"Mai mai!"
Misdreavus's voice did not travel through the vibration of the air, but rang directly inside Ash's mind.
After all, she was an elite taught by the Thousand-Year Gastly.
She just liked to act cute.
She wasn't actually stupidly cute.
[The Big Mushroom says... it says... it is house-raised?]
Misdreavus conveyed the faint thoughts she captured from the ubiquitous mycelium network surrounding them.
Although it was massive in size, this giant Parasect was not particularly strong; it didn't even know how to use telepathy.
[It says over there is... a popular science display board?]
Misdreavus didn't know what a popular science display board was.
But since the Big Mushroom said so, she would just repeat it.
The three humans were stunned upon hearing this. They walked in the direction Misdreavus indicated and actually saw arrows on the wall guiding the way... they looked a bit like they were transformed from mycelium.
Right on the other side of the giant mushroom's base, there was a very spacious path.
And standing right next to the rock wall was a metal display board with a simple design that was completely out of place in this primitive cave environment.
In a sense, it could be said to be quite conspicuous... as if afraid people wouldn't see it.
But the problem was that they had sneaked in from another direction earlier, and their line of sight had been blocked by the massive stipe and the dense spore mist, so they hadn't noticed its existence at all.
Walking over to take a look.
The display board used clear text and diagrams to introduce the cultivation history, ecological habit research, and impact on the surrounding mycelium network of this giant Parasect, which was named "Titan Mushroom".
Below that was a line of striking markings: [Celadon University & Celadon Gym Joint Research Project — Property of Celadon, Damage Will Be Prosecuted].
At the very bottom, there was a line of small print: [There are many surveillance cameras in this area, please do not try your luck].
"It really is domestic..." Misty looked at those words and muttered, not knowing what expression to make for a moment.
It seemed that their "unauthorized" intrusion had triggered some kind of sensor device.
A display screen next to the board, which had originally been in a dormant state, suddenly lit up. Its soft glow dispelled the gloomy blue light in a small area.
The image of a green-haired young woman surfaced on the screen. She wore an elegant kimono and possessed a gentle and quiet temperament. Her brows were slightly knitted, seeming to carry a trace of confusion at being disturbed.
"Eh?"
"Rest time... is really unpleasant..."
"Who could it be at this time point..."
But when she saw the people outside the screen clearly, a flash of surprise passed through those quiet eyes.
"Hmm?"
"Mr. Brock?"
The young woman on the screen—the Celadon Gym Leader, Erika—shifted her tone from confusion to a gentle greeting upon confirmation.
"Truly surprising. I didn't expect to see you here."
"Please forgive this little woman for not welcoming you from afar~"
Brock had, at any rate, served as a Gym Leader in his parents' stead for many years, so he was acquainted with his peers.
Even if they weren't very close, they at least knew what each other was like.
He even had some slight connections with powerhouses from other regions through his status as a Gym Leader.
As a Gym Leader (Acting) of the Kanto League, he was, in a sense, a big shot with a resounding reputation.
Brock was also stunned for a moment, then a sentimental smile appeared on his face: "Miss Erika, long time no see."
"This is indeed an unexpected reunion."
Strictly speaking, Erika was also in Brock's strike zone.
It was just a pity...
Don't look at Erika as just a Yamato Nadeshiko.
She was actually pink on the outside but black on the inside.
Uh... anyway, she was easier to get along with than the Saffron City Gym Leader, Sabrina, at least.
The moment he thought about how Ash would likely have to face Sabrina... Brock wanted to laugh.
—No.
—I must hold it back.
—I cannot laugh!
However, this kind of thing didn't matter.
Anyway, as long as it wasn't too excessive, Sabrina wouldn't kill anyone... at most, one would just be treated roughly for a bit.
Brock turned sideways and introduced the others to Erika on the screen: "These two are my traveling companions, Ash from Pallet Town, and Misty from Cerulean City."
Ash hurriedly greeted her: "Hello, Miss Erika!"
