Chapter 13: No Way, How Dare He!

In the scene—

'I must leave.'

"What a pity. I wanted to fly a bit longer."

'We will meet again very soon.'

"Very well then. Next time we fight, do not cheat. I also want you to witness my growth!"

This Lugia, who knew Ash, held a divine duty and could not remain away from its location indefinitely.

Much time had passed since Hu Pa sent them to another world; the currents still required its maintenance.

After bidding farewell to Ash, Lugia carried Ash and Xiao Chun back to the dock where they had fought before.

The trainers who had been swept away by Lugia finally returned.

But when this group saw someone descending from Lugia's back, both they and their Pokémon were stunned!

At that moment, a dark-skinned boy pushed through the crowd.

Amidst the bewildered gazes of everyone.

Xiao Hao excitedly pulled a red-and-white Poké Ball from his pocket,

"Lugia, I will capture you!"

Saying this, Xiao Hao threw the Poké Ball in his hand toward Lugia.

"???"

For a moment, countless question marks floated above everyone's heads.

Is this person ill? Trying to capture a Pokémon without a battle.

And a legendary Pokémon at that!

Are you mad, or am I?

The instant Xiao Hao appeared, Lugia's eyes sharpened instantly.

It is that filthy thing again.

I want to kill him!

Even with the best temper, Lugia is a god! A god's dignity cannot be insulted!

Just as Lugia prepared to launch an attack,

Ash acted!

One hand firmly caught the red-and-white Poké Ball thrown by Xiao Hao.

And, before the eyes of all,

Ash crushed that red-and-white Poké Ball directly into powder with his hand.

Seeing this, the trainers silently recalled their Pokémon.

Run! There is a human-shaped Pokémon here!

The originally dense crowd vanished completely in an instant.

Lugia merely glanced at Xiao Hao before breaking through the sea surface and returning to the ocean.

At that very moment.

Xiao Hao finally snapped back to his senses.

“What are you doing?! You let my Lugia escape!”

Fuming, Xiao Hao stormed up to Ash’s face, ready to argue with him!

Ash didn’t even need to lift a finger.

Pikachu immediately blasted Xiao Hao with a Thunderbolt.

In the next instant, Xiao Hao turned into charcoal once again.

His original skin still faintly revealed his facial features—until Pikachu struck him with Thunderbolt.

Xiao Hao was now utterly blackened—so dark he’d blend right in even in Africa!

“Fool.”

Ash cast a disdainful sidelong glance at Xiao Hao, who lay twitching on the ground.

To even attempt capturing Lugia—this was a true god wielding divine authority.

Truly reckless beyond measure.

“Let’s go—we’ve been out for quite some time.”

With that, Ash took Xiao Chun’s hand and left the dock.

[Wallace: Don’t even say it—you really shouldn’t say it. Ash’s Pikachu actually has a touch of artistic sensibility; look at that charcoal on the ground—it’s pure postmodern art.]

[Steven: I don’t see any art here—this thing doesn’t hold a candle to polished ore.]

[Lusamine: Something so valueless should be confined to a containment facility. He nearly provoked the wrath of a god!]

[Lance: What a fool! A Kanto native doesn’t even know Lugia? Trying to catch it with a Poké Ball?! Why not try dragging a Suicune out of the water with a fishing net?]

[Koga: How arrogant—to not even acknowledge a god! Had Ash not intervened, Lugia would already have unleashed its fury! If the Sea God rages, Vermilion City will vanish forever!]

Xiao Hao’s actions ignited widespread outrage.

Especially among the Kanto League’s Gym Leaders and Elite Four.

Just now—Xiao Hao nearly dragged an entire city into annihilation beneath divine wrath!

Fortunately, Ash was there; otherwise, Vermilion City would now lie eternally submerged in the deep sea, just like the legendary Atlantis!

Their original disgust had hardened into outright hatred!

This boy—pure calamity!

At home, the unconscious Xiao Hao slowly regained consciousness.

But when he saw the barrage of accusations against him in the livestream comments—

Rage surged to his heart, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

Xiao Hao fainted again.

……

On screen—

Ash led Xiao Chun back to Professor Oak’s laboratory.

By then, only a handful of people remained inside Oak’s laboratory.

Only a few guests who had traveled from afar to offer congratulations remained.

Professor Oak himself was among them—and even Ash’s mother, Hanako, had arrived at Oak’s laboratory.

The sound of Ash pushing open the door drew everyone’s attention.

Especially since Ash was holding Xiao Chun’s hand.

At that moment, Hanako clapped her hands over her mouth, overcome with excitement.

Her son—had finally woken up!

He was actually holding another girl’s hand!

Meanwhile, Professor Oak’s entire face darkened.

What nonsense! His cabbage—raised for over a decade—had just been snatched!

Just as Professor Oak opened his mouth to demand answers, Xiao Chun rushed forward and clung to his arm.

Blushing, Xiao Chun said:

“Dad, I met Lugia! Lugia even flew me and Ash far across the sky!”

Xiao Chun’s words instantly ignited the scientific curiosity of all the professors present.

Even Professor Oak was drawn in.

Leaving only Ash and his mother Hanako staring wordlessly at each other.

Ash opened his mouth to speak—but Hanako cut him off without mercy.

“I understand—I’ll keep this a secret. I won’t tell Serena, Misty, or anyone else.”

“Mom!”

“Oh-ho-ho—Ash is blushing~”

“How adorable~”

As she spoke, Hanako pinched Ash’s cheek.

[Hanako: Wow, it’s been ages since I’ve seen my Ash look this adorable—I’m telling you, Mr. Mime, find my phone fast—I need to record this!]

[Serena: Aunt Hanako, could you send me the video too?]

[Hanako: Of course! I’ve got loads of baby Ash photos too—I’ll bundle them all up and send them your way. A little secret between us—he was absolutely precious as a toddler.]

[Ash: Mom! You’ve secretly said it, and now the whole world already knows!]

[Serena: Thank you, Auntie!]

[Gary: Serves you right—whose fault is it for showing off like that? It’s worse than killing me!]

[Caroline: I’ll tell you all—I just secretly checked up on Serena, and Serena is absolutely adorable!]

[Cynthia: A new pairing—count me in!]

A world where only Ash gets hurt has been achieved.

On-screen—

On one side, Professor Oak and others passionately debate Lugia; on the other, Ash is being tormented by his own mother.

The scene is extremely harmonious.

But just then—

The harmonious atmosphere is suddenly shattered.

The door Ash had previously closed slams open once more.

Everyone’s gaze is drawn to it again.

There stands a boy at the doorway—his entire body charred black beyond recognition.

Judging by his appearance, he seems to have suffered some kind of attack.

As for why anyone could still tell he’s human—it’s only thanks to his four limbs.

Still, in this state, no one can identify who he is.

As the institute’s director, Professor Sakuragi cautiously steps forward a few paces.

“Who are you? What business do you have at Sakuragi Institute?” Professor Sakuragi asks, steeling himself.

“Professor! It’s me—Hao! Let me tell you—I was *this close* to catching Lugia, but that jerk who’s with Xiaochun stopped me!”

Hearing that familiar voice,

Ash frowns and looks over.

You actually have the nerve to say that!

……

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