Nidoran♀ looked back three times, watching Ash with some reluctance.
Ash smiled slightly, waving at Nidoran♀, "Go back quickly, we'll meet again if it's fated!"
Nidoking looked dazed, as if heartbroken, and led the little Nidoran♀ away.
"Return, Nidoqueen." The Camouflage Man took out a Poké Ball and recalled Nidoqueen.
He had never seen a situation like this before; perhaps the world was so vast that there would always be some strange existences.
The Camouflage Man shook his head helplessly, "There was a small interlude. Let's go, it's time for you to go home."
Ash and the others nodded slightly, following the Camouflage Man. After this incident, they no longer dared to act on their own.
At the same time, they silently thanked the man. If he hadn't helped them just now, the situation might have been difficult to control.
Because while Gary's Bulbasaur's level was not far from Nidoking's, their base stats differed too much.
And Gary had not reached a master level, so he couldn't bridge that gap at all.
"Uncle, thank you for your help!" Ash and the others expressed their gratitude. Having nothing tangible to offer, they could only thank him verbally.
The Camouflage Man suddenly stopped, looking at them, "I'm only 19, why are you calling me 'Chicken Feather Uncle'?"
Ash and the others were slightly stunned. "Thank you, Chicken Feather Uncle!"
Their voices were extremely loud, as this was heartfelt gratitude, without any concealment.
The Camouflage Man fell completely silent, his face twitching slightly. "No, I'm not called Chicken Feather Uncle, I'm called Arata."
"Huh? But you just said to call you Chicken Feather Uncle."
Ash and the others were also confused, seemingly unable to understand what the man was thinking.
The Camouflage Man gave a wry smile, which looked worse than crying. "I take back what I said about you being smart. I must have been blind!"
The Camouflage Man immediately increased his speed by a hundred, striding forward, no longer waiting for Ash and the others.
Everyone looked at each other, and although they didn't understand the situation, they didn't dare to ask any more questions. "Whatever he wants us to call him, that's what we'll call him!"
The group slowly walked on. After an unknown amount of time, they finally saw the forest exit.
"This is as far as I'll take you. Remember, don't ever venture deep into the forest on your own again!"
The Camouflage Man's stern words sounded full of unchallengeable authority.
"Got it, Chicken Feather Un— oh, no, Uncle Arata!" Ash and the others waved, walking with their backs to the forest exit.
The Camouflage Man slapped his forehead with his hand. He was too lazy to explain anymore. At only 19, he was already being called "uncle."
"Do I look that old?" The Camouflage Man shook his head and returned the way he came.
"What are you doing, ouch, don't touch This Young Master!" At the forest exit, Gary's shouts could be heard.
"Oh, don't be so stingy, you're not a girl." Ash didn't care that much and just put his arm around him.
The backs of the three slowly disappeared into the forest.
After exiting the forest, the group exchanged a few simple words before heading their separate ways, each going home to their mother.
"Pikachu~" At this moment, Pikachu popped out of its Poké Ball and immediately jumped onto Ash's shoulder.
"Pikachu, you're okay!" Ash smiled slightly, looking at Pikachu with affection.
Pikachu nodded, its expression extremely joyful, pointing its paw towards the direction of home.
"I knew you wouldn't just pop out on your own. So it's dinner time!" Ash smiled and quickly walked towards home.
"Grrr… grrr…"
At this moment, Ash's stomach was rumbling with hunger. After a day of busyness, he had expended a great deal of energy.
Thinking of the delicious food Delia made, Ash also quickly started running, just wanting to eat the rich dinner sooner!
"Mom, I'm home!" Ash pushed open the door, smiling as he looked towards the familiar place.
That's right, at this time every day, Delia would be busy preparing dinner.
"You're back, Ash. Come and rest, have some water."
Delia put down what she was doing and quickly walked towards Ash, her face full of smiles.
"Look at you, why are you all sweaty? Wipe it off quickly." Delia brought a towel and gently wiped Ash's forehead.
"Mom, I can do it myself. You've been busy for so long." Ash snatched the towel from Delia's hand and wiped himself.
Delia smiled slightly, seeming to feel a little relieved. "Then Mom will go cook first. You and Pikachu go take a bath."
Ash nodded, "Got it, Mom. I'm going now."
After changing his shoes, Ash carried Pikachu and walked towards the bathroom. "Let's go, Pikachu, time to get squeaky clean!"
"Pika, Pika." Pikachu shook its head, looking a little unwilling.
