Chapter 167: Black Xiaomao, who's a bit scheming!

Pika pika!

Pikachu gave his glasses to the water cannon turtle, and highly praised its battle just now.

Kame!

The water cannon turtle wasn't overly happy, because it only forced the Water Lord to retreat, didn't completely defeat it, and could feel that the Water Lord hadn't used its full strength, so there was still a considerable gap between them.

Even with the second‑gear Hydro Pump, it still fought rather strained; I'm still not strong enough. Next time… if I come again next time, I'll have to defeat it!

"Ash, you're really amazing!"

Little Pine walked over, with a feeling of emotion, said: Although Ash and the water cannon turtle didn't completely defeat the Water Lord just now, that performance was comparable to the Elite Four.

"It's fine, the Water Lord is really strong; defeating it truly isn't easy, but being able to fight like this is already satisfying."

Ash smiled slightly, patted the water cannon turtle's shell, and said, "Don't lose heart; from now on we'll keep working hard, striving to truly win against the Water Lord next time we battle it!"

Kame! (≧▽≦)

The water cannon turtle declared that it must definitely win, and will go back to practice more.

Pikachu gave a thumbs-up.

"Hah, Water Lord, next time I will definitely capture you!"

Water Capital realized the gap between itself and Ash, and between itself and the Water Lord, secretly made a resolution to capture it next time.

【Water Capital: Still can't find the Water Lord... By the way, Ash, have you found the Phoenix King Water Lord and its companions?】

【Ash: I found them, and even battled them; I'm really happy to have fought them and learned a lot.】

【Water Capital: It's just your luck; I've searched for so long and still haven't found the Water Lord, but I won't give up—I will definitely capture the Water Lord.】

【Little Pine: Keep it up, waiting for your good news!】

【Ya Xuan: Black Satoshi's wave guide power has grown stronger again; this time the unleashed wave guide can amplify the water cannon turtle so much that even the water cannon turtle's wave guide grows along with it.】

【Kaluno: If the water cannon turtle also had a Mega Evolution Stone, wouldn't its strength be amplified even more?】

【Xiaomao: Really, don't even mention it—the Mega Evolved Super Water Cannon Turtle's Ability is Super Launcher; for Pokémon with this Ability, the power of all wave and wave-guide-type moves except Healing Wave is increased by 50%, and with the added boost from wave guide power, one can't even imagine how strong the Super Water Cannon Turtle would be.】

【Xiba: My goodness, this is terrifying; I really wouldn't end up facing Black Satoshi like this at the Silver Conference, and I doubt there will be a Mega Evolution Stone for the water cannon turtle by then.】

【Kenan: You're not scared, are you?】

【Xiba: Even so, I just don't know the measure of Black Satoshi's strength.】

【Yulongdu: Black Satoshi probably won't keep challenging in the Silver Conference, right?】

【Qiba Na: It's highly possible that Black Satoshi might become the Champion of the Johto region!】

Champion!

Ash wants to win the championship and also enjoys the fun of the journey.

Battling strong Trainers, seeing more Poké Ball and things never seen before, and exploring together with the friends who once traveled with him.

Also growing stronger together with Pikachu and the others; his goal has always been to become a Poké Ball Master.

Black World—

Ash and his group happened to be on their way to Kaji Town when they unexpectedly discovered a Poké Ball speed competition.

This competition can be joined together with Tauros!

This competition caught Ash's attention, especially when he thought that his thirty Tauros were very suitable for such an activity. Considering that the surrounding environment was also very suitable for Tauros, Ash decided to let them join the competition as well.

After thinking, he decided to let the Tauros come along.

Xiaoxia and Brock also wanted to join, so they also wanted to borrow the Tauros.

Ash shouted for Professor Oak to send over three Tauros.

As soon as the Tauros were released, Ash was surrounded by them, and then he told them clearly that they were to participate in the Poké Ball speed competition here.

The Tauros immediately agreed excitedly, started running happily on the grass, warming up for the upcoming competition.

At that moment, Team Rocket went to the breeding house to steal Sprite Eggs, happened to pass by where Ash's group was training, and was promptly stopped by Ash, who reclaimed the Sprite Eggs.

Xiaomao also appeared here, and together they sent Team Rocket flying.

After exchanging greetings, Xiaomao also said he would participate in this competition.

During practice, Ash had experience with grass sliding, practiced quickly, and also shared his tips with Xiaoxia and the others.

He felt that competition was good, otherwise he couldn't improve; Xiaomao thought the same. Ash had always put great pressure on him, and it was precisely that pressure that made his progress so fast.

His own grandfather also carefully nurtured Ash, not only because Ash was his student's son, but because he saw Ash's love for Poké Ball.

So he taught Ash Poké Ball knowledge and such.

And Ash did not live up to these expectations; he learned very well, and even in some aspects, Xiaomao still had to learn from Ash.

"I heard Ash has made quite a few friends."

Xiaomao sat down and chatted with Brock.

He learned this from his grandfather Professor Oak: there is also a girl who likes Ash in the Orange Islands, and recently he heard that she went to play in Pallet Town, strolling all over Pallet Town with Aunt Huazi.

Moreover, I heard that another girl came to find Ash, saying that Ash had helped her a lot; she originally intended to come watch Ash's match, but was delayed, and now she has come to Pallet Town to thank him in person.

However, she still missed it.

So she could only chat with Aunt Huazi.

Xiaomao let out a hiss, his face full of emotion.

His gaze fell on Ash not far ahead, seeing him personally teaching Xiaoxia, and the two were quite intimate.

"They probably aren't that simple!"

"Not simple!"

As they talked, Brock even grew envious, wanting an older sister to teach him, wondering whether to choose Miss Joy or Miss Nurse.

Could it be that Ash wants to catch up to me in this regard?

Xiaomao felt a sense of urgency again in his heart.

In other aspects, Ash has already surpassed himself, but in this aspect, Ash actually wants to surpass himself; although Ash initially didn't find a girlfriend, he later rose up, and this momentum needs to prepare to surpass himself.

Well, Ash probably still doesn't know about the family matters, right?

When the time comes, just go back and watch the show from the side!

【Hanako: I feel that I in the Black World am a bit busy!】

【Ash: How come I feel that Black Xiaomao's smile is a bit sinister, maybe thinking of something bad?】

【Xiaomao: I'm not, I didn't, don't talk nonsense!】

【Brock: I think so, probably wants to see Ash embarrass himself.】

【Xiaomao:...】

The next day, the Poké Ball speed competition began.

Without Team Rocket's interference, Ash and his friends could fully focus on the competition, showing their true strength.

All the way, they defeated opponents and secured the top four spots.

Later, only Ash and Xiaomao remained.

Their showdown became the focus of the entire audience.

It relied on the comparison between Kentauro and Wind Speed Dog.

Kentauro exerted its strength, leading with a slight edge, and finally relied on its horns to cross the line first, helping Ash secure the Champion.

"Still a bit short."

Xiaomao couldn't help shaking his head; again, a bit short.

"Haha, just luck; let's battle next time we meet!"

Ash greatly enjoys the rivalry with Xiaomao; facing this lifelong strong opponent, he feels immense pressure, barely manages to catch up, but still feels pressure.

"If we meet again, it'll probably be at the Silver Conference; then send out your strongest Poké Ball, I won't go easy on you!"

Xiaomao paused, then lightly waved at Ash.

Likewise, Ash won and also obtained a Spirit Egg!