Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

And what's more! I clearly asked him that question in my mind!

He didn't say anything, so that means he agreed!

Ash: "........"

Although there are some things to be speechless about Gengar's logic.

But by combining all the information it provided, Xiao Zhi was able to roughly guess the person's identity.

After all, a very strong Gengar plus a blonde old lady, and most importantly, she seems to not get along with Professor Oak... This is most likely Elite Four member Agatha Christie!

Just as Ash was about to ask a few more questions to further confirm his guess, he felt a breeze brush past him, and then a fluffy yellow figure darted into their midst.

"Pikachu?"

Pikachu had somehow regained its energy.

It tilted its little head, narrowed its eyes warily, and circled Gengar and Ash for a short while, its suspicious gaze sweeping back and forth between the two.

What are you secretly talking about behind your hamster's back?

【Um? 】

Is there something you don't want your hamster to know?

[Confess honestly!]

Pikachu's tail stood straight up, and its ears stood up alertly.

Gengar is so suspicious!

Every night, he sneaks out mysteriously, and when he comes back the next day, he's not tired at all but full of energy. Now, he's whispering in Xiaozhi's ear first thing in the morning!

They're definitely studying secretly! They're carrying their own study materials!

Gengar was startled by Pikachu's sudden questioning.

His two short arms immediately went behind his back, his head tilted back at a 45-degree angle, his eyes darting towards the sky, and then he squeezed out a string of unconvincing whistles from his throat.

[What nonsense.]

I... I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about!

Pikachu tilted its head, its eyes showing wariness.

His guilty look practically screams "I'm lying!"

Now the mouse is even more suspicious that you're studying behind its back!

It patted its little paws.

No one can study while carrying a mouse on their back!

【No one!!!】

With Pikachu's interference, the conversation about the mysterious old lady naturally couldn't continue.

Gengar slipped away to the side and pretended to be nonchalant as it studied the dewdrop.

Pikachu, meanwhile, was crouching on the grass, its little tail slapping the ground, its wary gaze fixed on Gengar's back.

Seeing Gengar's secretive behavior, Ash could guess pretty much what it was thinking.

Gengar is probably planning to secretly develop its strength, save up a powerful move, and then ambush a certain Flying/Fire-type Pokémon.

After all, it got incredibly arrogant after its encounter with Ahong's Charizard, thinking it had learned everything and was ready to turn the tables and take down the opponent, but it failed to achieve great success.

There's no other reason than that Charizard was too wary.

When faced with a sudden, unusual event, even something as simple as the sound of wind rustling through the grass.

Without even a fraction of a second of hesitation, it unleashed a powerful flame attack, instantly reducing Gengar's carefully prepared surprise attack to a sky full of black ash.

This left Gengar with no chance to attack, so it channeled its resentment into motivation and inadvertently opened a book on Pikachu, affecting the mouse as well.

To maintain his image as a top student, Pikachu has to secretly study even at night.

.......

Under the close watch of Pikachu, who was always by my side, the morning passed by in a blur.

I received messages from Xiaoxia saying "Dinner's ready" and from Xiaogang saying "Don't worry, Xiaoxia didn't make it."

Relieved, Ash led a large group of Pokémon to the restaurant.

Hanako had prepared a large table of dishes early in the morning and was waiting there.

As the group ate and chatted, their picture books started beeping almost simultaneously.

"Hey?!"

Lillie took out her encyclopedia entry, swiped the screen to take a look.

The latest news was that the Quartz tournament I was following had released its new match list.

"Satoshi! Here's the battle roster!"

"The match list for tomorrow has been announced!"

"Hmm?" Ash, who was eating and drinking heartily, swallowed the food in his mouth and leaned his head closer. "Let me see!"

Xiaoxia also put down her chopsticks, walked around to Lillie's side, leaned down, and focused her gaze on the screen.

Ash's gaze swept over them.

The list of the top 16 is laid out in rows, and there are many familiar names.

And Ash's opponent... is none other than an old acquaintance!

"—So it's a match against Imetti."

Xiaoxia raised her eyebrows slightly, her tone carrying a hint of surprise.

"Imeti?"

Hanako tilted her head, took off her apron, folded it neatly, and put it aside, trying hard to remember.

A moment later, she exclaimed in realization.

"Isn't that the girl who stuffs two Ditto characters in her breasts?"

Xiao Zhi didn't reply, but Xiao Gang nodded heavily!

"That's her, Auntie! She's so tragic, yet she yearns for beauty, trying to confuse reality with falsehood!"

Xiaoxia: "........"

Lillie: "......."

Just say what you mean, there's no need for so many adjectives!

Hanako sighed softly.

Of the three wise men, only one remained. The Quartz Conference was still too cruel for her!

However, judging from Ash's reaction, apart from the excitement of the battle, his other reactions were rather lukewarm... It seems that the girl doesn't have much of a chance!

"Oh, right~"

As she was thinking, she suddenly seemed to remember something.

Hanako turned to look at Satoshi.

"Hey Zhi, a girl came to your room this morning!"

"Who?"

Xiao Zhi still had a piece of carrot in his mouth.

"Pikachu?"

Pikachu also lifted its head out of the bowl, with ketchup still on its lips.

I don't know what it's called.

Hanako tapped her chin with her finger as she recalled.

"But she has a ponytail, and she's very energetic; she runs over and calls your name in the hallway!"

"When they saw me, they politely stopped, bowed, and said they were there for an appointment or something..."

"Before I could even ask her name, she was dragged away by two conference staff members."

"It seems she needs some further education or something. In the end, she also asked me to tell you not to forget your agreement..."

Ash: "........"

"...Then I think I know who it is."

"Is that Nemo?"

Xiaoxia also looked completely certain.

"It should be!"

"Pickup!"

Nemo? That name...

Hanako nodded, but didn't say anything more.

To be fair, Nemo's personality is quite compatible with Ash's.

He's energetic, easygoing, and even has a good figure.

It's a pity that her physical condition doesn't seem to be very good... How should I describe it? She doesn't even seem as good as a random green caterpillar on the roadside.

Ugh!

What a pity.

If only I could be with Lillie, that would be perfect.

Hanako glanced discreetly at Lillie, who was quietly eating beside her, and silently completed her idea of ​​this "perfect setup" in her mind.

........

The following day, the round of 16 began as scheduled.