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Just as Misty said, 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 is an existence that both the light and dark sides want to glimpse. Compared to other Legendary Pokémon, Ho-Oh is even more eye-catching, simply because legend has it that those who meet Ho-Oh will have a lifetime of good fortune, and... if one gains Ho-Oh's approval, or captures Ho-Oh, it's very possible to increase one's lifespan!
For humans, immortality is something that over ninety percent of people pursue and desire.
Therefore, the fewer people who know 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, 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 Pokemon Center, also asking Misty if she wanted to make a call.
Misty shook her head and said 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 don't plan to catch Pokémon casually."
These profound words left Professor Oak stunned. And indeed, what he said made a lot of sense.
Although Gary had caught quite a few Pokémon, most of them were common Pokémon like Raticate, Pidgey, Spearow, and Sandshrew. Catching those Pokémon was mainly for collection, 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 side. 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, their Trainer didn't know how long it would be before he would trade them over.
To Pokémon, this seemed a bit too pathetic.
"I didn't expect you, Ash, to be able to say such philosophical words. This is completely different from your performance in class," Professor Oak said with emotion.
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 thing, let alone a young boy who just started traveling, even many experienced Trainers hadn't thought about it.
"What are you saying, what are you saying! Can't I think of such things? Professor Oak, you're looking at me with too much prejudice!" Ash complained with a dissatisfied 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 is.
A true Trainer doesn't look at the strength of their Pokémon or the quality of their tactics, but whether they have a heart that can seriously treat the Pokémon they catch.
Catching a large number of Pokémon just for battles and tactical services is 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 clean 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 Gym, 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's the Viridian Gym again... The big shots in the group also said not to choose the Viridian Gym for the first Gym. Is 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 has happened before in history, after all, Pallet Town is right next to Viridian City, and Viridian City happens to have a Gym. Many beginners, not knowing why, went to challenge it, and the result was naturally self-evident...
"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 cast under an indescribable 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 old face looking like a ghost. Combined with his words, it could certainly scare a three-year-old child to tears.
Ash and Misty, who was beside him, were also unnerved by Professor Oak's words. The former repeatedly agreed, stating that he would not go to these two Gyms for now.