Chapter 17

Even after so much time, Ash is still Ash.

The ultimate steel straight man!

But being a straight man has its benefits; as Xiao Chun was caught by Ash again, she felt the heat in Ash's palm once more.

That's great!

However, just as the two stepped into Vermilion City, a pair of Bulbasaur suddenly appeared, blocking their path forward.

"What's wrong with these Bulbasaur?"

Due to yesterday's events, Xiao Chun is no longer so afraid of Pokémon.

Although she cannot yet be as intimate as Ash, she can at least stop resisting.

Facing Xiao Chun's question,

various images flashed rapidly through Ash's mind.

Finally, his memory settled on his past experience traveling to the 'Miracle Garden'.

"These Bulbasaur are probably about to evolve. Want to go take a look together?"

Ash extended an invitation to Xiao Chun.

Of course, Xiao Chun would not refuse Ash's invitation.

The two followed the Bulbasaur together to the Pokémon Gym currently under construction in Vermilion City.

These Bulbasaur were all climbing toward the highest point of the Pokémon Gym.

They wanted to bask in the sunlight on the very top floor.

Looking at the scene before him, Ash couldn't help but sigh.

"Back then, I also had a Bulbasaur, but my Bulbasaur did not want to evolve."

"Why? Don't Pokémon only get stronger when they evolve?"

"That's true, but my Bulbasaur had body image anxiety. It didn't like the bloated figure it would have after evolving into Ivysaur or Venusaur. Actually, Pikachu feels the same way."

Seeing the topic shift to itself,

Pikachu shook its head repeatedly and made an X with its cute little hands in front of its chest.

It definitely does not want to evolve!

Raichu is stupid and ugly! Not cute at all!

Most importantly!

After evolving into Raichu, it would be much bigger than it is now!

Then it wouldn't be able to stay on Ash's shoulder anymore!

Silver Town.

Watching Ash's words on the screen,

Ash himself slapped his right fist against his left palm.

"So that's why. I was wondering why Pikachu and Bulbasaur didn't want to evolve; it turns out they have body image anxiety."

"Hahaha, Pikachu, you really are cute." Misty, standing nearby, couldn't help but pinch Pikachu's little cheeks on Ash's shoulder.

The sight of Pikachu puffing up both cheeks was simply too adorable.

Ash, really! How could he expose his own thoughts like that!

Pikachu felt full of resentment toward the Ash on the screen.

Its little secret had been exposed right in front of everyone!

"It's okay, Pikachu. Whether you evolve or not, I will respect your wishes."

As he spoke, Ash reached for the Poké Ball at his waist.

"Bulbasaur, you are the same. If you don't want to evolve, I won't force you."

Ash's words moved Pikachu so much that tears were about to fall.

So,

"Don't use Thunderbolt while you're getting emotional, hey!"

Sinnoh.

Paul looked disdainfully at Ash's remarks on the screen.

A Pokémon unwilling to evolve; what purpose does it serve in a team?

Even if one truly likes it, a Pokémon that refuses to evolve and lacks the desire to fight is better off left in the Professor's laboratory.

He is a Trainer, not some philanthropist.

Since becoming a Trainer, Paul's goals have not differed much from Ash's.

His goal is to become a tactical master and a Champion!

A Pokémon unwilling to evolve represents only one thing: weakness.

And weak Pokémon will never appear in his team.

Perhaps it is time to give up on it.

Paul watched the Chimchar he had just caught not long ago fighting with all its might.

Yet it still could not defeat the opponent's Pokémon.

A Pokémon with no desire to fight has no place in his team.

After all, Paul is not Goh.

Even so, he would give the Pokémon two choices.

One is to return it to the Professor's laboratory, and the other is to release it.

"Chimchar, do not disappoint me."

…….

In the scene—

More and more Bulbasaur climbed onto the roof of the Pokémon Gym.

Haruka watched the group of Bulbasaur with a probing gaze.

From childhood to adulthood, she had never witnessed the evolution process of a Pokémon.

As more and more Bulbasaur prepared themselves.

They began to glow.

This was the omen that the Bulbasaur were about to evolve.

A mass evolution of Bulbasaur was a rare miracle; even Ash had seen it only a few times.

Just as he was about to enjoy the spectacle.

A large net rained down from the sky, sweeping up every Bulbasaur on the roof.

A familiar motion, a seamless technique.

And... a reaction so practiced it had become muscle memory.

"Team Rocket, it's you again."

Ash didn't even need to look up to know who was responsible.

As expected, after Ash spoke.

The Team Rocket trio, as if triggered by some mechanism, immediately responded to Ash.

"Since you asked so sincerely!"

"Then we shall graciously tell you!"

"To prevent the world from being destroyed!"

"To protect the peace of the world!"

"Upholding love and true evil!"

"Cute and charming rebels!"

"Jessie!" "James!"

"We are the Team Rocket duo, roaming the galaxy!"

"White hole, a white tomorrow awaits us!"

"That's right, Meowth~"

"Swoosh~ Nance!"

Classic lines, a familiar voice.

