Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

The idea was good, and the strategy was ingenious.

For those who have tasted Xiaogang and Xiaoxia's cooking, whether it's "kicking Xiaogang out of the team" or "Xiaoxia taking back control of the cooking," it's nothing short of a disaster like "tearing down the roof."

Thus, a temporary vote, which concerned the future fate of our meals, was quickly launched.

"Raise your hand if you support Xiaoxia taking over the cooking!"

Xiaoxia was the first to raise her hand high, her eyes scanning the entire room intently.

Ash and Pikachu exchanged a glance, then simultaneously put their hands behind their backs and silently looked away.

Xiaoxia looked at the starfish with resentment.

In the end, Xiaoxia lost the chance to take the reins of cooking again due to a 2-to-7 deficit.

As for why it was 7 votes.

That's because all five of the starfish's tentacles counted as votes, firmly supporting the current chef's camp and defeating Xiaoxia, who tried to find loopholes by giving her unanimous approval.

A crisis that could have ravaged the taste buds was thus averted, and everyone's stomachs were saved.

After the vote, the three continued on their journey.

"Keep going forward and follow this road on the left, and you'll reach the Cerulean Gym."

Xiao Gang looked at the intersection ahead and gave a reminder.

"Ash, are you going to challenge him directly?"

When the topic turned to the dojo, Xia, who had been relentlessly retaliating by kneading the traitor Haixingxing, hesitated to speak.

But his hands kept moving.

Ash didn't answer immediately. He stopped and turned to look at his partner on his shoulder.

"Pikachu, what do you think?"

"Pikachu?"

Pikachu tilted its head.

They indicated they would leave the decision entirely to him.

After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Zhi raised his head, his eyes already showing a decision.

"Hmm, let's go to the Pokémon Center first."

This decision surprised Xia, who was still feeling dejected after the failed kitchen coup.

In the instant she was distracted, Staryu seized the opportunity, its body flashing red light, and with a whoosh, it automatically returned to its Poké Ball, successfully escaping the clutches of evil.

Xiaoxia blinked, temporarily setting aside her personal grudges, and curiously leaned closer to ask.

"Huh? Aren't we going to the dojo? You've been itching to get started the whole way here, haven't you?"

Xiao Zhi shook his head.

Let's go to the Pokémon Center first.

Although I've heard many trainers say that the Cerulean Gym is very easy and suitable for beginners.

But these words made him even more wary.

After all, the Pewter City Gym was initially rated as "beginner friendly," but he and Pikachu still had to go through a fierce battle to barely win!

Xiao Zhi clenched his fist.

He, Xiao Zhi, will never make the same mistake twice!

He must be fully prepared for this challenge and strike with full force!

......

Pokémon Center.

Under the bright lights, Nurse Joy slowly walked out of the treatment area pushing a small cart with Poké Balls on it. On the cart sat a spirited Pikachu, happily wagging its little legs.

"Pickup!"

Upon seeing Ash, Pikachu immediately darted up and climbed onto Ash's shoulder.

"Except for Pidgeotto, all your other Pokémon are in excellent condition!"

Miss Joy smiled and handed the Poké Ball back to the three of them.

Then a hint of helplessness appeared on her face as she looked at Xiaozhi.

"Your Pidgey... seems to have a rather sensitive personality..."

She recalled the scene in the treatment room just now.

Everything was peaceful at first, and the Pokémon were all quietly active.

But when her Chansey led Caterpie past, Pidgey acted as if its tail had been stepped on, its feathers instantly bristling, letting out a terrified scream, and then it began to rampage wildly around the room.

"It seems particularly afraid of caterpillars," Miss Joy rubbed her temples, as if she could still hear the sound of the equipment being knocked over. "I was trying to soothe it with food and slowly close the distance..."

She shrugged helplessly.

"Unexpectedly, when it saw me approaching with food, it became even more frightened and crashed directly into the wall."

"Pika! Pikachu!"

Pikachu, who witnessed this scene, gestured to Ash.

In the end, it was the Caterpillar that fired its silk.

They tied up the Pidgey bird.

"Oh, sorry," Ash took the Poké Ball, scratching the back of his head sheepishly, "It's recently developed anorexia and a phobia of insects, I forgot to tell you."

His tone was filled with sincere apology.

"Really?"

There are birds that are afraid of insects?

Miss Joey's eyes widened slightly, but she quickly smiled.

"It seems you're a compassionate trainer, willing to take in Pokémon that need special care."

"Lucky~"

Chansey nodded in agreement, its round body swaying gently.

While Joey was getting the information, a figure appeared in front of the service counter with lightning speed.

"You're the same!"

"Such a gentle and moving temperament! Such a face that shines with the light of love and dedication!"

Suddenly, Xiao Gang knelt down on one knee and, in a perfectly executed posture, tenderly grasped Miss Joey's hand, which she hadn't yet managed to pull away from.

"This comforting fragrance, this smile as radiant as moonlight! You must be the older cousin Miss Joy of Nibi City spoke of, a woman of both beauty and wisdom, gentleness and fortitude!"

"Eh?"

Miss Joey was taken aback by this sudden enthusiasm.

She instinctively pulled her hand back, blinked in confusion, and her long eyelashes trembled slightly.

"Yes, yes... but may I ask, how did you tell the difference?"

It's worth noting that the female members of the Joy family all look almost identical.

Let alone outsiders, even their own people sometimes have difficulty distinguishing them without the help of identification information.

"My name is Xiaogang."

Xiao Gang maintained his affectionate demeanor.

"I was fortunate enough to admire your beauty in the photo album at the Pokémon Center in Pewter City!"

"Although it was just a fleeting glimpse, your unique temperament and gentleness, like morning dew nourishing a mountain spring, have been deeply imprinted in my heart!"

Upon hearing this, Chansey, who was standing nearby, suddenly jolted with its round body.

"Lucky!"

Just one glance?

Just based on one photo?!

You should know that I spent three whole years living with this Joey, and only then could I distinguish her from the other Joeys by some extremely subtle habits!

Xiao Gang completely ignored the external interference and continued his offensive.

"Would I have the honor of sharing lunch with you to further explore the true meaning of life and nursing? I believe it would be a profound exchange of souls!"

Miss Joey finally recovered from her initial shock.

Tap, tap, tap!

She took three steps back, her high heels clicking crisply on the floor, creating a perfectly safe distance between herself and Xiao Gang, who was radiating excessive enthusiasm.

Its movements were so swift, as if it were dodging an attack from some dangerous Pokémon.

"Sir, first of all, thank you very much for your interest in the Joey family."

"However, according to Article 7 of the Pokémon Center Staff Code of Conduct and the supplementary clauses of the Kanto Region City Medical Personnel Convention, all private invitations outside of work hours are strictly prohibited."

She crossed her arms in front of her chest, making a clear X.

"What about after get off work..."

Xiao Gang pressed on relentlessly, the flame of hope in his eyes not yet completely extinguished.

"It is also prohibited."

Without a second thought, Joey decisively cut off all possibilities.

"You guys must have had a really tough time."

Xiao Zhi, who was standing nearby, nodded thoughtfully after hearing this.

Even after get off work hours, you still have to follow these rules. Miss Joey's job really has a lot of restrictions.

"Pikachu".