Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

According to the information he found.

With its beautiful environment, consistently excellent air quality, and comprehensive medical and community services, Ziyuan Town is a top choice for many League veterans and trainers to retire.

"A retirement center?"

Just as he was about to ask a question, Ash's gaze was drawn to the Pokémon surrounding the group of elderly people.

All that could be seen were the Pokémon following them.

Each of them exuded a calm and collected aura, their gazes deep and serene, carrying a unique temperament honed by years and countless battles.

Dragonite, Tyranitar, Metagross, Salamence...

These fully-formed quasi-gods, which are rarely seen elsewhere, are as common as cabbages here, appearing every few steps.

They toned down their arrogance, peacefully accompanying their aging trainers, enjoying the tranquil time.

But even a fleeting glance from them can still convey the powerful strength that has been accumulated over the years.

"He looks really strong!"

Xiao Zhi couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"After all, they are partners who have accompanied trainers for decades."

Xiao Gang said.

“Being strong is normal.”

Over time, even without deliberately using a lot of resources to build it up, just through slow and steady refinement...

That's enough to create a powerful being.

......

"Whose child is here?"

"It's been quite a few years since I've seen such a young, unfamiliar face."

"Those squinty eyes look very familiar..."

The young and energetic trio of three men and a mouse appeared in this quiet town.

It quickly attracted the attention of the elderly.

Several elderly people who were playing chess at a stone table on the street stopped what they were doing.

I greeted them.

"Hey kid, where did you guys come from?"

Ash was immediately captivated by Tyranitar.

"Hello, sir! I'm a trainer from Pallet Town!"

"Pikachu~"

Pikachu obediently waved its little paws.

"Paletown? It's that guy Oki's junior."

"Come on, come on, you must be tired after walking all day."

Unable to refuse their hospitality, the three were soon surrounded by a group of enthusiastic elderly people.

His hands were stuffed with snacks and tree fruits.

"Sit down and have some water, and try some cookies my granddaughter baked. She's been obsessed with them lately."

The bald old man with unusually thick eyebrows who had spoken earlier said this.

He pointed happily to a finely woven basket on the stone table.

At my feet, a calaclava was struggling to eat a huge biscuit, looking like it was about to choke.

Seeing this, he felt as if he had been granted a pardon and quickly handed the cookies from the basket to Xiaozhi.

Ash took it without hesitation and even patted Cubone's back.

Pikachu and he didn't stand on ceremony either.

He sat down immediately.

"Thank you, sir! You know Professor Oak?"

quack!

Xiao Zhi took a bite of the cookie and asked indistinctly.

"That's all in the past, all in the past."

Fuji waved his hand.

Another bite with a crunch.

"Mmm~ This is so chewy!"

Xiao Zhi gave a vague and indistinct praise.

"Pickup!"

Pikachu squinted its eyes, indicating its satisfaction.

Only Xiaoxia and Xiaogang looked at the slightly dark-colored and suspiciously hard biscuits in their hands, exchanged a glance, and hesitantly took a small bite.

"Bang bang..."

The biscuit remained untouched, without even the slightest scratch.

"Really? I'm glad you like it!"

Fuji was even happier to see this, and the wrinkles on his face smoothed out. He quickly pushed the basket of cookies forward again.

"Then eat more, eat more!"

As an elderly person whose sense of taste and digestive ability are not as good as before.

He simply couldn't enjoy the cookies his granddaughter made with love, but which were as hard as rocks and incredibly sweet.

But not wanting to dampen his granddaughter's enthusiasm, he had no choice but to take her out every day and share her with any Pokémon that looked to have good teeth that passed by.

“But it’s a good thing you managed to find us,” another old man said, stroking the Growlithe dog lying next to him. “The weather forecast said that the fog in the mountains would be particularly heavy today, and the roads in the fog would be difficult to travel.”

"We encountered a kind Gastly that led us the way."

Xiao Zhi swallowed the biscuit and answered casually.

Gastly? Kindness?

These elderly people, with decades of experience as trainers, simply couldn't understand how these two words could be combined together.

If they're not causing trouble, that's fine, but why are they leading the way?

As soon as he finished speaking, Ash's gaze was drawn to the majestic Arcanine.

"Grandpa, your Growlithe looks really strong! Its fur is so shiny and it looks so imposing!"

"Haha, old buddy, you really did accompany me to many places when we were young."

The old man patted the broad back of the speed dog.

"But all that's left here is peace and quiet."

"I'm getting old, my bones are getting lazy, and I can't fight anymore. So let these old buddies keep us company here, enjoy our retirement, bask in the sun, and admire the scenery."

He changed the subject and looked at the three young men.

"But you two, so young, what made you decide to come here?"

"There are no gyms here, and it's rare to see trainers battling."

"us……"

Just as Xiao Zhi was about to answer, another old man interrupted.

"They probably wandered in by mistake because of the thick fog."

"A mistake..." The old man stroking Arcanine squinted, seemingly recalling something. "Speaking of which, the last young trainer who accidentally wandered in... was probably more than twenty years ago, wasn't it?"

"More than twenty years ago?"

“Yes,” the old man nodded, patting the Growlithe’s head, and added, “I heard that the one who came back then was a vicious and hungry young man, um… I think he was also a psychic.”

The three exchanged a glance.

More than twenty years ago?

Or is he a superpowered individual?

This description... it feels so much like the gym leader of the Saffron City Gym?

Could it be that this uncle was a delinquent before?

Xiao Zhi, being straightforward, couldn't help but ask.

"Sir, if I may ask, how old are you this year?"

"Me?" The old man pointed to himself and laughed heartily, "I just turned sixty this year, so I'm considered one of the younger ones here!"

The three of them: "!"

This year he's sixty... which means this old man probably retired around forty years old?

"You're mistaken."

Seemingly noticing their surprise and speculation, Fuji handed Ash another snack and said with a smile.

"It's not that he arrived early, but that this matter is so famous here that it has been passed down by word of mouth, and even those of us who came later know about it."

"Indeed, I heard that kid is in a really bad situation."

"Because I didn't bring my wallet when I went on the trip, I was so hungry that I tried to steal some offerings, but Gengar caught me red-handed."

"He was beaten up by two cheering underlings who were standing by. It's said that he was defeated before he could even release his Pokémon."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Gang and Xiao Xia's expressions immediately turned strange.

Getting caught stealing offerings is one thing, but it's another.