Chapter 27: The Scheme to Pry Open the Corner

Huo La turned around and saw Officer Jenny hurrying toward him, her police uniform still specked with a bit of dust, clearly having just commanded officers in a search.

Officer Jenny looked at Huo La and explained, "The Pokemon Center is a League‑certified 'Neutral Aid Location.' Whether ordinary citizens, upright Trainers, or even some temporary wandering strangers, anyone can receive help here. According to League regulations, no organization or individual may attack a Pokemon Center, or they will be wanted by the entire League—this is the 'bottom line' tacitly accepted by all Gym Leaders and major organizations."

"But the Rocket Team still showed up," Huo La said softly.

Officer Jenny sighed helplessly, her tone heavy, "The Rocket Team has always ignored League rules; in recent years they've not only stolen Trainers' Pokemon but also repeatedly attacked the League's supply trucks and even dared to infiltrate the Oak Research Institute to steal data. I just didn't expect them this time to dare strike a Pokemon Center outright."

"They really have no bottom line."

Officer Jenny nodded, then looked at Huo La, her eyes showing added approval, "But thanks to you this time, not only did you stop the Rocket Team, you also prevented any Pokemon from being harmed. I've already recorded your deeds and will report them to the League; maybe you can be granted a League Contribution Award."

"Thank you, Officer Jenny, but I was just doing what needed to be done," Huo La waved his hand hurriedly.

He was now more concerned with how to use the Rocket Team Trio to get close to Sakaki, successfully join the Rocket Team; the League's reward was not a priority for the moment.

At that moment, Ash came over cradling a slightly revived Pikachu, with Xiao Xia and Lilian following behind.

Ash held Pikachu, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Huo La, his voice full of excitement, "Huo La, you were amazing in that fight against the Rocket Team! Especially when Bulbasaur used Leech Seed—though it had been tangled by Arbok earlier, it turned the tables in an instant and outright subdued Arbok. So cool!"

Huo La smiled and waved, "It's nothing; Bulbasaur just coordinated well. Moreover, if Officer Jenny had arrived a bit later, Beedrill and Bulbasaur with me probably wouldn't have lasted long—Rocket Team's Poison‑type moves are truly troublesome, especially once they abandon basic principles."

He shifted the conversation, suddenly recalling the League competition, and asked, "Oh, by the way, Ash, are you planning to join the Kanto Region's League Conference on this trip?"

"Of course!" Ash immediately puffed out his chest, and Pikachu beside him chirped "Pika‑pika" twice as if echoing, "My goal is to become a Pokemon Master! For an important event like the Kanto League Conference, I'll definitely compete and aim for the championship!"

Seeing Ash's fighting spirit, Huo La couldn't help but advise, "If you really intend to join the Kanto League, I suggest you save the Viridian City gym for last."

Ash froze for a moment, scratching his head in confusion, "Huh? Why? Viridian City is right here; isn't now a perfect time to challenge? Is the Viridian Gym Leader especially strong?"

Huo La nodded and patiently explained, "You might not yet understand the League's rules and gym difficulties. The Pokemon World has eight major League regions, and every four years a regional League season opens. As long as you hold a League‑certified Trainer status, you can compete regardless of origin. The top eight in each regional League also qualify for the once‑every‑ten‑years World League Championship."

"It's a stage where you could face someone like Dande, who's billed as 'the strongest Pokemon champion in history,' and it's the necessary path to becoming the world's strongest Trainer."

He paused, then continued, "To join a regional League, you first have to defeat the eight League‑certified gyms in that region and earn eight Badges as entry tickets. Among the sixteen gyms in the Kanto Region, the Viridian Gym Leader Sakaki is no ordinary Leader."

"Sakaki?" Ash repeated the name, feeling it sounded familiar but couldn't recall where he'd heard it.

"He's one of Kanto's top Trainers, his strength not any less than the Four Great Kings of Kanto," Huo La's tone grew serious, "You've just set out, with only Pikachu. Even if you later capture new partners, synergy and levels need time to develop. If you challenge the Viridian Gym now, given your current state, you'll most likely lose."

