Chapter 193: The Tortured Hunter Brothers, the Magnificent Professor Oak!

The Poké Ball Hunter Trio before them was completely scorched, beaten black and blue, missing several teeth, their clothes torn to shreds; seeing them, they looked like saviors, and mumbled a plea for help.

This was the first time seeing the hunter trio beaten like this!

"Did you do this?"

Officer Jenny looked somewhat stern, gazing at Ash and his group; her eyes swept the surroundings, noticing the environment was very messy, especially the machine—parts scattered here and there—and black smoke was rising, clearly from a recent explosion.

"Yes." Ash nodded.

"Officer Jenny, we are legitimately..."

Xiaoxia was about to explain, but hadn't finished before Officer Jenny interrupted her.

"Nice work!"

Officer Jenny looked delighted at Ash and his group, praising their actions greatly: "The Poké Ball Hunter Brothers specialize in stealing Poké Balls; such punishment is light for them. Later I'll arrest them and put them in prison, where they'll likely spend a very long time."

"I wish the punishment could be harsher. Officer Jenny, did you sense we were in danger and come specially to support us? I'm overwhelmed by your favor, unable to repay, and can only offer myself."

Brock and the others had just been focused on dealing with the hunter trio and hadn't called Officer Jenny.

Isn't this repaying kindness with betrayal?

Officer Jenny didn't answer Brock's latter remark, wondering: "Wasn't it you who called to notify me to come? And you said to take our time getting here."

Huh?

No, their attention was entirely on the hunter trio; they weren't calling Officer Jenny.

Ash looked toward the distant sky; the hot air balloon floating there had vanished.

"That must have been a passing kind Trainer who reported it!"

Wooden Head analyzed, though he didn't dwell on who reported it; the most important thing now is to first deal with the hunter trio.

"Get up, go lie back in prison!"

Officer Jenny gave the hunter trio a cold glance, threw them into the police car, showing no pity whatsoever, and even wanted to continue letting Ash attack them.

"Finally free!"

The hunter trio curled up in the police car, their faces full of exhaustion and regret; for the first time they felt that being in the police car meant safety, at least no longer having to face Ash's terrifying torment. Recalling their previous clashes with Ash, they still felt lingering fear.

Pikachu's electric shock, Charizard's flames, Blastoise's icy breath, Bulbasaur's whip strikes, and Ash's punches were nothing short of a nightmare; these tactics made them seem even more like villains than the trio themselves.

Never expecting to kick an iron plate, they ended up turning themselves in to prison.

Watching the police car drive away, Ash and his group guessed that the Team Rocket Trio had reported it.

"The Team Rocket Trio did another good deed!"

Ash gently rubbed his slightly sore shoulder from exerting too much force beating the hunter trio, curled the corner of his mouth into a faint smile, and made a light tease about the Team Rocket Trio's behavior this time.

"I hope the Team Rocket always does good deeds; with their intelligence, if they used it on the right path, I can't imagine how great it would be!"

Brock began to dream, actually wishing the Team Rocket would turn over a new leaf.

【Wuzang: Wishful thinking, we remain forever loyal to Team Rocket, absolutely not going to be turned!】

【Xiàocìláng: Exactly, those three little brats still want to turn us, really overestimating themselves; although we're weaker than them in strength, in belief we're second to none!】

【Meowth: I haven't even replaced that cat boss beside Boss Sakaki yet, and I haven't gotten a promotion, meow!】

【Xiba: No, not necessarily; the Black World Team Rocket Trio is more clear-headed than you, although they still do bad things, most of their misdeeds are aimed at Black Satoshi; when they see things like the Poké Ball poaching gang, they also secretly, though they protest, help Black Satoshi; and during the previous world crisis in the Orange Islands, the Team Rocket Trio actually drew the attention of the Legendary Birds, buying time for Ash!】

Such help, we've long seen through them!

Complex and multifaceted, they have both a kind side and a side seeking recognition and success within Team Rocket.

Ash thinks the same; the Team Rocket Trio still has a bit of conscience, but not much—more so they're focused on themselves, always eyeing his Pikachu covetously!

Tch, the word 'kind' doesn't suit them!

Wuzang saw Xiba's comment and disdainfully curled his lip.

Regarding Xiba's words, Xiàocìláng couldn't refute them, nor did he want to; after all, it was a world crisis, they couldn't remain aloof, so they helped Ash.

Black World—

After settling the Poké Ball poaching gang, Ash brought Larvitar and found Bengal Ras.

This time there was no conflict between them, just a simple reunion; Larvitar and Bengal Ras shared a wonderful telepathic bond, instantly recognizing each other.

Seeing Ash about to leave, Larvitar became extremely reluctant, tightly gripping Ash's pant leg, eyes full of attachment; since it was still an egg, Ash had always been by its side, giving it meticulous care and attention.

Thus, Larvitar developed a deep dependence on Ash, neither wanting to leave its mother Bengal Ras nor wanting to part from Ash.

"Larvitar, do you really want to go with me?"

Faced with Larvitar's hesitation and reluctance, Ash gently squatted, his eyes full of understanding and care.

Upon hearing this, Larvitar first nodded, but then immediately showed a worried expression and shook its head.

"I know you don't want to leave your mother, but I have a great place where you can live together; there are many more Poké Balls, and there you can also see Venusaur and the others!"

Ash rubbed Larvitar's head.

Larvitar's eyes instantly lit up.

Bengal Ras trusted Ash, bringing its son back to Silver Mountain; and in this Trainer's presence it felt an indescribable sense of closeness, as well as a feeling that allowed it to place complete trust.

Furthermore, Ash and his group treat their Poké Balls with extreme care and cherishment, which is evident from their close interactions.

Both mother and child were captured by Ash; since he already carried six Poké Balls, Bengal Ras and Larvitar, after being captured, were sent to Professor Oak's research institute.

"Sorry to trouble you, Professor Oak!"

Ash suddenly thought that Larvitar seemed able to eat a lot, probably able to eat an entire mountain's worth of dirt!

"No problem! Professor Oak already raises so many Poké Balls; a couple more won't matter!"

"Just trust Professor Oak and you'll be fine!"