After leaving the forest, Ash and his group stepped into New Bark Town, and the fresh air carrying a hint of sea salt instantly lifted their spirits.
The town wasn't large, but it was clean and full of life. The houses with colorful rooftops looked especially beautiful under the sunlight.
"So this is New Bark Town. It really feels like a great place to start!" Misty took a deep breath, clearly in a good mood.
"First, we need to go to the Pokémon Center to register for the Johto League," Brock said confidently while holding a guidebook. "Follow me, this way."
The group quickly found the New Bark Town Pokémon Center. Its familiar architectural style made them feel at ease.
As soon as they entered the lobby, they saw three Chansey busily working at the front desk.
"Excuse me, is Nurse Joy here? We'd like to register for the League," Ash stepped forward and asked.
"Chansey~ Chansey~" the Chansey called, pointing toward an electronic screen on the wall. A message scrolled across it:
[Notice: Nurse Joy has gone to Professor Elm's Lab for an urgent matter. Please wait or head to the lab if needed.]
"Professor Elm's Lab?" Ash recalled that it was a well-known Pokémon research facility in the Johto region, located near New Bark Town. "Looks like we'll have to make a trip there."
Following the signposts, they soon arrived at Professor Elm's Lab. A crowd had gathered at the entrance, and the atmosphere felt tense.
A middle-aged man in a white lab coat and glasses, with a scholarly appearance, was anxiously speaking with Officer Jenny. Beside them stood a Nurse Joy, looking apologetic.
"So… I'm really sorry to trouble you at a time like this, Officer Jenny," Professor Elm said, wringing his hands, his tone filled with self-blame. "I was too careless. I never expected someone to steal the Totodile meant for a new trainer…"
"The Totodile was stolen?" Misty exclaimed in surprise.
Ash immediately had a clear idea. At a time like this, in a place like this, who else could have done something like that except those three troublemakers?
"Professor, Officer Jenny," Ash stepped forward and spoke up, "I might have some clues about the thief."
Both Professor Elm and Officer Jenny turned to look at him.
"If I'm not mistaken, the one who stole Totodile is most likely Team Rocket," Ash said confidently. "They pull this kind of stunt all the time, and they probably haven't gone far."
"Team Rocket?" Officer Jenny frowned, clearly familiar with the name. "Them again…"
At that moment, Brock's attention was completely captured by the heroic and graceful Officer Jenny.
He suddenly slid forward, somehow producing a small bouquet of wildflowers, and knelt on one knee, gently taking her hand with a lovestruck expression.
"Oh! Beautiful and righteous Officer Jenny! Your loyal gaze, as steadfast as a Growlithe's, and your tireless dedication to maintaining peace have deeply moved my heart…"
"Alright, that's enough!" Misty reacted instantly, grabbing Brock by the ear and dragging him back, her face full of exasperation. "Is this really the time to be flirting?! Get serious!"
"Ow, ow, ow… Misty, be gentle…" Brock clutched his reddened ear and retreated to the side, looking pitiful.
Officer Jenny seemed used to this kind of scene. She simply smiled politely before turning serious again.
"The information provided by this trainer is very valuable. Growlithe!" she called out to her partner.
A Growlithe with brown fur and black stripes, sharp eyes gleaming, immediately ran over, sniffing the ground carefully.
"Growlithe, please track the thief's scent!"
"Woof!" Growlithe barked, lowering its nose to sniff around the entrance of the lab before suddenly dashing off toward the outskirts of town.
"Let's follow it!" Ash said immediately.
The group chased after Growlithe, running across the grassy outskirts of town and into a small grove.
Before long, they heard a familiar, furious female voice ahead.
"Let go of me! You stupid crocodile!"
"Hurry up and do something, James! My hair! My precious hair!"
"Don't panic, Jessie, I'm looking for something to help, meow…"
Pushing aside the bushes, the sight before them made everyone freeze for a moment.
Team Rocket was gathered in a frantic mess.
And Jessie's signature long red hair was currently clenched tightly in the jaws of a lively blue crocodile Pokémon, Totodile!
Totodile happily shook its head, yanking Jessie back and forth, making her stumble all over the place as she screamed in pain. James and Meowth were desperately trying to pry Totodile's jaws open, but had no idea how to do it.
"Pfft…" Misty was the first to burst out laughing.
Ash crossed his arms, a teasing smile on his face. "Well, well, Team Rocket. That's quite a unique new look. Are you putting on a show called 'The Angry Crocodile and Its Red Mop'?"
Hearing his voice, Jessie turned her head sharply. Seeing it was Ash and the others, her face twisted in anger. But with her hair still trapped, she didn't dare move too much. "You again?! You brat! Make this stupid crocodile let go!"
"Team Rocket! Release Totodile immediately and surrender!" Officer Jenny shouted sternly.
"Hmph! Since you've found us…" James tried to sound composed as he reached for a Poké Ball.
Before he could finish, Ash had already moved.
In a flash, he rushed to Jessie's side. Before Totodile could react, Ash skillfully reached out and lightly pressed a specific spot under its jaw.
With a soft click, Totodile winced and instinctively loosened its bite.
Ash seized the moment and scooped Totodile into his arms.
The little Pokémon continued to squirm energetically, letting out excited "Toto! Toto!" cries as if it wasn't done playing yet.
"Totodile!" Professor Elm and Nurse Joy called out in relief.
"What?! That was our doing!" Jessie clutched her sore scalp, jumping in frustration.
"Enough talking! Arbok, use Poison Sting!"
"Weezing, use Smokescreen!"
"Pikachu, Electro Ball! Wartortle, Water Gun!" Ash gave his commands without hesitation.
Pikachu quickly formed an Electro Ball and fired it at Arbok, while Wartortle's Water Gun accurately dispersed the smokescreen Weezing had just released. At the same time, Officer Jenny's Growlithe unleashed Flamethrower, providing suppressive fire.
Faced with an overwhelming difference in strength and having lost their "hostage," Team Rocket's resistance was completely ineffective.
Their attacks were easily neutralized, and instead, they were battered by Pikachu's electricity and Wartortle's water attacks, left in a miserable state.
"Why does nothing ever go right when we run into that brat?!"
"My hair…"
"What a horrible feeling!!!"
Amid their familiar cries, Team Rocket once again blasted off into the sky, turning into a shooting star that added a rather unfortunate streak to New Bark Town's clear blue sky.
"Honestly, we run into them everywhere," Misty said, dusting off her hands with a look of annoyance.
Officer Jenny expressed her gratitude to Ash. "Thanks to you, Totodile was recovered safely."
Professor Elm also gratefully shook Ash's hand. "Thank you so much, Ash! You're a savior to our lab!"
Back at the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy quickly completed Ash's Johto League registration.
"All set, Ash. You are now officially a challenger of the Johto League!" Nurse Joy said with a smile, handing him a Pokédex and a brand-new Badge Case. "I wish you a wonderful journey in the Johto region and great success!"
Holding the brand-new Badge Case, Ash felt the fire of adventure burning even stronger within him.
The Johto League, here he comes!
The challenge of the Johto League was about to begin. Stay tuned!