Chapter 599

【Darkrai Trainer: I already said he's a defeated subordinate; the victor will surely still be me!】

Arrogant!

Having watched so many of Ash's battles, Darkrai Trainer could still say such things; just how confident was he in his own strength!

Or was this simply the confidence inherent to a Legendary Pokémon Trainer?

The audience felt deeply expectant!

【Ash: That was merely my carelessness! The victor will surely be me! Darkrai Trainer, just you wait! Watch me slap your face hard.】

【Xiao Mao: If you lose, don't claim to be from Twinleaf Town; we have no use for such weaklings.】

【Ash: Stupid Xiao Mao! You too are merely my defeated subordinate! You aren't qualified to judge me, a Top 16 finisher at the Bai Yin Assembly!】

Xiao Mao: Simply furious!

……

In the scene—

The interlude involving Team Rocket's trio did not concern Cynthia.

After all, this was Ash's decision.

Cynthia decided to respect it.

As for these Team Rocket members on the ground, she had already contacted Officer Jenny nearby.

She intended to ransom this elite group back.

Giovanni would at least have to pay some price.

After successfully rescuing Cresselia,

Ash walked before Cresselia.

He gently pressed his hand against Cresselia's forehead tip.

Then, he connected to Mewtwo's psychic barrier within his mind.

Cresselia thus established contact with Mewtwo.

After some negotiation,

originally, the two had planned to return to Newmoon Island and Fullmoon Island.

But Mewtwo offered them a better destination.

That was Mirage Island; there were no humans there, and with Mewtwo present, their powers would not go berserk.

Most importantly, it was sufficiently safe.

Cresselia then led Darkrai away from this region.

They too departed for Mirage Island.

Thus, Ash had successfully fulfilled Mewtwo's commission.

After waiting a moment,

once Officer Jenny arrived,

Ash and Cynthia went to retrieve Dawn, Xiao Mao, and Darkrai Trainer from the forest, bringing them back to the nearby town.

At the sight of familiar buildings, Darkrai Trainer was nearly on the verge of collapse!

Three years!

Do you know how he survived these three years!

Every day he went hungry, living like a primitive man!

Ah! Praise be to the city!

Passersby looked at Darkrai Trainer as if he were a pervert.

Watching Darkrai Trainer act madly, Ash and the others silently put some distance between themselves and him.

It was as if saying, We don't know him!

"Since the Mirage Plan has been cancelled, I too must challenge the World Coronation Series; Ash, don't let me leave you in my dust."

Xiao Mao waved his hand, turning to depart with effortless grace.

"You jerk, just you wait! One spot in the World Coronation Series will definitely be mine!"

In response to Xiao Mao's provocation, Ash retorted dissatisfiedly.

However, Xiao Mao's figure vanished into the night.

Cynthia patted Ash's head, her gentle voice sounding in his ear.

"Ash, I must depart first as well; Team Rocket's activities in Sinnoh have been too frequent lately, and I need to handle them."

"What? Miss Cynthia is leaving too?"

Ash complained softly; they had finally managed to travel together,

only to part ways so quickly.

This left Ash feeling somewhat reluctant to separate.

Although Ash spoke softly, Cynthia still heard his words.

She leaned her body forward slightly, burying her face beside Ash's ear, then spoke in a voice only the two of them could hear:

"I really enjoy traveling with Ash, Ash. I've heard Paldea is a wonderful place; after the World Coronation Series concludes, I'll happen to have time off, so let's travel together then."

Intense feminine breath brushed against Ash's earlobe, causing his ears to turn red instantly.

Ash was at a loss, unsure how to respond.

At that moment, Cynthia rose slightly, pressing her finger against Ash's lips.

"This is our secret; don't tell anyone else, especially Diantha, okay?"

Feeling the warmth against his lips, Ash didn't know why, but he felt his heart betray him with an involuntary throb.

There was an emotion he wanted to express, yet he didn't know how to put it into words.

"Alright, I'm leaving now; you must remember, okay~"

"And you too, Pikachu, goodbye~"

With reluctance, Cynthia headed back to the city filled with night.

Besides her identity as Cynthia, she also held the profession of Sinnoh Champion.

Unlike some irresponsible Hoenn Champion, Cynthia had never forgotten her duties as a Champion!

Long after Cynthia had departed, Ash remained unable to snap out of his daze.

"Miss Cynthia..."

"Pika Pika..."

Both Pikachu and Ash fell into a strange state.

【Diantha: So cunning! Cynthia, you actually went on a secret date with Ash without me~】

【Cynthia: We went traveling; can't your brain hold something normal for once?】

【Diantha: Not at all~ I'm speaking from the heart; you don't think this will make me let my guard down, do you? Impossible~】

Even Cynthia's face, unchanged for ten thousand years, could barely maintain its composure.

That Diantha, truly detestable!

Damn it, I feel like finding someone to fight!

Pity that Flint is bedridden; otherwise, I'd beat him up to vent my anger!

(Flint: Am I a punching bag?)

【Caitlin: I'm asking if you think Cynthia and Diantha are also quite a ship! Doujinshi where mortal enemies end up together are the most interesting!】

【Lillie: Doujinshi? Are those the ones under Mother's bed? The ones with big sisters wearing very little?】

【Lusamine: Ahem, children shouldn't participate in such topics!】

【Lusamine: Caitlin, mind your influence; such words aren't suitable to say here!】

【Cynthia: Rest assured, I will educate her properly.】

【Caitlin: Scared. JPG!】

【Ash: So, what exactly is a doujinshi!】

【Diantha: Does Ash want to know? Come find me, and I'll personally guide you to understand~】

【Ash: Really! Thank you so much, Champion Diantha!】

【Diantha: No need to be so formal; just like with Cynthia, call me Miss Diantha~】

【Cynthia: You bastard!】

【Diantha: Oh~ Can't the Iceberg Champion hold back anymore~】