Chapter 241: Departure! Rich Origin Region!

Black World—

The Three Sacred Beasts brought Chengzi and Zongci down, and Marill also came to Ash's side; its calm expression had already changed several times, its orange-red eyes darting back and forth between Ash and Pikachu.

It slipped into Ash's shadow, understood the feelings of the one it had entered, and felt only a sincere heart toward Poké Ball.

All eyes turned toward Ash.

Ash looked up and threw a Poké Ball.

The Poké Ball popped open with a 'bang,' and a burst of rainbow light shone forth.

Whoa—Oh!!

Ho-Oh appeared before everyone, its rainbow light scattering over the mountain.

"Ho-Oh, I have now fulfilled my promise to you, becoming the Rainbow Hero—surely I can now capture you!"

Ash looked at Ho-Oh.

"Yes, the Rainbow Hero I have recognized can naturally capture me!"

Ho-Oh looked at all the Poké Ball beside Ash, a hint of satisfaction appearing in its eyes: "Your bond with the Poké Ball companions beside you is deep, something I have rarely seen; being captured by you, I willingly accept."

Afterwards, it looked toward Lugia, feeling nostalgic: "That child also follows you..."

"Yeah, it's still a child, doesn't understand many things, and was even targeted by Team Rocket, but now it's fine."

Ash stroked the Lugia beside him.

Feeling Ash's delicate emotions, Lugia's bright eyes sparkled with joy, the corners of its mouth slightly lifted, revealing a delighted smile.

It hugged Ash tightly, constantly rubbing its cheeks against his.

Lugia has grown a bit, but still falls short of its normal size.

Ho-Oh pays attention to Lugia because they were once neighbors, one living in the Bell Tower, the other in the Tin Tower.

However, many things happened in between: the Tin Tower caught fire, Lugia summoned a torrential rain that extinguished the blaze, Ho-Oh then revived those three Poké Ball, and the humans who witnessed all this feared Ho-Oh's power, launching an attack against it, causing Lugia and Ho-Oh to lose hope in humanity.

Afterwards, Lugia resided in the Whirl Islands, Ho-Oh began traveling the world. And lo and behold, it happened to meet a boy with a Pikachu, silently watching him and his Pikachu grow all the way.

So that's how it is.... Ash realized, understanding why that Lugia, which holds a divine position, resides in the Whirl Islands.

"They can also follow you...."

The Three Sacred Beasts nearby were also defeated by Ash, and along the way they saw the bond between Ash and his Poké Ball, they were convinced and expressed that they too could be captured.

Ho-Oh originally wandered the world; now traveling together with Ash is the same.

"Am I not dreaming?!"

Chengzi saw Ash capture the Three Sacred Beasts again, and moreover the Three Sacred Beasts expressed they could actively score a goal.

It truly left her stunned; Ash is going to defy heaven!!!

Zongci was dumbfounded; the Flaming Emperor he had painstakingly sought to capture was actually captured by Ash.

【Shangye: Flaming Emperor was captured???】

【Shuijing: Water Ruler also captured by Black Satoshi! All captured by Black Satoshi???】

They each wanted to capture Flaming Emperor and Water Ruler, but now Ash inside the Black Light Screen alone captured the Three Sacred Beasts.

Is that the recognized Rainbow Hero?

【Xiba: Watching Black Satoshi grow along the way, seeing him capture Ho-Oh, I still feel amazed—so many legendary Poké Ball, and several of them even hold divine positions!】

【Da Wu: Few trainers are recognized by divine beasts; Ash encountered so many divine beasts, almost all were recognized, right? The Lugia in the Orange Islands that wasn't captured deliberately let Ash sit on its back, taking him around the Orange Islands scenery.

As for the Three Sacred Birds, now we can let Black Satoshi teach them a lesson!】

Black World—

This trip to the Yunying Mountains, Ash gained a bountiful harvest—not only completing all trials of the Rainbow Hero, but also bringing back several legendary Poké Ball.

