Join my p@treon for more chapters
[email protected]/Tempest_29
"Uncle! We can't give our phone number to others casually!" The girls scolded firmly.
"Wha... what?! Big... uncle?!" Hearing this, Brock froze in shock, immediately transforming into a stone statue and crumbling to pieces on the ground.
"Oh, who made you so mature so early? There's no way!" Misty muttered, looking oddly pleased. For once, she didn't feel the need to intervene.
"Huh? Ash? Long time no see."
Standing showily on the car's door, Gary had just noticed Ash. "You're still the same," he greeted casually.
"Yes! And you're still as flashy as ever!" Ash replied, a little exasperated.
"Hmph! Of course! I'm not like a regular Trainer," Gary boasted, then turned to glance at the nearby man. "But Ash, were you invited here too?"
Gary's presence was tied to the invitation from the man's staff. Despite the hot spring trip being the excuse, Gary had no real interest in it. After all, someone who travels in a sports car doesn't lack opportunities to relax. He had only come because the man was seeking skilled Pokémon Trainers. To Gary, it was another chance to show off.
"I'm just passing through and will be leaving soon," Ash replied nonchalantly.
Gary was momentarily taken aback. While he would never admit it, he considered Ash to be an excellent Trainer. Seeing Ash here made him think he had also been invited.
"No way! Are you leaving because I'm here? Don't worry, I'm not interested in the trip either. Even if I win the reward, I'd hand it over to you!" Gary said with mock generosity, clearly aiming to provoke Ash.
"I'm not interested in it either, and I'd advise you not to take part," Ash said firmly, unaffected by Gary's bait.
"Huh?" Gary frowned at Ash's disinterest, his provocative energy dimming as he fell silent, lost in thought.
"Alright, alright," Gary finally muttered. "If you're not participating, then move along and stop getting in my way!"
At this moment, the uncle overheard the conversation between Ash and the others and grew annoyed upon realizing they had no intention of assisting. Frustrated, he loudly shouted at the group.
Meanwhile, the group noticed a large bus parked behind Gary's car, filled with Trainers. It seemed these Trainers were the ones summoned for the task. Without further ado, Ash silently signaled Brock and Misty to step aside. Gary cast a glance at Ash before reluctantly signaling Stephanie, who was driving, to move the car out of the way. The bus then passed, taking the uncle along with it.
"Ash, this isn't like you!" Gary remarked, standing to the side. His tone carried an edge of surprise.
Having grown up together, Gary knew Ash well. For instance, when Moe was struggling at the beach before, Ash didn't hesitate to help without expecting anything in return. Yet, this time, Ash seemed to have no inclination to assist.
"You're Professor Oak's grandson. Don't you understand whether the Digletts can actually cause a disaster?" Ash said calmly, offering a simple reminder.
Gary fell quiet, reflecting on Ash's words. Professor Oak's research had indeed concluded that Diglett were not typically rough or aggressive Pokémon.
"But," Gary countered, "Grandpa's research also mentioned that even the same species of Pokémon can have different personalities! Maybe these Diglett are more aggressive than others?"
"If that's the case, then why hasn't anyone been injured, even with all these incidents?" Ash replied. "If these Diglett were truly aggressive, there would have been injuries by now. Even in the recent car accident, no one was hurt."
Hearing this, Gary furrowed his brow, a sense of doubt creeping into his thoughts.
"Ash is right!" a voice suddenly interrupted. Startled, everyone turned toward the source and saw a figure standing confidently on a nearby slope.
It was a girl with long brown hair, wearing a white hat, a blue sleeveless top, a red skirt, and blue boots. A blue wristband adorned her right wrist, and a yellow bag hung from her shoulder.
"Green?!" Ash and Gary exclaimed in unison, their surprise evident.
The newcomer was Green, a fellow Rookie Trainer from Pallet Town. Although they all started their journeys together, Ash hadn't seen her since they set off. It was unexpected to encounter her here.
"Long time no see, Ash, Gary!" Green greeted warmly. Despite her cheerful demeanor, she carried an air of confidence. Since childhood, Green had always been someone Ash and Gary admired for her strength, often outshining them in their eyes.
Facts have indeed proved this to be true. After setting off on her journey, Green's performance was no less remarkable than the boys', often surpassing expectations.
"What do you mean, Ash is right?" Gary asked, frowning in confusion at Green, who stood confidently on the slope.
"You'll understand if you come with me," Green replied, flashing a mischievous smile. Without waiting for a response, she turned and began walking into the woods.
"Hey! Explain it clearly!" Gary called after her, annoyed. He then turned to his group and gestured for them to wait where they were before following Green into the woods.
Ash signaled for Brock and Misty to follow, and soon the group climbed the slope, trailing behind Green's confident strides. Misty, glancing curiously at the girl leading the way, leaned toward Ash and whispered softly into his ear.
"Ash, who is she?"
"Her name is Green. She was Gary's and my playmate when we were kids," Ash explained with a fond smile. Hearing her name mentioned, Green glanced back, her eyes twinkling mischievously as she teased.
"I didn't think you'd come to a place like this just for fun. Hey, Ash, are you and Misty a couple?"
"Wha... what are you saying?! That's... that's not true! Don't talk nonsense!" Misty stammered, her cheeks flushing as she quickly stepped away from Ash.
"Hehe!" Green chuckled at Misty's flustered reaction. She had only been teasing, but the way Misty and Ash acted made her suspect there might be more to their relationship than they let on. Even with Gary and his group of girls around, Green found herself entertained by the dynamic between Ash and Misty.