Chapter 41

After obtaining the fifth Badge, Ash and his party continued their journey, still arriving at Yo Yo Yo Town, after dealing with the Hypnosis Tapir person, they still encountered the familiar Able-to-reach Duck, and still the familiar way of catching, Xiaoxia still caught the Able-to-reach Duck.

Looking at the Poké Ball lying on the ground, already stopped shaking, Xiaoxia's expression was troubled; the Poké Ball had merely fallen by accident, she hadn't even picked it up yet, the Able-to-reach Duck just went inside on its own, now she feels she didn't capture the Able-to-reach Duck, it seemed as if the Able-to-reach Duck had captured her.

"Xiaoxia, it seems the Able-to-reach Duck is very much destined for you."

Ash smiled; he was also encountering this way of catching for the first time.

"Exactly, the Able-to-reach Duck is a Water-type Pokémon, and Xiaoxia, you didn't say you wanted to become a Water-type Pokémon Master? I think this Able-to-reach Duck is quite capable; it will surely be of great help to you."

Brock nodded; he had originally wanted Xiaoxia to catch the Able-to-reach Duck, but he didn't expect the Able-to-reach Duck to voluntarily go into the Poké Ball on its own.

"Alright!"

After a pause, Xiaoxia accepted the Able-to-reach Duck.

【Ash: It seems that in the Black World, I wasn't wrong at all; Xiaoxia truly is very fatefully connected with the Able-to-reach Duck, destined to meet.】

【Brock: Yes, I could see at a glance that the Able-to-reach Duck was more suited to be left for Xiaoxia to catch!】

【Xiaoxia: That sounds nice, but you two originally disliked the Able-to-reach Duck, and even said that since it's a Water-type Pokémon, it should be left for me to take care of.】

【Ash: Fortunately it was left for you to take care of; only you could uncover the Able-to-reach Duck's potential, and when the Able-to-reach Duck saw you being snatched by Team Rocket, it actively came forward to rescue you.】

【Xiaoxia: Hmph...... the Able-to-reach Duck has become very strong now; it can already use Water Gun!】

【Ash: Really???】

【Brock: Really???】

Upon hearing the news that the Able-to-reach Duck had become stronger, Ash and Brock were very happy; not only had it become stronger, but the Able-to-reach Duck had finally remembered it was a Water-type Pokémon, and after so long it could finally use Water Gun—no easy feat!

As expected of a Water-type Pokémon Master, even teaching such a bizarre Pokémon as the Able-to-reach Duck, Xiaoxia still has a few tricks up her sleeve.

【Xiaoxia: Of course it's true; after my training, it's only natural for the Able-to-reach Duck to learn Water Gun!】

【Ash: What about swimming?】

【Xiaoxia:....... No!】

Immediately after, Ash and his party finally arrived at Breeder's Street, the place Brock had long been yearning for.

Brock walked at the front with a face full of excitement, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Not only had Brock spoken of her once, he came here to meet the trainer he admires, Xiao Xue; not only is she beautiful, her breeding methods are also excellent, having won many awards in breeder competitions.

Brock had always dreamed of seeing her in person, and even of becoming her apprentice.

Ash was very curious about this Xiao Xue, because Brock had said that Xiao Xue is a very famous figure in Breeder's Street, able to achieve the best breeding results by giving Pokémon the most natural care.

He really needs to study it; it's also quite useful for Pokémon.

They did meet, but Xiao Xue felt her abilities were lacking, so she didn't take Brock as her apprentice.

Seeing Brock's downcast expression, Ash tried to persuade him, not just for Brock's sake but also for his own.

In the end, despite Ash's persistent urging, Xiao Xue still refused.

But we can teach them some breeder skills, such as massaging Pokémon to relieve fatigue...... This is what Ash insists on learning, and incidentally also pick up more techniques for making Pokémon food.

During the study period, Brock found Ash studying even harder than himself, filling his little notebook completely; this enthusiasm left Xiao Xue astonished.

Since Xiao Xue wanted to go traveling, she entrusted her Vulpix to Brock.

Leaving the Breeder's Town, Ash and his group pressed on, where they ran into an uncle arguing with a girl.

After exchanging only a few words, the uncle took his Machamp and left, leaving only the heartbroken girl behind.

Upon inquiry, they learned the uncle was named Shan Dou, a fanatic of the Fighting Tournament; saying he was obsessed with the tournament was not quite accurate—he was actually obsessed with winning the championship.

Shan Dou and his Fighting-type Pokémon Machamp have participated in many Fighting Tournaments, but never won the championship, so he keeps persisting in entering.

But to win that championship, he has been holed up in the mountains, ignoring family matters, constantly thinking about the tournament's championship.

The girl is his daughter, named Ami, who came over to persuade her father to return home.

Although she has tried many times with no effect, she can only keep persuading; there's nothing else she can do.

But now, seeing Ash and his friends, she asks for their help, wanting them to enter the Fighting Tournament and defeat her father.

「You want us to enter this P1 tournament, defeat your dad, so he comes to his senses, right! 」

Ash immediately agreed.

Brock also agreed; although he had no Fighting-type Pokémon, for Ami who shared a similar situation, he chose to go all out, sending out his Geodude.

【Ding!】

【Entering the prize quiz segment!】

【Question: How will Ash next persuade Shan Dou to withdraw?】

【A: Black Satoshi can't beat Shan Dou in the Fighting Tournament!】

【B: Like White Satoshi, bringing along a Primeape, he bumps his way into the finals, eventually defeating Shan Dou, but still faces Shan Dou's request for the Primeape; Black Satoshi, to let the uncle return home, leaves the Primeape to help him win the championship!】

【C: Black Satoshi fights his way through, strongly defeats Shan Dou, refuses to give up his Primeape, and harshly scolds Shan Dou.】

【D: Shan Dou is defeated by Team Rocket mid-match, angrily withdraws, and prepares early for the next Fighting Tournament.】

【Participants: Ash, Brock, Ma Zhishi, Na Zi】

In this quiz replay, Ash, fully focused on the Black Light Screen, glanced at the options and without hesitation chose C.

Brock and Na Zi followed closely behind.

Ma Zhishi chose a rather surprising option.

He chose D.

「Ma Zhishi has so much confidence in us? 」

Jirou felt puzzled; their Team Rocket had previously participated in the Fighting Tournament, but the Pokémon they snatched also never won a championship.

「Hard to say; we in the Black World often clash with tougher brats, our strength will definitely become strong, Shan Dou is certainly no problem. 」

Musashi calmly gave his guess.

「We might have even snatched Pikachu, meow! 」

Miao Miao laughed hehe, full of confidence in the Black World's Team Rocket.