Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

Upon hearing this...

One of the shop assistants seemed to suddenly remember something.

Looking at Xiaozhi, she gasped sharply.

I unconsciously moved further inside the counter, trying to minimize my presence.

She remembered!

Yesterday, while slacking off and scrolling through social media...

She was a colleague of her friend's sister's boyfriend who worked in Golden City.

This has been mentioned before!

The powerful, unpredictable, and awe-inspiring leader of the Saffron Gym.

It is said that he had a heated argument with a new trainer from Pallet Town who had a Pikachu on a certain trainer forum.

The two sides engaged in a public debate for several days.

As a result, for some reason, he completely enraged the other party.

This trainer actually went "offline" and showed up at their door!

Not only did she disregard martial ethics in a formal one-on-one dojo battle, but she also defeated Sabrina with overwhelming power.

The aftermath of the battle left the Goldenrod Gym in ruins, almost completely destroyed!

What's most chilling upon closer examination is...

Despite causing such a huge commotion, the league officials did not issue any related condemnation or punishment announcements afterward.

The news was suppressed remarkably well.

It is said that a powerful but unnamed doctor from Pallet Town personally intervened and calmed things down...

......

Looking at Lijia's expression, as if she were facing a formidable enemy and wished she could disappear on the spot.

Xiao Zhi finally broke free from his prolonged confusion.

"You must have misunderstood. Putting everything else aside, do I look like that kind of person?"

He stood ramrod straight, his face radiating magnanimity.

He truly exudes righteousness.

Upon hearing this, Lijia secretly peeked at him through her fingers.

The boy stood there, his eyes clear and bright.

Although he possessed a certain sharpness, his expression conveyed more straightforwardness and honesty than any sinister or violent glint.

The Pikachu on the shoulder nodded its little head in agreement.

It called out "Pikachu".

Combined with this relatively short period of contact.

This person... does seem... not quite like the "volatile, vindictive terrorist" described in the rumors?

Her tense shoulders relaxed slightly, but the doubt in her eyes remained, and she did not lower her hand that was covering her face.

She spoke tentatively, her voice regaining a little composure.

"So... those were all exaggerated rumors?"

"You didn't actually disfigure Sabrina?"

"This one……"

Ash's expression suddenly became a little subtle.

My gaze involuntarily drifted towards the ceiling.

"Then... you didn't demolish the Goldenrod Gym either?"

"Ah, this..."

Ash's gaze lingered on the ceiling even more intently.

My heart, which had just begun to ease, sank back down.

Since you were the one who hit the person, and you were the one who demolished the dojo.

How can I trust you?!

"Although some things did happen."

Ash finally turned his gaze back to Rika, trying his best to make his expression appear utterly sincere.

"But! Things are definitely not as you've heard! They're not at all what you think!"

Lijia took a deep breath and nodded.

I believe you!

She paused, as if she had suddenly remembered something extremely important.

"Oh right! I suddenly remembered that my dojo... well, some areas inside are still under renovation and maintenance, so it's not convenient to have formal battles."

"How about... I just give you the badge directly?"

As she spoke, she reached down and began to grope around her waist.

Seeing that Rika was still skeptical and even wanted to "resolve things peacefully," Ash knew that talking wouldn't work.

He thought for a moment, then took out his illustrated guide.

Quickly browse through your contacts.

"Okay, I'll have Miss Naz's father talk to you! He'll know what's going on, won't he?"

Before Rika could react, Xiaozhi had already dialed the number and considerately turned on speakerphone.

After a busy signal, the call connected, and a gentle but slightly tired male voice came from the other end.

Ash gave a brief explanation, and Sabrina's father provided a detailed explanation.

After expressing her regret for her daughter's willful behavior, her gratitude for Ash's help in restoring Sabrina's status, and repeatedly clarifying the damage to the gym, Rika's doubts finally dissipated.

"I see... So you're also a victim of rumors."

Lijia said apologetically.

"I'm so sorry, I reacted a bit inappropriately just now."

"But don't worry," she said, her tone becoming firm, "now that I know the truth, I will definitely use my position as the museum owner to clarify these false rumors for you on the internal forum and through relevant channels."

"Thank you very much, but I don't know how this rumor started."

Lijia frowned slightly as she recalled.

"Speaking of which, the story about you was initially spread in great detail. It seems to have been spread by three veteran forum users who were particularly good at navigating forums. Even a couple of photos of Naz at the time, which were a bit... disheveled, were leaked."

Xiaoxia, who was standing next to her, heard about the three veterans of the online forum and the photos.

His body stiffened almost imperceptibly, and his gaze became somewhat unfocused.

"Ah! Never mind that... let's hurry to the gym!"

Xiaoxia quickly raised her voice and changed the subject.

She took a small, subtle step closer to Lijia, forcing a smile onto her face.

"I'm actually very interested in the Yuhong Dojo! I've heard it's very beautiful, right, Miss Rika?"

......

Rika's attention was successfully diverted, as expected.

The group left the perfume shop.

After passing through the bustling streets of Yuhong City, we arrived at a quiet area on the east side of the city.

Suddenly, a very distinctive building came into view.

The Yuhong Dojo is less of a battle facility.

It's more like a giant ecological greenhouse.

The building is constructed with a large amount of glass and light-colored wood. Sunlight shines through the glass dome, casting dappled light and shadow inside.

The building is surrounded by meticulously maintained flowerbeds and shrubs.

The various plants are thriving, seemingly a world apart from the bustling game city in another corner of the city.

The entrance consists of two large wooden doors that open outwards and are carved with exquisite floral patterns.

The dojo emblem, representing the grass element, hangs above the entrance, amidst lush greenery.

Just as they were about to approach the gate.

Ash's gaze was drawn to a figure in the flowerbed beside the gym's outer wall.

That's a cat.

At this moment, she was facing away from them, with her butt sticking out.

Holding a small shovel in its paws, it diligently loosened the soil around a cluster of vibrant night-blooming cereus rooted in the earth.

Ash paused, staring at the back of the meowing creature.

Especially the tip of its tail, its brows slowly furrowed.

"What's wrong, Ash?"

Rika, who was walking ahead, noticed him stop and turned around to ask.

"That meow..."

Xiao Zhi pointed in the direction of the flower bed, his tone somewhat uncertain.

"The tail looks so familiar. It looks just like... a talking cat I know."

Upon hearing this, Meow Meow, who was loosening the soil, froze.