After a hearty meal, Ash picked up the phone and contacted Anthony, expressing his intention to take Primeape back and continue training it himself.
Anthony had no objections.
After all, Primeape originally belonged to Ash, and as a Fighting-type specialist, he would never keep someone else’s Pokémon against their will.
After agreeing on a time to transfer the Poké Ball, Ash hung up the phone.
A hurried night passed.
Morning.
Pikachu noticed that the boy who usually overslept had woken up earlier than him.
A faint blue glow occasionally flickered from Ash’s body, leaving Pikachu’s face full of confusion.
He curiously observed Ash, who was sitting cross-legged on the bed.
Ash was currently sensing the Aura power hidden within his body.
With knowledge of future events, he knew very well that this body possessed powerful Aura, yet it had never been properly developed before.
Since Ash did not know any formal Aura training methods like those used by Sir Aaron’s descendants, he could only rely on meditation techniques he had read about in his previous life to try to perceive it.
Facts proved that talented individuals, given the right approach and effort, could indeed achieve results.
After an hour of concentration, he was finally able to mobilize a trace of Aura.
However, compared to Riley, the Aura Guardian he had encountered before, his Aura was still extremely weak.
It could only extend to a radius of about three meters, and it caused noticeable exhaustion.
A three-meter range might work for detecting Team Rocket’s disguises at close range, but for real combat or silent command, it was far from sufficient.
“Phew!”
Ending his Aura training, Ash opened his eyes and smiled.
“Pikachu, good morning!”
“Pikachu Pikachu, Pikachu Pikachu Pikachu?” (Ash, why were you glowing just now?)
Pikachu spoke while gesturing animatedly.
Having begun to grasp Aura, Ash could now truly understand Pikachu’s words, not just infer them from habit.
Ash reached out and rubbed Pikachu’s head.
“Pikachu, do you remember the legend of the Aura Guardian?”
“Pikachu?”
Pikachu tilted his head and thought.
“Yesterday, when I brought Pidgeot back, the moment we entered the Pidgeotto territory, I could already sense their presence watching us.
That reminded me of Sir Aaron, Riley, and the legend of Spiritomb we once heard.”
Ash smoothly constructed a harmless explanation.
After all, transmigration was far too absurd to explain directly.
“Pikachu Pikachu Pikachu…” (So Ash, are you becoming something like a superhuman?)
“Pikachu, I can understand what you’re saying now!”
“Pikachu?” (Really?)
“What do you think!”
Ash grabbed Pikachu and gave him a playful rub.
The boy and his partner played around for a while until Delia’s voice from downstairs forced them to stop.
Coming downstairs, Ash found that Alexa had already gone ahead to Professor Oak’s Laboratory.
After finishing breakfast quickly, he picked up Pikachu, whose mouth was smeared with ketchup, and rushed toward the lab.
Delia watched him leave, already knowing he would not stay long this time.
She quietly returned to her sewing machine, preparing to make new clothes for him.
Upon arriving at the laboratory, Ash first received Primeape via Poké Ball transfer.
The moment the Poké Ball arrived, Ash immediately released it.
“Hoo hoo~!”
Seeing Ash again, Primeape leaped forward excitedly and hugged him tightly.
“Primeape, welcome back.”
“Pikachu Pikachu”
Ash and Pikachu warmly welcomed him.
[Pokémon: Primeape]
[Type: Fighting]
[Gender: Male]
[Strength: Gym Level 43]
[Ability: Defiant (Sharply boosts Attack when its stats are lowered)]
[Held Item: None]
[Moves: Scratch, Focus Energy, Seismic Toss, Cross Chop, Sucker Punch, Outrage, Rage Fist 17…]
Seeing the Rage Fist stack count, Ash’s eyes lit up.
This was truly an unexpected gain.
Compared to the Pidgeot Mega Set he obtained yesterday, Primeape, who had the potential to evolve into Annihilape, was even more valuable for his future plans.
As long as a Pokémon researcher was registered under the League, they could receive a stable monthly subsidy.
If their rank was high enough, they could also apply for rare resources directly.
More importantly, researchers could apply to increase the number of Pokémon they were allowed to carry.
If one reached the level of a regional Professor, that restriction could even be completely lifted.
After arriving at Professor Oak’s backyard, Ash saw Alexa interviewing Professor Oak and his Bulbasaur.
[Pokémon: Bulbasaur]
[Type: Grass, Poison]
[Gender: Male]
[Strength: Elite Four Level 52]
[Ability: Overgrow (Boosts Grass-type moves when HP is low)]
[Held Item: Everstone]
[Moves: Solar Beam, Razor Leaf, Vine Whip, Leech Seed, Poison Powder, Sleep Powder, Dig]
“Professor Oak, Miss Alexa, Bulbasaur!”
Ash waved energetically.
In the next second,
a herd of Tauros charged past.
Ash and Pikachu were instantly trampled in a chaotic yet oddly familiar scene.
“Da ne da ne”
Bulbasaur quickly ran over to check on them.
Professor Oak, already used to this, calmly explained, “Those Tauros are all Pokémon Ash caught in the Safari Zone.
This kind of thing happens quite often, so don’t worry, he’ll be fine.”
“Ah?”
Alexa felt her understanding of reality being challenged.
“Bulbasaur, you’re as energetic as ever!”
Ash sat up and gently patted Bulbasaur’s head.
“Da ne sa~”
Bulbasaur responded happily.
“Bulbasaur, please gather everyone.”
Hearing this, Bulbasaur immediately fired a Solar Beam into the sky.
A bright flash bloomed like fireworks.
All of Ash’s Pokémon, seeing the signal, quickly rushed toward his location.
Bayleef was far ahead of the others.
“Bayleef, wait!”
Ash’s expression changed as he saw Bayleef charging at full speed.
He hurriedly waved his hands to stop her.
But Bayleef had no intention of slowing down.
She leaped forward and tackled Ash, then happily rubbed her head against him.
The rest of the Pokémon were much more restrained and did not pile on.
Bayleef’s affection made Ash laugh helplessly.
“Bayleef, that tickles…
Alright…
I’ll rotate my team more often from now on, so you can travel with me again.”
Hearing this, Bayleef rubbed against him even more enthusiastically.
The other Pokémon also gathered around, clearly pleased.
Pikachu remained calm as always.
As Ash’s constant partner, he would naturally stay by his side no matter what.
After the lively reunion settled down, Ash finally remembered that he had not yet released his Unova team and the partners he had just brought back.
“Everyone, come on out!”