Just as Misty had warned, if others knew that he had met Ho-Oh, who hadn't appeared before the world for hundreds of years, his journey would definitely not be peaceful.
Ho-Oh was an existence that both good and evil organizations wanted to glimpse. Compared to other Legendary Pokémon, Ho-Oh was even more eye-catching, simply because legend claimed that those who met Ho-Oh would have a lifetime of good fortune, and... if one gained Ho-Oh's approval, or captured Ho-Oh, it was very possible to increase one's lifespan!
For humans, immortality was something that over ninety percent of people pursued and desired.
Therefore, the fewer people who knew about meeting Ho-Oh, the better, just like Ash having a chat group.
Seeing Ash's sensible apology, Misty also breathed a sigh of relief. On one hand, Ash didn't mind her rough actions just now, and on the other hand, Ash understood why the matter of Ho-Oh couldn't be spread around, which saved her a lot of effort in explaining.
"Oh, right, I need to call my mom to let her know I'm safe. Misty, don't you need to call your family?" Ash suddenly thought of something, clapped his hands, and turned to go to the public video phone at the Pokémon Center, also asking Misty if she wanted to make a call.
Misty shook her head calmly. "I don't need to. My family is very busy and doesn't have time to answer my calls."
"Eh, what does your family do?"
"They perform. A bunch of sisters who don't do proper work. Don't ask so many questions."
"Oh."
Ash dialed his home number, reported his safety to Delia, and then called Professor Oak, informing him that he had arrived in Viridian City.
Professor Oak expressed surprise that Ash hadn't caught any Pokémon, while Gary had already caught more than a dozen.
In response, Ash quoted Champion Ash: "Pokémon are partners. When you catch them, you must be prepared to treat them with care. A trainer can have many Pokémon, but a Pokémon often only has one trainer, so if I can't be fully responsible for them, I won't catch them."
These profound words left Professor Oak stunned. And indeed, what Ash had said made a lot of sense.
Although Gary had caught quite a few Pokémon, most of them were common Pokémon like Rattata, Pidgey, Spearow, and Sandshrew. Catching those Pokémon was mainly for collection purposes, and as for training them... given Gary's personality, he probably wouldn't spend time on these common Pokémon.
After catching them, all the care for them was handled by Professor Oak's laboratory. Compared to being in the wild, those Pokémon's food, clothing, and shelter could be relatively guaranteed, but they didn't have as much freedom as in the wild. Most importantly, they didn't know if their trainer would visit them again.
To Pokémon, this seemed a bit too pitiful.
"I didn't expect you to be able to think such philosophical thoughts. This is completely different from your performance in class," Professor Oak marveled.
In academic classes, Ash was far behind Gary, but after only one day of travel, Ash could think of such profound questions, completely different from before his journey.
This kind of wisdom, let alone a young boy who just started traveling, even many experienced trainers hadn't considered it.
"What are you talking about! Why can't I think of such things? Professor Oak, you're looking at me with too much prejudice!" Ash complained with a displeased expression, but in reality, he was a little nervous inside.
If it weren't for Champion Ash's words, he might have already caught several Pokémon, like Spearow and Pidgey; he definitely wouldn't have let them go.
But Champion Ash's words made Ash understand what a true trainer was.
A true trainer didn't focus on the strength of their Pokémon or the quality of their tactics, but whether they had a heart that could seriously care for the Pokémon they caught.
Catching a large number of Pokémon just for battles and tactical advantages was actually a completely irresponsible act.
"Alright, since you've arrived in Viridian City, I'm relieved. By the way, Gary seems to have already signed up for the Kanto League. Ash, are you going to participate? Oh, right, do you even know what the Kanto League is?"
"Of course I know! I've already signed up, okay? If Gary calls you again, please tell him to wash his neck and wait for me at the Indigo League!" Ash waved his fist, full of fighting spirit!
"Uh... okay, I'll pass on the message. Well, if there's nothing else, I'll hang up... Wait, there's one more thing! You can choose any Gym for your first challenge, but don't choose the Viridian Gym or the Saffron Gym, got it?" Professor Oak was about to hang up but suddenly remembered something. He quickly stopped Ash from hanging up as well, speaking hurriedly.
"Hmm? Why?" It was the Viridian Gym again... The experienced trainers in the group had also warned not to choose the Viridian Gym for the first challenge. Was that Gym really that strong?
"The Viridian Gym is the strongest Gym in the Kanto League, without a doubt. The Gym Leader, Giovanni, is even called a man comparable to the Elite Four by the outside world, also known as Giovanni of the Earth."
"Giovanni of the Earth..."
"Yes, the Pokémon Giovanni uses are basically Ground-type Pokémon. Even the weakest Pokémon are not something a beginner can casually challenge, let alone that your starter Pokémon, Pikachu, is extremely disadvantaged against Ground-type Pokémon. In short, just don't go to the Viridian Gym." Professor Oak repeatedly warned Ash.
He was afraid that Ash would go to the Viridian Gym and be so thoroughly defeated by Giovanni that he would lose all confidence and completely lose his fighting spirit as a trainer.
This kind of thing had happened before in history, after all, Pallet Town was right next to Viridian City, and Viridian City happened to have a Gym. Many beginners, not knowing any better, went to challenge it, and the result was naturally predictable.
"I understand. Then what's the deal with the Saffron Gym?" Ash nodded, indicating he understood, but besides the Viridian Gym, what was the other Gym Professor Oak told him not to challenge? Was that Gym also very strong?
"The Saffron Gym recently changed its Gym Leader. The new Gym Leader is heavy-handed. From the information I've received, it seems that all trainers who challenged the Saffron Gym have been left with an indescribable psychological shadow. The trainers who challenged it only have one warning for newcomers: unless there are no other Gyms to fight, absolutely do not come to the Saffron Gym!"
Professor Oak's face pressed close to the camera, his enlarged elderly face looking quite serious. Combined with his ominous words, it could certainly scare a small child to tears.
Ash and Misty, who was beside him, were also unnerved by Professor Oak's warning. Ash repeatedly agreed, stating that he would not go to these two Gyms for now.