Ash finally understood, the excitement on his face gradually fading, replaced by seriousness, "So there are so many issues with joining the Kanto League; I never realized this before."

"If you attended the academy, slept less, and read as much as I do, you'd know," Huo La said helplessly.

Ash scratched his head sheepishly, "Huo La, you know me; I get sleepy just reading words. I'm not a bookworm like you."

Huo La neither refuted nor could refute that point; a pure‑talent reverse‑type master truly isn't comparable to a bookworm like him.

Ash took a deep breath and nodded firmly, "Got it! Thanks for the heads‑up, Huo La! I'll first challenge the Rock-type Gym in Nibi City; after I've cleared the other gyms and my strength is sufficient, I'll return to face Gym Leader Sakaki of the Viridian Gym!"

While Ash was still pondering the gym‑challenge order, Nurse Joy hurried over holding two Pokeballs, a gentle smile on her face, "Huo La, I've checked your Bulbasaur and Beedrill; they're just exhausted from battle. I've given them Nutrient Supplement and Energy Cubes, and they're fully revitalized now."

Huo La quickly reached out to take the Pokeballs, bowing slightly toward Nurse Joy, his tone sincere, "You're a real help, Nurse Joy."

"No need to be so formal; it's my job," Nurse Joy said with a smile, waving her hand, then asked, "By the way, are you planning to stay in Viridian City for a few more days? The center still has a vacant room we can assign to you."

"Actually I'd like to ask you to prepare a room for me," Huo La nodded, then suddenly shifted, "But I'll be heading out shortly, will return later to rest, and I have to leave Viridian City first thing tomorrow morning, so I can't linger."

"Huh? You're leaving so early? Where are you going?" Ash rushed over, his face full of surprise.

He was still hoping to wait for Pikachu to fully recover and have a Pokemon Battle with Huo La, but didn't expect Huo La to leave so soon.

Huo La's gaze silently swept over Xiao Xia and Lilian behind Ash, then settled on Ash, silently thinking "Sorry."

He then spoke, "I plan to go to Nibi City tomorrow, to challenge the Rock-type Gym there early and earn the first Badge."

"That's so rushed?" Ash was even more surprised, "Nibi City is still a distance from Viridian City, and your Pokemon just fought; won't they rest another day?"

"No, leaving early gives me more time to prepare." Huo La's tone was calm, though he had his own calculations.

He wasn't truly in a hurry to challenge the Nibi City Gym; his real goal was the upcoming Xiao Gang in Nibi City! In the original story, Ash defeated Xiao Gang at the Nibi City Gym, and with Xiao Gang's father intervening, convinced the rock‑type Gym Leader to join his team.

Xiao Gang not only excels in cooking and is meticulous, but more importantly, his care for Pokemon and tactical insight far surpass Ash's. If Huo La could "pry" him over early, he'd add a reliable partner to his team and leverage Xiao Gang's knowledge of gyms and League rules to pave the way toward Sakaki and the System Task.

If Ash arrived at Nibi City first, his passion and luck would surely follow the original plot and recruit Xiao Gang to his team, making it hard for Huo La to contend later. Therefore he must set out before Ash, reaching Xiao Gang before they meet, and persuade him to join his own team.

Xiao Xia crossed her arms and pursed her lips, "Honestly, traveling is supposed to be taken slowly to be enjoyable; who rushes like you, as if racing a construction deadline?"

Lilian smiled understandingly, "Everyone's travel pace differs; since Huo La has his own plan, leaving early is fine. The Rock-type Gym in Nibi City is quite challenging; if you need information on Rock-type Pokemon, I can lend you my compiled notes."

"Then I'm very grateful," Huo La quickly thanked.

Lilian's role as a Researcher wasn't for nothing; her notes might truly help, and even if not, returning the favor is always good.

Nurse Joy promptly completed Huo La's check‑in, handing him the room key, "The room is 203 on the second floor; feel free to go out, and when you return just use the key to open the door."

Huo La took the key, said brief goodbyes to Ash and the others, then turned and walked toward the Pokemon Center's exit.

The moment he stepped out the main door, he instantly set aside his calm façade, his gaze sharpening as a detailed map route materialized before his eyes—he had more important matters to attend to.