Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

I challenge you to a gymnastics gymnastics competition!

The Pikachu on my shoulder immediately straightened its little body and made a sound in response.

"Pickup!"

"challenge?"

Lijia was slightly taken aback.

So that's how it is, he's a challenger...

That makes things much easier!

"A challenge is certainly possible..."

"Then what are we waiting for!"

Xiao Zhi interrupted her impatiently, his fists clenched tightly.

"Are we going to Yuhong Dojo, or staying here?"

"--but,"

Lijia slowly and deliberately drew out the last syllable of her sentence and continued.

"Today is a rest day according to the rules of Yuhong Dojo, you know?"

"A day off?!"

Ash was struck dumb, and his shoulders slumped instantly.

"Pikachu?!"

Pikachu's ears drooped, and the two, human and mouse, displayed a remarkably synchronized expression of frustration, a truly spectacular sight.

A hint of amusement flashed across Lijia's eyes; she found the man and the mouse quite amusing.

"However..."

She changed the subject, pausing deliberately, and sure enough, she saw Ash and Pikachu's eyes light up again.

"Since you are in such a hurry... as the owner of the museum, I might as well make an exception this time."

She walked slowly closer, her gaze shifting between Xiaozhi and Xiaoxia.

"However, since it's an extra round, there should be some special 'prize' to make it fair, right?"

"The prize?"

Money?

Xiao Zhi scratched his head.

But I don't have anything valuable on me.

"I don't lack money."

Rika waved her hand gently, then pointed her finger at Ash first, and then at Misty behind him.

"If you lose... then the two of you will temporarily 'belong to me' for a few days, how about that?"

Xiaoxia: "!!"

She was startled by the lesbian who made no attempt to hide her desires.

He suddenly gripped the back of Xiaozhi's clothes tightly.

His face flushed red.

"That won't work."

Upon hearing this, Ash shook his head resolutely, his expression unusually serious.

"Since you're the owner, you should know that human trafficking... is illegal!"

"...?"

Lijia almost lost her composure and couldn't maintain her polite smile.

Is this person genuinely ignorant or just pretending?!

Is that what she meant?!

"I did not mean that."

With a sigh, Lijia patiently explained.

"What I mean is, I'm inviting you to stay in Yuhong City and experience its charm. I'll personally host you."

"Oh, I see. Then please explain it more clearly!"

Xiao Zhi suddenly realized.

So? You're agreeing?

No, it still won't work.

Xiao Zhi shook his head again.

"why?"

"As for myself, I'm fine with staying and playing with you for a few days if I lose, but..."

Xiao Zhi turned to the side, glanced at the nervous Xiao Xia, and said in a solemn tone.

"...Xia's affairs can only be decided by herself."

"It's wrong to gamble with other people's money."

He raised his head, his gaze open and honest.

"How about you choose something else? Anything I have that's reasonable is fine as a prize!"

Hearing these unpretentious and respectful words, Lijia was taken aback.

She felt as if she had been completely outmatched in terms of how she conducted herself.

"……never mind!"

She turned her face away.

"One is fine!"

"So, you agree to the fight?"

"Come with me to the dojo."

Lijia turned around, gesturing for them to follow.

He asked the question as if it were just a casual remark.

"By the way, may I ask your names?"

"Ah, this is Xiaoxia, and that is Xiaogang."

Xiao Zhi quickly explained.

"I am Ash."

"Ash...?"

Lijia repeated softly, then suddenly stopped in her tracks.

This name... why does it sound so familiar?

and many more!

She suddenly turned around, her gaze sweeping over Xiaozhi—

The iconic baseball cap, the electric mouse always perched on his shoulder...

An image that has been frequently mentioned in private forum discussions recently, and even tinged with a bit of legend, suddenly popped into my mind.

The newcomer from Pallet Town, accompanied by Pikachu, had several "intense exchanges" with various Gym Leaders, especially the one from Saffron City...!

"You're Ash from Pallet Town?!"

"what?"

Xiao Zhi blinked, somewhat surprised.

"How did you know?"

It really was him!

The slight admiration that had just risen in Lijia's heart was instantly replaced by a sense of crisis stemming from the bloody lessons of her peers.

His voice, which had been calm and composed, began to tremble.

"Wait, wait a minute! I...I solemnly declare!"

She spoke faster, her words tinged with a panicked eagerness to distance herself.

"Although I occasionally browse the forum for discussions with the curator, and... I have even commented on some posts, I have absolutely never made any inappropriate comments under any of your posts!"

"Not even once! I swear!"

She paused, as if remembering something, then quickly added...

"At most... at most I just watched and commented on the post about the Golden City incident..."

"But I... I didn't mean any harm! It was purely an academic discussion! Really!"

Ash: "...?"

He was bewildered by Lijia's sudden reaction and raised his hand, pointing blankly at himself.

"I……"

"Don't hit me in the face!"

Lijia covered her face and took a small step back.

"And don't tear down my dojo! I worked so hard to earn money to expand it!"

This scene stunned Xiao Gang, who had just picked up his "shattered Dao Heart," and Xiao Xia, who was still nervous.

Xiao Zhi was completely confused.