Either those people are idiots, or there's someone behind them spending money to discredit Ash, hoping Ash will stand up again. The latter is more likely.
Hearing this, Ash calmed down a bit. It's true, even if someone really can't stand him and wants to stir things up, any reasonable person would find this evidence too far-fetched.
After all, he battled Koga live back then; any solid evidence is not as convincing as his live battle with Koga at that time.
So those people might not be jealous or envious of him, but really targeting him.
"Ash, have you offended anyone recently?" Professor Cerise asked with a frown.
Ash shook his head. He's been pretty much a 'lone wolf' recently, always wearing a mask with Brock and Misty, or else why would his reputation be declining?
"That's strange... So who is targeting you like this?"
"Who cares, this person just wants to force me out, right? I just won't come out! I'll reverse this public opinion at the Quartz Conference!" Ash, educated by the pros in the group, isn't the type to rush in thoughtlessly.
The more the opponent wants him to come out, the more he won't. A bit of public opinion can't affect him; the saying goes, 'If your conscience is clear, you need not fear shadows.' Only those who take crooked paths fear public opinion.
Because they really can't do those things!
The episode of public opinion quickly passed. It was getting late, and it was time for Professor Cerise to get off work. After tidying up and announcing to his researchers that the workday was over, he brought Ash, Chloe, and the others back home.
At home, since Professor Cerise had told his wife Talia that Ash and others would be staying over tonight, Talia prepared a feast to warmly welcome the three of them.
This made them feel a bit embarrassed because every time they came over, they seemed to be freeloading.
After dinner, Brock and Ash took the initiative to wash the dishes, and Misty wiped the table.
Talia didn't want them doing such things, as there's no reason for guests to do housework.
But the three expressed that since they were eating and staying over, they would feel uneasy if they didn't do something. Giving money seemed too impersonal, so they decided to help Talia with the chores.
Talia couldn't argue with them, so she let them do the chores.
After finishing the chores, everyone sat down to chat for a while before going to bed. The next morning, after breakfast, they left Vermilion City. Professor Cerise initially wanted them to stay a couple more days.
But there's really not much to do in Vermilion City; they'd have to go to the resort they went to last time, which would waste a lot of time. Ash still hasn't gotten his last badge, so he politely declined Professor Cerise's invitation.
Plus, Chloe still had school. If she could come along, they might have stayed.
Before leaving, Professor Cerise told Ash and the others about a place called Bill's Lighthouse on the way to Viridian City, where a man named Professor Bill lived.
He's an old acquaintance of Professor Oak and knows Professor Cerise. Recently, he called Professor Oak, saying there's an extremely large Pokemon on his side, possibly an unseen species, but the aura it emitted made him too afraid to approach.
So he wanted to ask Professor Oak to come and take a look.
Professor Oak's prowess is well known among professors, so it made sense to ask him.
However, Pallet Town is quite far from Bill's Lighthouse, and knowing Ash and the others were returning from Vermilion City, Professor Oak asked Professor Cerise to inform them, suggesting they check it out on their way.
Ash gladly agreed upon hearing this, and they set off.
...
A day later, near evening, Ash and his friends arrived at Bill's Lighthouse, as mentioned by Professor Cerise. The place was near the beach and had quite a nice view, but seemingly due to its secluded location, it hadn't been developed into a tourist spot.
Misty originally wanted to play on the beach, but decided that business was more important, so she gave up on the idea.
Ash wasn't interested in playing at the beach, but he noticed something happening there.
A group of Krabby was slowly approaching a relatively small Krabby. Ash frowned and rushed over, standing in front of the small Krabby.
"What are you doing?"
Ash's sudden intervention made the Krabby group back off a step reflexively. The leading Krabby clacked its claws and gibbered something at Ash.
"What did it say, Ash?" Misty, who caught up, turned to Ash for a translation after hearing the Krabby.
"It said no Krabby in the group is willing to claim him due to his small size, so they suspect he might not be born from their group and is a spy planted by another group."
Misty & Brock: ...
Is that even a thing?
Even Ash, the translator, found it a bit absurd. Same species at odds... How could there be spies planted?
Does the Krabby group have internal strife? If anything, shouldn't they be against other kinds of Pokemon? How did it become intra-species conflict?
"Kooka-kooka!" The Krabby behind Ash scuttled up excitedly, shouting earnestly.
Even without Ash's translation, Misty and Brock could tell it was asserting that it wasn't from another group.
"Kooka-kooka!" The leading Krabby retorted defensively. The Krabby in front of Ash paused and silently took two steps back.
"What did it say?" This time, Misty was clueless.
"That Krabby said if it wants to prove it's not planted by another group, it has to defeat him."
Misty: ???
What's the connection between defeating you and proving it's not a spy? Why does winning the battle mean it's not a spy planted by another group?
Besides, if a Krabby stronger than the leader appears in the group, isn't that what's strange?
"I just have to beat you, right? I'll take on this challenge! Let me guide you, Krabby!" Ash declared boldly, deciding to meddle in this matter. He then looked at the small Krabby to seek its opinion.
The small Krabby already liked Ash, who protected it without a second thought. Now, with Ash standing up for it and exuding a naturally friendly aura from the Power of Viridian, Krabby's affection towards Ash soared.
But the prospect of facing the group leader in a battle still made it nervous.
Yet, when it looked into Ash's eyes, it saw a resolute gaze that calmed its unease. The small Krabby then scuttled before Ash, waving its small claws, indicating it accepted the battle!
Seeing this, the Krabby leader narrowed its eyes and gestured for its group to back off, signaling that it could handle the battle alone.
Against such a small Krabby, isn't it a piece of cake?
Don't even know how to lose, right!