Chapter 16

The remaining people in the research institute were all professors.

They quickly entered a state of research using the information Xiao Chun brought back.

After all, Lugia is a very mysterious Pokémon.

Even just verbally relayed information could keep them researching for a long time.

Outside, Xiao Hao, whom Ash had smashed and sent flying, was also taken away by the arriving medical staff.

What happened next had nothing to do with him.

Everything was left to Professor Oak to handle.

By the time this group of professors finished their research projects, it was already night.

Ash and Hanako, who had arrived in Professor Oak's car, could only stay at the research institute for one night.

Ash, who had been traveling for so long, still looked like the ten-year-old he was back then.

Sleeping outdoors and eating in the wind were common occurrences during his travels.

Staying one night at the research institute was no trouble at all for this boy.

Night.

From Professor Okazaki, Ash learned roughly about Xiao Hao's injuries.

Ash had actually held back; otherwise, Xiao Hao might not have survived.

Ash is a being capable of lifting a 999 kg Cosmog with one hand!

Even so, Xiao Hao suffered comminuted fractures throughout his entire body.

A treatment cycle of at least several years is required.

Upon learning their son was injured, Xiao Hao's parents prepared to cause a scene at the Okazaki Research Institute.

One can only say that Xiao Hao's ability to act this way is inextricably linked to his parents.

What kind of parents raise what kind of child.

Xiao Hao's parents took the matter online, sparking massive public attention!

They attempted to use this method to demand compensation from the Okazaki Research Institute and Ash!

However, this couple's plan failed because the Aether Foundation intervened.

Upon learning that Xiao Hao had first insulted the Alola League, the Aether Foundation directly filed a complaint with the Kanto League in the name of the Alola League.

Xiao Hao not only insulted Alola! He even insulted Ash, the Champion who symbolizes the birth of the Alola League!

This was an inter-league dispute; without even Professor Oak needing to act, the Kanto League settled the matter.

Furthermore, after Xiao Hao recovered, he would be required to publicly apologize to Ash and the entire Alola League.

Otherwise, he would be imprisoned in the League Prison to live alongside those notorious poachers.

However, it was precisely this incident that made Ash consider traveling to other leagues.

He seemed to have rested long enough.

After getting up, Ash prepared to bid farewell to Professor Okazaki.

Watching the departing Ash, Xiao Chun's eyes were filled with reluctance.

Xiao Chun also made a decision in her heart!

A maiden's heart is tender, especially since Ash was the young man who saved her from the shadows of her childhood.

However, this could not shake Ash's determination to travel to other leagues.

At the moment of parting.

Professor Okazaki also prepared a gift for Ash.

…….

In the scene—

Ash, having packed his belongings, stood at the entrance of Professor Sakura’s laboratory.

Pikachu perched on Ash’s shoulder, waving goodbye to Xiaochun and Professor Sakura.

Just before departing, Professor Sakura handed two items to Ash.

“These are my latest research achievements—please accept them, Ash,” Professor Sakura said sincerely.

Ash looked up.

There, in Professor Sakura’s hand, was a smartphone.

A new phone?

Such a gift, Ash had no intention of refusing.

As he reached out and took it, he wondered—had Professor Sakura just misspoken?

Two items—but there was only one smartphone.

The moment Ash accepted the smartphone,

a Rotom flew out from behind Professor Sakura.

And, before everyone’s eyes, that Rotom darted into the phone.

“Beep-beep! Rotom Phone, at your service!”

“!”

“This is my latest research achievement—the Ultra-Intelligent Pokémon Pokédex Phone, integrating Rotom and smartphone technology.”

[Professor Kukui: Can Rotom really be used like this? It actually merges with a phone—that’s utterly incredible!]

[Professor Sakura: I knew it! My research direction is absolutely correct!]

[Professor Oak: This is truly unbelievable—Sakura, once you’ve perfected it, you must prepare one for me too!]

[Professor Sakura: Of course! In my vision, Rotom—a miraculous Pokémon—can fuse with any electrical appliance, giving rise to a whole series of Rotom variants, including but not limited to Refrigerator Rotom and Fan Rotom!]

[Professor Kukui: Does that mean Rotom will become an indispensable Pokémon in everyone’s daily life?]

[Professor Sakura: Theoretically, yes!]

At this point in time,

not even Rotom itself or the Rotom Pokédex had seen widespread use—let alone the Rotom Phone.

Yet the era-defining Rotom Phone shown on the light screen delivered a profound shock to these professors.

Rotom’s existence had only just been discovered.

But soon, this Pokémon would overturn all of humanity’s current habits.

This will be one of the greatest Pokémon experiments ever!

Leaving aside this research for now, the professors turned their attention back to the light screen.

Even a single fragment had already sparked such immense inspiration.

Once this retrospective concludes,

won’t it elevate humanity’s understanding of Pokémon by several levels?

In the scene—

“I’ve already imported data from all the Leagues into the Rotom Phone—when you encounter a Pokémon, just pull out your phone and scan it, and Rotom will report its detailed information.”

Professor Sakura added one final instruction.

Then he waved farewell to Ash and prepared to head back inside the laboratory.

Ash and Pikachu waved back in turn.

Ash turned and walked out of Professor Sakura’s laboratory.

Yet, when Ash reached the bottom of the laboratory’s staircase,

he saw Xiaochun waiting there for him.

“Ash, may I travel with you?” Xiaochun asked, eyes burning with intensity.

That blazing gaze reminded Ash of how Serena had looked at him the first time they met during his Kalos journey.

Ash was no longer a ten-year-old child.

He had begun to grasp, however vaguely, the nature of romantic feelings.

But who was Ash?

Naturally, he accepted Xiaochun’s request without hesitation.

Gaining another companion on the journey was undoubtedly wonderful.

Ash stepped forward and took Xiaochun’s hand.

“From now on, we’re partners.”