The figure standing in front of Ash and the others looked like a duck. Its body was wide, and its limbs were relatively thin, yet its formidable strength was evident.
This Pokemon is a seldom-seen Fire Type in the Kanto Region, Magmar.
Moreover, this Magmar exuded an Elite Level aura, intimidating Ash and the others.
"Visitors from outside, please leave. You are not welcome here," a cold voice came from inside the house, indicating this was Magmar's Trainer.
In Ash's Aura Sensing, there was only one person inside the house — the bald man he bumped into earlier.
So... the bald man he ran into by chance on the road is an Elite Level Trainer? That's really absurd!
But since he's related to Gardevoir's origin, being able to produce a Six S-level Ralts, he is naturally not an ordinary person.
Ash glanced at Magmar's data. Its level reached Elite Peak, a level none of the Pokemon he had could compare with.
The last time against Koga, if it weren't for Champion Ash's help, he wouldn't have had any way to contend against the Elite Peak Crobat, unless he went himself.
And now, even in a remote place, they encountered an Elite Peak Pokemon. Are Elite Peaks not worth as much anymore?
"Hello, I mean no harm. I just have some questions for you," Ash shouted loudly from the doorway without stepping forward.
Without set rules, an Elite Peak is nothing more than a vegetable to him, but Ash wasn't a violent person, especially considering he had something to ask of the person inside the house.
The bald man inside the house was silent for a moment, then his voice turned slightly calmer: "Did the Alliance send you here to find me? I'm surprised you could track me to this place, but sending a kid like you, the Alliance is really getting somewhere."
Ash: ???
"Um... what are you talking about? What Alliance? Looking for you?"
Bald man: ...
"Weren't you sent by the Alliance to search for me?"
"Who are you?"
Bald man: ???
No, you don't even know who I am, why are you tracking me!!
"Who exactly are you?!" As the voice inside came out, the small door creaked open, revealing the figure inside the house.
Ash was not mistaken. This man was indeed the bald man he bumped into on the road. Now, he had taken off his wig, although still wearing sunglasses.
"I am Ash from Pallet Town. This is my partner Pikachu, Gardevoir, and my traveling companions, Misty and Brock." Ash removed his mask as a gesture of goodwill.
Though he didn't know why the uncle seemed so wary, his fame should be recognizable, right?
Sure enough, the bald man's face showed surprise instantly when Ash took off his mask, as if ensuring Ash's authenticity.
After a long moment, he slowly opened his mouth, "So you are the rising star Ash? Truly a hero emerging from the young, to train Pikachu to this extent."
This time it was Ash's turn to be surprised: "You can see Pikachu's level?"
"Hey, I'm old but not blind yet. I can still see that your Pikachu is at the Professional Peak level," the bald man spoke with a bit of pride.
He indeed had reason to be proud, for being able to detect a Pokémon's level without battling it is something ninety-nine percent of Trainers in the world can't do.
Even Koga, whom Ash battled recently, wouldn't be able to do such a thing.
"Good eye, uncle."
"So, since you don't know me, why did you follow me?" the bald man asked straightforwardly.
Ever since the incident, he had been in hiding, practiced top-notch anti-detection skills.
Even if anyone saw through his disguise and tried to track or catch him, he'd lose them in the blink of an eye.
But today, an exception occurred. Not until Ash set foot in this area did he notice Ash, alerted by Pokémon he had stationed around, realizing he was being followed.
Hence why he initially thought Ash was sent by the Alliance, because such a high-level tracking skill could only be from the Alliance, right?
Even through a mask, Blaine could confirm the face belonged to a kid about ten years old, which to him, would make Ash just a child.
Blaine thought he hadn't noticed Ash because of his young age, thus allowing to be tracked.
Thus, he said that initial statement—assuming the Alliance used a kid to track him.
It's quite despicable to use kids to let down his guard.
But now…it seems Ash is not from the Alliance, doesn't even know who he is, so what brings Ash to find her?
"It's because of her. Do you have any impression of her?" Ash stepped aside slightly, letting Gardevoir move forward.
Blaine looked closely at Gardevoir, with a flicker of admiration under his sunglasses but a look full of confusion.