Everyone visited Silph Co. again, only to find it was just like a normal company with nothing much to see, so they left and returned to the Pokémon Center for a night's rest.
'Li Dage, why did you suddenly make me go there? Isn't it just a regular big company?'
That night, Xiao Zhi couldn't sleep and asked Li Qingfeng about his purpose.
'No, I just wanted you to experience a grand setting.' Li Qingfeng felt a bit awkward; he had wanted to try his luck and see if Xiao Zhi could get a master ball.
He hadn't expected Silph Co. to be completely normal; it seemed they didn't want Xiao Zhi to get a master ball.
As for the matter of the counterattack, they would have to discuss it later.
However, with himself present, he could bring Mewtwo in and then have Xiao Zhi emit a friendly Aura. Even if he didn't catch him, he could still make a good impression.
'Oh, okay. Li Dage, I'm going to sleep now. Good night.'
'Alright, good night, sweet dreams.'
——The next morning, on an unknown small road——
As Xiao Zhi continuously defeated many Trainers, the strength of Pidgeotto and all his other Pokémon improved, which greatly lifted his spirits, and he prepared to advance directly towards Yu Hong City.
"However, before that, let's have lunch first." Takeshi smiled and took out the rice balls he had prepared earlier.
This time, he wouldn't make sandwiches or curry; it was good to change the flavor once in a while.
Xiao Zhi nodded and released his companions: "Everyone, come out!"
Xiao Zhi's current lineup, once it developed in the future, would make even Lance hesitate. Perhaps before the Indigo Plateau Conference, he would have several powerful final-form Pokémon.
Pidgeot, Charizard, Gengar.
As for Squirtle and Bulbasaur, Li Qingfeng initially judged that Squirtle could evolve, especially since the Squirtle Squad had been sent to Professor Oak's Laboratory.
However, Bulbasaur was truly hard to say.
If possible, he wanted Bulbasaur to evolve as well.
He had also discussed this issue with Xiao Zhi, who only replied, 'It depends on Bulbasaur's wishes~'
Sure enough, it was still the original Xiao Zhi.
Dratini loved to entwine around Xiao Zhi's arm, and Xiao Zhi didn't mind, as long as Dratini liked it.
Gengar sat on a nearby rock, devouring rice balls. He had to admit, the food made by this squinty-eyed person was delicious, much better than what he used to eat.
Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, the three starter Pokémon, chased and played, looking very happy.
Pidgeotto was the most well-behaved; he stood to the side, quietly pecking at the rice ball. The feeling of not being disturbed was truly wonderful, Pidgeotto thought as he ate, the mealtime was always the happiest part of the day.
"Alright, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charmander, you three stop playing and come eat." Xiao Zhi's voice rang out, and the three little ones then took the rice balls from Takeshi's hand and sat near Pikachu, beginning to eat the delicious food.
Looking at his companions, Xiao Zhi felt a great sense of accomplishment. He hadn't expected to have such a luxurious lineup before the Indigo Plateau Conference.
The grass rustled, and Xiao Zhi's gaze fell upon it, discovering a Pokémon staring intently at the rice balls next to Takeshi.
Xiao Zhi walked over to Takeshi, took a rice ball, and then approached the Pokémon. It was a Pokémon covered in light yellow fur, with brown limbs, and a pink, pig-like nose.
Li Qingfeng smiled: 'Oh~ it's Mankey, it has great potential.'
This statement was not wrong; Scarlet and Violet added the evolution of Monferno, Annihilape. Its base stats reach 535, with its Special Attack base stat being only 50 points, showing how high its effective base stats are.
If Xiao Zhi could capture it and evolve it into Annihilape, he would essentially be guaranteed a spot in the top four of the Indigo Plateau Conference.
Xiao Zhi bent down and placed the rice ball in Mankey's hand: "Here, you must be hungry, this rice ball is for you."
Mankey looked at the rice ball in its hand, a little hesitant to eat. Pikachu then walked over and swallowed the rice ball in his own hand. Seeing that it wasn't poisoned, Mankey also began to chew slowly.
Xiao Zhi stood at a distance and scanned Mankey with his Pokédex: "Mankey, the Pig Monkey Pokémon, agile body."
'A Pokémon with great potential, no less than the starter Pokémon.'
This was Li Qingfeng's evaluation.
Xiao Zhi was about to take out a poké ball to capture it, but Li Qingfeng stopped him:
'Mankey has a very bad temper. It's still eating right now. If you just take out a poké ball to catch it, you'll anger it. Putting yourself in its shoes, even if you successfully catch it, it will hold resentment.'
In the original work, because of this incident, even after Xiao Zhi caught Monferno, it remained disobedient.
Later, during the P1 Grand Prix, Monferno only became obedient through fighting together, but then Xiao Zhi immediately gave Monferno away.
He had to stop this from happening, otherwise, the current Xiao Zhi seemed like he really would do such a thing.
'Got it, I'll wait until it finishes eating before I try to catch it.'
Xiao Zhi nodded. Seeing his companions finish their rice balls, he returned them to their poké balls, leaving only Dratini and Pikachu outside.
"Hahaha, the Little brat put his Pokémon back! Only Pikachu and Dratini are left on the field, now is our good opportunity!"
(Gengar in the shadows: ...)
James's voice came, and the Team Rocket Trio emerged from the nearby bushes, accompanied by their respective Pokémon.
Xiao Xia saw the Team Rocket Trio appear and retorted, "Team Rocket?! You show up right after we finish eating! Are you here to give us some post-meal exercise?"
Jessie heard herself being called a punching bag, rolled up her sleeves, and wanted to start fighting: "You little girl, what did you say? Say it again if you dare!"
"Don't talk about that Meow, quickly snatch Pikachu and Dratini now Meow!"
Meowth extended his claws, looking confident of victory.
At this moment, Mankey blocked the Team Rocket Trio's path. James chuckled at the sight and directly kicked Mankey into the nearby bushes.
Subsequently, Jessie and James commanded their respective Pokémon to attack Pikachu and the others.
A chaotic battle was on the verge of breaking out, with moves like Smoke, Whirlwind, Thunderbolt, and Poison Sting appearing on the field. The few people immediately moved far away to avoid being caught in the attacks.
"Pikachu, Dratini! That's it, keep going!"
Xiao Zhi continuously cheered them on, and the Team Rocket Trio did the same. They were very happy to see Ekans and Koffing fighting evenly with Pikachu.
In reality, Pikachu was holding back, letting Dratini fight more.
In the bushes, Mankey's form was changing...
——