Chapter 10

【Ash】: "Still, pretending to join Team Rocket, my other-world self still easily defeated them, hahaha."

【Xiaomao】: "You're far behind Black World Ash, look at how they do it, they never even put the Team Rocket Trio in their eyes."

【Professor Oak】: "Although I don't really want to criticize Ash, Black Satoshi thought comprehensively, considering that his partner's Poké Ball is not suitable for land battles, and also thinking that Poké Ball battles would damage the Poké Ball Center, he deliberately moved the battlefield outside."

【Dan Emperor】: "It's rare that someone so young can stay so calm facing a criminal team, and think so thoroughly, both preserving the Poké Ball Center and successfully defeating Team Rocket."

"Why, why are we in Black World so easily fooled by that brat, actually believing his words about joining Team Rocket?"

"Brat, just be proud, don't give us a chance to snatch your Pikachu."

Musashi's anger surged up, seeing that our Black World self was actually fooled by those hateful brats, and in front of so many people, we might not be laughed to death by our Team Rocket teammates, maybe even be despised by Boss Sakaki.

No, from now on we must work harder, strive to catch Pikachu and give it to Boss Sakaki.

"I still have to work today, I won't bother with that brat for now, there will be plenty of opportunities later."

Kojiro has become more diligent, needing to earn enough funds, otherwise we really won't have money to catch Pikachu.

"I also need to work hard to make an even more powerful Meowth machine."

Meowth looked serious; now their Team Rocket regards capturing Pikachu as their first mission.

After Black World Ash resolved the crisis, he returned to the Poké Ball Center to inform Xiaoxia and Miss Joy.

The next day, Ash went to the store to buy insect repellent spray, then brought Xiaoxia to Evergreen Forest for training.

"Xiaoxia, use this insect repellent spray, so the Caterpie won't dare approach you."

Ash handed the insect repellent spray to Xiaoxia.

He walked over to the bushes and looked, and indeed saw a fated Caterpie.

"Pikachu, do you see the Caterpie ahead?"

"Pika pi~"

Pikachu nodded, understanding Ash's meaning.

Xiaoxia stayed far away, still holding the insect repellent spray Ash gave her, spraying it around.

Pikachu gave the Caterpie a shock.

The Caterpie had just lifted its head when it saw a yellow flash pass before it, and then everything went black.

Ash's Poké Ball popped open with a click, he threw it and captured the Caterpie.

He released the Caterpie, and they got to know each other.

Pika!

Pikachu personally applied medicine to the Caterpie, looking apologetic; from now on we're all friends!!!

Chii chii~

The Caterpie looked at Ash and Pikachu, responding blankly.

At that moment, a Pidgeotto spotted the Caterpie, but was still knocked down by the vigilant Pikachu, and just like the Caterpie, was captured by Ash.

"Xiaoxia, the Caterpie isn't that scary, it's small and still cute."

Ash comforted Xiaoxia; although he sprayed insect repellent around, few bug-type Poké Balls appeared, but Xiaoxia still feared that a bug-type Poké Ball might suddenly rush out on the road.

"... No."

Xiaoxia glanced at the Caterpie a few times, still unable to accept.

Ash then, on the way to Nibi City, brought Pidgeotto and Caterpie to train; the Poké Balls they passed basically all sparred with Pidgeotto and Caterpie, and the strong wild Poké Balls were left to Pikachu.

After a morning of walking and training, Ash led by example, training together with his Poké Balls.

Xiaoxia followed behind, silently watching Ash, feeling a surge of emotion.

Along the way, Ash trained himself, his Poké Balls trained, and she had never seen such a hardworking trainer.

After training, Pidgeotto's combat power increased greatly, and the Caterpie evolved into a Metapod.

Ash smiled and reached out to touch its hard shell.

"Metapod, rest first, then leave it to us."

Ash recalled the Metapod into its Poké Ball and continued toward Nibi City.

During that time, Team Rocket came again to find Ash, wanting to snatch Pikachu, and then to teach him a lesson.

Just thinking about how Ash had outsmarted them the previous night, they felt indignant; they were the fearsome Team Rocket, yet were dealt with by a snot-nosed brat, which is practically a disgrace to their Team Rocket careers.

Even in a head-on battle, Team Rocket's two humans and one cat are no match for Ash; Pikachu and Pidgeotto would beat Arbok, Weezing, and Meowth into confusion.

Thus Team Rocket finally realized that this brat truly had strength, and they again felt Pikachu's power, while solidifying their determination to capture Pikachu.

"This hateful brat who deceived our feelings, we must definitely get revenge on him!"

"That brat's Pikachu is strong; the moves Pikachu uses are extraordinary, whether speed or power, they're vastly different from the Pikachu on the roadside; if we could snatch it and give it to the boss, we would surely achieve great merit."

"It would definitely help the boss; maybe the boss will then give us a reward!"

After the Team Rocket Trio fled, they excitedly plotted a plan to capture Pikachu.

After driving off Team Rocket, the two humans and one mouse passed by a patch of grass when

"Ha!!!"

By the roadside, a boy in warrior attire suddenly leapt out, an insect-catching net hanging on his back.

He drew his blade and slashed at the two people and the rat.

Ah~

Facing the warrior boy's sudden attack, Xiaoxia screamed in terror, her eyes widening instantly, her hands instinctively reaching forward, wanting to tightly grab Ash beside her, wanting to pull Ash along to dodge.

But before she could get Ash away, she realized Ash had shielded her behind him.

A piercing scream rang out in the air, coming from the warrior boy. While shielding Xiaoxia, Ash moved with abnormal speed, gripping the warrior boy's wrist to prevent his slash.

The warrior boy hadn't expected Ash to have such agility; he tried to break free of Ash's hold, but the more he struggled, the more intense the pain in his wrist became.

"Let go..." the warrior boy's face flushed red.

Ash drew his katana and released his grip.

The samurai youth stepped back a few steps, his pupils showing a hint of fear.

"Why did you ambush us?"

Ash looked at the samurai youth, thinking this guy couldn't possibly be sent by Team Rocket, could he?

Pikachu's cheeks sparked with electricity.

If Ash hadn't stopped him, Pikachu would have used 100,000 Volts the moment he jumped out.

【Brock: Tsk tsk, Black Satoshi is way too thoughtful, knowing Xiaoxia is afraid of bugs and even bought her insect repellent, and even protected Xiaoxia when facing the samurai youth's attack—I ought to learn from him.】

【Hanako: Ash, you should also learn from Black Satoshi, don't be like a clueless wooden block; care more and pay attention to your friends.】

【Ash: Mm-hmm, I will.】

Ash hurriedly agreed, lest another dark history resurface.