Even Marill followed Ash, it slipped into Ash's shadow, rarely making a sound.

Pikachu was very curious about it; when battling Marill, it saw that it could imitate and steal its own boosted abilities and moves, and its form could also change.

The belated Team Rocket Trio appeared before the three of them, sincerely triggering their combo moves, but Ash interrupted their combo.

The Team Rocket Trio had just appeared when Latios restrained them with psychic power, and Pikachu also unleashed their favorite 100,000 Volts.

The Team Rocket Trio was just blasted away like that!

"From now on, be careful of Team Rocket when out and about!"

Ash spoke out the misdeeds of Team Rocket; encountering the Team Rocket Trio is fine, but if he met Team Rocket executives, it could get tough!

Chengzi and Zongci nodded in realization, knowing those three guys had just come over to clown around.

After mutual farewells, Latios let Ash sit on its back, wanting to let him experience ultra‑high‑speed flight!

A low hum!

With a sudden surge of a swift and powerful airflow, Latios's streamlined elegant posture instantly soared upward.

Hearing that Latios's flight speed is great, Ash leaned forward and firmly gripped its neck, while Pikachu grabbed Ash.

A mournful cry!

Latios's cheeks turned red as it let out a clear, slightly shy cry, like an arrow released from a bow, it darted toward Pallet Town, its silhouette tracing a beautiful arc in the sky.

The sonic boom suddenly rang out; Latios was like a lightning bolt tearing across the sky, instantly vanishing above the mountaintop, leaving only a trailing wake that lingered in the air.

"Damn brat, badmouthing us again in front of others."

Musashi protested for the Team Rocket Trio in the Black World.

The strength difference between Black Satoshi and the Team Rocket Trio is huge; saying this feels quite normal.... Xiaoxiaolang thought, not speaking up, otherwise Musashi would scold him!

Meowth wore a bitter expression; the brats in the Black and White World are all stronger than them, making it harder and harder to capture Pikachu.

But no matter how strong they are, the Team Rocket Trio's advantage isn't strength—it's perseverance!

"Pikachu!"

Ash glanced at the Black Light Screen, then at Pikachu, eyes full of confidence: "We can become just as strong!"

"Pika‑pi!"

Seeing itself so powerful in the Black Light Screen, Pikachu's expression hardened; it resolved to give its all in every battle from now on, never holding back again.

Latios of Odomare saw itself in the Black Light Screen, flying and playing together with Ash.

"Wuu!"

Latios stared, its eyes filled with longing.

Black World —

Bang!

Sonic booms rang out along the way.

Professor Da Mu heard it just outside the lab, immediately ran out, and saw Ash return.

Ash stayed in Pallet Town for a week, spending time at home with his mom Hanako and playing to his heart's content with the Poké Ball.

"Young Base Las, your appetite is almost catching up to Kabi Beast!"

Ash hugged Young Base Las; about half of the food Professor Da Mu sent over was eaten by it and the Kabi Beast—this appetite is truly terrifying.

"Yo~!"

Young Base Las finished eating, hearing Ash say that, it felt a bit embarrassed, thinking Ash was praising it.

"Haha, you're still young, eat more—anyway you can't make Professor Da Mu go bankrupt!"

Seeing Young Base Las's cute appearance, Ash smiled and continued playing with it.

The Poké Ball Ash had captured had huge appetites; that one Poké Ball's appetite could match that of ten or twenty ordinary Poké Ball.

Professor Da Mu felt no pressure either; he only hoped Ash would capture more Poké Ball back and record more Poké Ball data himself.

Such a heavy Young Base Las saying lift and it lifts—truly perverted!

Professor Da Mu thought.

Not only Professor Da Mu thought so; everyone who saw this scene thought the same.

Time passed quickly, and Ash prepared to travel to the Johto Region.

No boat tickets needed; a map plus Latios is enough.

"Departure, goal is the Johto Region!"

Ash bent down to sit on Latios, Pikachu's bright eyes fixed firmly ahead, already eager to reach the Johto Region.

"Pika‑pi!"