Chapter 254: See you again, Xiao Mao!

"This attribute..."

Ash's eyes widened,

Perhaps in a one-on-one, at the same level or even slightly higher, the black Rayquaza still has a higher chance of losing to Mewtwo.

But against Water- and Ground-type Pokémon, total damage doubles,

It's really like a father beating his son, even in the delivery room, the kind where the blows are heavy.

Ash doesn't know whether Kyurem three-in-one can beat Ultra Necrozma,

Super black Rayquaza actually does have a chance.

After sighing,

After briefly sharing the specific effects of the enhancement with Rayquaza, Ash put away the black Rayquaza.

At the same time,

Ming yi's battle with Kyurem has also ended,

The Kyurem that had held out against the black Rayquaza for an entire afternoon earlier naturally found it easy to deal with a mere Elite Four-level Serperior.

Yes, Elite Four-level.

Although Ming yi said she defeated Adak in a 1v1 battle,

but the Serperior's attribute panel clearly states otherwise.

【Pokémon】: Serperior (♀)

【Type】: Grass

【Ability】: Contrary 3

【Level】: 90 (Elite Four-level)

【IVs】: 6v

Ash didn't think Ming yi was lying,

He knew Adak; this kind of thing would be exposed with just a question,

Plus, given Ming yi's introverted personality, social death for her is basically comparable to the nightmare of Giratina, making it absolutely impossible for her to lie,

Ash guessed that the fact was likely that Adak, this old lecher, seeing Ming yi young and beautiful, subconsciously wanted to show off his strength and underestimated the opponent,

Furthermore, Serperior's Contrary 3 ability pool is strange, paired with exaggerated enhancement effects; once formed, it's indeed hard to intercept, thus leading to a crash.

Introducing Ming yi to challenge Kyurem perhaps came from the idea of wanting Ming yi to also suffer a setback,

"This old brat..."

In his mind, he silently noted a demerit for Adak,

Watching Kyurem break through the psychic barrier set up by the phantom and leave,

Ash stepped forward, took Ming yi's hand, and incidentally healed Serperior,

and also called Xiaoyao and Xiaoguang,

After receiving their reply that they have a match tomorrow, with the judge still being Xiaojuer, and they really can't get away.

After wishing the two girls good luck in their match, Ash then summoned Hoopa to leave.

Masara Town,

Night fell, and most of the town's lights had already gone out.

Starlight like glittering gems inlaid on the horizon added a touch of mystery to the quiet night sky.

A gentle breeze blew by, carrying away the daytime clamor, leaving only tranquility.

This is a place full of dreams and memories, every corner filled with stories.

Ash could have taken Ming yi directly to the destination,

but Ming yi wanted to monopolize Ash as much as possible for a while, and also wanted to see the place where Ash grew up.

Thus came the present scene,

The two walked down the deserted street, with Ming yi being led by Ash's hand,

Her gaze swept over the surrounding wooden houses full of antiquated charm, her inner tension gradually eased, and a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

Ash glanced at the beauty's smile beside him, swaying the little hand of the girl he was holding like a swing,

The two all the way reached the only house in town still lit.

Just looking from outside, the naked eye can see an endless wall, showing that this household is extraordinary.

Gazing fixedly at the plaque at the entrance,

【Oak Laboratory】

Ming yi showed an expression of "as expected".

"Ding-dong~"

Ash stepped forward and pressed the doorbell,

Zap!

"Who's there at this hour?"

From the speaker came a cocky male voice saying, "I'm the second to the boss."

"Well..."

Being treated with such an unfriendly tone, even as an outsider,

Ming yi reverted to her social anxiety state, instantly looking at Ash with a nervous expression.

As for Ash, hearing that voice not only did he not tense up, he actually relaxed more, and a flicker of curiosity flashed in his eyes.

"Xiao Mao, when did you come back?"

"Ash?"

After this sound came from the opposite side, the call was quickly hung up,

At the same time, in the courtyard, the front gate of the house on the slope was flung open with a bang,

A young man with spiky hair, wearing pajamas, shuffled over to the door in slippers.

He pulled the door open, saw Ash, and Xiao Mao was completely stunned.

"Really, it's you?"

"Long time no see."

Ash stepped forward and gave a quick hug to this childhood background figure.

The reason he's not called a rival but a background character,

Most likely because…

From childhood, Xiao Mao's ears were filled with remarks like 'Look at how Ash is doing at other people's neighbor's house,' and so on.

Whether in studies or Pokémon battles,

Xiao Mao never won against Ash, even if he gave it his all, faced the gap head-on, and after trying hard, he was still crushed.

As a result, Xiao Mao didn't even participate in the City League,

In his first year, he charged into the finals like a dark horse and secured the runner-up position,

Seeing no hope of defeating Ash, he decisively changed careers and became a researcher.

His current dream is to travel to every corner of the world, discover new Pokémon, and personally add them to the Pokédex.

Respecting Xiao Mao's choice,

So even though Ash knows a lot about unknown Pokémon, he still chose to keep his lips sealed.

"How's it going, has your research been going smoothly?"

"You still have the nerve to bring it up…"

Xiao Mao rolled his eyes,

"You have no idea how booming your clothing factory's business has been lately, especially that chibi Squirtle design; the short-sleeve that makes girls look adorably huge sold like crazy,

"Besides, your idea is actually not bad; I got each of my girlfriends a Squirtle-themed outfit, and they feel their looks have improved—so, which sister-in-law is this?"

"Ming yi!"

Ash briefly introduced Ming yi to the Squirtle enthusiast in front of him, and also introduced Ming yi to Xiao Mao's identity and past.

"This is Xiao Mao…"

"Ming yi?!"

Upon hearing that name, Xiao Mao couldn't help but startle, then instinctively looked toward Ming yi's front,

Although it was too dark to see anything clearly, the outline and size were unmistakable,

"It really is Ming yi…"

In the midst of speaking, Xiao Mao, feeling envious, gave Ash a playful punch,

"You little brat, you're truly the protagonist of a TV drama; I, this top-tier rich second-generation, am just here as your male sidekick to set you off—otherwise, how could you keep running into beauties of this caliber?"

In response, Ash could only offer an embarrassed yet polite smile,

"Hehe…"

Entering Oak Laboratory, as the light shone on Ming yi,

At close range, admiring Ming yi's looks, Xiao Mao couldn't help but stare for a moment.

"I suppose I understand what 'reverse beauty' means now; sister-in-law, you really are gorgeous in person."

After sighing, Xiao Mao subconsciously shifted his gaze, no longer looking.

He treats Ash as a brother,

Naturally…

He can joke around with Ash and even tease each other, but his body will honestly restrain itself.

Following Xiao Mao's gaze,

He saw the Cleansed Emerald Stone production line at the deepest part of the lab, and his face showed curiosity.

"How's it, has the Cleansed Emerald Stone production line been set up?"

"It's done, and a batch has already been produced; now we're testing the quality of the Cleansed Emerald Stone."

In the midst of speaking, the three of them arrived at the deepest part of the lab.

Here, Ash saw Clemont, who hadn't gone to sleep yet, Professor Oak, and Professor Bulatano.

Seeing that Clemont had no little one behind him, Ash couldn't help but wonder,

"What about Yurie?"

"Serena came earlier to pick her up and take her to sleep."

"How's it, has the Cleansed Emerald Stone been successful?"