Chapter 45: Pansies Arrive, Interview Begins!

Actually, the Phantom Color Crystal Tower also has guest rooms, and because it has an automatic cleaning system, there's no need to worry about hygiene.

In the end, Clemont, as the Gym Leader, fulfilled his host duties and provided lodging.

Before resting,

The four of them, reminded by Serena, went to visit Limonei.

Limonei's electronics store,

Clemont briefly explained what had happened at the Phantom Color Crystal Tower.

"What?! You said the Gym was taken over by this robot before?"

Limonei appeared utterly shocked, as if he had never heard of this before, performing it completely naturally,

Ash watched, clicking his tongue in amazement.

"Dad, listen to us to the end!" Yurie complained.

Clemont also explained: "Up until just now, it had still been taken, but now it's fine, and I've even entrusted him as the interim Gym Trainer,"

"Moreover, I've already publicly apologized to the challengers."

"What's the apology about?"

"It's just..."

Clemont then recounted how he had publicly apologized with Ash's help.

"That won't do!" Limonei said earnestly,

"You also need to explain this clearly on your own social media account and sincerely apologize to the challengers who were duped!"

"I know, Dad."

Clemont plans to do this after he returns.

"So, can you come visit me more often from now on? Your mom also misses you guys."

As they spoke, Limonei glanced at his blond wife, who had been smiling silently beside him.

"Actually... that..."

Clemont twisted his index fingers back and forth,

"Clemont!" Ash stepped forward and patted Clemont's insecure shoulder.

"Thank you, Ash!"

Smiling, he thanked him, and with Ash's encouragement, Clemont regained his confidence.

"Mom, Dad, I've decided! During this time traveling with Ash, I've learned a lot,"

...,

"so even if it's just until Ash's Miare Conference ends, I want to keep traveling with Ash."

"Dad, I also want to go with big brother."

Naturally, the final result was that everyone was happy,

Limonei directly agreed to their request and also guaranteed that the Gym would be entrusted to him and Xiteluoyite to look after.

After having dinner made by Clemont's mother at Limonei's electronics store,

the four returned to the Phantom Color Crystal Tower.

Clemont asked Ash whether he wanted to challenge the Miare Gym; after thinking, Ash still refused.

"Wait a while longer; since I arrived in Kalos, I've only caught three Pokémon so far, and I hope to someday have a full six-on-six battle with Clemont."

"Good! Then it's settled!"

At night, Ash naturally still shared a room with Serena.

Worth mentioning,

because Serena's identical red dress had already been worn, this time they all got washed and are still drying,

tonight Serena put on the same outfit as Xiaoju'er,

and she herself became "Xiaoju'er Serena".

To Serena's embarrassment and surprise, Ash today seemed as if he had equipped attack speed and critical hit gear,

his bravery far surpassed before.

The next morning,

Ash and Clemont had already taken their Pokémon out for a round of training,

Serena still hadn't woken up,

Finally, Ash personally went to the room to wake Serena up, and only then did she reluctantly get out of bed.

Under Ash's service, she put on the dried clothes.

The four had breakfast,

and continued their unfinished journey.

This time the destination was finally confirmed: the Rock Gym in Yuxiang City!

But before that…

"Since we're here, let's first go visit the Professor," Serena suggested.

"Sure!"

Ash naturally had no objection,

En route, Ash's party encountered the three-member Team Rocket who were about to do something mischievous.

Musashi and them disguised themselves as famous cosmetologists and stole many poodle Duolimiyia.

The exquisitely lifelike makeup left everyone completely baffled.

Ash helped Junsha crack this case.

Directly sent the three members of the Rocket Team soaring into the sky.

"What an annoying feeling!"

The trio descended from the sky and landed on the branch of a huge tree.

Xiaocilang went in first, followed by Miaomiao and Musashi.

"Pain! It hurts! Musashi, when will you lose weight? You're way too heavy."

"What did you say?"

"Stop arguing, look, that ahead is the same research institute from last time, Miaomiao!"

"Huh? It really is!"

"I recall, Xiaocilang, you said the super‑evolution plan can't do without Little Imp or that Doctor?"

"Exactly, as long as we have super‑evolution Miaomiao, we can definitely defeat Little Imp!"

"Doesn't that mean..."

"Hehehe!"

The trio exchanged glances, each showing a thoroughly wicked expression.

Before long,

a pitch‑black truck barreled straight into the research institute's backyard, shattering the glass,

the Rocket Team trio quickly got out, hurling a harsh remark amid the bewildered spirits and the Doctor.

"Hey, that Kabuqinuo Doctor over there, do you remember us?"

"Hey hey, Musashi, it's Thus line: Bulatenuo."

"Whether it's Thus line: Bulatenuo or Kabuqinuo, the key is to bind people for our use."

"Exactly, Miaomiao!"

"You are... that talking Miaomiao?!"

The Doctor opened his mouth in astonishment.

"I will not allow you to capture the institute's spirits."

"Who wants to capture spirits? Our target this time is you!"

As the words fell, a large net shot straight toward Bulatano, binding him tightly.

Miaomiao opened the rear door,

Musashi and Xiaocilang rushed forward, lifted the bound Doctor, and tossed him into the truck.

"Yay, we got him!"

Having captured the Doctor, the trio quickly got into the cab and drove away from the research institute, which had been damaged a second time.

At the huge breach in the institute's backyard, a Halili watched the departing Rocket Team, hesitated, then chose to follow.

Using a vine whip to latch onto the carriage door, it followed,

the group headed straight toward the road where Ash and the others were.

…

Meanwhile, as Ash was on the way, he received a call from Sanse Jin.

Thinking of the old lady's ranch in Similu Village,

Ash signaled the three to stop the march,

found a cold drink shop by the roadside, sat under a huge sunshade fan, ordered quadruple cold drinks and talked with Sanse Jin.

"Ash, I've already arrived here!"

"That fast? You only notified yesterday, and you're here today—Miss Sanse Jin's efficiency is impressive!"

"It's because you've looked after me before; when trouble arises, I'll of course try to help as much as possible."

Mid‑sentence, the camera shifted to a familiar little face,

the ranch's little granddaughter.

"Brother Ash, are you okay?"

"I'm fine. How are you and Grandmother?"

"…"

The four of them chatted at length with the little girl opposite them,

"Hey, now believe me."

Sanse Jin, irritated, reached out and tapped the little girl's head.

"Little girl, you won't accept an interview unless you see Ash; you're small but fierce, your vigilance is quite strong."

"Hehe, sorry sister."

The little girl quickly admitted her mistake,

but at this point, Sanse Jin instead shook her head,

"No, you did the right thing. One should keep a high level of vigilance toward others, especially journalists; you can't accept interviews casually."

"Alright, let's leave it at that for now. When your interview is ready to be released, tell me and I'll repost it on my social account."

"Okay!"

He hung up the phone,

The cold drinks in the four cups of Ash's party were just finished.

Just as they were about to stand up and head to the research institute,

Right in front, a black freight truck bearing a huge letter "r" sped past.

Seeing Ash stop in his tracks, the three of them looked puzzled and turned back.

"What's wrong?"

"No need to go to the research institute; the professor was kidnapped by Team Rocket!"

As he said, Ash's Mind couldn't help but spark with intense curiosity, wondering why Team Rocket would kidnap the professor.

"Anyway, let's catch up and see."