"What's wrong, Pikachu? Are you still shy?" Ash looked at Pikachu, a little incredulous.
"Pika?" Pikachu tilted its head, trying to break free from Ash's grasp, but it seemed a bit futile.
"Don't be shy, we're all big guys, hehehe…" Ash's expression was a little lewd as he stared intently at Pikachu.
It must be said that this expression looked a little strange.
"Pikachu!!"
Tsk tsk tsk, Ash's body flashed like a light bulb, slowly dimming after a while, and he exhaled a puff of black smoke.
"Pikachu, you…" After a slight twitch, Ash quickly put Pikachu down.
At this moment, Pikachu looked arrogant, as if it felt Ash was getting what he deserved, serving him right!
Ash, whose entire body was numb, no longer dared to force Pikachu. "So stingy. Well, I'm going to take a bath first, Pikachu."
Delia turned to look at the two boisterous guys, smiled helplessly, and then continued to be busy.
Although Ash had grown so much, Delia's appearance remained very well-preserved, and her figure was simply perfect.
Her delicate skin was fair and flawless, and her approachable demeanor made her seem extremely gentle and generous.
"Pika, Pika!" At this moment, Pikachu was sitting on the sofa, holding a bottle of soda, drinking it heartily.
Its lazy posture already had a bit of a boss-like demeanor, and the expression on its face was extremely content.
On the TV, various delicious foods were being shown, making Pikachu's drool almost flow out.
At the same time, the aroma from the kitchen slowly wafted out, filling the entire house with its scent.
Pikachu sniffed hard, feeling as if its soul was about to float out. It was practically like dreaming of the Tang Dynasty several times, with infinite thoughts… "Dinner's ready, Ash, Pikachu." Delia brought out the steaming hot dishes, arranging them neatly and orderly.
"Why so fast? Wait for me!!"
Ash made clanging sounds in the bathroom, seemingly a bit anxious.
"Good, the longed-for ketchup is still here!" Ash sat down at the dining table and ate with relish.
The night was slightly cool, and the bright moonlight slowly shone through the window, reflecting on the floor, creating a unique charm.
And in the house, the family was enjoying dinner together, full of laughter and joy, looking extremely warm.
Sometimes, it's not about being rich or powerful; as long as the family is harmonious and loves each other, the happiness index will definitely not be low.
But at some point, money has become the standard by which everything is measured. They work from dawn to dusk, tirelessly, just for money.
And at such times, most people are too busy to take care of their children, often creating an insurmountable gap.
In this extravagant era, they will believe that money can solve everything, including the childhoods of those children.
So now, Ash is very content, whether it's with his family on Blue Star or with this family in the Pokémon world.
In his eyes, he lives a very happy life, his heart feels no emptiness, but rather, every day is fulfilling.
After dinner, Ash and Pikachu finished the housework, then sat on the sofa and turned on the TV.
With Ash and Pikachu's help, Delia was also much more relaxed, without so many burdens.
"Pika, Pika."
At this moment, Ash was sitting on the sofa, playing with Pikachu. The two exchanged playful blows, but both controlled their strength.
If they weren't careful, given Ash's size compared to Pikachu, a kick might send Pikachu flying a dozen meters away.
Delia came out of the bathroom, her hair still a little damp.
"Mom, let me help you dry your hair. It's so late, leaving it wet like this will make you catch a cold easily."
Seeing Delia's hair still dripping, Ash quickly jumped up from the sofa and hurried to get a dry towel.
Delia looked at Ash with gentle eyes, "My Ash has grown up, and he's such a warm-hearted boy!"
At Delia's words, Ash felt his face flush a little. "Mom, don't tease me!"
Ash gently wiped Delia's hair, his technique a blend of soft and firm, wiping with great care.
"Ash, you're graduating tomorrow, aren't you?" Delia smiled slightly as she said to Ash.
Hearing Delia's words, Ash paused for a moment. "Yes, Mom, I'm graduating tomorrow."
Delia nodded gently, "Don't feel too much pressure for the exam, just perform normally."
After saying this, a hint of helplessness flashed across Delia's face, but it quickly disappeared.
Clearly, Delia still thought Ash was like before, his academic performance truly terrible.
Before, Delia had diligently taught Ash, even hiring expensive tutors to assist him with his studies.
However, the results were obvious: the effort and reward were not proportional, because Ash's mind was focused entirely on actual battles.
As for cultural knowledge, the previous Ash was simply not interested, so naturally, there wouldn't be much effect.