Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

"You can't go far by relying on luck alone."

Xiao Hao often visits Sakuragi's research lab, so he knows some information that isn't strictly confidential.

Just like Ash is able to see and experience all sorts of things at Professor Oak's lab.

"...No matter how you look at it, I'm better than you, right?" Ash looked at Goh...Where did he get the guts to challenge me?

The first Pokémon to catch is Mew?

That proves you don't even have any Pokémon right now.

Seeing this, Dr. Sakuragi quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Haha, it's a good thing that young people are energetic."

"Xiao Hao is also a very promising trainer."

"Satoshi, you guys came here this time because of Lt. Surge, right?"

Dr. Sakuragi successfully changed the subject.

The truth is that Ma Zhishi is far more important than Xiao Hao; this guy is not worth paying attention to at all.

Ash's attention was immediately drawn back, and his expression became serious: "Yes, Professor Sakuragi."

"You probably already know about the Pokémon Center. We'd like to learn more about Mr. Lt. Surge and the Vermilion City Gym."

Xiao Zhi didn't say he wanted to deal with Lt. Surge.

This is simply impossible.

To deal with Lt. Surge, the dojo master, at least the League prosecutors would need to be involved to have the authority to impeach him.

Not only must one have status and position, but also real ability.

For example, if Lance, the Pokémon Investigator and Elite Four member, comes to inspect a gym, Lt. Surge will have no choice but to obey.

That's hilarious, they can't beat them at all.

Seeing that Ash wasn't responding to his comment and was instead chatting with the professor about serious matters, Goh felt ignored and reluctantly chimed in:

"Although Lt. Surge is strict, his Raichu strength is beyond doubt."

"Only trainers who have passed his test deserve the orange badge."

"My goal is also to gain his approval as soon as possible!"

His words sounded like he was agreeing with Ma Xueshi, but in reality, he was still emphasizing his own abilities and goals.

Ash finally looked at him directly this time, his eyes sharpening: "Strict testing and the abuse of force to undermine a trainer's confidence are two different things."

"My friend and his pangolin almost lost all faith because of his 'test'."

Xiao Zhi thought of Xiao Ming.

I had high hopes for him, but I don't know if he'll be discouraged by Ma Ts's actions.

Xiao Zhi thinks Xiao Ming should be able to get over this psychological gap.

But this will undoubtedly waste some time.

Xiaohao was taken aback by Xiaozhi's sudden serious demeanor and couldn't find the words to refute him for a moment.

Chapter 59 Let's give Xiao Hao's qualification to Xiao Ming~

Professor Sakuragi sighed and nodded solemnly: "Ash is right, Lt. Surge's ideas are indeed too extreme."

“Let’s go… I’ll go and tell M. S..”

As Professor Sakuragi spoke, he led Ash and the others into the inner room.

In a sense, Dr. Sakuragi's status is actually equivalent to that of Maslow.

Dr. Sakuragi is qualified to have an equal dialogue with Maslow.

Xiao Hao watched their retreating figures, especially Xiao Zhi's attitude that seemed to completely disregard him.

He clenched his fist in resentment and muttered, "Hmph, Ash from Pallet Town... I'm the better one."

Ash, who was walking ahead, focused all his attention on Professor Sakuragi.

As for this boy named Xiaohao, in his eyes he was just one of the "common, somewhat arrogant rookie trainers" that Xiaoxia mentioned.

and many more……

—Perhaps we could introduce Xiaoming, the Beastmaster, to Professor Sakuragi?

Xiao Zhi thought this matter had potential.

Rather than letting this [Dog-Hao] become Professor Sakuragi's chosen Pokémon Trainer, it would be better to replace him with the diligent and hardworking Xiaoming.

“Professor,” Ash spoke up at the right moment, his tone sincere, “Actually, on the way here, we met a local trainer from Vermilion City named Xiaoming, who called himself a ‘Beast Tamer’.”

"Oh?" Dr. Sakuragi slowed his pace slightly, showing interest.

"Although he only used Sandshrew, through solid training and unique tactics, he achieved a winning streak of one hundred games in the wild," Ash continued, emphasizing his potential.

"He is very talented, trains hard, and has a strong will."

“I think he is a trainer with great potential and ideas, but he lacks a better platform and guidance.”

Xiao Zhi can't offer much help, but he can at least say a few words in support.

After listening, Dr. Sakuragi nodded thoughtfully: "A local from Konoha City, talented and hardworking... such a young man is indeed worth paying attention to."

"Thank you for the information, Xiao Zhi."

"I'll keep an eye on this 'Beastmaster Xiao Ming'."

