Chapter 67: Huazi: I Also Got Dragged In?!

Seeing Xiao Gutou and his gang take the green Badge, the Team Rocket Trio stared at each other.

We're done! We've fallen into Xiao Gutou's trap again, and this time it's at Boss Banmu's Gym.

Xiao Cilang, you chose it!

Now the Drill Horn Rhino's been beaten, we've lost, it's all your fault!

Miaomiao began to settle accounts; Boss Banmu had only just taught them the Gym for each hour when Xiao Gutou cleared it, and if the boss learned of it they'd be scolded again.

Who would've thought Xiao Gutou's Pikachu could surf? I thought the Drill Horn Rhino's lightning rod would completely counter Pikachu.

Xiao Cilang hung his head, grimacing; this Xiao Gutou is their demon, they've never beaten him, and it's utterly agonizing.

We need to catch Pikachu quickly, so we can give Boss Banmu an explanation.

Wuzang wanted to capture a few decent Pokémon before Boss Banmu returned.

Pikachu's hard to catch; for now we can't get him. But I saw a poster for the Pokémon Circus on the roadside, saying there's a very strong Magic Wall Doll that can perform all kinds of acrobatics.

If we catch it and present it to Boss Banmu, and have the Magic Wall Doll perform acrobatics for him, he might be pleased, overlook our mistakes, and even promote us.

Xiao Cilang looked at Wuzang and Miaomiao

"Get promoted and raise our salaries, become executives!"*3

They forgot their failure and started fantasizing again!

【Xiba: With you three on Team Rocket, I feel at ease!】

【Ash: Now it's fantasy time!】

【Adaike: They're interesting young people, just misdirected in their efforts; I hope to see them correct themselves going forward, and it'd be great if they could travel with Black Satoshi!】

【Wuzang: Uncle, don't spout nonsense, we Team Rocket could never be with Xiao Gutou.】

【Xiao Cilang: Exactly, we're going to snatch Pikachu!】

【Ash: Who wants to be with you? I find you annoying!】

【Miaomiao: Xiao Gutou, you complain we're annoying, but we haven't even found you annoying yet, meow!】

Soon, Ash and Team Rocket started arguing.

However, nobody paid much attention; their focus was on the Black Light Screen.

Black Light Screen—

Ash and his party just happened to meet Yajinzi, who had captured a Magic Wall Doll.

"Ba li~"

The Magic Wall Doll ignored Yajinzi; as soon as it saw her show her head, it ran off. Yajinzi threw a Poké Ball, but the Magic Wall Doll's barrier blocked it!

They watched helplessly as the Magic Wall Doll fled.

Afterwards, Team Rocket rushed to the circus to capture the Magic Wall Doll.

"Team Rocket?"

"You came out that fast?"

Ash and his group were surprised at how quickly Team Rocket appeared; they had just left the Gym not long ago, and the Team Rocket Trio had already come here to cause trouble.

When the Team Rocket's released Abaiguai and Double Bomb Gas saw Pikachu, they instantly wilted, not daring to attack for fear of being shocked by Pikachu.

However, their worry was justified—Pikachu was about to strike, but Ash stopped him.

They saw the Magic Wall Doll, protected by its Trainer, unleash its power, using psychic ability to drive Team Rocket away.

Team Rocket then succeeded in provoking the Magic Wall Doll's fighting spirit.

That way, Yajinzi wouldn't need to capture another Magic Wall Doll.

When Ash returned home, he unexpectedly found the house filled with a full table of food.

Moreover, he discovered a Magic Wall Doll doing the cleaning.

"It...... isn't that the Magic Wall Doll we met at the circus?"

Ash was bewildered—how did the Magic Wall Doll get to his house to do the cleaning, and even put on an apron?

"The Magic Wall Doll is one I captured; it voluntarily stays home to help!"

Mama Huazi came out of the room, glanced at Ash and Brock, but her gaze stayed on Xiaoxia, her eyes full of satisfaction—very nice, much prettier than she looked on screen.

"Oh, is that so!"

Ash brought Xiaoxia and Brock inside; having already been introduced before, this time they just exchanged greetings.

"I made all these dishes!"

"It's not like you just came back; you brought two friends, I was afraid there wouldn't be enough, so I made extra."

Huazi spoke gently, taking Xiaoxia's hand and having her sit beside her.

Xiaoxia glanced at Ash, who reassured her it was fine to sit down.

"Xiaoxia, Brock, I'm able to enjoy all this food thanks to you."

Ash put things away and began to eat.

After traveling for a while, not having eaten Mom's cooking in ages, he felt nostalgic.

"Come, Xiaoxia, try this meat—Ash's favorite; I don't know if you'll like it, and there's this shrimp....."

As Xiaoxia talked about their travels, Huazi beamed, continually serving her more food.

"Good, good, thank you, Aunt!"

Xiaoxia quickly thanked her; Aunt Huazi was really enthusiastic!

"Aunt, your dishes are delicious; when we travel, Ash sometimes cooks for us and it tastes great too—looks like he learned his cooking from you."

"Yeah, he wants to learn everything; tell me which dish you like, and I'll teach Ash to cook it for you every day."

Huazi gave Xiaoxia another helping, smiling brightly at her.

"Cook for me every day!"

Xiaoxia's pretty face blushed a little.

"Mom, you've already piled a lot on my plate; let Xiaoxia eat first before you add more."

Ash felt his mom was being overly enthusiastic toward Xiaoxia!

"Alright, then I'll put some vegetables on Pikachu's plate and add its favorite tomato sauce!"

Huazi also put vegetables on Pikachu's plate and added its favorite tomato sauce.

"Pika~ (≧▽≦)"

Pikachu's saliva is about to drip out!

Brock, who was silently eating vegetables, had already seen through it; he now just wanted to dig in, and the magic wall figurine beside him clinked cups with him!

【Ash: I've never seen such a lavish dinner; looking at it makes me hungry!】

【Xiaoxia: Me too, Aunt Huazi is so enthusiastic!】

Looking at her own reflection in the Black Light Screen, Huazi felt something was off; her counterpart in the Black World had tidied the house spotless before Ash and the others returned, and had prepared a full table of dishes, each looking delicious.

From time to time she also asked about Xiaoxia and her son's travels, and even helped her son out!

Compared like this, Ash bringing his friends home, his own efforts seemed really insufficient in quantity and quality!

How clueless I was back then; I should have prepared more food to welcome them home, asked more about Ash's friends' travels, and learned more about their relationships.

Her Black World counterpart did it, and did it well; seeing Xiaoxia's shy look, she probably didn't run away!

Wasn't the appearance of this Light Screen meant to involve Ash?

How did I end up getting involved too!