Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

Uh... these two Pokémon are quite loyal; they even tried to resist when they were captured.

But how could they possibly be a match for Ash's trio?

Ash nodded slightly to the Onix that was dutifully entrenched on the outskirts of the camp.

The giant onyx's rocky head bobbed up and down very slightly in response.

Its stone pupils, like two quiet lanterns in the night, guard this temporary peace.

Rock and Steel Pokémon not only have a longer lifespan than turtles, but they also have the same daily routines.

When not in battle, these types of Pokémon can hibernate for a long time at a time, or they can go for a long time without resting.

Ash, with Pikachu, silently stepped into the deeper shadows of the forest.

The moonlight was fragmented by the layers of branches and leaves, casting dappled spots of light on the ground.

He found a slightly open clearing in the woods, looked around, and made sure no one was there.

Ash took out the Poké Ball that had captured Meowth and weighed it in his hand.

He was considering what to do next.

Is this cat important?

This must be quite important for him in his early stages.

Meowth can speak human language, which can help trainers and Pokémon communicate more easily.

But that's about all it does.

Even without Meowth, Ash can generally understand his Pokémon's thoughts—this is a basic quality of a trainer.

Especially with his partner Pikachu.

Although we haven't reached the point where our minds are completely in sync or our spirits are united.

But you could also say you're a close, tacit friend—the moment you stick your butt out, I know what kind of poop you're going to take, JPG.

"Pikachu?" Pikachu squatted at his feet, looked up, and looked at him with a hint of doubt in its bright black eyes.

"We need to talk, partner," Ash said in a low voice, pressing the button on the Poké Ball.

A flash of red light appeared, and Meow Meow's figure appeared on the ground covered with fallen leaves.

It seemed to still be unconscious, its wet fur covered in grass, looking disheveled and pitiful, a far cry from its fierce appearance during the day.

Ash took out some medicine and a small piece of clean, soft cloth from his backpack and gestured for Pikachu to help hold down Meowth—he figured the guy was probably faking it.

Pikachu understood, extended its little paw, and gently pressed down on Meowth's shoulder. Tiny sparks of electricity danced at the tip of its paw, carrying a warning meaning.

Meow Meow: ...

As a Pokémon, its physical abilities are much better than Jessie and James.

He was indeed faking fainting.

Zila...

Pikachu, having been corrupted by Ash, is no longer gentle in its actions; in fact, it can be quite rough.

Pikachu: How dare you pretend to be asleep in front of me?

Pikachu: I'll give you an electric shock!

"Meow!" As expected, Meow jumped up with a start, its green eyes wide open, staring in terror at the human and mouse in front of it.

It instinctively wanted to bare its claws, but the soreness and numbness in its body made it slump back down. "W-what do you want, meow?!"

Are you scared, Meow Meow?

Of course the cat is scared.

It now realizes that its opponent seems a little off.

The human in front of me doesn't seem to be afraid of Team Rocket.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu immediately became serious when it saw Meowth showing its claws.

We can't let the stray cat in front of us hurt our partner.

Pikachu and Ash's affection level is increasing.

"I'll treat your wounds," Xiao Zhi said calmly.

He crouched down and used a soft cloth soaked in ointment to wipe the small cuts and scorch marks on Miao Miao's body caused by the gravel and electricity. His movements weren't particularly gentle, but they were very careful. "Let's chat while we're at it."

How to handle this cat depends on the cat's attitude.

If we try to tame it... this cat is too cunning and has too good a relationship with Musashi and Kojiro, so it will be difficult to gain its loyalty.

Besides, Ash doesn't lack the fighting power of this Meowth... Meowth and similar Pokémon are really not in Ash's future plans.

"Talk about what, meow?!" Meowth flinched nervously, its eyes darting away. "I won't say anything, meow! Don't even think about getting any Team Rocket secrets from me!"

Meow Meow is indeed very loyal to the Rockets.

Ash ignored its bluster and remained focused on his actions, speaking as if discussing the weather: "A Meowth that can talk is indeed rare. You must have suffered a lot for this, right?"

Meow Meow was stunned, seemingly not expecting the other party to ask this question.

Its eyes flickered with a complex mix of pride and indescribable bitterness: "Hmph! Of course, meow!"

"I learned to stand up and walk, and to speak like a human being, all on my own!"

"Much better than those of its kind who can only meow!"

