Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

one day.

Two days

day after day.

this day.

As dawn broke, the mist in the forest had not yet completely dissipated, and the air was filled with the fresh scent of grass and trees.

Pikachu would occasionally peek out from Ash's shoulder.

Lately, this fat mouse has been preferring to lie on Ash's back rather than walk on its own.

Its weight has indeed increased significantly.

Fortunately, Ash's physical fitness was also improving, so he wasn't exhausted.

“Speaking of which…” Xiao Zhi rubbed his chin as he walked.

His gaze swept over the quiet woods on both sides of the road, a hint of regret in his voice, "It seems like I haven't encountered Bulbasaur, Squirtle, or Charmander along the way."

Ash sighed, "They're all pretty good starter Pokémon."

He wanted to complain about this issue.

However, considering that Xiaoxia and Xiaogang were nearby, it wasn't appropriate to directly complain.

After all, his choice is different from Ash's choice in the original anime.

He won't get lost.

So, naturally, fate changed.

Ash had already spotted the tower in the distance... Considering the news he'd read online, he calculated the distance he'd traveled.

We're almost at Konoha City.

This should be the Zheng Hui Lighthouse.

If the original storyline is followed, he will encounter Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle in succession.

Capture these three starter Pokémon from the Kanto League.

Unfortunately, he clearly won't be able to encounter that situation now.

Who knows what changes the future will bring?

Or rather, from the very beginning, when Team Rocket didn't attack Pewter City and Cerulean City, their fates had already begun to change dramatically.

Of course, Brock and Misty were unaware of Ash's melancholy.

After all, it's impossible to reveal the plot of anime.

Hearing this, Xiaoxia, who was walking beside him, flicked her orange ponytail and retorted without any politeness, "Hey, do you think Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander are just some caterpillars you can pick up off the street?"

She counted on her fingers: "Although it's not particularly rare, it's still a carefully selected Pokémon that the research institute has nurtured and provided to new trainers!"

"How could it be like some guys, everywhere?"

As she spoke, she glanced meaningfully at Pikachu on Ash's shoulder.

Pikachu is actually a Pokémon that is quite abundant.

It could even be said that they are found all over the Kanto region.

However, Ash's Pikachu is abnormally strong, especially considering their usual conversations.

Xiaoxia thinks this Pikachu must be a special individual that Professor Oak specially bred.

This reason is actually quite plausible.

Powerful trainers will prioritize quality breeding to cultivate excellent Pokémon.

"Pikachu? (⊙_⊙)?" Pikachu tilted its little head, looking at the scenery.

When I was suddenly called out, my ears drooped down immediately.

Its small body shrank back.

He blinked hard, managing to squeeze out a few tears.

A layer of aggrieved tears instantly welled up in her bright black eyes, and a low sob escaped her throat.

—So...I'm just that ordinary?

Will my partner dislike me?

is this real?

Of course it's fake.

It's just because I've been with Xiaozhi for so long that I've become a drama queen.

Ash immediately noticed his partner's low spirits.

He stopped, reached out and gently scratched Pikachu's chin with his finger, his voice unusually gentle and serious: "Idiot, don't listen to her nonsense."

Even if you know that Pikachu is just being dramatic and playing pranks, you can't just leave your companion alone.

Is this... showing off affection?

emm...

Ash stared into Pikachu's eyes:

"My Pikachu~"

"You're a one-of-a-kind partner~"

"How could those three starter families possibly compare to you?"

After all, there are many Pikachu.

There's only one Pikachu.

Seeing Pikachu's expression, Ash wasn't too bothered about missing out on Bulbasaur and Squirtle.

It's a pity about the old man.

But there's nothing you can do if you miss it.

It's impossible to go out of your way to look for it, is it?

“Pikachu… (。???。)” Pikachu rubbed its little head against Ash’s finger.

Its mood visibly improved, and two tiny sparks of happiness even popped out on its cheeks.

—We are the best partners~

Pikachu's affection level has increased.

