What is a heavy girl? I want to be a Pokémon master!

This is just Ash's guess; who knows what Giovanni really thinks?

Without the strength of a champion, Ash would find it difficult to compete head-on with Giovanni, not to mention the presence of Mewtwo. He would need to develop for a while.

But... the bond with Pokémon and everything that has been built up over time will never betray me.

If Ash were to get involved with Team Rocket, he would do everything in his power to protect everything around him.

"Okay, go ahead and tell me. Whatever it is, I'll accept it!"

Xiao Zhi gently grasped Xiangzi's hand, sensing Xiangzi's warmth and nervousness.

His gaze immediately softened, conveying tenderness to the other person.

"The Toyokawa family I used to belong to..."

Feeling Xiaozhi's warmth, Xiangzi held Xiaozhi's hand tightly, expressing her love. She leaned on Xiaozhi's shoulder and told him what had happened.

The death of his mother, the Toyokawa family's ambush of his father in conjunction with Team Rocket, the stripping of his inheritance rights, his father's downfall, the Elite Four and the Toyokawa family head Katsuyuki Toyokawa, and his life as a customer service representative at the Eco Dome—he tells Ash all of this.

Most importantly, the Toyokawa family and Team Rocket will definitely gather here to catch Articuno, so Shoko wants to team up with them.

The hot spring is filled with steam, warm and comfortable.

Their mood gradually grew heavy. Xiao Zhineng could imagine how hard Shoko had worked in the past year since leaving the Toyokawa family.

Especially considering that the other person was originally a junior high school student, they were able to take good care of their father and themselves.

"So... I want to team up with Ash to capture them all..."

Xiangzi bit his lip tightly, staring intently at the boy in front of him with his amber eyes.

Actually, this was her personal grudge. Xiangzi wanted to take revenge on the Toyokawa family, so she said these things because she didn't want to involve Xiaozhi in her personal grudge.

"No problem! I will definitely protect you, no... not just Xiangzi, but everything you cherish, I... we will protect!"

Xiao Zhi made a firm declaration, releasing his grip on Xiangzi's hand and gently placing his hand on Xiangzi's fair and smooth shoulder. This action instantly brought the two closer together.

There was no falsehood in his words. As expected, he preferred to express his true thoughts frankly rather than offer comforting words that required careful consideration.

"what..."

No... I think I've really become impure...

A faint blush rose to Xiangzi's face, and she lowered her head shyly.

An unusual warmth, more psychological than physical, enveloped her in the hot spring. Her confusion dissipated, leaving her with only the emotion called 'love'.

Perhaps... without the Toyokawa family and Team Rocket, Shoko would have abandoned everything and stayed with Ash.

"Yes, I like you the most, Ash~"

Xiangzi couldn't help but hug Xiaozhi, her chest pressed tightly against his, conveying her love. Xiaozhi felt Xiangzi's warmth and tenderness, and he hugged her back tightly, responding to her affection.

After this is all over, my relationship with... Satoshi should be able to move to a new stage...

I want to be with him forever.

297 Aiyin: Awesome! So cool~

[Mission: Defeat Team Rocket, then find the real Lugia! Reward: Zygarde Polyhedron!]

On the way to the battle facility, Ash paused for a moment, puzzled, when he heard about the mission.

Zygarde Polyhedron: An item used to collect the core and cells of the Pokémon Zygarde. It can also be used to teach Zygarde moves.

It's a very useful and important item. Ash actually wants to fuse it with Zygarde because Team Flare has designs on Zygarde.

In that case, it would be good to give the other party a means of self-defense through the Zygote polyhedron.

Otherwise, according to the setting, it would take time and a certain amount of stamina for the core to become Zygarde, which would also give Team Flare an opportunity to take advantage of the situation, which is too bad.

Zygarde's traits are really weak, and they can't compare to the fairy aura and dark aura of X and Y gods at all.

Cluster transformation: When HP is reduced to half, cells will rush to support it and transform into the complete form.

Why didn't you transform from the start?!

Zygarde, did you play something wrong this game?!

If you could transform from the start, would you have gotten captured by Team Flare?!

Other legendary Pokémon can transform or fuse right away, so why does Zygarde need to lose half its health before transforming, and its base stats are only 708 after transformation? That's too conservative for this era.

I recommend checking out Zacian. It transforms directly, bringing its attack power to 720 with a sword in its mouth. Combined with its +1 Attack ability upon entry, it becomes the strongest Pokémon. That's the real transformation. It's a shame it got nerfed.

"Why have you suddenly become so generous?"

Ash asked Fricker in his mind, puzzled.

[Hmph~ I was bullied! I'm a system that only awakens after being bullied, because last night I saw my husband being kissed and hugged by some blue-haired, smelly woman, all that's missing is her flower petal...]

Stop acting crazy here!

[So, out of jealousy, I created the Zygarde polyhedron. Waaah, you know how jealous I am~~ Zhibao, how can I live without you~~ Being bullied is so painful~~ Waaah...]

So complicated...

Frico, you're a useful fellow! I would never abandon you.

Really?! Zhibao's favorite?!

Ash felt a headache coming on, then mentally praised Frickle briefly before ignoring the issue and focusing instead on his journey to the battle facility.

"Look, look, Ash! There's a Rowlet around here!"

"Hmm~ I saw it~"

At this moment, Xiaozhi was going out with Aine, Suze, and Suze's 'good friend' Ruoye Mutsu.

