Chapter 526: Professor Oak, Why Are You Cooking Instant Noodles Again?

Do Pokémon hibernate? The answer is yes.

Just like Ursaring, the pre-evolved form of Bloodmoon Ursaluna, which is classified as the "Hibernating Pokémon."

It is said that during the seasons when the Hisui region is shrouded in bitter cold, Ursaring wander through the mountains and fields searching for their favorite Berries; if they are hungry and cannot find a source of their beloved honey, the anxiety brought by these factors makes them extremely violent.

If they have not stored enough fat, in order to survive, they will seek out a safe place.

Whether it be a cave or a hole they dig themselves, to conserve energy they choose to reduce their activity time and enter short-term or long-term hibernation.

Logically speaking, Bloodmoon Ursaluna has no need to hibernate.

After all, whether in the Permanent Forest of Kitakami or on Luo Mu's farm, living resources are abundant, so there is absolutely no situation of going hungry.

The reason Bloodmoon Ursaluna chooses to hibernate is very simple—

It is accustomed to it.

During those days living in the Permanent Forest, it was a homebody bear in name and deed; unless necessary, it simply would not go out.

And in those long, cold winters, when it truly felt bored, it would choose to hibernate to while away the time.

Over time, this habit formed; if it didn't sleep through the winter, Bloodmoon Ursaluna would actually feel very unaccustomed.

Luo Mu did not interfere with Bloodmoon Ursaluna's personal living habits; he arranged for it to stay on the small hill behind the farm, found a spot for Bloodmoon Ursaluna to dig a cave, and hibernate inside.

Due to the accumulated snow, even wearing snow boots, walking required considerably more effort.

Luo Mu simply rummaged through the storage room, dug out a sled and matching ropes, dragged away Feng Su Gou—who, relying on its thick skin and flesh, ignored Arboliva's warning whips and tried to squeeze into the chicken coop—to serve as the sled dog.

Of course, Luo Mu also knew that he could directly ride Feng Su Gou.

But life always needs some inexplicable sense of ritual and fun, doesn't it? After experiencing dog-sledding, Luo Mu, accompanied by Feng Su Gou, arrived before the cave where Bloodmoon Ursaluna was hibernating.

He had specially installed a door curtain for warmth and windproofing at the cave entrance; the moment he entered, the temperature difference between inside and outside became immediately apparent.

Unwrapping half the scarf around his neck, listening to the snoring inside the cave which sounded like muffled thunder, Luo Mu's mouth corners lifted slightly; needing no attempt to hide his footsteps, he walked normally to the end of the cave and directly saw Bloodmoon Ursaluna sleeping soundly.

At this moment, it was lying with its belly exposed, four legs pointing skyward, snoring.

Beneath it lay a simple straw bed made of dried grass, and propped under its neck was a stone pillow it had carved itself with its sharp claws, upon which one could still faintly see drool flowing from Bloodmoon Ursaluna's mouth; this fellow really knew how to enjoy life.

Luo Mu did not dawdle; he stepped forward, patted Bloodmoon Ursaluna's belly, met its dazed eyes as they opened, and grinned: "How about a trip we just up and take?"

Bloodmoon Ursaluna blinked, tilting its head to one side.

"Roar?"

What did you say? Kanto Region, Pallet Town.

A small town dappled with emerald shadows, tranquil and peaceful.

A gentle, warm breeze leisurely swept over the stream outside the town, stirring up layers of delicate ripples.

"Pallet is the symbol of the pure white color of departure."

This was the phrase given by the Kanto League to describe Pallet Town.

It seemed to be the answer reached through collective brainstorming after rejecting Professor Oak's senryu proposal.

Luo Mu was not entirely clear on the story behind this; he just felt that this small town was both very strange and very familiar to him.

Whether as the starting point in the original games, the voyage of dreams in the anime, or even when he was in the Paldea region, he could often see the program "Professor Oak's Pokémon Lecture" playing on the TVs hanging in the Pokémon Center lobbies.

It could be said that this town, which he had never visited before, carried many of his past memories.

Standing on the raised hillside outside the town, one could easily overlook the entire town's layout.

Pallet Town was truly very small; at a glance, there were probably only twenty-something households.

Among these, an unusually conspicuous red building was the main purpose of his journey, the reason Pallet Town's name was widely known—

Oak Laboratory.

And behind Oak Laboratory stood a towering mountain body, connecting to rolling hills and plains extending outward, where one could faintly make out a lake.

According to the introduction Luo Mu saw on the Kanto League's promotional website, those... were probably all part of Oak Laboratory's backyard.

Although he had long been mentally prepared, upon truly seeing it, even Luo Mu couldn't help but feel it was outrageous.

