Chapter 7: Bulatenuo Research Institute!

【Can be enhanced】

【Trait】: Lightning Rod 2 (attracts electricity to self, grants immunity to electric shock damage, greatly raises Special Attack, and boosts electric‑type move power by 50%)

【Enhancement Quest】: Defeat Ma Zhishi or Tie Xuan or Dian Ci or Xiao Ju'er or Clemont or Qi Shu; defeating any one of them completes the quest;

Indeed,

The second‑stage quest, as Ash previously summarized, requires defeating a gym‑level opponent of the same type.

Thus it's easy to guess that the third stage will likely demand beating the Elite Four.

Moreover, the Lightning Rod trait in the second stage truly excited Ash, a full 50% power boost!

"Ash, this kid has been watching you since just now, as if wanting to follow you."

Serena's gentle, whispered voice reached Ash's ears, breaking his reverie.

Ash, hearing this, looked at the Froakie,

"Froakie, do you want to be my partner?"

Staring into the bright, lively eyes of the Froakie,

Ash recalled the Pokédex entry: Froakie normally keeps its pupils in a line, only widening them when serious.

In his Mind it became clear at once that the earlier battle had earned the creature's approval,

He immediately drew a blue Dive Ball with a water pattern from his waist,

Seeing this, the Froakie lit up, leapt without hesitation, and perched on the white button at the center of the Poké Ball,

Swoosh!

The Poké Ball opened, firing a red beam that struck the Froakie,

However, as soon as the red light touched the Froakie, a similar red aura erupted around it,

deflecting the Dive Ball's emitted light, which turned into red mist and dissipated into the air,

"Huh?"

Aside from the prepared Ash, the other three widened their eyes, blinking in bewilderment,

Eventually, Serena spoke first,

"It seems… this is only the trainer's Froakie!"

Clemont stroked his chin, showing a thoughtful expression,

"But that's odd; look at this Froakie's behavior—it clearly approved Ash. What on earth is going on…"

In short, "Let's head to the research institute first; the local Pokémon professor might know something."

Informed, Ash finally settled on a direction,

The Froakie intended to call out to draw the four's attention, gesturing and directing them to follow it to the institute,

Hearing Ash's words, they were somewhat surprised,

and proactively leapt ahead of the four, leading the way to the Bulatenuo Research Institute,

Upon hearing the need to hurry, Pikachu swiftly scrambled from the ground onto Ash's left shoulder,

The commotion attracted the Froakie's glance back,

seeming thoughtful,

After a few hops, the Froakie landed on Ash's right shoulder, squinting as it faced Pikachu across the head.

This naturally did not escape Serena, Clemont, and Yurie's eyes,

Serena, with a somewhat wife‑like charm, immediately covered her mouth and giggled,

"Haha, are you jealous? So cute!"

"So cute, so cute, Yurie also wants to have her own Pokémon!"

"Not yet, Yurie, you're not old enough."

They arrived at the Bulatenuo Research Institute,

On the big tree before the institute, Ash once again felt three familiar waveguides, indicating that the trio had been struck by Pikachu into the next scene,

Truly, the fluid heroine, the iron‑clad Pikachu, and the genuine main party,

Even though they've seen many scenes,

but after more than a decade, Ash naturally doesn't recall such minor details, so it's somewhat surprising,

ignoring the subconscious urge to cover his mouth and nose, the trio pretended to be invisible,

Ash led the way into the institute and, as hoped, met Professor Bulatano,

He was about thirty years old,

with flowing black hair a bit long for a man and a noticeable patch of stubble on his chin, apparently styled on purpose,

Worth mentioning,

Ash discovered the pattern of Mega Evolution and promoted it, and Professor Bulatano also researches Mega Evolution, so they share a common interest.

Upon arrival, Professor Bulatano was very enthusiastic, even giving Ash a hug.

"Hello everyone, I've long heard of your great name, Ash; the research on Mega Evolution owes much to you!

Also, I heard from Professor Oak that today you're here to receive an initial partner from the Kalos region, which I've prepared for you."

A brief greeting,

Professor Bulatano's gaze then turned to Serena, Clemont, and Yurie,

"You're Serena, who came from Asakawa Town to receive your starter, right?"

"That's me, Professor!"

Serena nodded, counting as a greeting,

The professor's gaze then shifted to the other two,

"Who are you two?"

"I am Clemont, and this is my sister Yurie."

Hearing their conversation, Ash couldn't help but look astonished.

The professor lives in Miarei City, yet doesn't know the Gym Leader who maintains order in Miarei City…

That's hardly scientific.

To get this far, Clemont must be extremely reclusive.

Or perhaps,

Clemont's father, the masked superhero Flame Chicken Mask, must be how busy? He basically took over all the security duties a Gym Leader should handle, right?

Just as Ash was pondering,

The Gua Gua Bubble Frog, eager to become Ash's Pokémon, saw the professor hadn't paid attention to it for a long time and boldly made a move!

While making the sound, it waved at Professor Bulatano,

"Gua Gua!"

"Hmm? … Gua Gua Bubble Frog, what's wrong with you?"

Fortunately, the Gua Gua Bubble Frog seen this time was not covered in wounds, so the professor didn't recognize it,

Now, prompted by the Gua Gua Bubble Frog, the professor finally realized something,

with a look as if he had seen a ghost,

"You... hiss! It's you! Your appearing here means… it can't be that your trainer has abandoned you again, can it?"

"Gua Gua!"

The Gua Gua Bubble Frog naturally nodded, as if recounting an unrelated trivial matter,

At that moment,

a female assistant in black stockings and a white coat ran over appropriately,

"Professor, a new trainer said they don't want their Gua Gua Bubble Frog anymore, and even sent the Poké Ball back."