Chapter 177

【Xiangtai: The Thunder Bird in the lake shouldn't be the one that only has divine priests from the Orange Islands, right? It's like that Lugia, belonging to the population.】

【Wusong: Probably so. The Thunder Bird from the Orange Islands is really aggressive; moreover, its electricity is endless. It doesn't need to absorb electricity like that Thunder Bird does, and it's not that strong.】

【Xiaosong: Thunder Bird and Raikou are the same level, right? I think Black Satoshi wants to battle the Thunder Bird to gain some battle experience, so he can pass Raikou's trial.】

【Xiaomao: Enough caution! Black Satoshi also just wants to battle the Thunder Bird. Encountering a legendary Pokémon like the Thunder Bird, anyone would be excited and want to battle it.】

【Shui Jing: Divine beast affinity is maxed out!!!】

Watching Black Satoshi stride eagerly toward the Thunder Bird, preparing to launch an exhilarating battle, Ash couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret.

Silently pondering, if Team Rocket hadn't suddenly appeared to cause trouble and steal that crucial crystal, then he would surely be able to stand opposite the Thunder Bird now, challenging that legendary Pokémon.

Pikachu seemed to sense Ash's feelings, it gently wagged its tail, eyes flashing with anticipation. Pikachu also wanted to battle the Thunder Bird.

Engaging in fierce exchanges with the Thunder Bird, each clash tests Pikachu's speed and strength to the limit; each dodge lets it more keenly spot the opponent's openings.

Such battles not only hone Pikachu's combat skills but also unleash its potential, making it invincible on the road ahead.

Reality is always full of variables. The appearance of Team Rocket shattered this long-anticipated battle. They stole the crystal, and the Thunder Bird, being in a weakened state at this time, couldn't retaliate against Team Rocket, so they had no chance to engage the Thunder Bird.

Black World—

"Again, you guys, Team Rocket!"

Ash was shocked to see Team Rocket being chased by the Thunder Bird, with bolts of lightning continually striking at them.

Sure enough, the old man kept using the reflective skill, bouncing back the Thunder Bird's lightning bolt by bolt, but this only made the already weakened Thunder Bird even more powerless after discharging all that useless electricity.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket seemed not to notice this sign, only focusing on fleeing desperately; in the panic, they happened to bump into Ash and his companions.

Seeing Team Rocket up to no good again, Pikachu sprang forward and used an electric attack on them.

"Again, you little brat!!!" The Team Rocket Trio was hit by a sudden electric shock, trembling as they shouted.

With a bang, Team Rocket was blasted off again, leaving their catchphrase in the air: "What a horrible feeling!"

Ash and his companions watched Team Rocket go off, unable to help but sigh that Team Rocket is truly everywhere, always bringing them trouble.

And the Thunder Bird, from overusing its electric power, became extremely weak.

It now lies on the ground, panting; even in its weakened state, it still watches Ash and his companions warily, though without the hostility it had when looking at Team Rocket earlier.

At this moment, Yu Sha came over, learned that Ash and his companions had driven away Team Rocket, and she reassured Ash by telling him about the Thunder Bird's situation and the reason Team Rocket came here to cause trouble.

It's because this lakeside has a magical crystal that emits electricity; if Electric-type Pokémon soak in it, all injuries and fatigue disappear, so many Electric-type Pokémon go there, including the Thunder Bird.

When the Thunder Bird appears at the lake, it's because its body is relatively weak, as it needs to go to the lake to replenish electricity.

Team Rocket, on the other hand, discovered this crystal and wanted to go seize it, but the Thunder Bird detected them, learned of their actions, became extremely angry, and thus chased Team Rocket, unleashing lightning strikes.

"Hmm, can I go check out that lake? Can I let my Pikachu take a dip?"

Ash looked at Yu Sha, gave Pikachu a bubble bath, to see if it's really that miraculous.

"Of course!"

Yu Sha led Ash and his companions over; the Thunder Bird rested a moment, then also flew over.

So many Poké Ball! Ash happily discovered that many Electric-type Pokémon had gathered on the lake, playing to their heart's content and enjoying leisurely time.

Not only enjoying the electric massage from the lake, but also able to absorb some electricity, which helps build bodily strength, and one's own electricity can increase by a level.

"Pikachu, go over and take a dip!"

Ash sensed a strong electricity, and the source of that electricity was at the bottom of the lake.

"Pikachu!"

Pikachu excitedly jumped into the lake; as soon as it touched the water surface, a seemingly strong but actually gentle electric current surrounded it. This electric current was like Ash giving it a massage, even more comfortable than Ash's massage.

Pikachu swam around the lake, using whatever backstroke and butterfly it could, and happily played with the nearby electric-type Friendship.

Ash stared at the lake without blinking when Yusha introduced him to the ancient relics of Poké Ball at the lake bottom. She explained that the crystals in the relics were ancient products, able to continuously generate electricity for the lake.

While Ash and Yusha were talking, Pikachu swam to the middle of the lake, suddenly noticing the electric current sharply increase, beginning to invade its body.

"Pikachu, don't go to the center, the electric current there is very very fierce."

Yusha, seeing this, hurriedly warned Pikachu not to approach the central area.

"The electric current in the central area will be very fierce; if the body can't withstand it, it will get injured."

The central area of the lake is usually occupied by stronger Poké Ball, for example those whose trait is lightning rod; only they can withstand those currents, but ordinary electric-type Poké Ball find it harder to absorb the current.

"Pikachu?"

Ash and Pikachu simultaneously noticed the abnormality.

That was the lake bottom suddenly bursting out a strong electric current, and those currents, upon bursting, did not attack the surrounding Poké Ball, but purposefully surrounded Pikachu and directly engulfed it.

Everyone seeing this scene were startled, and Yusha was even more dumbfounded.

Turning his head to look at Ash, they discovered that his face showed no panic, and even a hint of delight could be seen.

The Thunderbird resting nearby with eyes closed suddenly opened its eyes, silently gazing at Pikachu.

In less than a minute, Pikachu absorbed those electric currents, and still held an electric ball in its hand.

"Pikachu~chu(≧▽≦)!"

Pikachu happily swam ashore, delighted to discover that it had gone for a swim and accidentally picked up this electric ball. Moreover, with the help of those electric currents just now, its ability to control electric current has greatly improved; now it can be said to have mastered it, able to use electric current as it wishes.

"This electric ball is quite different from the bought one; the electricity it contains is vastly superior, and this electric ball also looks a bit ancient."

Ash carefully sensed the electric ball, discovering it was completely different from an ordinary electric ball. Using wave-guide sensing, he found the electricity contained in this electric ball is comparable to a thunderclap.

Those electric currents that just engulfed Pikachu must have been emitted by it.

"Ancient electric ball!"

Brock exclaimed in surprise, he never imagined that those ultra-ancient tools could have been preserved so perfectly.

"It seems that Pikachu unintentionally resonated with the electric ball, producing some kind of resonance or 'beat', thereby triggering the electric ball's special power."

Brock thought for a moment, probably that's it!