20demayo Chapter 389 The Taste of Youth
Chapter 389 The Taste of Youth
"puff--"
"Ash!! You're so despicable!!!"
The "battle" between Ash and Gary at the fishing stall where the Team Rocket trio worked naturally became the focus of attention for everyone in Twinleaf Town.
Everyone initially thought that Professor Oak's grandson could tame these ferocious Goldeens, but unexpectedly, shortly after the competition began, Gary, on whom everyone had placed high hopes, was thrown away by a Goldeen with a terrified expression.
Before being knocked away, Gary's eyes were filled with resentment as he looked at Ash.
If I had to explain why...
"Everyone, go about your own business! Why are you all staring at me? The competition is already over!"
As Ash placed the Goldeen he had been holding high on the ground, he looked at the crowd of onlookers with some confusion and said this.
He seemed genuinely unaware of the profound impact this scene had had on them.
Even the Rockets' trio—
"Really? What kind of strength does this kid have? Lifting three goldfish by himself? Are you kidding me?! Is he some kind of superhuman strength demon?"
"We wouldn't dare mess with him. Even without Pokémon, I feel like even with all our Pokémon combined, we still couldn't beat that brat..."
"Let's not talk about that anymore. That little brat caught over a dozen goldfish all by himself! That's the result of all our hard work! If the boss knew that all the goldfish we caught with all that bait were taken, wouldn't he...?"
Before Meow Meow could finish speaking, a scene involuntarily flashed through the minds of the trio—
"The three of you who caused me so much loss still want your wages? Humph! I'm being lenient by not making you pay me back! Get out of here! Don't let me see you again!"
"No!! (Meow!!!)" *3
Ash was completely oblivious to the Team Rocket trio groaning in agony. After confirming that Gary had gloriously lost the match, Ash gazed contentedly at the mountain of spoils piled before him, nodded happily, and muttered to himself, "That's all for today. Thanks for your hard work!"
Ash said this to the Goldfish that were not agitated at all. The next second, the previously quiet school of fish suddenly erupted into chaos, jumping back to the surface of the water.
This scene shocked the audience even more.
Although Pokémon can understand human speech, it's almost impossible to get these wild Pokémon to obey you like this.
It was at this moment that people realized that Ash was able to easily get the Goldeen in the pond to willingly be caught by him because of his talent for "communicating" with Pokémon at will.
Looking at it this way, Xiao Mao didn't lose out at all.
only--
What stupid thing are you doing here?
Shinji?
Ash, who was still waving to the audience below, suddenly heard a cold, speechless voice beside him.
Turning around, they discovered that Shinji had somehow ended up standing below them.
"It's nothing, just participating in a competition."
Ash nonchalantly refused the generous prize that Team Rocket offered him, despite their pained expressions, and instead continued his conversation with Shinji.
"Of course I can tell."
Shinji still had his arms crossed, his face expressionless.
"The registration period for the tournament is about to end, and I haven't seen your names yet."
"Huh?! Really?! I'd forgotten!"
A rare look of surprise appeared on Ash's face as he turned to look at Dawn with a questioning expression.
"Um... now that you think about it, it really is..."
Xiao Guang opened the Pokémon Watch and saw that it was about to turn to 8:30. He said with a sense of realization.
If Shinji hadn't reminded him, even Hikaru, who was in charge of helping Ayako set up the Futaba Festival schedule, would have almost forgotten about it.
just.
As soon as Xiao Guang looked up, Xiao Zhi had already grabbed Pikachu and rushed towards the registration booth.
Five minutes to go.
Ash should be able to catch up.
But what about Shigeru, who was knocked away by the goldfish?
Xiao Guang exchanged a glance with Xiao Xia, who, like him, had been reduced to being a tool for carrying things.
They all shrugged.
It must be very difficult.
Watching Ash and Shinji leave one after another.
Xiaoxia couldn't help but sigh in her heart.
What to say.
That's really like Ash Ketchum's style, isn't it?
Xiaoxia's smile seemed somewhat helpless.
She came all the way from the Kanto region this time, partly to "investigate" the rumors, but more importantly, she wanted to participate in the festival with Ash.
It's like revisiting that seemingly recent, yet incredibly distant past.
How long has it been since she carried Togepi and walked between the two of them, with Ash in front looking around like a curious child, and Brock behind her explaining the new town's information while holding a map and a magazine?
They seem to have been through a lot.
But that's all in the past.
Is this really what it feels like to grow from naivety to maturity?
When Misty saw Ash's battle style in the Sinnoh region on TV.
That somewhat unfamiliar sense of maturity.
When Xiaoxia saw Xiaozhi at the scene today, he was still so carefree and forgetful, arguing with Xiaomao over the smallest things.
This somewhat familiar awkwardness... no, it's more like a youthful feeling.
She then realized.
I've reached the dividing line between naivety and maturity.
It wasn't just her.
Ash is the same, except that Ash is still the same in that aspect.
And Xiao Gang...
"Beautiful lady! May I share this wonderful evening with you—*ouch*...it's numb...it's gone numb..."
Ok.
Xiao Gang seems to be the same as always.
A man whose goal is to become the world's number one breeder, and who has yet to find a girlfriend.
How pitiful.
Of course, Xia doesn't have the right to say that now.
Her dream, whether it's becoming a Water-type Pokémon Master, or...
Well, they're still a long way off.
"Let's go take a look too!"
Xiaoxia patted Xiaoguang on the shoulder and said something earnestly.
Although Xiao Guang didn't know what Xiao Xia was thinking, he felt that she seemed to sympathize with him.
The crowd gradually dispersed, and within minutes only the disguised Team Rocket trio remained on the scene.
They looked at each other in bewilderment.
The crowd ahead had already emptied out.
Next came the goldfish that had been lost and found, which could be used for another two days.
"so......"
"Where are we?"
"Are we saved, meow?"
"Sonams—!"
.......
P.S.: Finally, it's vacation time! Almost 20 days off. 4K resumes in August. Hopefully I won't slack off QAQ~