Dr. Sakuragi has indeed not yet conducted a large-scale screening of new candidates due to limited energy, but he is naturally happy to consider outstanding candidates if recommended.

After all, the Sakuragi Research Institute was only established not long ago.

Although Dr. Sakuragi is very hardworking, human energy is limited.

As for why Xiaohao was chosen now?

The main reason is that Professor Sakuragi doesn't have time to select talent, but as a Pokémon professor, he has to select new trainers.

It just so happens that Xiaohao is a friend of Xiaochun, Xiaohao's daughter.

Then just pick one.

If a better candidate is found, the replacement can be made.

After all, as a Pokémon professor, one has a great deal of power and freedom.

These words were overheard by Xiao Hao, who was following behind and eavesdropping.

His face immediately turned ugly, his lips pressed tightly together, and a sense of resentment welled up in his heart.

Ash from Pallet Town has not only stolen the professor's attention, but now he's even recommending others to take what might have been his.

But he couldn't refute it at that moment, so he could only suppress his anger and follow at the back in a sullen mood.

How could he possibly interfere with Dr. Sakuragi's choice?

Enter the inner room.

Professor Sakuragi established communication with the Vermilion Gym.

The screen lit up, revealing Maslow's dazzling blond hair and his face with a wild smile.

"Yo!"

"Sakuragi!"

"What a rare guest! Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Does your research finally require the help of a powerful gym leader like me to test it?"

"Hahaha!" Ma Xueshi's voice was loud and clear, like thunder.

He was clearly a little surprised to receive the message from Dr. Sakuragi.

However, Mascherano didn't seem to mind at all.

Although one of them belongs to the gym leader camp and the other to the academic camp.

Both of these individuals belong to the Kuroba City faction.

The better the city of Kureha develops, the more beneficial it will be for both of them.

In essence, there is no conflict of interest between the two of them.

In fact, both of them could be considered among the four people with the highest actual power in the city.

The other two are Miss Joey and Miss Officer Jenny.

Some people may find this surprising, but it's the truth.

Despite being nominally the city's top official, the mayor's status is actually lower than theirs.

Professor Sakuragi pushed up his glasses and laughed.

"You couldn't be more right."

“Master Ma Sze Shih, if there is such a need, I will definitely contact you immediately.”

"I just heard a lot of complaints from Nurse Joy at the Pokémon Center. The number of trainers and Pokémon injured in gym challenges has surged recently, and she is under a lot of pressure."

"Considering that Miss Joey might be embarrassed to say it, I think it would be better if I communicated with you."

Dr. Sakuragi found a suitable reason.

In a sense, he and Marge are both men, while Officer Jenny and Joey are both women.

They do indeed have more in common and get along better.

"Hahaha!" Upon hearing this, Ma Xueshi not only felt no remorse, but burst into laughter.

"There's nothing we can do, Doctor!"

"The ones who've been coming lately are all weaklings; they can't take a beating at all!"

"It's so boring that it can't even withstand one-tenth of my Raichu's power, so I couldn't help but... get a little serious!"

Despite saying that, he still waved his hand.

"Alright, alright, since Miss Joey has complained, I'll be more careful from now on."

The Nurse Joy family is very powerful within the Pokémon League.

After all, all of Miss Joy come from the same family, spanning multiple alliances.

Similar to Miss Joy, there is also Miss Officer Jenny's family... which also spans multiple alliances.

at this time.

Lt. Surge's sharp gaze swept over the boys around Professor Sakuragi, finally settling on Ash, especially the electric mouse on his shoulder.

Lt. Surge's smile became even more aggressive, with a hint of amusement—he had made such a big show of things just to wait for Ash.

You can't just deliberately target Ash and fight him alone, can you?

But if he beat up all the newcomers during this period, wouldn't that seem much more reasonable?

Lt. Surge doesn't want to wake up one night to find Professor Oak in a masked suit of armor and attack him...

They were too embarrassed to say anything after being hit.

He may look rugged, but he's not stupid.

"Hey kid!" Lt. Surge pointed directly at Ash through the screen, "You're the Pallet Town kid that Bill mentioned, the one who saw a giant Dragonite and dared to look it in the eye, right?"

Ash met his gaze without flinching: "It's me."

"Interesting!" Lance Tse licked his lips, as if he had spotted some interesting prey. "Luck and courage alone aren't enough!"

"I'll be waiting for you at the Vermilion City Gym!"

He paused, his voice carrying a strong sense of challenge, yet also offering a promise: "Come on, let me properly 'weigh' your worth!"

"If your performance satisfies me..."

He glanced at Professor Sakuragi and said, "I'll stop immediately regarding what you just said, Professor."

"How about it?"

This undoubtedly places pressure and responsibility directly on Xiaozhi.