Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

She gazed at the leaves above her head, at the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves, and at the boundless, azure sky.

They shed tears, tears shared by the weak.

She patted the timid Lillie.

"us……"

"...He's a close friend!"

226. Should I say it too?

"A...a close friend?"

But they've only just met, haven't they?

Confused, Lillie instinctively turned her gaze to Ash, her closest friend.

They received a glance.

Ash fully learned from Lance's spirit, and immediately handed the problem over to Pikachu above his head.

He lowered his head and met Xiaozhi's gaze.

Pikachu shook its head and spread its two little paws out.

“Pikachu…”

Hmm, even Pikachu doesn't know.

Not getting an answer, Xiao Zhi scratched his head and simply turned around to ask Xiao Xia directly.

"But you two just met, didn't you?"

Xiaoxia did not answer immediately.

Instead, his gaze lingered on Ash's chest for a full two seconds before he let out a disdainful snort.

"Hmph! This is not something someone like you would understand!"

After saying that, she grabbed Lillie's wrist.

"Lillie, let's go!"

"Ah? Oh!"

Before Lillie could react, Xiaoxia pulled her a few steps to the side.

She glanced back at Xiaozhi, then looked at her wrist that was being held.

I vaguely sensed that I had been categorized into a special camp.

As for which faction...

She dared not speak, she dared not ask.

Ash stood there, a big question mark appearing above his head.

He subconsciously looked at Xiao Gang, the most reliable person among them.

"Teacher Gang..."

"Heh, don't worry about it."

Having seen through everything, Xiao Gang crossed his arms, his posture as steady as a mountain.

He demonstrated remarkable insight into this topic, which involves his own aesthetic sense.

What close friends! It's all just a cover-up!

In the end, it's nothing more than losers comforting each other and barking wildly!

This cruel truth was not told to the naive Xiaozhi.

Xiao Gang patted Xiao Zhi on the shoulder and gently changed the subject.

"Right now, it's more important to get to the registration desk and report for duty."

"Oh, right! Right!"

Xiao Zhi slapped his forehead, finally remembering the important matter.

He turned and walked towards the registration area for the contestants.

There were several short lines in front of the registration area. Xiao Zhi glanced at them and immediately chose the one that looked the slowest to move and stood in it.

As for the reason...

Anyone who has ever queued knows that the fastest-looking queue is most likely the slowest.

Conversely, the slowest one must be the fastest one!

As Xiaozhi expected, the wait was short, about five or six minutes later it was his turn.

"The encyclopedia entry is here."

"Name?"

The staff member said something, then without even looking up, his fingers were already on the keyboard, displaying a standard assembly line work expression.

"Ash!"

The staff member's fingers paused for a moment.

He looked up, pushed up his glasses, his gaze lingered on Ash's baseball cap for two seconds, then looked at Pikachu perched on his head.

He revealed a rather shocked look.

"Xiao Zhi? You're the one who... punched Na..."

He was about to rattle off a long list of names of flowers when, as if suddenly remembering some grave taboo, he abruptly stopped himself, his mouth still forming a Z shape. After a couple of seconds, he abruptly changed it to...

"...You're Ash Ketchum?!"

"I think...right?" "Pikachu?"

Xiao Zhi was also a little unsure, and tilted his head.

Pikachu tilted its head back, the movements of the human and the pet perfectly synchronized.

"Can we take a picture together?"

"Huh? That works!"

When did I become so famous?

Xiao Zhi was a little confused.

After a quick photo, the staff took Ash's Pokédex, connected it to the computer, and typed a few more words.

"Ash... Pallet Town... is here."

"Let me see, the conditions for obtaining eight badges have been met."

"Pokémon... wow! So many?!"

The staff member's voice suddenly rose, then he realized he had lost his composure and quickly lowered his voice, but the amazement in his eyes was impossible to hide.

Generally speaking, a trainer is considered very powerful if they have a dozen or so Pokémon.

After all, raising Pokémon costs money. Apart from Grass and Ground/Rock types, the food alone is a considerable expense.

But to my surprise, this legendary entity in front of me has more than sixty registered Pokémon!

Although most of them were Tauros, Grimer, and torn bags...

The staff member's eyes scanned the screen repeatedly, their mind racing.

He stared at the Pokémon, and with the help of his imagination, a bold idea gradually took shape.

Could it be...?

Are these Pokémon the strongest trump card in this legendary world?

Yes!

After all, it's Pikachu, you know what I mean!

He looked up and gave Xiaozhi a meaningful look.

His eyes were filled with the professionalism that said, "As a professional conference staff member, I keep my mouth shut and will never go around saying anything."

"Alright, your eligibility to participate and Pokémon registration are complete." The staff member handed the Pokédex back with both hands. "We will promptly update the Pokédex with detailed competition schedule information, so please check it regularly."

"Pikachu! Pikachu!"

Pikachu waved its little paw, as if thanking Ash on his behalf.

"Oh, okay! Thank you!"

Xiao Zhi accepted it with both hands, though he was a little puzzled as to why the person gave him a look that said, "I'm very tight-lipped."

But without thinking much about it, he turned around and left.

As for the other three, they were quite different from Xiao Zhi, and their situation was much simpler.

Those who are not participants only need to spend money to buy tickets to the event.

After everything was settled, the four of them passed through the tall white archway and officially entered the conference venue.

Upon entering, you'll see a huge circular arena in the very center.

The outer wall of the arena is decorated with huge Poké Ball reliefs, which gleam with a metallic luster in the sunlight.

At first glance, it looks like it could hold at least tens of thousands of people.

"This is really..."

Ash looked up at the magnificent building, his mouth slightly open, as if he wanted to exclaim in admiration.

However, [Really Big] had already said it again, and in the end, he just nodded vigorously, which was his way of expressing his shock.

".......Um!"

"Wow, it's huge..."

Xia, standing to the side, didn't think much of it and let out a heartfelt sigh.