"Extend… my life?!"
At those words—
Ninetales was shaken.
After hundreds of years—
She had long grown indifferent to life and death.
But—
Who wouldn't want to live?
"Ninetales, don't you want to watch your child grow up?"
Hearing Red 's words—
Her eyes trembled as she slowly stood up.
"I… I do want to see my child grow…"
"But something like extending life… defying fate…"
Though she had been trapped for centuries—
She had read countless books in the estate.
She knew clearly—
The price of such a miracle.
Red immediately saw through her concern and coughed lightly.
"Don't worry."
"If your lifespan had truly reached its end, then yes—I couldn't help you."
"But your condition isn't natural aging."
"It's severe life force depletion, which caused your decline."
"So as long as we replenish your life energy—"
"You can return to your peak."
"Living a few hundred more years won't be a problem."
Ninetales' eyes trembled.
After a long silence, she said:
"Replenishing life force is no simple matter…"
"According to ancient texts, only the Life Spring guarded by Celebi can restore me…"
"Of course I know that."
Red took a deep breath—
Then injected his Viridian Power into her body.
In an instant—
Ninetales felt everything—
Her muscles, fur, bones—
Rejuvenate.
She returned—
To her youthful peak.
But—
Only for a few seconds.
Red , meanwhile, was panting heavily.
"My Viridian Power can't fully heal you…"
"But stabilizing your life—for now—is no problem."
"And with how fast I'm getting stronger—"
"In a few years, I'll definitely obtain Celebi's Life Spring."
Though pale—
His gaze was unwavering.
"So—"
"Will you come with me?"
"This way, you can live on—"
"And raise your child."
"No matter how you look at it, that's not a bad deal."
Ninetales looked at him.
Then at the Red -and-white egg.
Finally—
She stood.
Transforming once more into Xiao Hu—
She knelt before Red .
But this time—
Her voice was no longer alluring.
It was resolute.
"Ninetales… thanks Master for granting me a new life!"
"From this day forward—"
"Whether through blades or fire—"
"No matter the situation—"
"I will never leave your side."
Ash and Gary were both moved.
Red , however, thought:
What kind of books have you been reading these past few hundred years…?
"…Alright. Let's go."
The kimono-clad Ninetales nodded.
"Yes, Master."
The next moment—
The Poké Ball that had bound her for centuries—
Was shattered by Larvitar in a single punch.
Ninetales looked back—
At the estate she had lived in for centuries.
Her expression—
Complicated.
But after one glance at Red —
She turned away without hesitation.
Without her psychic power—
The illusion collapsed.
The ancient estate—
Crumpled into ruins.
In a few years—
It would likely disappear completely.
"Ninetales, do you know the way to Saffron City?"
Still in her human form, she replied softly:
"Master, based on my experience…"
"Three hours to the front-left should get us there."
Red looked at her human form and sighed.
"Ninetales… Do you have to stay like this?"
"It feels… a bit weird."
Hearing this—
She became even more timid.
Like a servant awaiting punishment.
"Master… the books said humans like this…"
Red rubbed his forehead.
"You're a Ninetales, not actually human."
"And I don't keep my Viridian Power active 24/7…"
But clearly—
She misunderstood.
In the next moment—
She transformed again.
A girl—
Wearing a kimono—
With fox ears, nine fluffy tails, long white hair, and crimson slit pupils.
"Master… Do you mean like this?"
Red froze.
The refusal stuck in his throat.
"…This… is acceptable."
He coughed lightly.
"But in the city, it'll be too eye-catching."
Ninetales swayed her fluffy tails.
Her fox ears twitched.
Tilting her head, she said:
"Don't worry, Master."
"To others, I'll just look like an ordinary girl."
At that point—
Red had no reason to refuse.
"Do as you like."
With Ninetales recruited—
And a special Pokémon egg in hand—
They resumed their journey to Saffron City.
Meanwhile—
Clueless as ever—
Ash whispered to Gary:
"Hey… why does the Master want Ninetales to stay like that?"
Gary twitched.
Looking at Ash's innocence, he replied:
"Probably… to train his mental discipline."
"I see!"
Ash suddenly understood.
"Master is amazing! Training even at times like this!"
Red 's voice drifted over:
"Oh? Talking behind your Master's back now?"
"When we get back—500 push-ups."
"No stopping until you're done."
"NOOO—!!!"
Ash cried out in despair.
With Ninetales as a guide—
They soon arrived at Saffron City.
Unlike small towns like Pine City—
Saffron was a true metropolis.
One of the largest cities in Kanto.
Ash looked up—
Like a country bumpkin entering a palace—
Amazed by the skyscrapers.
Gary, however, was unfazed.
"Stop embarrassing yourself."
"We're here to visit the Gym—not sightseeing."
Red smiled, letting them bicker.
Even he—
Was seeing such a city for the first time in this world.
Just as he was about to ask for directions—
Ninetales suddenly stiffened beside him.
Her fur bristled.
"Master—this is bad."
"A very powerful Psychic-type Pokémon is approaching."
"We should retreat first!"
Before she could finish—
A cold female voice echoed.
"Gym Leader Red … quite the refined taste."
"To have your Pokémon take on such a form."
Red looked up.
Floating in midair—
Expression cold—
Was Sabrina.
Her psychic power—
Even stronger than most Psychic-type Pokémon.
Red took a deep breath—
Then smiled.
"I've long heard of you—"
"Gym Leader Sabrina."
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