This land area was who knew how many times larger than his own farm.

One had to say, as expected of Professor Oak.

Sighing with emotion in his heart, Luo Mu was just about to step forward and continue when he noticed a figure rushing over from not far away.

The person was muttering things like "I'm late, I'm late," "I was busy painting and forgot about picking up the guest," and "This is an important guest of Professor Oak."

Although it had not yet snowed in the Kanto Region at this time, the weather had turned cool, yet the other party was wearing a green short-sleeved shirt and dark shorts, with a headband tied across the forehead exposed by his center-parted hairstyle.

Recalling this attire, a name of a supporting character who was considered to have very little presence in the anime surfaced in Luo Mu's mind.

Pokémon Observer, Tracey.

He was the male supporting character who replaced Brock to travel with Ash through the Orange Islands; because of the events involving the three Legendary Birds and Lugia, he and Tracey had met once before.

By the time Tracey ran up to the hillside, he saw Luo Mu standing there looking at him.

His movements paused, then the speed of his legs increased even more; Tracey darted right in front of Luo Mu, panting heavily: "Sorry, I'm late."

"It's fine; you're Tracey, right? It's been a while since the Orange Islands; trouble you to take me to visit Professor Oak."

Luo Mu smiled and greeted Tracey.

On Tracey's side, his wheat-colored face actually reddened several shades; responding with considerable surprise and honor, he said: "Not at all, not at all; I didn't expect you to still remember me—"

He truly hadn't expected that from that single exchange, Luo Mu would still remember his name.

This made Tracey, who usually had so little presence, feel somewhat moved.

"... No need for honorifics; let's just communicate normally."

Noticing that Tracey was almost about to blurt out the words "Mr. Luo Mu," Luo Mu stopped him one step ahead.

Just kidding; Tracey looked to be sixteen or seventeen years old, perhaps less than two years different from himself; what fun was it to constantly use honorifics with every sentence?

It would unnecessarily make him seem old.

Luo Mu really couldn't understand; academy students were one thing, but why were there always people close to his own age, or even a few years older than him, constantly saying "Mr." this and "Mr." that?

Xiao Xiao Jian could only nod and said, "Luo Mu, then I'll take you to see Professor Oak."

"Alright."

Luo Mu nodded lightly and followed Xiao Xiao Jian toward Pallet Town.

Along the way, he curiously asked whether Ash had already departed for a new region or had stayed in Pallet Town.

Xiao Xiao Jian's face showed difficulty, and the answer he gave was—

At this hour, he was probably still sleeping in.

Luo Mu subconsciously took out his battle-damaged phone and checked the time. It was exactly eleven in the morning.

Very good.

So this kid had reverted to his true form, had he? Pallet Town really wasn't large; it took only a dozen minutes to reach the Oak Laboratory located at the town's far end.

Xiao Xiao Jian pushed open the laboratory's main door with familiarity, revealing the bright and spacious interior at a glance.

The Oak Laboratory was unlike the laboratories in Luo Mu's impression, where spaces surrounded by stark white walls were filled with various instruments and cold vessels and test tubes.

It resembled more the home of an elderly man well-read and cultured, carrying an atmosphere of scholarly refinement.

Through an open door around the entryway corner, one could vaguely see bookshelves with neatly arranged books, as well as a sofa and coffee table for leisurely sitting.

It was evident that the owner of the house must be someone who quite understood how to enjoy life and live healthily.

But was reality truly so?

Just as Luo Mu, at Xiao Xiao Jian's gesture, changed into guest slippers, a faint aroma drifted out from the innermost room.

Luo Mu tried sniffing; this scent was—

He exchanged a glance with Xiao Xiao Jian beside him, whose face was subtly turning dark; at this point, how could they not know the answer?

Meanwhile, inside the laboratory that often appeared at the end of animated episodes, Professor Oak was sneakily staring at the cup of instant noodles he had carefully covered before him, revealing a triumphant smile in Lava Mode.

"Hehe, taking advantage of the gap while Xiao Xiao Jian went to fetch Luo Mu, brewing a bowl of instant noodles is sufficient!"

Professor Oak marveled at his own flash of inspiration; seeing it this way, he truly was still sharp as ever.

Xiao Xiao Jian, his own grandson, had been bribed; so what if he watched over him all day? He had still managed to find a loophole to exploit!

Professor Oak rubbed his hands together like a fly, his face showing excitement, and carefully reached to lift the lid off the instant noodle bowl.

That movement and expression looked simply like a groom on his wedding night about to lift the bride's red veil.

Just thinking about the burst of fragrance that would erupt after lifting the instant noodle bowl's lid made Professor Oak unable to suppress a light hum.

