Chapter 168: Golden Carp King!

Having gained experience from hatching Celebi last time, hatching Poké Ball this time went very smoothly.

After traveling for quite some time, Ash sensed movement in the Elf Egg, a sign it was about to hatch.

All eyes focused on the slightly trembling egg, and with a soft yet determined crack, cracks appeared on the shell's surface as a tiny life poked its head out of the fissure.

It was a chubby little elephant.

As its name suggests...... Little Elephant, with big ears, its ears and mouth bearing red stripes.

It looked very cute.

Upon hatching, the Little Elephant showed curiosity and excitement about the new world. It first looked around curiously, then, relying on instinct, accurately found Ash's position and dove into his embrace. Having already grown familiar with Ash's scent during its time in the egg, this warmth and safety from its first companion made it feel completely at ease.

"Little Elephant..."

Ash carefully lifted the Little Elephant, closely observing its every move.

"Pap pap pap"

The Little Elephant replied with its tender voice, nuzzling back and forth in Ash's embrace, as if expressing its affection and reliance on him.

Release all the Poké Ball to meet this new friend.

Pikachu brought the Little Elephant to meet each friend.

"Ba~"

Upon seeing the burly, tall Fire Dragon, the steady and powerful Water Arrow Turtle, and the majestic yet gentle Marvelous Frog Flower, the Little Elephant's eyes flickered with a hint of fear.

Pikachu noticed the Little Elephant's concern, gently tapped it, and introduced the Fire Dragon.

To show friendliness, the Fire Dragon, Water Arrow Turtle, and Marvelous Frog Flower all wore kind smiles.

The Little Elephant trotted over, but unused to controlling its strength and speed, it accidentally couldn't stop, its body rolled up into a round ball and rolled straight into the Fire Dragon's belly.

The Fire Dragon was momentarily puzzled, not expecting this newcomer to greet it in such a way.

But out of instinct, it nudged the Little Elephant back with its belly.

The Little Elephant sat on the ground, looking a bit dazed, but then saw the Fire Dragon's and Water Arrow Turtle's round bellies, its eyes lighting up as if it had found a new toy.

The Little Elephant charged again, lightly bumping the Fire Dragon's belly and bouncing back, this time seeming even more excited, playing happily with each bump and rebound.

Only now did the Fire Dragon feel bewildered.

Pikachu stood aside, blinking in surprise, wondering why this new friend was playing like that.

Little Lugia also came over to play with the Little Elephant, adding another playful companion.

"Roar!"

"Kame!"

Meanwhile, the Fire Dragon and Water Arrow Turtle exchanged a glance and shook their heads helplessly.

Just as the Little Elephant was playing enthusiastically, the Fire Dragon suddenly dodged its roll, causing the Little Elephant to roll into a tree ahead, its face showing displeasure.

Seeing this, Marvelous Frog Flower hurried over to comfort it, gently stroking the Little Elephant's back with its vine whip, just as it had soothed Celebi.

Celebi also ran over, seeing the Little Elephant play like this, found it highly amusing, and wanted to join in. Though small, Celebi tried to bump the Water Arrow Turtle's shell despite its limited strength.

Pikachu, frightened, rushed forward to stop it, fearing Celebi might get hurt.

Nevertheless, Celebi ended up playing and roughhousing with the Little Elephant.

"Pikachu is a bit tired!"

Xiaoxia watched the worried older brother Pikachu, at one moment needing to watch Celebi, the next needing to watch the Little Elephant.

The Fire Dragon and its kin were the same; Marvelous Frog Flower's vine whip was poised to prevent Celebi and them from getting hurt.

"Playing around isn't bad; it can boost feelings." Brock was making lunch.

"I bet the Fire Dragon and its crew think looking after the Little Elephant and Celebi is more exhausting than training!"

Ash smiled, noting that Pikachu and its companions were even more worried than he was—they spent time playing with Celebi and the Little Elephant, then had to comfort them, feeling mentally drained yet still enjoying it.

"Roar!"

The Fire Dragon let out a somewhat aggrieved roar, its tail accidentally pressed under the rolling Little Elephant.

The Little Elephant stopped, blinking its innocent big eyes curiously at the Fire Dragon.

It helplessly shook its head, lifted its tail, and looked at the Little Elephant, wondering why it liked fiddling with its tail so much.

The Water Arrow Turtle was the same—its tail had been pressed several times, and moreover, it couldn't complain; mentioning it would make it cry.

Ash and company had the meal ready. The aroma of the food wafted through the air, drawing the Poké Ball over.

The Little Elephant was having a blast; upon hearing the announcement that the meal was ready, it immediately waddled over, ready to feast.

Pikachu and its friends ate quickly, being too tired.

More exhausting than training!

Three days later, Ash and his party arrived at the lakeside.

They found their Poké Ball feeling a bit listless, low in spirits.

"There's strange electromagnetic waves here."

Through his communication with Pikachu, Ash learned that upon nearing this lake, they would feel somewhat unwell.

Pikachu could still endure, but Celebi had lost its former vigor.

"Could it be Team Rocket up to their tricks again?"

After traveling so long and experiencing many things, Ash immediately thought of Team Rocket.

Having dealt with them often, many bad deeds were their doing.

Moreover, Team Rocket had developed an anger device, making it highly likely that this strange electromagnetic wave was also their creation.

"Blue Croc, are you all right?"

Ash released the Blue Croc.

"Ah golleh~"

The blue crocodile wasn't affected in any way; it understood Ash's meaning and immediately jumped into the lake.

Soon after, Ash heard a commotion coming from the lake surface.

Boom!

That was a golden carp king that had been shot up by a water gun.

"Golden carp king?"