They woke up very early. Most of the girls were still asleep. Riki, Akari, and Rina were sleeping, while Hatsuka had a job at a hotel. Yutenji Wakana and Hachiman Kairin weren't very familiar with Satoshi.

As for Xiangzi...

"I want to die..."

Toyokawa Shoko lay in bed, her face flushed. Recalling her confession from the previous night, a restless itch welled up inside her. Her mind was filled with the image of Xiaozhi, every detail vividly clear, making her heart race involuntarily.

Especially... I was wrapped in a bath towel and holding Ash... the feelings at that time were hard to calm down.

In short...

The stems of the flowers and leaves are itchy!

"Calm down... calm down." Xiangzi closed his eyes, trying to calm himself down, and took deep breaths.

"Phew~ (Time to go out.)"

Just then, Milotic came over from not far away and reminded her that it was time.

Unfortunately, Xiangzi's heart was already swayed by Xiaozhi, and he couldn't calm down at all.

"Should we go?...I guess we should wait another minute."

Shoko Toyokawa was lost in her romance. She lowered her eyes shyly, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings. Then, she mustered her courage and kissed the lips of Satoshi on the phone screen.

It's all Xiaozhi's fault, it has nothing to do with me!

...

It's like adding more difficulty to the dungeon. Now, Xiao Zhi deeply understands the trouble this time is going to cause.

"Hairy Troll, quickly use Dark Pulse to take it down!"

"Great Wolfhound, Thunder Fang!"

Currently battling in the very center of the battle facility are Katsuyuki Toyokawa and a thin man, whose Pokémon are Marill's Admiral Grimmsnarl and Mightyena, respectively.

The Wave of Evil: [Evil] Emits a terrifying aura of malice from within. Sometimes it can cause opponents to flinch.

Upon hearing the trainer's command, the Great Wolfhound's teeth flashed with golden lightning as it charged forward swiftly.

"Oro~~" The long-haired troll easily dodged the giant wolfhound's lightning fangs. Then, it condensed a black and purple crisscrossing wave, and with a gentle wave of its hand, the wave shot towards the giant wolfhound.

"Awooo..." The large wolfhound was struck by the evil energy and instantly sent flying far away. It fell to the ground, but was still able to stand up.

"Don't fall, Great Hound, we'll retaliate with Dark Pulse too."

The thin man was clearly startled. He stared intently at the hairy troll and gave it orders.

The large wolfhound did not respond to him; instead, its body trembled, its mouth open, unable to unleash its attack.

"They've chickened out!! Now the new second contestant is in trouble!"

The professional commentator immediately recognized the condition of the large wolfhound.

Cowardice: A Pokémon that has become cowardly is unable to use its moves.

Dark Pulse has a certain probability of causing a Pokémon to flinch, preventing it from using any moves for a certain period of time.

"It seems like the heavens are on my side. Long-haired troll, give it the final blow."

Katsuyuki Toyokawa exuded a heavy and composed air, a smug smile playing on his lips.

The long-haired troll decisively unleashed the Evil Pulse, the force drawing an arc in the air and instantly striking the large wolfhound.

"Awooo~" The evil wave struck the target, and the Great Wolfhound's body felt as if it had been hit by a heavy hammer, letting out a howl.

Its body slowly fell down until the dust settled, and it could no longer move.

"Another victory. Is there really anyone on this island who can rival this trainer?"

"These are the future Four Heavenly Kings! The pride of our Kanto region."

The commentator then began his commentary, and the battle commenced with frenzied, all-out attacks.

What kind of abstract battle are you guys playing!

Why are they all using moves that aren't very effective?

Why don't the hairy trolls use Soul Blast?!

Even Xiao Zhi couldn't help but start complaining in his mind.

He could only attribute it all to Katsuyuki Toyokawa not wanting to end the Pokémon battle like that, so he used the less effective Dark Pulse instead of the highly effective Soul Impact.

In the previous situation, any move would have hit; if it were Ash, he would have ended it with Soul Impact.

"I feel like this guy doesn't have the same imposing presence as Ash..."

Even Aine couldn't help but complain, and by the way, she 'accidentally' got closer to Satoshi and held his hand.

Before coming, Aine and Motoyo agreed to focus their attention on the battle.

but...

Aiyin: It's so cool!

298 Ruoye Mu's Heart Fluttering

"Hey hey hey hey~"

Ai Yin smiled and took Xiao Zhi's hand, letting out a few Tang laughs, which made Su Shi want to punch her.

"Little~Ai~Yin~ Didn't we make a promise?" Su Shi, with her superb acting skills, carefully adjusted her voice, revealing a sweet and warm smile.

You've already got Ash holding your hand... so what about me?

I can't possibly hold onto Ash's arm and interfere with his battle!

I really want it...

"Haa~ Haa~" Instantly, Su Shi exhaled a breath full of desire, and the air was filled with a strong sense of ambiguity.

Her rosy lips trembled slightly, as if she wanted to express her thoughts.

Su Shi, you're disgusting...

Aine, standing next to her, felt a slight chill.

"By the way, didn't Su Shi get the clothes? Why don't you just use those?"

Last night, Aine saw Suze secretly sniffing Xiaozhi's clothes. She winked, giving him a hint.

"I've already put that garment in a vacuum bag and compressed it for safekeeping. Little Aiyin, do you have one?"

"Are you looking for a beating?... "

Su Shi coldly stared at Aine. The two girls locked eyes, silent sparks flying between them. Meanwhile, Xiao Zhi was caught in the middle...