Chapter 232: Remolding a Body!
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"What a coincidence. Are you all heading to the Seafoam Islands?"
At the dock, Ash and his two companions were still looking for a boat that could take them 2000 meters east of Cinnabar Island when they unexpectedly saw a familiar face.
Sunglasses, a grayish-white beard, a bald head—it was Blaine again.
Blaine was currently tinkering with a small yacht. Upon seeing the trio, he called out a greeting from afar, having overheard what they were saying.
2000 meters east of Cinnabar Island was the Seafoam Islands.
"Blaine, what are you...?"
Seeing Blaine looking like he was about to set out on an adventure, Ash and his companions were slightly stunned. At a time like this, shouldn't you be on the island overseeing things instead of going out to explore?
"Hehe, I'm just a figurehead who doesn't manage things. The director is back now, and he's more familiar with this than I am."
Blaine replied with a laugh. As they spoke, the group noticed many boats at the dock marked with the Pokémon League's insignia. It seemed The Officials were now aware of the situation.
The evacuation was also proceeding in an orderly manner.
"Why the sudden desire to go to the Seafoam Islands? Coincidentally, this old man is also heading there."
Blaine invited the three of them aboard, offering to give them a ride.
As the speedboat's engine started, the trio officially left Cinnabar Island, heading for the neighboring Seafoam Islands.
"Oh, are you searching for the legendary Articuno?"
On the deck, Blaine was a little surprised. He had already heard Ash say they were going to challenge a powerful foe, and since their destination was the Seafoam Islands, the answer was naturally the god of the snowy mountains, the legendary Articuno.
"Legend has it that a mysterious and powerful Articuno resides in the deepest part of the Seafoam Islands. However, that's a very old legend. I've been on Cinnabar Island for so long and haven't heard of anyone seeing it in recent years."
Blaine was a little curious as to how they knew.
Ash, of course, wouldn't expose Brother Red. He just said that it was information given to him by a passerby he'd briefly met.
"However, you might be disappointed on this trip. There are Three Legendary Birds in the Kanto Region, but each one is a legendary existence. It's not so easy for ordinary people to encounter them, let alone challenge one."
Blaine operated the steering wheel, laughing heartily.
Speaking of which, he was actually a bit proud. The Pokédex had previously revealed his origin story: Blaine had once been just a scientist. It was only after being saved by a legendary Moltres one day that he officially embarked on the path of becoming a Fire-type Trainer.
He was someone who had seen Moltres!
After all, some people go their entire lives without ever seeing a single Legendary Pokémon.
"The Three Legendary Birds? Are they very rare?"
Hearing this, Ash inexplicably pulled a yellow feather from his pocket. It was hard, with a spiky upper part, and was even faintly surrounded by an electric current.
"This is...?!"
Blaine's eyes widened behind his sunglasses.
"Oh, it's no big deal. I knocked over a Zapdos before, and it gave me this feather afterward. Really, even a Legendary Bird sheds. Isn't that funny?" Ash replied with a smile.
"Heh heh."
Blaine quickly composed himself. It seemed this kid's fortune was quite deep; from the sound of it, he had even battled a Legendary Bird.
And it seems he even gained its recognition?
Of course, he didn't believe Ash had actually knocked it over. He just assumed it was an encouraging feather given by Zapdos to a newbie.
"Oh, speaking of which, I think I have another feather here. It's from a Shiny Fearow. Could you take a look at it?"
Ash reached into his pocket and fumbled around.
"Heh heh, a Fearow? What can a Fearow do? It's nothing compared to the god of the volcano... Is *this* a Fearow's feather?!"
Blaine's tone suddenly changed mid-sentence. His voice became hurried, and his eyeballs nearly popped out from behind his sunglasses.
In Ash's hand was a rainbow-colored feather. Its surface radiated a hazy, multicolored light, and the moment he took it out, a sacred and majestic aura instantly filled the entire yacht.
"This is..."
Blaine stared intently at the rainbow-colored feather. Although he didn't know what kind of Pokémon it came from, based on its aura alone, the feather's owner had to be a tier above the Three Legendary Birds.
"This youth..."
Blaine's expression became incredibly profound. At first, he had thought Ash was just a new Trainer with some skill, but now it seemed his origins were truly not simple.
"Put it away. This rainbow-colored feather must not be shown in public. It might attract villains with malicious intent," Blaine warned. He then took control of the steering wheel again, seemingly lost in thought as if he had remembered something.
"Speaking of which, this old man seems to recall a legend I heard in my childhood..."
Seeing that there was a story to be heard and that the Seafoam Islands were still some distance away, Ash quickly put away the two feathers and gestured for Blaine to begin his performance.
"Seeing that you alone possess items from two Legendary Pokémon, this old man suddenly remembered such a legend. According to the legend, anyone who gains the recognition of all the Legendary Pokémon in this world and obtains their divine tokens will receive the world's blessing."
"In ancient times, such people were apparently called the Sacred Hero, but that term isn't used anymore."
Blaine paused for a moment before continuing:
"Furthermore, by gathering the power of all the divine tokens, one can achieve the might to defy fate, command the elements, and even rewrite the laws and will of the world. Even if one's body is destroyed and soul extinguished, they can remold their body and become a nearly invincible, immortal being. I'm afraid that even the lofty Champions and Elite Four of today could only serve them tea."
Ash was listening, still wrapped up in the mystique of it all, when he heard something that made his whole body jolt. He hurriedly interrupted:
"Wait, what was that last sentence you said?"
Blaine raised an eyebrow, a little confused but impressed.
"The last sentence? Sacred Hero?"
Ash's tone suddenly became very rushed. He said anxiously, "No, no! The one before 'nearly invincible'!"
Blaine scratched his bald head.
"Even if one's body is destroyed and soul extinguished, they can remold their body?"
"Haha! Did you hear that?!"
Ash suddenly exclaimed joyfully, dancing around on the deck.
Blaine: "?"
What did I hear?
Blaine watched with a completely bewildered expression as Ash became ecstatic. Behind him, Misty and Brock's gazes gradually grew profound. They knew what Ash was talking about...
"Yes, I heard."
In his soul, Red, for the first time in a long while, stood up from his grand master's chair, his voice carrying a hint of fluctuation.
Remolding his physical body could be called Red's top priority. Don't be fooled by him constantly lounging on the grand master's chair; he was always thinking about this matter.
Ash was growing older day by day. Red couldn't just stay in his soul forever. It was fine for now, but it would be very awkward in the future when it came to marriage and having children.
One option was to rely on the power of science, using human technology to cultivate a physical body.
The other was to rely on the power of metaphysics, seeking out Legendary Pokémon and using their divine power to remold a physical body.
It seemed now that the metaphysical approach was the first to have a breakthrough.
Although the legend Blaine spoke of might not be entirely accurate, it was still a viable plan. The only issue was that even Red hadn't seen all the Divine Beasts, let alone defeated them one by one.
The power of deities—he didn't fully understand it either.
If even gathering the power of all the Divine Beasts couldn't create a new body, then there were likely no other options.
Ash and Red's eyes lit up simultaneously. A common goal formed in their minds.
Charge all the Divine Beasts!
The latter did it to remold his body.
As for the former, aside from helping his big brother, he simply…
The act of charging Divine Beasts itself made his blood boil with excitement!
[Beep] The Pokédex chimed. "Main Quest Acquired: [Slaughtering Gods Like Dogs]. Defeat or gain the recognition of all Legendary Pokémon in this world, and obtain their Divine Tokens."
[Beep] "Current Divine Token Progress: 2/Unknown."
The Pokédex detected the willpower of the two and issued a notification.
(end of chapter)