It instinctively straightened its chest, but the movement aggravated its wound, causing it to grimace and shrink back.

In fact, this is indeed the case.

If a talking cat were caught and auctioned off... it would probably fetch an astronomical price.

He's able to be so free and hasn't been targeted by hunter organizations or anything like that, which is really thanks to Team Rocket's reputation.

This is also what Xiaozhi is struggling with.

This cat's commercial value is even higher than that of the Golden Gyarados.

The appearance of the Golden Gyarados was only changed by a system item; in essence, it was no different from the Red Gyarados or the Blue Gyarados... it was simply better looking.

Are the Rockets' trio poor?

These three are poor as hell.

He's definitely a nepotism hire on the Rockets!

How could ordinary Rockets members cause trouble for Giovanni like those three and still get away with it?

A fine?

Is a fine considered a punishment?

The house where Kojiro's dog lives is worth as much as Team Rocket's budget.

"Yeah, that's impressive." Ash nodded, his tone unreadable, whether it was admiration or something else.

"A huge price was paid to develop the language area of ​​the brain and even change some of the vocal structures... but correspondingly, the development of combat instincts and physical potential was severely delayed."

"A typical case of specialization, or rather... a divergence in the evolutionary sense?" Ash wasn't making this up without reason.

The body structure of felines is not adapted to walking upright.

Or rather, it is not suitable for prolonged upright walking.

The cat has adapted to this upright walking posture... but this drastic change in a short period of time will make its own body structure less adapted to the cat's original form.

simply put.

Meow Meow is essentially wearing a debuff that halves its combat power.

Its combat power at the same level is perhaps only half that of other cats.

Especially in close combat.

The transition from crawling on all fours to standing on two legs has a significant impact on the joints.

Meow Meow's pupils contracted sharply, as if her deepest sore spot had been struck, and she shrieked, "What do you know, Meow?! Do you think I wanted this?! If it weren't for her... if it weren't for..."

Its voice stopped abruptly, it shut its mouth abruptly, and stared at Xiaozhi warily.

This brings us to a story about a past experience of Meow Meow.

Chapter 35 The Correct Way to Catch Pokémon - The Bet ②

Meow Meow thought that by imitating others, she could be welcomed by her ideal woman.

However, when he tried to imitate others, he only made his fellow human beings feel strange and was rejected instead.

After treating the last wound, Ash put away the medicine, clapped his hands, stood up, and looked down at it.

The shadow of his hat brim obscured most of his face.

Only the faint curve at the corner of his mouth appeared somewhat enigmatic in the moonlight.

Even if you want to show off, you need the right environment to support it.

With the right environment and atmosphere, that's what makes a proper show-off.

Let it happen naturally~

"I don't care about your past, meow."

Xiao Zhi's voice lowered.

"I only care about the present."

"You are my Pokémon now."

"In terms of the Poké Ball rules, yes."

Ash revealed a fact that was a severe blow to Meowth.

This fact is of little use to the vast majority of wild Pokémon.

Because wild Pokémon don't have much knowledge about this kind of thing.

But Meow Meow is different.

Meows have been living with humans for too long.

He knew what it meant for Pokémon to be captured by Poké Balls in the human world.

This was clearly something he found difficult to accept.

"You're talking nonsense, meow! I'm not!" Meow retorted excitedly, but her voice was clearly weak.

It knows the rules of the Poké Ball too well.

"Whether it is or not, you know it in your heart," Xiao Zhi said calmly. "I'll give you two choices now."

He held out two fingers.

"one."

"I'm handing you, Kojiro, and Musashi over to Officer Jenny. If no one notifies Team Rocket, we don't know when we'll be able to get Musashi and Kojiro out."

Ash's voice was calm, yet it sent a chill down Meowth's spine.

It doesn't know about Kojiro and Musashi's past; if it did, it wouldn't be worried.

"two."

Xiao Zhi put down the first finger.

"I'll let you go back to Team Rocket. We'll figure out how to get Jessie and Kojiro out."

"But we have to make a bet."

"No matter how you attack me in the future, I will let you go."

"But you must be honest with yourself until the day you are willing to be my Pokémon."

Xiao Zhi recalled Zhuge Liang's seven captures of Meng Huo.

I wonder when I'll be able to tame the cat.

However, this is just a minor move; whether it succeeds or not is ultimately inconsequential.