As expected, the Team Rocket trio riding a hot air balloon appeared above Ash's head.

"Long time no see, brat. I'll take these Bulbasaur without further ado."

Perhaps due to the long separation, after obtaining the fruit she wanted, Musashi even had time to greet Ash.

Hearing Musashi's familiar voice.

Ash, who hadn't seen her in ages, actually felt a hint of relief.

No wonder, during this time of resting at home, I always felt something was missing.

Without the Team Rocket trio causing trouble, Ash even felt a bit unaccustomed.

They're back! They're all back!

"Pikachu, use Iron Tail."

"Pika!"

Pikachu on Ash's shoulder leaped up, its tail behind it shimmering with a metallic sheen.

A sharp flash of light sliced through.

The giant net wrapping countless Bulbasaur was severed by Pikachu.

Seeing that the Bulbasaur were all unharmed, Ash finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Even old acquaintances can't act like this.

Ash was a bit angry.

"Since you can't catch the Bulbasaur, then brat, your Pikachu will have to pay the debt."

Musashi's angry voice drifted through the sky.

And they lowered their hot air balloon.

Landing on the ground.

Meowth, Musashi, and James glared angrily at Ash.

This act of the villain accusing first felt especially familiar to Ash.

There can't be any disgusting dark-skinned guys around here!

Fortunately, Ash's worry was unnecessary.

Musashi and James, as usual, prepared to battle him.

Pikachu, having landed, was already in a battle stance.

No choice; both sides are just too familiar with each other.

Ash waited for Musashi and James to pull out their Poké Balls.

But this time, Ash miscalculated.

Somehow, the Team Rocket trio produced a gacha machine from somewhere.

And they solemnly claimed it was borrowed from headquarters, a secret weapon specifically designed to capture Pikachu.

One can only say, truly Team Rocket.

You really have so many secret weapons targeting Pikachu.

"Brat, watch this!"

Saying that, Musashi and James began to turn the gacha machine.

"Bang," "Bang," two sounds.

Two Poké Balls fell out from it.

The next moment!

The audience watching the broadcast were stunned.

Those two Poké Balls that came out of the gacha machine were thrown.

Two beams of red light flashed.

Gyarados and Tyranitar appeared before Ash.

Wait! That gacha machine is wrong!

Gyarados! A Pokémon with an extremely fierce temperament!

Tyranitar! A pseudo-legendary, needless to say!

Ash scrutinized the gacha machine up and down; it seemed this time the Team Rocket trio really went all out.

However!

They are facing Pikachu!

A Pikachu that hasn't started traveling to a new region yet, one whose level hasn't been reset!

A Pikachu with experience traveling through six major leagues is incredibly strong.

The current Pikachu is not simply 1 plus 1 plus 1!

As the ace of Ash, the first champion of the Alola League.

Gyarados and Tyranitar couldn't gain any advantage against Pikachu's hands.

In just a single exchange.

Both Pokémon already bore battle marks left by Pikachu on their bodies.

"Brat, how did you become so strong?"

"Should we try another plan?"

"Try attacking that group of Bulbasaur, meow~"

The trio, whispering in secret, finally accepted Meowth's proposal.

Just as the battle reached a stalemate.

Team Rocket suddenly ordered Gyarados and Tyranitar to attack that group of weak, pitiful, and helpless Bulbasaur.

Tyranitar's Stone Edge and Gyarados's Water Gun!

The battlefield fell into a stalemate.

Team Rocket had no honor.

But how could Ash watch those adorable Bulbasaur get attacked like that?

Under May's incredulous gaze.

Ash and Pikachu threw themselves in the way, blocking both attacks.

At that moment, Ash was soaked through, and Pikachu was covered in wounds.

"Brat, this time we win."

[Long Du: At first, I thought these Team Rocket members were some kind of comedic characters from nowhere. Now, seeing their conduct and how they could do such despicable things, they truly are Team Rocket!]

[Misty: Ah! That's not right! These three really are comedic characters!]

Who has been accompanying Ash on his journey from the very beginning? It must be Misty.

Yet this Team Rocket trio is no less so.

From the moment they saw Ash's Pikachu, this trio has stuck to Ash like a leech.

No matter where Ash goes, you can always see them!

Judging by their performance throughout this journey, the Team Rocket trio truly are comedic characters!

Could it be that after Ash won the championship, this Team Rocket trio evolved too?

A version update?

[Mars: Boss Giovanni, did you see that? We are your most loyal subordinates! We three will definitely bring Pikachu back to you!]

[James: Brat! Pikachu can't beat us anymore! You might as well admit defeat!]

[Electro: Wait a moment. Did you get something wrong? Those events in the light screen are from the future. Do you think you can beat Ash right now?]

[Mars: Can't beat him...]

[Iron Wheel: Then don't jump around like that. Be careful not to get wiped out in one go.]

[Mars, James: Sorry, we were wrong!]

Pallet Town Gym.

Watching the content on the light screen, Giovanni felt suffocated.

He couldn't get angry at the members he chose himself.

Just.

Giovanni's hand stroking Meowth's head grew a bit harder.