Chapter 169

During that time, Hanako very much wanted to greet the current era's strongest person, Serena, but she didn't know how to start.

The hesitant look made Karulu and Xiao Ju'er feel another arrow pierce their chests.

At the same time, it made Serena laugh and she proactively greeted Hanako.

"Hello, Ms. Hanako, long time no see. Thanks to you giving birth to such an outstanding son, I have been able to make further progress atop a hundred-foot pole and gain much."

"Eh?"

Hanako was stunned, never expecting that the current era's strongest person, or the female paragon Serena, would actually thank her.

Thinking of Serena's heavy aura, plus the fact that just days ago she commanded the Phoenix King to participate in the War of the Gods,

such a great figure actually thanked her.

Even though Hanako had accepted the setting of Karulu becoming one of her daughters-in-law and remained calm,

now she could not stay calm, feeling startled by the favor.

"You're too kind; being able to help you is an honor for Ash, and also my honor."

However,

Following Serena's words and thinking further,

Ash had already subdued Mewtwo, Latias and Latios, and possibly also subdued Yveltal,

and in battle possibly subdued Kyogre and Groudon.

Suddenly,

Hanako again felt that saying that might be inappropriate,

Compared to this current era's strongest, her own son seems a bit stronger.

As that feeling of looking up and distance disappeared,

Hanako's gaze fell again on Ash and Serena; as she looked back and forth, her mind suddenly filled with many bold conjectures,

Her heart was in turmoil; could it be that...

While Hanako and Serena were chatting,

the other girls, under Xiao Xia's introduction, also began to chat with Hanako off and on.

Fortunately Hanako is very talkative,

plus she loves these daughters-in-law dearly and cannot bear to see them neglected.

Especially the somewhat introverted and restrained Ming yi.

Relying on her submissive personality and impressive figure, she became Hanako's primary focus of care.

Moreover,

The far-sighted mother had already set her sights on stabilizing the order of Ash's backyard.

The people Hanako took a liking to are two: Serena and Xiluona.

One of them is Ash's first love, the other is the most prestigious existence, most suitable to become the backbone.

However, after chatting for a while,

Hanako then saw that although Xiluona and Ash had some connection, they had not yet reached the point of thoroughly knowing each other's ins and outs.

Moreover, after chatting she found that everyone present were good girls, with no petty scheming; there was no situation where Serena couldn't suppress others, or where suppression was needed.

Hanako therefore placed her focus on establishing prestige onto Serena.

Whether it's her status as first love, or Serena's valuing of etiquette, being poised and generous, and her wife-like trait of protecting the weak,

are undoubtedly very likable and also most suitable to become the backbone.

The only flaw is age, which is also why Hanako initially paid attention to Xiluona.

Fortunately, the 18-year-old girl has grown up; combined with a mature wife's demeanor, as long as her long hair is cut to shoulder-length, it can better highlight her wife-like quality, making her relatively much more mature.

Supporting her to become the backbone of Ash's backyard is quite fitting, and moreover, the thoughtful Serena would likely not let the introverted Ming yi be neglected.

Multiple benefits in one move!

Rubbing the bun hairstyle of Ming yi beside her, Hanako's liking for Serena grew the more she looked.

While Hanako was handling backyard affairs,

Ash was not idle either,

"Xiao Mao, Xiao Gang, Doctor Damu, long time no see."

While greeting, Ash didn't forget to thank Da Wu,

"Thanks for sending the doctor and them over,"

As a proper Champion, he didn't hesitate to personally act as a guide; this kindness, Ash naturally ought to express gratitude.

Da Wu shook his head, "Just happened to be on the way, plus grabbing a meal."

Xiao Gang couldn't help but look at the mature older sisters Xiluona and Karulu, but thinking of Ash's relationship with them, he restrained the surging primordial force within.

He planned to save it for later when he sees other beautiful older sisters during the match and then let it out.

What he didn't know was that this trip to Sinnoh would definitely give him a Surprise, encountering a 'half-sister' who competes for his affection.

"Ash, it's really been a long time; hearing you were going to join the Masters Tournament, I asked Aunt Hanako and came along."

Ash punched Xiao Gang's chest,

then immediately looked at Xiao Mao.

"Why are you looking at me? I came here because I heard there's an astonishing boulder here, not to watch your match and cheer you on."

Upon saying that,

Those familiar with Xiao Mao's arrogant and cute personality, including Xiao Xia who pricked up her ears, all laughed in unison,

making the young master lose face,

Wanting to lash out but held back by the many excellent women present, and also not wanting to lash out, I feel terrible.

Professor Oak, face lit with excitement, leaned close to Ash's ear and quietly asked whether Groudon and Kyogre had been captured by Ash.

Planning when to finish settling his mind, so he could study it a bit.

Xiao Mao also quietly pricked up his ears to eavesdrop.

Unfortunately,

In front of the hotel private room's huge floor-to-ceiling window, a courier Dragonite descended from the sky, interrupting Ash's answer.

Made both of them feel as if tens of thousands of ants were gnawing at their hearts, yet there was nothing they could do.

Dragonite's two small wings kept flapping as it flew to the open window, politely tapped the floor-to-ceiling window, and at the same time took out a delivery box.

Under the doubtful gazes of everyone, Ash walked to the window and took the delivery.

Seeing Ash receive the delivery, Dragonite waved at everyone, then turned and flew away.

"Ash, what did you buy?" the shopping-loving May immediately voiced the doubt in her mind.

"I didn't buy anything, but this delivery was indeed sent to me by someone."

Recipient: 【Masara Town, Kanto, Ash】

Besides the recipient information being filled out, three data light curtains also appeared before Ash's eyes.

【Item】: Z bracelet (can be inlaid with Z Crystal)

【Item】: Grass Z Crystal (when inlaid in the Z bracelet, paired with Grass-type attack moves, full-power attack on the opponent, activating the Z move: Blooming Brilliance)

【Item】: Pikachu Z Crystal (when inlaid in the Z bracelet, paired with Pikachu using Volt attack, full-power attack on the opponent, activating Pikachu's exclusive physical Z move: Pika Pika Devastating Strike)

Opening the entries for Blooming Brilliance and Pika Pika Devastating Strike, the detailed information of the two moves instantly appeared before his eyes.

【Z move】: Blooming Brilliance (power type changes with the move used, power also fluctuates with the move's power, fluctuation range 100~200! Attack always hits, and when guarding ignores 25% reduction)

【Z move】: Pika Pika Devastating Strike (physical move, power 210, attack always hits, and when guarding ignores 25% reduction)

"It's actually Z Crystals and a Z bracelet?"

This gift genuinely surprised Ash,

Similar to the Mega Evolution battle system, Z moves are also a battle system,

it is the battle system unique to the Alola region in the seventh generation.

It can strengthen Pokémon's moves, unleashing an all-out strike that surpasses limits!

In the game, even an invincible guard must still take 25% damage, let alone the reality that guarding is not invincible.

In reality, the upper limit of Z moves will undoubtedly become even stronger.

Of course,

If Ash truly had to choose between Mega Evolution and Z moves, he would naturally opt for the more enduring Mega Evolution.

Not for any other reason,

Mainly because Ash himself is more enduring, not really suited to the Z-move style of a one‑hit knockout that then fades.

While pondering,

Ash tore off the label stuck on the outside of the delivery package, pulled out the letter inside, and began to read it.