"Hello, Miss Erika." Misty also nodded in greeting, curiously sizing up this Grass-type Gym Leader she had heard of for a long time.
Although Misty was also the Gym Leader of Cerulean Gym, she didn't formally handle Gym affairs, after all.
This wasn't like Brock, who had already served for many years.
Misty wasn't familiar at all with her peers who were also Gym Leaders.
Without the parents' generation doing a good handover, it would indeed be very troublesome.
But this was something that couldn't be helped.
This was also a trial!
Brock continued to explain: "We were passing through the nearby forest and witnessed an unusually fierce territorial conflict between the Parasect clan and the Shiinotic. We followed the traces to investigate and only discovered this place by accident... We absolutely did not intend to intrude into your important research area."
Brock was indeed a bit embarrassed; his curiosity had been too strong this time.
However, thinking about it carefully, something beyond the control of Celadon City really shouldn't appear around Celadon City.
A super-strong Pokémon appearing for no reason, and even leading a clan to wage war against other Pokémon.
...Such a thing would definitely attract the attention of the Gym Leader and be dealt with.
If it hadn't been dealt with, then there must be some problem.
And looking at it now, this was an experimental base.
Celadon University was a super famous and super powerful institution in this world.
Having a joint experimental project with the Celadon Gym was simply the most normal thing imaginable.
Erika on the screen nodded slightly after listening, expressing understanding.
There was no anger on her face: "So that is the case."
Although she recognized Ash, Erika decided not to say anything for the time being.
"To be able to keenly perceive ecological anomalies and investigate deeply, the caliber of you few as Trainers is admirable."
Erika's gaze swept over Pikachu on Ash's shoulder and the floating Misdreavus, finally falling back onto Brock, a faint smile hovering at the corners of her mouth: "Since it is Mr. Brock and your friends, then there is no harm done."
"However, next time if you are interested in the 'Titan', please be sure to apply for a visit from the main entrance."
This was the point that had attracted Erika's attention.
She had received a call for help from the giant mushroom [Titan].
Uh... don't look at this Big Mushroom's massive size, it was actually small-guts.
As soon as Brock released a Gym Leader-level Onix, this Big Mushroom turned cowardly.
Personality differences between different Pokémon were huge.
The Big Mushroom would rely on its strength to bully the weak, but it didn't want to battle those of the same level or even stronger.
This was also an important factor in it being used as a research project.
Anyway, Celadon University and Celadon Gym would guarantee the life and safety of the [Mushroom-type Parasect · Titan].
In that case.
Being a research subject was much more enjoyable than being a Gym Trainer's Pokémon fighting to the death.
At least that was what this unmotivated Big Mushroom thought.
=_= Giant Parasect: Not all Pokémon want to fight to the death~
"Hahaha..." Brock started to laugh foolishly. "I'm really sorry about that."
If you feel awkward, then laugh.
A smile can not only conceal one's own awkwardness.
It can also make the other party awkward.
If two people are awkward together, then it isn't awkward.
"Hehehe~~" Erika raised her sleeve to cover her mouth. "Mr. Brock is as cute as always."
"However, we haven't seen each other for a long time either."
"Time truly passes quickly."
"Then, this little woman welcomes everyone's arrival at the Celadon Gym."
"Please, everyone, do not be polite."
"Then, that is all."
"Goodbye."
Erika yawned, revealing an extremely sleepy appearance.
"We will definitely come!" Brock said very actively.
On one hand, he indeed didn't want to offend Erika; after all, don't look at her surface appearance as a quiet Yamato Nadeshiko, her essence was a black-bellied schemer who was cute on the outside but dark on the inside.
On the other hand, there was indeed the reason of being hooked into a warped-mouth fish.
Erika was a few years older than Brock; she was a mature eldest young lady~
The temperament of a Yamato Nadeshiko, beautiful appearance, powerful strength, and also learned and multi-talented... simply making one unable to extricate oneself!
____
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