Chapter 176: Team Rocket Turned Into Pikachu, Zapdos Reappears!

After watching the White Light Curtain, they prepared to watch the Black Light Curtain.

Black Satoshi's group encountered the Beautiful Flower and King Flower, who were fighting over territory, on the wide grassland.

They had Bulbasaur with them, which could be used to mediate.

Plus Ash's Aura power easily resolved their conflict.

They also met Xiao Li, who wanted to create magic to understand Pokémon feelings.

With Ash's group's help, she finally succeeded, but Team Rocket interrupted midway, accidentally becoming the test subjects, and Musashi and James turned into Pikachu.

"Musashi and James both turned into Pikachu, Meowth?"

Meowth's eyes widened, hardly believing what was happening before them; this sudden magical transformation was beyond imagination, Musashi and James actually turned into Pikachu!!!

"Good heavens, you brats, what did you do to me? How did I turn into a Pikachu??"

Musashi saw the mirror Meowth handed over, and upon seeing herself now looking like the Pikachu they had longed for, she couldn't help but widen her eyes and shout angrily.

By contrast, James's reaction was much calmer.

Although he was also a bit surprised, he was more curious. He reached out to gently touch the fur on his head, then the swaying tail behind him, his eyes gleaming with an inquisitive light.

Could I really have turned into a Pikachu?

Does that mean I also have the ability to generate electricity? Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel excited, even starting to imagine a unique showdown with Meowth!

Seeing Musashi and Meowth looking at him, James realized he was getting too excited, so he also joined in spraying Ash.

"Don't you guys like Pikachu? Now you've all turned into Pikachu—aren't you surprised and happy?"

Ash raised his eyebrows, watching the various reactions of Team Rocket turned into Pikachu, and curled the corner of his mouth in a teasing smile.

The watching Team Rocket trio were startled at once—that was a sign the brats were up to mischief!

"Yeah, you've been following us all along just for Pikachu, right? You've been yelling for Pikachu all day, and now you all have Pikachu, and you've even turned into Pikachu yourselves—what's wrong, don't you like it?"

Xiaoxia crossed her arms and grinned.

"Meowth, aren't you happy? Now you have two Pikachu!"

Brock looked at the astonished Meowth.

"Pika?"

Pikachu hopped up to Musashi and James, tilting its head, curiously sizing up these two beings that resembled it. Three pairs of eyes met in the air, and Musashi and James could read abundant curiosity in Pikachu's eyes.

They understood each other silently, realizing this was a perfect opportunity—since Pikachu approached on its own, why not seize the chance to catch it?

Thinking of this, Musashi and James almost simultaneously lunged toward Pikachu.

However, they forgot that they were now Pikachu-sized; their movements were far less agile than before, and they were tiny.

This lunge not only failed to hit Pikachu, but instead threw them off balance, causing them to crash heavily to the ground.

"Pika(? o?)?"

Pikachu watched Musashi and James suddenly collapse, a flash of surprise and confusion crossing its eyes.

For a moment, the surroundings fell unusually quiet, only Pikachu's cries and the distant wind audible.

Musashi struggled to get up from the ground, brushed off the dust, and turned her gaze to Meowth beside her: "Meowth, hurry up and grab that Pikachu!"

Her tone carried a hint of urgency and command.

Meowth stood frozen in place, still not recovered from the earlier incident.

Hearing Musashi's shout, it jumped in shock, preparing to act, but saw Pikachu already gathering power; a dazzling bolt of electricity sliced through the air, striking them directly, shocking them into a shudder, and then they flew far away.

"Meowth!" Musashi and James shouted in unison, their eyes full of shock and helplessness.

"Meowth, why are you so braindead!"

"Don't worry, this magic will wear off; just be patient."

Ash said thoughtfully.

"What a horrible feeling!"*3

Team Rocket shouted their catchphrase.

Team Rocket left, Ash's group also said goodbye to Xiao Li, then continued traveling while training.

One day, Pikachu was hopping up and down the tree, training its speed, when it suddenly felt a strong surge of electricity.

"Pika!"

Pikachu jumped back onto Ash's shoulder.

From the moment that strong electricity appeared, Ash also sensed it.

That was Zapdos's waveform.

"Come on, let's go see Zapdos!"

Ash took Xiaoxia and Brock along.

"Zapdos appeared here?"

Brock exclaimed in surprise, he had never seen Zapdos before.

All they'd heard was Professor Oak saying they'd encountered Lugia and the Three Sacred Birds in the Orange Islands, and also that Ash had caught the eye of a saintess.

Ash nodded; last time they hadn't battled Zapdos, this time they'd give it a try!