Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

Xiaoxia, holding her tray, looked around.

There's an empty seat over there!

The three of them had just sat down when the conversation from the next table drifted over.

"—Did you see today's notice?"

A boy wearing a headband lowered his voice.

"The round of 16 has been cancelled, and that guy from Group B has gotten a bye and advanced to the semifinals."

“It’s not just what I saw,” he sneered at the trainer with a buzz cut across from him. “The organizing committee said it was a special case, but I think there’s more to it than meets the eye.”

"Is that even a question?" The boy with the headband slammed his chopsticks on the table. "What kind of competition would have such a 'special situation'? Only one person advances? Who would believe there wasn't some behind-the-scenes manipulation?"

The people at the surrounding tables all turned to look.

Just then, a slow, leisurely voice came from the next table.

"Inside story?"

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw a young man wearing a black jacket and with a short beard leaning back in his chair, holding a drink.

"You have no idea how amazing the winner of Group B is."

The boy with the headband was taken aback.

"You know the inside story?"

"I don't have any inside information to share." The young man took a sip of his drink. "I just want to ask you one thing—you've heard about what happened in Golden City a while ago, right?"

Golden City.

These three words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly silencing the people at the surrounding tables.

The flat-headed trainer's eyes widened.

"You mean...the Goldenrod Gym incident? Sabrina was actually...in real life?"

The young man nodded without saying a word.

The boy in the headband gasped and leaned back.

"Is he that person?"

A murmur rippled through the restaurant.

"I heard that the Goldenrod Gym was completely demolished..."

"Someone this ruthless is participating? What's his motive?"

The flat-headed trainer's imposing manner immediately diminished, but he then frowned.

"That's not right. Didn't Master Rika clarify the situation a couple of days ago? She said the matter in Goldenrod City was a misunderstanding and told everyone not to spread rumors."

The young man placed his drink on the table, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

"Debunking the rumors?"

"Hmph, I think you're all still too young."

He paused.

“What would you think if I told you that Lijia was also hospitalized a couple of days ago?”

"Think about it carefully."

The boy with the headband opened his mouth into an "O" shape.

Was the hospital visit and the denial of the rumor on the same day?

He swallowed hard, his voice trembling: "You mean... Master Lijia was..."

isn't it?

Is this person really that ruthless?

How could you bring yourself to touch someone so beautiful?

The young man smiled but said nothing, simply picked up his drink and took another sip, with an expression that said, "Those who know, know."

The surrounding chatter immediately erupted.

"Holy crap, the gym owner killer!"

"A role model for us all!"

"That's amazing!"

"He deserves to be in the semifinals!"

115. You little rascal, it's only natural that you're destined to be with my Alola!

Ash: "......"

Xiao Gang: "......"

Xiaoxia: "......"

It's outrageous!

This is just a rumor!

How could they even get a debunking of a rumor wrong?!

Pikachu, who was engrossed in eating and whose cheeks were puffed up like two little steamed buns, was startled by the sudden synchronized expressions of the three.

"Pikachu?"

His little head was filled with big questions.

Then it looked down at the snack in its paw, and then at Ash's clothes—

He skillfully wiped his mouth and raised his head.

She placed her two little hands on the table, her cheeks puffed out, and her brows furrowed.

"Pikachu—" (simultaneous frowning.jpg)

"Everyone."

Xiao Zhi took a deep breath and stood up.

"Actually, things aren't what you think..."

"Indeed." "+1"

Pikachu glanced around and nodded.

"Pikachu".

Hearing what the three people said.

The eyes of the people at the surrounding tables all turned to look at them.

The young man looked him up and down, then curled his lip in disapproval.

"Who are you? You think you can just say you're not?"

"Exactly, what do you know, you little brat? We're talking about important matters, understand? Important matters, don't meddle!"

"Yeah, you can't possibly be the real person, can you?"

"Huh? How did you know?"

Xiao Zhi looked at him with a sincere expression.

The young man froze, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Zhi's face several times, and then—

"Hahahahahaha!"

He laughed so hard he almost fell over, slapping his thigh.

"You're quite funny, young man! Hahaha!"

“I was there during the test,” the young man said, pointing at Ash. “Aren’t you the kid who barely passed?”

"You almost fooled me!"

You should know that the man was a ruthless guy who had taken down both Rika and Naz in succession.

How could it be that they barely passed the test?

"I knew this kid looked familiar. Turns out he was the guy testing things behind that useless hedgehog-headed guy."

The young man continued in his nonchalant manner.

"While just passing is a bit low, it's not bad for your age. Since you're here, I won't hold back and will tell you a few secrets..."

The young man was pointing and commenting from the side.

Some observant people have already started comparing photos circulating from the Golden City incident.

After all, this young man's style—

Baseball cap, Pikachu.

He looks so much like the legendary person.

The diner who was looking down at the encyclopedia zoomed in on the photo, his gaze sweeping over Ash's face several times.

Eyes, nose, how to wear a hat...

hiss--

He gasped, his face gradually turning pale.

Then, he reached out shakily and tugged at the young man who was still talking loudly.

"...Let me tell you, exercise is all about science. Only by exercising according to the rules can you achieve twice the result with half the effort—hey, why are you pulling me like this?"

The young man turned around impatiently.

Without saying a word, his companion shoved the picture book in his face and then, with lightning speed, moved the chair and the person back half a meter.

"what?"