Boom—! But at the very moment Professor Oak was about to open the instant noodle bowl's lid, a loud sound of a door opening completely interrupted his action.

His movements became slightly stiff as he looked behind him.

As expected.

It was Xiao Xiao Jian, his face as black as the bottom of a wok, and Luo Mu, gloating and helping Xiao Xiao Jian take an evidence photo to send to Gary.

"Xi! I can explain!"

Professor Oak's wail was so clear that even the Bulbasaur in a corner of the laboratory's backyard, thoroughly impatient and whipping a Heracross attempting to suck its seeds with vines, could hear it distinctly.

The final result, naturally, was Professor Oak looking at the instant noodles that had completely clumped into a mass due to his hasty explanation making him forget the time, wanting to cry but having no tears, thinking he just wanted to eat some instant noodles; what wrong had he committed?

"As I said, the doctor already told you not to eat high-oil, high-salt foods and to take care of your health."

"Yet every time no one is around, you secretly cook instant noodles, or else seafood. Is that something someone of your current age should be eating?"

On this matter, Xiao Xiao Jian, who usually admired Professor Oak, showed determination beyond imagination; even Professor Oak was pressed by the aura he emitted now, unable to lift his head.

He could only nod like a child who had made a mistake, saying "mm-hmm, ah-ah, yes, I know."

The only thing missing was "I won't do it again next time."

It seemed he knew he was wrong, but he would dare to do it again next time.

After this interlude passed, Professor Oak finally received Luo Mu in the reception room and mentioned that upon hearing he was coming, Delia had volunteered to prepare a lavish feast to treat Luo Mu as a gesture of gratitude.

After all, anyone with eyes could see how obvious Ash's changes were after more than ten days of special training in Paldea.

Back then, to celebrate Ash winning the Silver Conference, Pallet Town had held a lively celebration.

Luo Mu naturally had no objection to this.

He was actually quite curious about the taste of Delia's cooking, which in the animation had earned endless praise from Ash and his companions.

Perhaps knowing that Luo Mu was right before him and could not escape,

Professor Oak did not rush to handle official business but instead took Luo Mu to taste some of his treasured tea leaves for a while, chatted a few sentences, and only then set off with Luo Mu and Xiao Xiao Jian toward Ash's home.

From the outside, Ash's home was a standard single-family house, with quite a few beautiful flowers and plants planted in the yard.

Overall, it exuded a warm atmosphere from the inside out.

A Mr. Mime was holding a broom, cleaning the entrance; seeing them approach, it even raised a hand to greet them.

"Barri!"

Mr. Mime was extremely enthusiastic, put down the work in its hands, and made as if to lead the three inside.

"Hello, Mr. Mime."

Professor Oak smiled and waved at Mr. Mime, then turned to signal Luo Mu and Xiao Xiao Jian to follow.

Inside Ash's home, there was no need to change into guest slippers; the few of them walked straight in and happened to bump right into Ash, who had scrambled up in a panic wearing pajamas, his hair sticking up in disarray.

Professor Oak & Xiao Xiao Jian: "..."

Luo Mu: (¬_¬) Meanwhile, Mr. Mime, with its back to everyone, revealed a smile of a scheme successfully accomplished.

Originally, upon seeing Professor Oak and Xiao Xiao Jian, Ash was not flustered.

One had seen his dark history of being late even to receive his starter Pokémon, and the other was a former travel companion who knew most of his habits inside out.

But Luo Mu was different.

The instant he saw him, Ash's entire person became stiff.

Not good!

The moment he got home, he carelessly let his guard down!

One must remember that while staying at Luo Mu's farm, he had relied on Pikachu's Ten Thousand Volts every single day just to wake up on time.

This time, sleeping in got him caught red-handed.

In reality, Ash was simply overthinking this; Luo Mu wasn't his father and couldn't care less whether he slept in, especially since Luo Mu himself occasionally indulged in sleeping in too.

Instead, it was Delia, her long hair draped over her shoulders and an apron tied around her waist, who walked out of the kitchen filling the air with aroma, saying with a helpless expression, "No matter how much I call, I can't wake you up. The guests have arrived; hurry and tidy yourself up!"

Ash stole a glance at Luo Mu; after confirming he wasn't displaying any ominous expression, he softly uttered an "Mm" and slipped into the washroom like a frightened quail.

Delia smiled helplessly and said to the three of them, "Everyone, please take a seat; the dishes will be ready shortly."

"Then we'll trouble you, Delia."

Professor Oak nodded gently and, with practiced ease, led the two toward the living room.

He and Delia were friends despite their age difference; he was occasionally invited as a guest, so he was fairly familiar with the surroundings here.

(End of Chapter)