Chapter 16: Interview Controversy!

"Last night we captured……"

"Clemont kept repeating these four words in his head,"

"He obviously knows each character individually, but when put together he can't understand them?"

"Weren't we eating together last night?"

"How come I feel like after waking up I'm several versions behind? 'This isn't right, is it?'"

"Ash ate his breakfast at a leisurely pace,"

"'Don't rush, listen to me explain slowly. Do you still remember yesterday's poacher?'"

"'I remember you sent out Mewtwo back then…'"

"As Ash said that, Clemont instantly grasped the key point,"

"'What was the final outcome for that guy?'"

"'He was thrown into the police station; later we still need to go there and tell Officer Jenny.'"

"'Us?' Clemont looked at Ash in surprise,"

"Ash shrugged. 'Obviously, you weren't just suggesting we travel together, were you?'"

"Clemont's eyes widened in surprise. 'You… actually saw through me…'"

"Although having his intentions seen through surprised Clemont a bit,"

"but thinking about the chance to travel together with this legend Ash,"

"Clemont was still happy,"

"Yurie beside him was equally happy,"

"'Great, I told you, brother, Ash is a really nice person—you're just worrying for nothing!'"

"Besides, I assisted so well yesterday…""

"If Yurie didn't bring this up, it'd be fine, but mentioning it made Serena and Clemont instantly perform a face‑changing act like in Sichuan opera,"

"Serena was shy yet happy,"

"After last night's interaction, Serena could basically confirm that Ash truly likes her as a person,"

"and not just because of her beautiful looks."

"Meanwhile, the embarrassed Clemont was piled up with negative emotions, wishing he could just lose his memory and forget everything from yesterday,"

"'You actually dare to say that!'"

"'Yurie!!! You're not allowed to do that again!'"

"''"

"Amidst the teasing, the four finished breakfast,"

"Before leaving, Ash, with Nurse Joy's help, inserted the data into the Pokédex, activating his eligibility to enter the Miare Tournament."

"Clemont voluntarily took on the role of strategist,"

"He pulled out his phone, opened the map for analysis,"

"'The nearest gym is the Miare Gym,'"

"'but I've heard this gym is quite strong, and challenging it requires at least four badges,'"

"'so I suggest…'"

"'we should first challenge the Sandalwood Gym!'"

"Clemont said this nervously,"

"Yurie glanced at her nose, then her heart, feeling guilty as she looked elsewhere,"

"This scene, in Ash's eyes—who had long known that Clemont was actually the Gym Leader of the Miare Gym—was especially amusing."

"I don't know how the future siblings would feel if they found out he'd known their true identities from the start,"

"Without a doubt, it would definitely be interesting."

"For now, Ash pretended not to know,"

"'Really?'"

"Clemont guiltily turned his head away, his gaze wandering, sweat beading on his forehead,"

"'Well… probably? I'm not entirely sure either; that's what I heard from others.'"

"Seeing Clemont drenched in sweat, looking like he could barely hold on,"

"Ash also knew to stop while he was ahead, cutting off the conversation,"

"Otherwise, if he really spilled the beans, he wouldn't be able to keep pretending to be clueless and tease Clemont anymore."

"Before setting out, the four first went to the police station to report the poacher's situation to Officer Jenny."

"Then they headed to the biggest mall in Miare City for a major shopping spree,"

"Worth mentioning,"

"the Pokémon world's spatial technology is highly advanced,"

"even something as small as a Poké Ball can be compressed to contain interior space the size of a room,"

"not to mention larger spatial backpacks,"

"they're not only cheaper,"

"and can hold more items, so there's no need to worry about bought goods not fitting,"

"Serena, Clemont, and others each bought a batch of Miltank milk, healing medicine, energy blocks, tents, blankets, spare clothing, and other travel essentials."

"Serena also additionally bought various types of Poké Balls and clothes!!"

"'I said, stop…'"

"Looking at the few pieces of clothing Serena bought,"

Ash opened his mouth wide in surprise,

Xiluona authorized a co-branded black evening dress, moon Eevee hair accessory,

Kalunai authorized a co-branded white windbreaker,

Xiaojuer authorized various co-branded items,

Even there was the performance outfit of Xiaoyao Fengyuan Dance Maiden,

What the hell is this?! Using this to test the five-time champion's weak point?

It seemed she sensed Ash's unusual gaze; the pure Semi thought he was doubtful,

"I want to try out the seniors' outfits to gain enough stage dressing experience."

Ash felt ashamed inside, +1,

"Oh... I see, that's how it is!"

Semi looked curious, "Eh? So what were you thinking before?"

"No! I was thinking the same thing before," Ash replied immediately,

At this moment,

Seeing Ash just looking, not purchasing anything for a long time,

Clemont couldn't help but cast a curious glance,

"Ash, don't you need to resupply?"

Ash pointed to his backpack behind him, "No need, I prepared everything beforehand."

After the big shopping spree, the four were about to leave the mall,

but were suddenly blocked by a crowd of enthusiastic reporters and fans.

Only after asking did they find out,

Because the tricolor violet's social media account published Ash's interview,

It mentioned that the next challenge location is Kalos,

As a result, starting today, the entire Kalos region has seen a craze of people searching for Ash,

As for how many days it will last, that's unknown,

Moreover, many who hope to battle Ash, even those yearning to end his consecutive champion legend, are already on their way buying tickets.

On social media, similar harsh words were posted,

Videos openly declaring they will end Ash's winning streak myth, the most popular already have millions of likes,

This news genuinely made Ash feel somewhat surprised,

He himself truly didn't expect that a single interview could cause such a sensation,

Wow, this is directly boosting the local economy?

Jay Chou is actually me?!

After briefly satisfying the fans' photo requests,

Rejecting some forced attempts to cling for hype, Ash directly released Latias, using Instant Teleportation to escape the scene.

Route 4,

The figures of Latias and Ash and others suddenly appeared in the middle of the road,

Semi wiped the sweat that appeared on her forehead, "Phew~ Ash's fans are so enthusiastic!"

Ash shrugged, "If you choose to become a performer, once you're famous and have fans, your fans might become even crazier!"

The silent Clemont was more concerned about where they are now,

He took out his phone, opened the map,

"This is... Route 4! To go challenge the White Sand Gym, it's exactly the necessary path."

Fortunately!

Latias didn't take them in the opposite direction.

Ash clenched his fist,

"Before that, when passing through the forest, I want to give Poliwag and Lululi special training to raise their levels."

Gym challenge 1 to 8 stars,

Ash currently has 0 badges, corresponding to one-star level,

The Gym Leader will likely send out Pokémon around level 10,

The difficulty isn't great; even an level 8 Poliwag can fight! But it's hard to gain much from it.

Every time we reach a region, each battle with the Gym Leader is a precious experience.

Not cherishing it is practically wasting heavenly treasures,

Therefore Ash does not plan to challenge this difficulty,

but instead wants to take on a higher-level challenge, facing level 20 Pokémon in a two-star gym.

Poliwag is currently level 8, Lululi level 11,

Ash plans to raise the levels of Poliwag, Lululi, and all to 15.