Chapter 249

So decisive...... Xiaosheng also likes Wood Guardian, and it's also the first time seeing Ash this actively capture a Poké Ball; last time when facing Swellow, it wasn't like this.

Could that Wood Guardian be different?

Holding a branch, posture agile, it's indeed a bit more handsome than ordinary Wood Guardians, at least much better than the older sister's Torchic, and it won't come over to peck itself.

Several Wood Guardians also came here and told Ash about the situation here.

As it turns out, the Wood Guardian that was just captured has been guarding that big tree that's about to wither, unwilling to leave; now being captured by a trainer is also not bad, at least it won't be alone here.

Guarding its birthplace, well done, Wood Guardian...... Ash released the Wood Guardian, just about to think of how to help it effectively care for the big tree when an uninvited guest appeared!

At this time, the Team Rocket Trio came out to cause trouble again; after defeating the Pokémon hunter Aron last time, they three are full of confidence, this time they came specifically to deal with Ash and capture Pikachu.

The aura had already sensed them, letting Latias use telepathy to silently bind them in place.

Cha—?

Wood Guardian rushed forward, unwelcoming of the Team Rocket Trio who had come to cause trouble and might harm the big tree, preparing to drive them away.

With a flick of its tail, it swatted the Team Rocket Trio away a distance, not letting them get near the big tree.

Seeing the Wood Guardian blocking their way, the Team Rocket Trio immediately had Arbok, Weezing, and Sandslash attack, while the Pikachu beside them unleashed 100,000 Volts at the Team Rocket Trio.

"How familiar this 100,000 Volts is!"

Meowth shouted in fear, the voltage on the iron cage couldn't compare to Pikachu's 100,000 Volts; now hit by Pikachu's 100,000 Volts, his whole body went numb and he couldn't move at all.

Boom!

Finally, with a loud bang, the Team Rocket Trio was again blasted away by 100,000 Volts; their coordination couldn't be shown before Xiao Guitou, who always anticipated them, the gap between the sides being huge, not just ordinary.

The Team Rocket Trio was repelled, but the withered big tree also fell, spreading a gentle force in all directions, along with dozens of seeds, one particularly bright landing before the Wood Guardian, and those forces likewise fell upon them.

The big tree's final gift...... Everyone saw that the tree, before its end, had bestowed its last strength upon the hardworking Wood Guardian.

A high-quality miracle seed...... Ash felt that the miracle seed contained rich Grass-type power.

Pika~

The Wood Guardian stared blankly, its spirit-filled eyes full of disbelief and sorrow, watching helplessly as the once lush big tree now crashed down.

The surrounding Wood Guardian kin witnessed the scene and couldn't help but sigh, their eyes likewise filled with regret and helplessness.

The Wood Guardians had long sensed that this withered tree would meet this day, but they could hardly accept it.

"Wood Guardian, this miracle seed is a gift it gives you."

Ash patted the Wood Guardian on the shoulder.

Pika~

The Wood Guardian picked up the miracle seed, took a long moment to come to, raised its head, and looked at the seeds scattered around.

After carrying the miracle seed on its person, the Wood Guardian silently picked up those seeds, held them carefully in its hands, then planted them around, hoping they would grow.

Ash and his companions helped the Wood Guardian together.

Pika~

Seeing the Trainer accompanying the Wood Guardian help them, the Wood Guardians all felt happy for it, having found a Trainer who could look out for it, and that Pikachu was also friendly toward it, so there was nothing left to worry about!

Zap~

The Lizard King far behind at the Oak Laboratory's backyard wore a nostalgic look; back when it was still a Wood Guardian, it had followed Ash on his travels like this, the events along the way unforgettable—for example, Ash teaching it Seed Machine Gun while eating watermelon, and the heartbreak incident, when it also learned Solar Beam.

Some past events are too painful to recall.

Inside the Black Light Screen, Ash and his party continued onward; since they were walking through the forest, Ash simply released the Wood Guardian and Water Leap Fish, perfectly using their traits for training.

The Wood Guardian leapt about on the trees, moving very fast, while the Water Leap Fish used its fins to sense the Wood Guardian's position, checking whether the Wood Guardian's speed was greater or the Water Leap Fish's sensory radar more accurate.

After trying, the Water Leap Fish's radar sense was faster; facing the agile Wood Guardian, it still held the advantage.

Even though the Wood Guardian was so fast, it got knocked down, its gaze toward the Water Leap Fish turning astonished; Xiaosheng realized the Water Leap Fish could sense the opponent's situation in smoke or low visibility, making the opponent's concealment utterly useless.

If one used a move like Sand Attack to lower accuracy, it would be useless against the Water Leap Fish; the fins on its head are extremely sensitive radar, able to detect surroundings from water or air flow without relying on eyes.

The Team Rocket Trio's sandstorm weather tactic was useless against the Water Leap Fish, and Sandslash's hiding was also useless.

"Let's have the Wood Guardian wear this to train its speed."

Ash took off the Weight Ring he had been wearing on his wrist.

The Wood Guardian glanced at it, wondering how heavy it was; perhaps because it had just been hit by the Water Leap Fish, it felt a strong sense of crisis, though it couldn't match that yellow-skinned mouse, it at least couldn't be the bottom, and immediately told Ash to just give it two.

"Two?"

"Pikachu started with just one, and you want two?"

Ash added two Weight Rings to the Wood Guardian's legs.

Pika~

The Wood Guardian struggled to move its legs, and jumping was no longer easy.

"Train slowly, properly stimulating the inner potential."

The giant tree finally sent out a decent-quality miracle seed; the Wood Guardian wearing it can boost the power of Grass-type moves used by Poké Ball, also help the Wood Guardian use Grass-type moves more skillfully, increasing both the speed and power of those moves.

Seeing Pikachu's tail also fitted with two Weight Rings, running about casually, the Wood Guardian gritted its teeth in silent training, still far behind.

Over several days, the Wood Guardian did nothing but eat, rest, and train; the Proud Bone Swallow and Water Leap Fish were the same.

It rolled up again...... Xiaosheng watched their training routine.

Brock had grown accustomed to it, simply silently handling logistics, and occasionally letting his own Poké Ball participate in training.

Ash was meanwhile teaching Misty the techniques of Poké Ball battles; as for the sparring partner, well, that was Latias.

Latias liked to play, and it happened to be able to train with Torchic, which was almost like playing.

Soon after, Torchic was in a sorry state, covered in wounds, even burns; each time it used a long-range move like Ember, Latias would reflect it back with Mirror Shot.

Misty gradually grew in battle, learning how to predict the opponent's next move based on their Poké Ball and make corresponding anticipations.

The Wood Guardian gradually adapted to the Weight Ring; after taking off the Weight Ring, its speed increased considerably, and it began hopping around in the forest.

On the way, the Team Rocket Trio came looking for trouble; this time they brought a new Poké Ball, which was a Snivy.

They saw Ash capture several weak-looking Poké Balls, thought those Poké Balls weren't very strong, and wanted to take the opportunity to capture Pikachu.

The Wood Guardian, water leap fish, and proud bone swallow engaged the Team Rocket Trio in combat, using the battle to test the results of their recent training.

The rice spoon snake attacked the Wood Guardian, but all were dodged; the Wood Guardian slapped its tail and sent the rice spoon snake flying.

Double Bullet Gas still wanted to use smoke, but was seen through by the water leap fish; a water gun attack sent it flying, the proud bone swallow then blew the smoke away, and used swallow return against the Aber monster and Desert Nya, sending them together.

Finally, Pikachu defeated them, and 100,000 Volts blasted the Team Rocket Trio and their Poké Balls into the air.