Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

Squirtle nodded.

That's it.

I've been saving for several months, plus that last sum... well, I'm still far from enough.

Xia Bo listened from the side, and the more he listened, the more uneasy he felt.

Although he couldn't understand Pokémon's language directly like Ash, he could still guess about 60-70% of it by combining guesswork with the exaggerated body language of the Squirtles.

He stroked his beard and frowned.

"Can't afford it? The price they're offering you at the hot springs isn't cheap."

"Each visit includes food and accommodation, and each Squirtle's daily wage is equivalent to half a day's salary for an average office worker."

"You can't even afford a pair of sunglasses?"

The leader, Squirtle, glanced at Blaine.

That single glance contained so many complex emotions—

Pity, disdain, and a sense of "you're such a country bumpkin."

It stretched out its paw and pulled a crumpled flyer from a small pocket on the back of its shell.

He unfolded it and turned it over to present it to Chapel.

The flyer featured a picture of a pair of sunglasses.

The frame is gilded, the lenses are gradient-colored, and the temples are inlaid with two sparkling stones.

It is written in gold lettering in the lower right corner.

Limited Edition Trainer Collaboration Master Series.

In the price list, there were so many zeros after the numbers that Xia Bo had to count them twice to make sure he wasn't mistaken.

"........."

Blaine fell silent.

Xiao Gang curiously leaned over for a look, and immediately gasped, his voice changing into a tremor.

"This price... is enough for me to live on for a year!"

"You... are you capable of working?"

Xia Bo's eye twitched, and he asked a question.

The lead Squirtle silently took back the flyer and carefully put it back into its shell, afraid of breaking it.

“Jenny.”

Salary alone is certainly not enough, but adding the tip-off fee will make it about right...

"A tip-off fee?" Xiao Zhi tilted his head, looking curious. "What tip-off fee? Who are you reporting?"

As soon as those words were spoken...

Before the lead Squirtle could react, a younger-looking Squirtle behind it excitedly jumped up.

He opened his mouth, completely unaware of the sudden change in the captain's expression.

"Jenny! Jenny!"

I know! I know!

The little Squirtle's eyes lit up, and it was so excited that it was waving its claws as it turned to look at Blaine.

Of course, I'll report it... Mmm!

The lead Squirtle reacted swiftly, turning and leaping, its two short claws firmly covering the mouth of the other Squirtle.

"Jenny!"

shut your mouth!

Xiao Zhi asks you, so just answer!

The little Squirtle was struggling to breathe, its innocent eyes blinking, and it managed to squeeze out a sound from between its claws.

“Jenny, Jenny…”

Didn't you, Captain, teach us to be honest...?

The leader of the Squirtle turtles turned green.

"Jenny!"

How dare you use my moves against me?!

Team members are not allowed to contradict the captain!

It raised its paw and quickly burrowed into the little Squirtle's head.

Eat my bullet, spin at high speed!

The fist spun so fast it left afterimages, leaving Squirtle completely disoriented, its eyes turning into mosquito coils.

Bob, of course, couldn't understand what they were arguing about.

He just felt that these Squirtle guys were really dramatic, more entertaining than any Pokémon stage play he had ever seen.

Having dealt with the "traitor," the leader Squirtle breathed a sigh of relief, patted its paws, and straightened its sunglasses.

It turned to Ash with a serious expression, as if nothing had happened.

Yes, in its short life as a tortoise, it learned a lesson.

You can't make money just by working.

These days, if you honestly sell your labor, the little bit of money you get in return is barely enough to keep you from starving. If you want to buy something nice...

dream.

Only by finding a way to make money can one prosper.

And Chapel—

The leader, Squirtle, glanced at Blaine without making a sound.

This old man has his own way of making money!

After all, I've already successfully reported it three times, and I bought several pairs of sunglasses with that money!

If the people on the island hadn't been a bit wary of me... I might have been financially independent by now!

For example, it detected unusual activity at the volcano today.

I was thinking of skipping work to do some research.

Unfortunately, I failed the exam and was unable to grasp the key, quantifiable, and verifiable evidence.

Otherwise, why would I need to work here?

He had already led a group of underlings, carrying evidence, to the league to exchange for the prize money.

......

Ash took a deep breath and focused his gaze sincerely on the Squirtle that was leading the pack.

"Squirtle, how about you come on this trip with me?"

This is the third time.

Before the words were even finished, the leader Squirtle didn't even hesitate. A helpless expression appeared on its face as it stretched out its short claws and waved them again.

"Jenny~ Jenny~"

It shook its head, and the sunglasses slid down slightly with the movement, only to be pushed back up with its paw.

"Wait! Wait! Let me see!"

"let me see!"

Xiaoxia had wet, short orange hair and was only wrapped in a white bath towel.

He swam underwater and immediately arrived at the forefront of the gossip.

After all, it's not often that Ash gets rejected by a Pokémon.

Not to mention this is the third time.

Xiao Zhi scratched his head, not annoyed, but just sighed with some regret.

The leader, Squirtle, raised its claws, stepped forward, and patted Ash with its short, tiny claws.

"Jenny, Jenny."

You are a good person.

She speaks very nicely.

but--

We're really not a good match.

As it spoke, the lead Squirtle turned around and rummaged around in its shell with its little paws for a while. This time, it pulled out not a whiteboard or a flyer, but a bright red, neatly folded armband.

It solemnly unfolded its armband and raised it high.

The arm patch features the alliance's logo, with four small gold-stamped characters embroidered below—

[Fire Brigade Captain]

In the misty hot spring air, the armband seemed to radiate a sacred light.

“Jenny.”

The leader, Squirtle, put on the armband on his short upper arm, straightened his chest, and his expression became solemn and dignified.

It slowly turned around, its gaze sweeping over the Squirtle behind it.

"Jenny—Jenny!"

I'm their captain!

loyalty!