Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

He was about to launch himself into the air—

Just then, a sharp scream came from deep within the hall.

"Bang!"

Then, it felt as if something was rapidly approaching them.

The footsteps were very light, but the frequency was extremely fast.

The three looked in the direction of the sound and saw a purple figure tumbling and crawling towards them.

Because he was running too fast, he crashed into an invisible wall with a "bang" halfway through, and his whole body was bounced backward.

The purple figure was bounced away, staggered a couple of steps, and, dizzy and disoriented, changed direction and continued running, only to crash into another wall with a "thud".

It twists and turns, swaying left and right.

In the end, that Pokémon achieved an absolutely perfect result—

Or rather, an extremely brutal long-distance face-stop, finally gliding to the front of everyone.

Xiao Gang: "......"

Xiaoxia: "......"

Ash: "......"

The three of them stared at the purple sphere lying on the ground with its limbs outstretched, and fell silent for a moment.

"...Are you alright?"

Ash was the first to react, crouching down to help the Pokémon up.

Xiaogang and Xiaoxia then realized that it was a fluffy ball.

His purple fur was now a mess because of that gorgeous face-flash.

"Empty Pong~"

He tidied his hair.

Maoqiu first bowed and said thank you.

Then it seemed as if he remembered his responsibilities.

They started by criticizing the tactics of "courtesy first, then force."

"Empty pong! Empty pong!"

What are you doing!

What are you trying to do?!

Are they going to demolish this dojo?

Its red compound eyes were wide open, and its short claws were waving wildly, but unfortunately, given its dusty and dirty appearance, its intimidating power was practically zero.

Don't you know that this dojo is...?

But Maoqiu stopped mid-sentence.

The anger in his compound eyes faded at a visible speed, replaced by unbelievable shock.

It tilted its head and stared intently at Ash's face.

Then I looked at Xiao Gang next to me.

He glanced at Xiaoxia again.

Hmm, I don't recognize this one.

Finally, the gaze returned to Ash's face.

"……null?"

...Is it you?

Xiao Zhi was also stunned.

He looked at the furry ball in front of him and felt that it looked somewhat familiar.

The color of its downy fur, the expression in its compound eyes, and that energy—

"what!"

Ash suddenly clapped his hands, startling the furball.

"You're that furry ball!"

"Empty pong!"

Maoqiu nodded vigorously.

That's right!

That's right!

"You two... know each other?"

Xiaoxia raised an eyebrow, her gaze towards Xiaozhi becoming somewhat strange.

Has Ash's network extended to the Pokémon at the gyms?

这么强？

Xiao Gang also showed a surprised expression.

"Of course!" Ash said, pointing at the Polito. "Not only me, but you also know Teacher Gang!"

"I know him too?"

Xiao Gang carefully examined the furball, his brows furrowed.

"That was the day!"

Xiao Zhi reminded him.

"When you first joined the team—it was this that helped us prepare Xia's food!"

Xiaoxia: "?"

Xiao Gang's eyes widened instantly.

Memories flood back like a tide—that morning, that grove of trees.

And that plate... that unforgettable dish, and that brave little furball that risked its life to test the poison!

"It's you!"

"It's you!"

Xiao Gang, unusually losing his composure, rushed forward in three steps and grabbed the little paw of the fur ball.

"That day... I really owe you a lot!"

Maoqiu felt a little embarrassed by his enthusiasm.

"Empty pong..."

No, no.

Come to think of it, I haven't eaten anything so flavorful since then.

Even the things here are highly nutritious for Poison-type Pokémon.

But it just feels like something's missing.

It's like it's lost some of its spirit?

Yes, it's spirituality!

"By the way, what are you doing here?"

Xiao Gang asked.

"This place isn't close to where we first met, is it?"

He looked around.

This is Asahi City, a world away from the forest where they first met!

"Empty pong!"

Upon hearing this, the furry ball, who was secretly wiping its drool, came to its senses.

It retracted its paws and began to gesticulate as it recounted its experience.

It first pointed to itself with its short paws, and then made a eating motion.

Then he hugged his body with both hands, trembling all over, and his eyes rolled back.

Then his eyes suddenly lit up, and he struck what he thought was a powerful pose.

Then it waved its claws, trying to look like it was fighting, while making "bang bang" sound effects.

Finally, it lay down on the spot, patted its bottom, stood up again, and looked at everyone with a proud expression.

Xiao Gang and Xiao Xia both looked at Xiao Zhi.

I don't understand it at all.

This kind of abstract body language is still too advanced for them.

Ash stared at the furball's movements and nodded.

"You mean after you ate Xiaoxia's food, your toxicity and resistance increased dramatically, and you defeated many opponents. In the end, because you were too outstanding, you were defeated and recruited by a man, and brought here?"

"Empty pong!"

Maoqiu nodded vigorously, its compound eyes conveying the message, "You understand me."

Xiaoxia: "??"

What does it mean that "after eating my food, the toxicity and resistance levels rise sharply"?

Something doesn't sound right about that.

Xiao Gang fell into deep thought.