie in the center for a few days and apply some medicine.”

“But the problem is,” Miss Joy’s tone became slightly more serious, “that since yesterday evening, the beedrills in the forest, who are not exactly known for their good temper, have suddenly been provoked by something and have directly confronted the group of spearebirds. The two sides are fighting fiercely, and the impact is quite extensive, already affecting the ecological security of the Evergreen Forest.”

"Therefore, Mr. Giovanni, who is the Gym Leader of Viridian City and is also responsible for maintaining the security of the surrounding area, personally led a team into Viridian Forest yesterday morning to investigate and handle this matter."

"Given the vastness of the forest and the complexity of the events, it's estimated that he won't be back anytime soon. The dojo is naturally also temporarily closed."

Ash: "!!"

Ash finally realized what was happening.

Benevolence and righteousness!

That's incredibly kind of you!

No wonder I didn't see Beedrill or Spearow today.

Beedrill, my good brother!

It really made me cry!

Xiao Zhi, a man of great righteousness, immediately jumped up.

"I must get to the Evergreen Forest immediately!"

10. The Kanto region is terrifying!

"P-Pikachu!"

Pikachu, with its big belly, laboriously climbed onto Ash's shoulder.

"Wait! Wait for me!"

Xiaoxia reacted quickly, using both hands and feet to hold Xiaozhi tightly, afraid that he would really plunge back into the water again.

"Viridian Forest is so big, how long would it take us to find it if the two of us searched like this?"

She analyzed the situation rapidly, trying to persuade Xiaozhi with reason.

Moreover, in her opinion, if Xiao Zhi really went, not only would she not be able to stop him, but she might even escalate the conflict!

At that point, Spearow, Beedrill, and Ash might fight even more fiercely.

Besides, the experienced gym leader has already personally taken charge of the situation, so why are these two rookie trainers causing more trouble?

Changqing Dojo's strength is widely recognized throughout the Kanto region, firmly placing it in the top tier!

There are even rumors that Giovanni, the gym leader, has reached the level of the Elite Four in the league!

This is already extremely high praise, because the situation in the Kanto region is special. There are no champions, so the kings are the top-level fighters!

Xiaoxia somewhat believed what he said.

After all, just looking at Sakaki's face, which was in his thirties but looked like he was in his forties, and his slightly balding hair, you could tell that this person must be very hardworking and very strong!

"Yes, Xiaozhi, you should sit down."

Miss Joey nodded repeatedly in dissuasion.

"Furthermore, for safety reasons, Officer Jenny has just coordinated and issued a temporary control notice. Now, you can only leave Evergreen Forest, not enter, in order to prevent unsuspecting trainers from accidentally entering and getting caught in the conflict zone."

"If you go in now, you might not only fail to find the owner, but you could also get trapped inside, increasing unnecessary risks."

Xiao Zhi was a little frustrated.

Think of Xiao Zhi, he has so much strength, but in the end he can't do anything...

And now, thinking about that oddly colored big-billed finch carefully...

His muscles told him that, as a novice trainer, he wasn't very confident in defeating it and a group of Spearow while protecting Beedrill.

"Besides, I just took a look while I was transferring your data," Nurse Joy poked Pikachu's cheek on Ash's shoulder, "Ash, you're still a new trainer who just registered, right?"

Although Xiaozhi is already well over the legal age of ten.

However, he officially registered and received his first Pokémon just a few days ago, making him a complete newcomer in terms of procedures.

"The difficulty level of Changqing Dojo is among the higher levels in the Kanto region."

Joey explained patiently.

She thought that Ash and Misty were so fixated on Evergreen Forest because they were eager to challenge Giovanni.

"We usually don't recommend that new trainers make it their first challenge, as it's easy to get frustrated and lose confidence."

"Most of the trainers you challenge here have five or six badges."

"My personal suggestion is that you start with some relatively simple dojos that are more suitable for beginners to gain experience."

Joey pointed to the map of the Kanto region hanging on the wall and offered his kind suggestion.

"For example, the Cerulean Dojo is known for its rotten fish... well, it's friendly to newcomers."

Joey seemed to change his mind at the last minute, swallowing back a rather unpleasant word.

Hearing the evaluation of Clarion Dojo.

Xiaoxia's lips moved, but in the end she decided to swallow her words and silently turn her face away.

“Look, you can head to Nibi City in the west first.”

Joey traced a clear route on the map with his finger.

"After challenging the gyms there that mainly feature Rock-type Pokémon, I'll gain some practical experience. Then, I'll head north along this road to Cerulean City to challenge the Water-type gyms."

"This kind of route planning is quite reasonable and safe for newcomers."

Xiao Zhi thought for a moment, then punched his palm and made a decision.

"Alright! Miss Joey, you're right!"

"Then let's do it this way. Our next objective is to first conquer Nibi in the west! Then we'll launch a northern expedition against Hualan!"

Beedrill's best buddy!

You wait, wait for me to return after I have completed my studies.

I must find that leader of the multicolored big-billed birds, beat it until it kneels and begs for mercy, willingly becoming my mount!

I will personally bring it to apologize to you then!

......

I had a good night's rest in the comfortable room at the Pokémon Center, which relieved the fatigue from trekking through the forest for several days.

The next morning, the two strolled around the entrance to the Evergreen Forest.

The entrance to Evergreen Forest was still cordoned off, with Officer Jenny and her Growlithe on duty, clearly indicating that it remained under lockdown and the specific date for reopening was uncertain.

Seeing this, the two of them did not delay any longer.