So, the two people and a mouse arrived at the hot spring in the hotel. Unfortunately, it's a public hot spring, so Ash couldn't let his large Pokémon out for a soak. Charizard and Pidgeot had to stay in their Pokeballs.
The other Pokémon were small enough, so they could soak, including Togepi, whom Ash brought along.
However, Ash didn't release Gardevoir here, mainly because... she looks too much like a regular girl. What kind of situation would it be for her to be in the men's bath? Ash released Gardevoir to the female bath next door before entering the men's bath.
What? Togepi's also female? Haha, looking at Togepi, although her gender is female, does she look anything like a girl? Besides, it's late now, and besides the two of them, there's no one else in the men's bath.
"jioji tuyi~~" Togepi floated happily on the hot spring, splashing around with her little hands, her face beaming with joy.
Pikachu, with a towel on his head, leaned against the edge of the hot spring, showing an expression of comfort.
Wartortle also floated on his back in the hot spring, while Riolu paddled beside Ash with a somewhat sullen expression.
Perhaps it was because there hadn't been any battles for a while.
Ash closed his eyes, seemingly falling into a slumber, but in reality, he was diving into the group chat.
[Newbie Ash: Big shots, big shots, I got a new MEGA Evolution Stone, can you guys help identify which Pokémon this stone is for?]
[Image]
Ash uploaded a picture of the MEGA Evolution Stone into the chat. After a brief silence, Mining Ash popped up.
[Mining Ash: These two Evolution Stones… they're for Mewtwo! Where did you get them?]
[Champion Ash: Mewtwo? Newbie, did you encounter Mewtwo?]
[Breeding Ash: Hey, hey, you encountered Mewtwo at this time? Are you okay? Still have all your limbs?]
[Newbie Ash: ...Is it that exaggerated? Is Mewtwo really that strong?]
[Breeding Ash: Hey, back when my Mewtwo went berserk, I had to summon two Divine Domain Level elites to suppress it. That guy is already very strong in its normal state. With MEGA Evolution, regular Divine Domain creatures are no match for it.]
[Champion Ash: I was fine here. After New Island, I encountered Mewtwo once and we had a battle. After my Charizard MEGA evolved, I narrowly won. At that time, it couldn't MEGA evolve, but now I can make it MEGA evolve. Its strength is undoubtedly in the first tier of my team.]
[Newbie Ash: In your hands? Champion, did you capture Mewtwo?]
[Champion Ash: Yeah, after all, Mewtwo and I are old acquaintances. After the battle, I gained a slight edge. Mewtwo was tired of wandering outside and decided to become my Pokémon. I'm even planning to have it spar with Rayquaza sometime, saying it can get even stronger.]
[Newbie Ash: …]
What is a gap? This is the gap! The other world's me is already battling Legendary Beasts, while he struggles against Elites. But let's be honest, he's just a newbie traveler for three months, nothing much can be expected from him, right?
[Champion Ash: Anyway, we're asking where your MEGA Evolution Stone came from? Have you met Mewtwo already?]
[Newbie Ash: I haven't met Mewtwo, but I did meet Blaine and got these two evolution stones from him.]
Ash recounted his encounter with Blaine and the story about Gardevoir in the group.
This was the second time today he had recounted such a tale, so he was getting quite used to it.
[Champion Ash: I see, was it Blaine who created Mewtwo on your side? That's a bit different from the history here. On my side, Blaine is just a particularly strong Gym Trainer with no such stories.]
[Breeding Ash: On my side, Mewtwo wasn't created by Blaine either. It was a researcher named Mr. Fuji, who belonged to Team Rocket, and he eventually died at the hands of Mewtwo.]
[Mining Ash: Your stories are quite elaborate. On my side, I don't know how Mewtwo was created, but it's just a very strong Pokémon, and I found the Evolution Stone by accident in some ruins. Through research, we found out it was Mewtwo's MEGA Evolution Stone.]
[Champion Ash: No matter how Mewtwo came to be, you newbie may soon have to face Mewtwo. Even though you mentioned that Mewtwo might have been tampered with by Blaine and hasn't reached Divine Domain level, it's a creature with divine potential, and its strength shouldn't be underestimated.]
[Champion Ash: Even if your Aura Power has reached that level, you can't be sure of winning against Mewtwo. After all, Mewtwo is a Psychic Type Pokémon, so it's best to lay low until you have enough power.]
[Newbie Ash: Uh, but why would I have to face Mewtwo soon? I might not even get to see it, as it's a secret Team Rocket weapon. If I don't break into Team Rocket HQ, how would I run into Mewtwo?]
[Champion Ash: Because your next destination is Team Rocket Headquarters.]
[Newbie Ash: Huh? I was going to challenge the Viridian Gym next, how would I have time for Team Rocket Headquarters, and I don't even know where it is.]
[Champion Ash: Don't you already know?]
[Newbie Ash: Know what... hold on!!!]
Ash was typing halfway and suddenly realized the meaning behind Champion Ash's words.
He just said he was heading to challenge the Viridian Gym, yet Champion Ash didn't correct him and implied he was actually going to Team Rocket Headquarters.
If that's the case… is Team Rocket Headquarters really the Viridian Gym?!
No way, seriously?! This is too unreal!
[Newbie Ash: Isn't… isn't that too much? The Viridian Gym is part of Team Rocket?]
[Champion Ash: You guessed it right, the Viridian Gym is one of Team Rocket's bases, and Mewtwo… is right below the Viridian Gym.]
[Newbie Ash: !!!]
No way! Why wasn't I told this earlier!
If he didn't mention it today, he might just wander into the Viridian Gym directly, confronting Mewtwo!
Not knowing there was Mewtwo inside the Viridian Gym, he would definitely use Gardevoir in battles, because the Gym Leader Giovanni was said to be the strongest Gym Leader in the Kanto Region!
To deal with him, he would naturally use all his main forces, totally normal.
But now, Champion Ash tells him that there is Mewtwo in the Viridian Gym! How could he dare let Gardevoir fight!
If Gardevoir shows up, or even just enters Viridian City, Mewtwo might detect her.
Is he still going to challenge the Viridian Gym?
In the end, why is the Viridian Gym Team Rocket's territory?
[Newbie Ash: Isn't the Viridian Gym supposed to be the strongest Gym in Kanto? Gym Leader Giovanni is said to be a Champion-level Trainer, how could he allow Team Rocket to build a base under his Gym?]
[Champion Ash: Is it possible that Giovanni, the person you're talking about, is actually the leader of Team Rocket?]
[Newbie Ash: ???]
What!! Giovanni is the leader of Team Rocket?
The strongest Gym Trainer in the Kanto Region is actually the leader of Team Rocket?! What an international joke!
If that's true, then is Kanto… doomed?