20demayo Chapter 435 Da Ye's Request
Chapter 435 Da Ye's Request
As night fell, a few sparse stars dotted the deep blue sky. The Pokémon Center in Asuka City was brightly lit, and soft light shone through the glass windows, adding a touch of warmth to the quiet night.
"Huh~"
In the spacious and bright hall of the Pokémon Center, Dawn carefully held Cyndaquil. She bent down slightly, scooped up some smooth, pasty food with her small spoon, and gently brought it to Cyndaquil's mouth. Cyndaquil squinted its big, dark eyes, swallowed with enjoyment, making satisfied "huffing" sounds, its little nostrils twitching slightly—it was incredibly cute.
This is a special nutritional meal prepared by Brock, specifically for newborn Pokémon. It has a faint aroma of milk and the sweetness of fruit.
"Poga!"
Piplup stood to the side, watching Cyndaquil being fed spoonful by spoonful in Hikari's arms. Piplup couldn't help but snort angrily, his eyes filled with displeasure. However, he didn't try to take the food, after all, Cyndaquil had just been born, and he should act like an older brother.
"We're almost at Binhai City. Where should we go after we get our eighth Gym Badge?"
At the dining table, Xiao Gang asked this question while looking at the map.
"I guess I'll go somewhere for some special training first. I'd prefer the area near Celeste City." Ash replied, watching Dawn feeding Cyndaquil. "But there won't be much time for special training, since there's not much time left before the big festival starts."
Upon hearing Ash talk about the grand festival, Dawn's face immediately lit up with excitement.
"I can't wait! I have to win the grand festival! I've already come up with half of my moves for the first round of judging!"
As Xiao Guang spoke, he proudly puffed out his chest, seemingly wanting to receive praise from the two of them.
However, before the two men could offer their praise, Miss Joey arrived with a face full of surprise.
"Mr. Xiaozhi, someone is looking for you."
Miss Joey's voice suddenly broke the warm atmosphere; it was clear and melodious.
"Looking for me?" Xiao Zhi asked, puzzled. He looked up at Nurse Joy with a questioning look in his eyes.
“Yes, he said he’ll be waiting for you at the battlefield behind us,” Miss Joey said with a smile. Her smile was sweet and gentle, making people feel especially welcome.
Xiao Zhi was filled with doubt. He scratched his head and couldn't think of anyone who would come looking for him at this time.
"Let's go take a look."
Xiao Gang put down the magazine in his hand and made the suggestion, his eyes also sparkling with curiosity.
"Ah."
Ash responded, stood up, hugged Pikachu, and followed Nurse Joy towards the battle arena at the back door of the Pokémon Center. Dawn also carefully carried Cyndaquil, following closely behind; she was also curious about who would come looking for Ash.
......
The battlefield, shrouded in night, appeared somewhat dim, with only a few dim yellow lights casting faint shadows across the area. A gentle breeze carried the fresh scent of grass and trees.
With the help of the dim light, Ash and his friends could make out the figure standing in the center of the field.
He was a tall man with fiery red hair that swayed gently in the night breeze like burning flames.
He was wearing a black coat, his hands in his pockets, his back to them, as if waiting for something.
"Mr. Da Ye?!"
Xiao Guang cried out in surprise first.
"Hey, Ash, you guys are here."
Da Ye turned around and greeted him warmly with a hearty smile.
"Mr. Da Ye, what brings you here so late? And what brings you here?"
Xiao Zhi quickly stepped forward and asked in confusion, looking Da Ye up and down, trying to glean something from his expression.
"Haha, I'm here to thank you." Da Ye laughed heartily, his voice booming and echoing across the empty battlefield. "Back at Mount Tianguan, thanks to your help, we were able to stop Team Galactic's plot. Cynthia and Gossop have been too busy to come and thank you in person, so they asked me to do it for them."
"Oh, I see."
Xiao Zhi suddenly realized what was going on, and he breathed a sigh of relief. It turned out that Da Ye had come to thank him.
"It's nothing, it was just a small favor," Xiaozhi said modestly.
"Speaking of which, if Mr. Gossou and Ms. Cynthia are very busy, then Mr. Daiyo, what about you—?"
"I...I didn't mean...hahaha..." Da Ye scratched his head and laughed awkwardly, "Because I accidentally messed up a few documents, Wu Song kicked me out."
Oh, I see.
It does resemble the feeling that Da Ye gives off.
"But Mr. Da Ye, you must have come here specifically for something else, right?"
Xiao Zhi's sudden question helped Da Ye smooth things over.
"Haha~ I didn't expect to be found out so quickly. Actually, there is another thing I'd like to ask you for help with this time."
"You need my help?"
Xiao Zhi was initially puzzled, but then he seemed to realize something and roughly guessed what Da Ye's request was.
"I hope you... can help me teach someone a lesson, or to put it more politely, have a Pokémon battle with him and defeat him in the battle."
Da Ye's smile faded, his tone became serious, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.
Xiao Guang and Xiao Gang looked at each other, their faces filled with surprise. They never expected Da Ye to make such a request.
"Excuse me... who are you talking about?"
Xiao Gang assumed from the outset that Da Ye wanted to ask Xiao Zhi to do something shady.
Otherwise, it would feel rather incongruous for the Four Heavenly Kings to utter the word "lesson".
Da Ye's next answer plunged Xiao Guang and Xiao Gang into another round of surprise.
“It’s Denji, the gym leader of the Binhai Dojo.” Daiye slowly uttered a name, his voice deep and powerful.
"The gym leader?"
Xiao Guang became increasingly puzzled.
really.
Ash thought to himself that this name confirmed his guess.
"Well, it's a long story..."
Da Ye sighed, a helpless expression on his face, and explained to the group:
"Denji has become... how should I put it, a bit depressed lately. Because he's incredibly strong, and since becoming the Gym Leader, he hasn't encountered any powerful Trainers for far too long. Most challengers avoid Denji's Gym, and over time, fewer and fewer people are challenging him. This has caused him to lose his passion for Pokémon battles. So I'm hoping you can help me by battling him as a challenger and helping him get back on his feet through victory... Please!"
Da Ye looked at Xiao Zhi with anticipation in his eyes, hoping that Xiao Zhi would grant his request.
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.
P.S.: Thanks to Beichuan's Dark Ultraman, Liang, Shining Oh Yeon-joo, and Wan Zhong's Bobo Milk Tea! Thanks to Beichuan's Dark Ultraman and Wangshengtang Walnut Cat for the update reminder!