Chapter 47: Almost Released Pikachu!

Bai Shijie—

Ash and his friends continued toward Crimson Lotus Island, helping the Mouth‑Lost Sister return to Christmas Island along the way.

Later they strayed into Snow Mountain; the already‑lost Ash and company then ran into a blizzard, making forward progress extremely difficult.

Originally Brock had Onix dig a hole for camping in the snow, waiting for the blizzard to pass before moving on, but Pikachu was blown away by the wind and snow; to find Pikachu, Ash, Brock, and Xiaoxia got separated.

After finding Pikachu, Ash dug a shelter at the edge of a cliff and warmed up together with his Pokémon.

But seeing that Charmander was exhausted and had flared too much flame, Ash recalled Charmander into its Poké Ball, and Bulbasaur did the same.

Ash loved every Pokémon dearly; he had already kept Charmander and the others warm inside their Poké Balls, yet he still worried. Shivering from the cold himself, he feared they might feel chilly in their balls, so he even took off his own clothes to wrap the Poké Balls. Though he never forced Pikachu into a ball, he would issue a compulsory order to protect it.

Sensing Ash's feelings, Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Pidgey all popped out of their Poké Balls, wanting to stand with him against the cold. Even though the blizzard raged outside, the cave interior became warm beyond measure from the mutual care between Ash and his Pokémon.

Light Screen showed many of Ash's iconic moments—wearing short sleeves, even taking off his only jacket, and so on.

But everyone knew Ash had extraordinary stamina, so unless he did something wildly unreasonable they paid little attention; now they simply watched the heart‑warming scene between Ash and his Pokémon.

【Qiban Na: Now we understand why Ash became a legendary Trainer in the Light Screen—the answer is right here: to keep his Pokémon warm, he recalled them into their Poké Balls, worried they might still feel cold inside, so he took off his clothes and wrapped the Poké Balls.

【Few Trainers can treat their Pokémon to this extent; Ash treats his Pokémon just like Black Satoshi does—as family.】

【Professor Da Mu: The bond between humans and Pokémon is mutual; if you give them care and love, they will repay you double. Ash and his Pikachu are like that—they emerge from their Poké Balls, hug Ash, and use their own bodies to warm him.】

【Kalunai: Now I know why Ash can't evolve his Greninja via Bond Phenomenon without using Aura—just as Professor Da Mu said, because of the way Ash treats his Pokémon, all Pokémon are moved by it and repay him double.】

"Sleeping in extreme cold could mean never waking up!"

The camera cuts to Team Rocket; to stay awake they used the pain method—since they couldn't bear to pinch themselves, they pinched each other.

What's more ironic, the hot air balloon that could have whisked them quickly off Snow Mountain became the transportation for Brock, Ash, and Xiaoxia, while the few Team Rocket members could only soak in the open‑air hot spring—stepping out left them shivering to the bone, nearly freezing solid.

【Ma Zhishi: Hahaha, this is the first time I've felt sorry for Team Rocket—this hot air balloon is just repayment for what you owe Ash and company.】

【Xiba: Looking at it this way, Team Rocket's physique is also quite strong.】

【Xiaoxia: It's all from being trained by Pikachu's electric shocks.】

【Jessie: No way—we're official Team Rocket members; our strength comes from our own training, not from being shocked by Pikachu.】

【James: Don't spread rumors—when we first joined Team Rocket we underwent lots of training; our physique is absolutely top‑notch.】

Leaving Snow Mountain, Ash and company came to a forest with fresh air and clear water to rest awhile.

While playing, Pikachu discovered its own kind—another Pikachu.

And it found a group of Pikachu.

Ash and friends arrived at the riverbank. That little Pikachu had run onto a nearby branch, slipped, and fell into the water.

To rescue the little Pikachu, Pikachu leapt in without hesitation—but both were swept away by the water, and Pikachu desperately dragged the small one ashore, fearing it would drown.

Hearing the commotion, the other Pikachu rushed over like monkeys trying to scoop the moon and hauled the pair out of the water.

The Pikachu that saved the little one became everyone's hero,

Seeing this, Ash looked utterly bewildered—perhaps he had never seen a Pikachu so happy upon meeting its companion.

How could Team Rocket be missing at a time like this? They might be late, but they'd never be absent.

The Team Rocket Trio snatched up a group of Pikachu.

Pikachu, with Ash's help, rescued all the Pikachu once again.

It was precisely because of this crisis that Ash finally made up his mind!!!

He intended to leave Pikachu here!!!

He thought this place was a paradise for Pikachu—living here they would surely be happy, and the local Pikachu needed a little hero like Pikachu.

Ash just kept running without looking back, refusing to turn no matter how Pikachu chased him, until the cries of "Pika‑pika" faded behind him......

Still, Pikachu pursued him without hesitation—it couldn't bear to leave Ash!!!

【Jessie: We were terrified—turns out we almost let that brat abandon Pikachu.】

【James: All good, all good!】

【Serena: How dare you say that—you Team Rocket lot are truly annoying!】

【Yulongdu: This time Team Rocket almost helped Ash release Pikachu......】

【Professor Da Mu: It's fine—Ash will do what's best for his Pokémon's life, even if it pains him to let go; in fact, this release only deepens his bond with Pikachu!】

【Ash: Back then I saw that Pikachu was beloved by that Pikachu gang, and when Team Rocket came to snatch them, it was Pikachu who saved them, so I thought that gang needed my Pikachu's help—and that Pikachu living with its own kind would be even happier.】

【Xiba: Well said—it's all Team Rocket's fault!!!】

【Jessie: Mmm‑mmm‑mmm, it's all our fault!!!】

Team Rocket admitted it was their fault; although keeping Pikachu with the herd would make it easier to catch, they'd suffered plenty at the hands of that brat and still hadn't captured Pikachu—if they just snatched it now, it'd be too easy.

So they simply decided it was their own problem, to prevent that brat from suddenly trying to give away Pikachu—after all, snatching Pikachu right in front of him is the only way to feel satisfied!