Chapter 303

After practicing for several hours, Great King Swallow finally performed the Swallow Return move precisely over and over.

Shenping watched from the side, his face full of surprise and joy, and even bearing weight, Great King Swallow could still complete such a demanding Swallow Return.

"This Great King Swallow is amazing, amazing!"

Hearing Shenping's praise, Ash also felt happy for Great King Swallow; that was all Great King Swallow earned through its own effort.

"It's just that it worked harder!" Ash replied with a smile, his eyes full of pride and affection.

He gently stroked Great King Swallow's feathers, his movements warm and meticulous, smoothing each feather that had become slightly ruffled from training.

At the same time, he also used the waveguide power he mastered, letting it slowly wander over Great King Swallow's body.

"Hiss—"

Great King Swallow let out a cry in response, quietly enjoying the waveguide power flowing over its body; its fatigue and tension gradually dissipated with the flow, replaced by an unprecedented sense of ease and comfort.

"Why not take off the equipment and train? That would let you learn faster, right!"

Shenping voiced the doubt in his heart.

"It's a child who loves challenges; wearing this equipment makes it feel more challenging!" Ash said, expressing Great King Swallow's thought.

Pikachu jumped onto Great King Swallow's back and began communicating with it.

After a short rest, Ash then met up with Misty and the others.

Misty was learning to make Energy Blocks from her newly acquainted opponent Kana; although she had learned a little from Ash, she felt it wasn't enough, so she came here specially to study, preparing to make some for her own Pokémon to try.

If possible, she could make some for Ash and the others to eat.

Brock looked around; if he saw a beautiful older sister, he would go up and confess his feelings. Meanwhile, Xiaosheng's job was to take Brock away so he wouldn't harass anyone.

"Why don't you go study?" Ash said, seeing the two people wandering around.

"No, I have no feeling for that Energy Block thing!" Xiaosheng shook his head.

Brock originally knew how to make them; he wasn't as obsessive as Ash, his focus being the surrounding young ladies.

"Fine, do as you like..." Ash pushed open the door and walked familiarly into the Poké Ball Energy Block shop; the warm lighting and faint fragrance inside immediately enveloped him.

His gaze swept around the shop, and he quickly caught sight of Misty waving her arm at him; that energetic figure stood out especially under the soft light.

"Ash, over here." Misty's voice was clear and pleasant, her face beaming with a bright smile.

She stood beside a small table filled with various Energy Blocks, holding two freshly baked ones that still gave off a tempting aroma.

Ash quickly walked over, his eyes landing on the Energy Block in Misty's hand, and a sense of curiosity welled up in him.

Misty handed one of them to Ash, her eyes sparkling with anticipation: "I just tried one; it felt not bad, you try it too!"

"Pikachu, you eat this; I specially added ketchup for you!"

"Pika—ka"

As soon as Pikachu saw the ketchup, its eyes lit up; it eagerly took the Energy Block and immediately bit into it.

The rich ketchup flavor perfectly blended with the sweetness of the Energy Block, bringing a satisfied and delighted expression to Pikachu's face.

Its cheeks puffed as it chewed, looking like it was eating with great relish.

"Hmm... the taste is pretty good." Ash ate a piece; the texture and flavor were both nice, and her skill had improved greatly.

Hearing Ash's praise, Misty's face lit up with an even brighter smile: "It's all thanks to Kana teaching me."

Just a bit of basics was taught, yet you've been tinkering yourself, saying you wanted to make it for someone, and you've made many portions!

As Kana spoke, she felt a pang of sourness, then saw Misty's cheeks gradually flush red from her words, her hands not knowing where to go, clutching the hem of her clothes, looking a bit shy.

Forget it, I have nothing to do here...... Kana left this place!

Even I got dragged in.

Seeing herself in the Black Light Screen painstakingly training with this Energy Block, Misty also felt a sense of helplessness.

They were all subtly influenced by Black Satoshi, becoming very diligent.

Is this hinting at me?

Misty realized a problem: the Light Screen's appearance didn't just expose Ash's issue; many people's problems were exposed.

It's hinting that I should learn this cooking skill, right!

Misty's expression turned serious; Aunt Hanako had privately messaged her, telling her to come to Pallet Town to play when Ash returns, and have a meal at his family's restaurant.

Surely she invited many others; if I had gone in the past, I wouldn't have known, and would have left Aunt Hanako a bad impression...... Misty thought it over, feeling fortunate that this Light Screen exposed the issue, otherwise she wouldn't have noticed it.

Like Ash, let's see what changes there are in the Black World, and learn from there!

Black World—

The next day.

The Water Still Convention officially begins.

This time Misty sent out Fire Chicken.

Musashi also came over to join the fun as usual; after the first inspection, Musashi faced off against Misty.

Venomoth versus Fire Chicken, a single move of Flamethrower plus Fire Kick defeated Venomoth!

The final opponent was Kana.

Fire Chicken's agile build prevented Piglet from precisely landing its Psychic-type moves, and after Fire Chicken jumped away, it either used Flamethrower or gave it a Fire Kick.

Piglet's physical defense is low, while Fire Chicken's attack is high; after taking two kicks and a Flamethrower, Piglet lost its battle capacity.

"Bulbasaur, did you see that?"

Bulbasaur and Pikachu stood on Ash's shoulder, gazing wistfully at Fire Chicken's battle.

Let it learn more outside, so next time it goes out it won't be nervous.

"Dah!"

Bulbasaur watched two matches and is now ready!

"Misty, congratulations!"

Kana lost to Misty, but still blessed her calmly: "Looks like Ash's training of you is not bad!"

"Well, my battle skills are basically all taught by him."

Misty's battle style is somewhat like Ash's.

"Wish you good luck!"

Kana glanced toward Ash's direction: "Ash is such a good boy, you gotta cheer and seize the chance!"

Misty looked at Ash sitting in the spectator stands watching the match, smiled, and softly said: "Will do!"

Poké Ball Grand Festival temporarily concluded, Ash and his group headed toward Viridian City.

On the way, they also encountered a submarine of the Magma Team.

Generally, encountering the Magma Team means nothing good; last time their actions left Ash with a vivid memory, and this time their appearance surely means they are brewing some nefarious plot.

Ash and his group, being upright and righteous, will surely go check the situation and, by the way, sabotage their plans!

An accident occurred along the way.

Behind the Magma Team's submarine, unexpectedly trailing close behind was a submarine shaped like a Gyarados, which was precisely the masterpiece of the Team Rocket Trio, intending to use it to capture Pikachu.

Two and a half seconds later, Ash and his group entered the Gyarados submarine built by the Team Rocket Trio.

"Is this thing powered by pedaling like a bicycle?"

Ash and his group never expected that the Team Rocket Trio would still use such a primitive method—so full of vigor!

"Mind your own business!"

"Then pedal faster, quickly keep up behind the Magma Team."

Ash urged, "Weird is weird, as long as it works; we can't bother with those things now!"

"Hey, little brat, you're so full of yourself, daring to order us around! Who gave you the guts?"

"Have we been too gentle with you usually, that you now dare to speak to us like this!"

"On what grounds, on what grounds do you command us? We only listen to Sakaki..."

Upon hearing that Ash dared to command them, the Team Rocket members instantly reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, shouting in protest, full of indignation.

"Pika—chu!"

Pikachu's cheek pouches suddenly flashed with dazzling electricity, its gaze turning sharp as it stared hostilely at the Team Rocket Trio.

"Alright, we'll pedal faster!"

"Hold on tight!"

The Team Rocket Trio immediately changed their expression.