Mt.
Moon.
The mountains rose and fell, with huge rocks jutting out everywhere.
However, Ash’s group of three seemed very relaxed.
On the road before reaching Mt.
Moon, there had indeed been many Trainers blocking the way.
However, none of those Trainers were Ash’s match.
Ash also let Pikachu battle to its heart’s content.
Although battling one after another was tiring, the growth it brought was also very rapid.
Pikachu had not learned any new moves, but its proficiency in Thunderbolt had risen to the proficient level.
This made Pikachu’s move even more powerful, and its control over energy became even more refined.
At this moment, Ash’s group was preparing lunch.
Firewood was piled up, and flames were lit.
An iron pot was placed over the fire, gradually heating up.
Ash took out a block of tofu from his backpack.
This was an ingredient they had restocked in Pewter City.
Tofu could not be stored for very long, so Ash decided to cook it first.
As it happened, the apprentice-level Breeder experience contained cooking methods related to cuisine.
“Ash, you know how to cook?” Brock and Misty asked in slight surprise.
Ash nodded slightly.
“Originally, I didn’t.
But not long ago, I learned.”
Brock did not think too much about it.
Misty blinked, guessing that this was related to what Ash had said earlier at the Pewter Gym about his future self.
Ash took a large pile of ingredients from his backpack.
There was a small stream nearby.
Ash used the stream water to wash the ingredients clean.
He cut the tofu into small pieces.
He added salt into boiling water, boiled the tofu for a minute, and made the tofu firmer.
Then he scooped it out and drained it.
Next, he heated oil in the pot, stir-fried chili peppers until fragrant, then added dried meat, scallions, ginger, garlic, and chili bean paste.
As he continuously stir-fried, red oil bubbled and sizzled.
At this moment, he added the seasonings and tofu.
A fragrant aroma began to spread through the air.
This made Misty, Brock, and Pikachu beside him instantly hungry.
“Pikachu, now!
Use Thunderbolt at the lowest power and add it into the dish!” Seeing that the dish was about to be completed, Ash suddenly shouted.
Not only Pikachu, even Brock and Misty were directly dumbfounded.
“Can that still be eaten?”
“Are you serious?
Ash, don’t waste food!”
The two humans and one Pokémon were confused at the same time.
They completely could not understand Ash’s behavior.
What decent person released a move into the pot while cooking?
If you dared to add Thunderbolt today, tomorrow you would dare to add Hyper Beam into the pot!
“Pikachu, if you don’t hurry, it’s going to burn!” Seeing that Pikachu still had not moved, Ash hurriedly urged it.
After being urged repeatedly by Ash, Pikachu could only helplessly try.
Fortunately, its proficiency in Thunderbolt had increased.
Otherwise, controlling the power really would not have been easy.
“Pika…”
Pikachu hesitated for a moment, controlled its power, and released Thunderbolt at the lowest strength.
A current the size of a fingernail fell into the pot.
But the result was unexpected.
The imagined explosion of the iron pot did not happen.
Reality was exactly the opposite.
The current fell onto the tofu in the pot and turned into a tiny snake, swimming across the tofu.
A pot of fragrant, spicy tofu successfully came out.
Gulp~
The sound of swallowing saliva rang out.
Seeing everyone else drooling, Ash could not help smiling.
“Come eat.”
Ash divided the tofu onto plates and even specially prepared a portion for Pikachu.
Misty was the first to lose patience.
She scooped up a piece of tofu with a spoon and ate it.
The moment the tofu entered her mouth, a tingling sensation like being lightly shocked instantly flowed through her whole body.
If this were in Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma, this dish would absolutely be a top-tier delicacy that made clothes explode off!
“Delicious!” Misty’s eyes shone as she began eating big mouthfuls with her spoon.
Seeing Misty act like this, Brock could not help tasting a bite as well, feeling both doubtful and nervous.
With just one bite, his original doubts instantly vanished completely.
All that remained was deliciousness.
Seeing Brock and Misty devouring the food ravenously, Pikachu also began tasting it curiously.
Unlike Brock and Misty, after Pikachu ate the tofu, electric currents emerged all over its body.
This made Pikachu feel incomparably comfortable.
The current attached itself to Pikachu like a thin layer of clothing, making its fur even glossier.
“What’s going on?” Misty and Brock’s eyes widened.
Ash also served himself a plate of tofu and explained while eating, “This is a Breeder’s cooking method.”
“Raising Pokémon isn’t just as simple as training them.
Every detail in daily life is vitally important, and food is the same.”
“I boldly tried using Pikachu’s Thunderbolt as a seasoning too, and successfully made this dish.
After Electric-type Pokémon eat it, they should be able to make better use of Electric-type energy.”
“As for this dish’s name… I’ll call it [Electro-Numbing Tofu].”
With Breeder knowledge, Ash could now do even more.
Pokémon of different types and Pokémon with different personalities would each have foods they liked.
For example, Pikachu really liked ketchup.
For dinner, Ash planned to try making something with a sweet-and-sour flavor.
“Ash, you actually know a Breeder’s cooking method.
Does that mean you’re a Breeder?” Brock, who had only just gotten to know Ash, was shocked by this.
After all, Brock’s goal had always been to become an outstanding Breeder.
Ash shook his head in denial.
“Not really.
I just happen to understand some knowledge in this area.”
Just as Ash’s group was happily enjoying lunch, deep inside Mt.
Moon, a man wearing a white coat slowly walked out.
“I smelled this aroma from far away.
What kind of food is this?
I haven’t eaten in a long time.
Could you share a little with me?” the man pleaded.
Ash looked at the ragged man and generously handed over the tofu in his hands.
The man held the tofu as if it were a treasure and savored it bite by bite.
Seeing the man like this, Brock could not help frowning.
“If I remember correctly, those clothes should belong to a staff member of the science museum.
Why did you become like this?”
After hearing that, the man froze.
Only then did he carefully size Brock up from top to bottom.
“My attention was completely focused on this delicious food just now, so I only realized now that you’re Gym Leader Brock from the Pewter Gym!”
“To my shame, I was originally conducting archaeological work inside Mt.
Moon, but then I was attacked by a group of people calling themselves Team Rocket.”
“But it’s fine now.
I’ve already escaped.”
“Hahaha!
Those guys can’t catch me!”
The man laughed loudly in a somewhat careless manner.
“…”
This left Ash, Misty, and Brock somewhat speechless.
However, Ash was already very familiar with the words Team Rocket.
The figures of the Team Rocket trio he had blasted away subconsciously appeared in his mind.
“Right, you absolutely must not enter the depths of Mt.
Moon right now.
Those guys have already occupied the deeper area.
It’s very dangerous.”
For the sake of the delicious food, the man kindly warned them.