...How cheesy!... Xiao Gang and Xiao Xia were speechless when they saw this scene.

Xiao Gang then looked up, pushed up his non-existent glasses, and decided to change the subject.

He pointed to a tall, distinctive building on the distant coastline.

"Speaking of this... look over there."

The lighthouse stood on the rocky cliffs of the coastline.

The white tower appears and disappears in the morning light and sea mist, with the huge lens structure at the top slowly rotating, giving it a lonely yet technological feel.

"This is the White Strait."

"That's the Zheng Hui Lighthouse."

"Dr. Zheng Hui is a genius researcher who specializes in the 'relationship between Pokémon and humans' and also has experience in Pokémon teleportation system technology."

"Everyone should be careful with their words when you visit later," Xiao Gang emphasized.

Coming here was the result of a discussion among the three of them.

Since we've already come all the way to Vermilion City, it would be a shame not to visit the local Pokémon professor.

If Xiaogang and Xiaoxia had come on their own, they probably wouldn't have had this thought.

But Ash came.

Given the relationship between Professor Oak and Professor Masahiro, it would be strange if they didn't come to visit.

Xiaogang and Xiaoxia were just hitching a ride with Xiaozhi.

After all, you can't just meet a famous Pokémon professor like that all the time.

Ash, on the other hand, has Professor Oak's guarantee.

"I know that, no need to emphasize it~" Xiao Zhi looked at the lighthouse in the distance.

I wonder if I missed the giant Dragonite?

Compared to Ash in the anime, who often gets lost and wanders far away.

Ash is now practically walking in a straight line, taking what can be described as the optimal route.

Uh... Pidgey is guiding us from the sky.

...If someone can still get lost like this, then they're incredibly talented.

The advantage is that the travel time is much faster than in the original story.

The downside is that he missed out on many of Ash's opportunities from the original series, such as Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu perked up and pointed its little paws toward the lighthouse in agreement.

The group adjusted their direction and walked quickly toward the white lighthouse standing on the coastline.

The sea breeze gradually became clearer, bringing with it a salty, damp smell and the faint sound of waves.

As the three approached, the atmosphere suddenly became tense again.

This lighthouse is protected by powerful Pokémon.

Professor Bill should also have considerable trainer skills.

Or rather, anyone who can make a name for themselves in this world is bound to be quite capable.

After all... without sufficient strength, one cannot protect what one owns.

Many Pokémon professors are former elite trainers who have transitioned into this role—similar to Professor Oak.

Chapter 48! How can it be a male Gardevoir?!

The closer the three got to the white lighthouse standing on the edge of the cliff, the more stagnant the surrounding air became.

An invisible, heavy pressure surged in from all directions like a tide, carrying a clear warning—stay away.

This is a powerful superpower, proving that the Pokémon secretly protecting them is not weak.

It's a very strong Pokémon.

Xiaoxia instinctively hugged her arms tightly.

Xiao Gang's steps became cautious, and his face was filled with solemnity.

Pikachu immediately went from its lazy state to alertness, standing on Ash's shoulder, tiny arcs of electricity crackling from its cheek pouches, its bright black eyes sharply scanning the seemingly calm bushes and shadowy rocks around it.

Pikachu sensed hostility.

However, Pikachu was unable to detect the specific location of the hostility.

—A troublesome opponent, Pikachu!

"This hostility... is very strong," Xiao Gang said in a low voice, his voice involuntarily lowering.

Xiao Zhi stopped in his tracks.

He could sense that at least one pair of eyes were fixed on them from the shadows, filled with scrutiny and an undeniable rejection.

This level of security is very much in line with the status and position of a Pokémon professor.

The things they study are mostly extremely valuable.

—We can't be like that superhero A-Guang, whose home is always being raided, can we?

—Perhaps the Land of Light would be safer without Superman Hikaru.

—After all, it's one thing for a powerful cheat code to be created and then taken by the enemy, but for the Land of Light to have such a low level of security is simply ridiculous.