Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

The bugs here are terrifying, waaaaah!

In order to lure it in, they deliberately suppressed their evolution!

Its gaze swept over Ash beside it, and suddenly it had a flash of inspiration. It grabbed Ash's leg and burst into tears.

If you wanted to subdue me, I didn't have to go through all this trouble!

There were too many people last time, which was my fault.

As long as you stop feeding me those things, I'll do anything, even if you have to kneel down and beg you to subdue me!

26. Practice makes perfect!

"It looks like it's begging you for mercy, Ash."

Xiaoxia leaned closer and whispered to Xiaozhi.

After spending this time together, she seemed to have grasped a beta version of Ash's passive skill, "The strong need no words"—"The cowards have no secrets."

Although she couldn't fully understand it, she could roughly grasp what Pidgey was trying to say.

Ash, who fully understood Pidgey's explanation, had a very interesting expression.

Subjugate?

What do you mean by "subduing"?

He was completely stunned when he heard Pidgey's heartfelt words.

He swore to God!

Xiao Zhi really didn't mean that!

Benevolence and righteousness reside in his heart; Xiao Zhi would never take advantage of someone in distress!

Scratching his head, Xiao Zhi tried to calm the overly frightened bird.

"You're overthinking it. I really didn't mean it that way. This was truly an accident. As long as you finish your medication, you can be back anytime..."

"Shout!"

Upon hearing the word "eat," the Pidgey immediately reacted, its feathers bristling all over its body.

It stared in horror at what Ash was holding, its eyes filled with resistance.

You still say that's not what you meant!

They're going to feed me those horrible things again!

It admits it!

Really served!

Please! I'll make it do anything as long as it doesn't eat!

Even if it's just into a Poké Ball!

Xiao Zhi: "......"

No?

Why can't this bird understand human speech?

He's clearly a good person!

"They...know each other?"

Xiao Gang also noticed something amiss, his gaze shifting back and forth between Pidgeotto and Ash.

"It's a long story, let me tell you..."

Xiaoxia immediately perked up and quietly explained to Xiaogang the complicated relationship between Pidgey and Ash, and mainly with Caterpie.

......

"...So I really, really didn't mean that! You understand?"

Ash reluctantly reiterated his point, attempting to convey his utmost sincerity.

The Pidgey, standing upright in front of Ash, nodded vigorously, its wings folded nervously behind it.

I understand! I understand! I must understand!

You really didn't mean that!

It did everything of its own volition!

It begged you to subdue it, crying and pleading!

Xiao Zhi: "......"

He was truly speechless this time and could only helplessly look at Pikachu on his shoulder.

Why don't you do it this time?

"Pikachu~"

Pikachu helplessly spread its little paws.

If this symptom doesn't work, then it's even less likely to work for this.

Seeing that Ash remained silent, Pidgey suddenly realized that everything it had just said was correct.

This is the default!

This is to make it take the initiative to show its sincerity!

It looked up at the sky, its heart filled with sorrow.

So, three requests and three refusals, right? Humans love that kind of thing, it understands!

If that's the case, wouldn't it have been better to say so earlier?

It's just a matter of being more proactive!

Taking advantage of the brief moment when Ash and Pikachu were exchanging glances, Pidgeotto, its survival instincts kicking in, began its operation.

It looked around and soon its sharp eyes locked onto an unused Poké Ball that Ash had placed in his backpack.

That's it!

A ticket to demonstrate loyalty!

Having calculated the distance perfectly, it mustered the last bit of strength in its body, pushed off with both legs, and charged headlong into the red and white ball!

"grumble!"

However, the green caterpillar, which had been on alert the whole time, reacted even faster!

Although it didn't understand what this silly bird was up to now, its action of rushing towards the Poké Ball was suspicious in itself!

Adhering to the principle of "since the enemy wants to do it, we must sabotage it", the caterpillar opened its mouth and produced a strand of silk!

They came from behind but surpassed others!

The thread stuck to the Poké Ball first!

The green caterpillar straightened its body and hurriedly tried to retract.

But obviously, Pidgeotto wasn't fully recovered either, and couldn't walk in a straight line at all. Just like that, it crashed headfirst into the Poké Ball!

"Click!"

Pressing the button opened the Poké Ball, and a red light shot out, enveloping the Pidgey with its enigmatic smile and capturing it.

Ah ~

It's safe!

The red and white balls landed on the ground without even a symbolic shake, and immediately made a soft "ding" sound, and the indicator light in the center went out instantly.

Caterpie has captured Pidgey!

"Huh? No?"

Even the well-informed Xiaozhi was stunned for a moment.

"This? It? I...?"

Brock stepped forward, picked up the Poké Ball, and then patted Ash on the shoulder.

"Caterpie is your Pokémon, and its behavior, to some extent, represents your will."

“And look at Pidgeotto’s condition…” He handed the Poké Ball to Ash. “This kid has been taken care of like this by Caterpie. Ash, you should take responsibility for it to the end.”

“Indeed.” Xiaoxia nodded in agreement. “Although I don’t know why, it seems that it really wants to follow you.”

As soon as she finished speaking, she noticed that Xiaozhi and Xiaogang were staring at her with extremely complicated expressions.

That look in his eyes was a mixture of disbelief, hesitation, and even a hint of...pity?

"Huh?" Xia tilted her head in confusion. "Why are you all looking at me?"

Without saying a word, Ash put away the Poké Ball and decided to let Pidgeotto calm down inside.

Xiao Gang quietly pulled Xiao Zhi aside and whispered something to him.

"This can't go on!"

"Didn't you ever think of being honest with Xia about her cooking skills before?"

Ash and Pikachu exchanged a glance.

"I've tried it, more than once, but it didn't work at all."

"Don't believe me? Look!"

He turned around, looked calmly at Xiaoxia, and spoke in a straightforward and unadorned tone.

"Xiaoxia, your cooking is really awful."

"Pickup!"

Pikachu nodded vigorously in agreement.

Xiaoxia was taken aback at first, then burst out laughing as if she had heard a funny joke.