Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

He subconsciously looked at his younger brother and sister.

"Brother, don't worry! I'll take care of things at home!"

Jiro was the first to stand up, puffing out his small chest with a firm tone.

"Yes! Yes!"

"We can take care of ourselves now!"

"My brother is going to realize his dream!"

The other younger siblings also gathered around, chiming in with their own opinions.

A warm feeling welled up in Xiao Gang's heart, and he reached out and ruffled Jiro's hair vigorously.

"You guys... you're so young but so clever!"

But in the end, he shook his head at Xiaozhi.

"Thank you for your kind offer, but I'd better not. I have dojo matters to attend to."

Ash and Pikachu visibly became disappointed.

"It's okay, Xiaozhi!" Xiaoxia patted her chest immediately, trying to boost morale. "I've already mastered the essence of the dishes here! I wouldn't dare say it's 100%, but I'm at least 110% there!"

"If you like it, I'll cook it for you from now on!"

"day by day!"

After thinking for a moment, Xiaoxia crossed her arms and added a rather bold statement.

After all, Ash was a hero in helping him "win back" Gyarados.

Xiaoxia, a woman of great integrity, never mistreats those who have rendered meritorious service!

Upon hearing this, Ash and Pikachu became even more disappointed.

"Cough cough!"

Xiao Gang couldn't help but cough twice, interrupting Xiao Xia's confident declaration.

"Um... if I may ask, what is that extra ten percent...?"

"Oh, that?" Xiaoxia waved her hand dismissively, giving him a look that said, "You just don't understand." "It's just some little tricks I incorporate when I cook. How can you completely stick to a recipe when it comes to cooking?"

"You must have spirituality! Spirituality, do you understand? You must dare to innovate!"

Ash and Pikachu's eyes went blank for a moment, as if they had heard some terrifying words.

"Spiritual...", "Pikachu..."

Wu Neng also had an expression as if he was recalling some unbearable past events, muttering and repeating himself.

"Innovation..."

"I see, I've learned something!"

They didn't notice the reaction of the three victims.

Xiao Gang nodded thoughtfully, seemingly seriously considering this innovative concept.

"elder brother……"

Jiro then spoke softly again, tugging at Xiaogang's clothes.

"Okay, that's enough."

Xiao Gang thought his younger brother wanted to encourage him, so he softened and patted Ci Lang's head a few more times.

Jiro shrank his neck, his little face scrunched up, and he spoke with a hint of disgust.

"...What I meant to say was, brother, you were clearing the dishes just now, and you didn't even have time to wash your hands. They were all greasy when you touched my head..."

Xiao Gang's arm froze in mid-air, his expression solidifying.

......

With everyone's help, the breakfast battlefield was quickly cleaned up.

Ash and Misty packed their bags and prepared to set off for Cerulean City.

After all, they had already spent quite a bit of time in Nibi City. If they delayed any longer, it was uncertain when they would be able to achieve their goal of collecting all eight badges.

Xiao Gang silently escorted them to their doorstep, stopping outside the door, his figure appearing somewhat silent in the morning light.

"Really, really not coming with us?"

Turning back, Xiao Zhi asked, still unwilling to give up.

He plans to give it another try.

He really didn't want to eat Xiaoxia's cooking anymore.

If it were just ordinary, it would be alright, and he could barely eat it, so he would pinch his nose and eat it anyway.

But the problem is that Xiaoxia always seems to have a sudden flash of inspiration!

"Really, no."

Xiao Gang refused again.

"Alright then..." Ash sighed, finally giving up the struggle. He rallied his spirits, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "I'll leave you here! May our friendship endure forever, and may we meet again!"

"Pikachu! Pikachu!"

Pikachu followed suit and wiggled its little paws.

"May we meet again someday."

Xiao Gang smiled slightly.

Before the three could finish saying goodbye...

Inside the door, Wu Neng and Xiao Gang's large group of younger siblings exchanged glances.

The next second, with a firm gesture from Wu Neng—

"boom!"

With a crisp, clean sound, the courtyard gate was slammed shut from the inside without hesitation!

"?"

Xiao Gang was stunned and subconsciously turned to look at the tightly closed courtyard gate.

No?

I haven't gone in yet!

Immediately from inside the door came Wu Neng's deep, resonant voice, which carried an unwavering determination that left no room for doubt.

"Xiao Gang! Why don't you go on a trip with Xiao Zhi and the others? Go see the world!"

"Ash is right. Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles. If you want to become a Pokémon breeder, how can you just stay in Pewter City and work in isolation?"

"If you don't travel, your horizons will become narrow!"

"I……"

Xiao Gang was filled with mixed emotions. He opened his mouth, about to say something.

"Don't interrupt! Listen to me!"

Wu Neng immediately interrupted in a higher tone, as if afraid of being rejected.

"Uncle... cough! I owe you all so much. It's too late to make amends now, but I promise you, I will never leave again this time!"

"I……"

"Don't worry!" Wu Neng's voice was full of determination. "I will protect the dojo! I will take good care of your younger brothers and sisters! This is the only thing I can do for you! This is a responsibility that I've been neglecting for a long time! You can go in peace!"

"I……"

"Stop talking!" Wu Neng interrupted again urgently, as if afraid of hearing any word of rejection. "Go now! While you're young, go pursue your own dreams!"

"I......"

"You'd better get out of here!"

"I......"

"Get out of here!!"

Interrupted one after another, even with Xiao Gang's good temper, a bulge appeared on his forehead.

"Can you please listen to me first?!"

"What I meant was, my Pokédex is still sitting on the table at home!"

"Without the encyclopedia, what am I supposed to take?! I can't even get my identity verified!"

With the advancement of technology, the Pokédex is no longer just a collection of illustrations.

It's indispensable for identity verification, Pokémon information lookup, League communications, and even for making purchases and receiving important news while traveling.

Without a guidebook, it's truly impossible to make any progress.

An awkward, deathly silence instantly fell inside the door.

The silence was immediately broken by the children's chatter.

"Brother is right!"

"Illustrated guide! Important!"

"Yes! Yes!"

Then, a sound of rummaging through drawers and cabinets was heard, and then—

"Whoosh!"

Brock's Pokédex was thrown precisely from the yard and landed right in his arms.

"Alright! Now that you have the encyclopedia entry, you can go!"

"Let's go! Stop worrying about home!"

Wu Neng's voice came again.