Pokémon: Who let him leave Pallet Town?

Chapter 265 Citrus Ball

"what is this?"

Xiaoxia, Xiaogang, and Jiaozi approached curiously.

The silver-white sphere that Steel took out had no color on it, just like a piece of iron sheet, and it shone with a metallic luster under the flames.

"What is this, a Poké Ball?"

Xiaoxia asked curiously, because she always felt that the thing that Steel took out looked like an unpainted, unfinished ball blank.

Jiaozi squinted, feeling as if he had seen something similar in Natsume's laboratory.

"Yes, this is the baby ball embryo, sourced directly from the league."

As he spoke, Steel pulled out several Poké Ball prototypes and introduced them one by one:
"This ball has a reinforced space, making it suitable for large and heavy Pokémon."

"There are also these balls with different levels of stability in their various compartments. Pokémon trapped inside for the first time will have a hard time getting out if they lack experience."

Steel introduced the various precious embryos in his hands.

These embryos look exactly alike, and it's unclear how the other party managed to distinguish them.

"So..." Xiaoxia's eyes darted around, and she asked with some suspicion:

"The real functional parts are these embryos; the citrus fruit balls are just an outer shell?"

"No—I don't believe it!"

Xiao Gang leaned against the wall, feeling even worse than if he had been dumped.

"That's strange, then why is Grandpa Steel hailed as the father of Citrus Balls?"

"I'm puzzled," Jiao Zi asked.

"Because these Poké Balls with different functions that Mr. Steel has in his hands were originally developed by him."

Natsume's voice suddenly rang out.

Everyone was taken aback, then looked at the several Pokémon embryos in the steel's hand.

"But Mr. Steel had one condition when he transferred the technology to the Alliance."

As Natsume spoke, he looked at the steel.

"Humph!"

The old man was extremely proud of himself. He raised the hammer high and shouted:

"That's right, the requirement is that the functional Poké Balls produced using my technology must use the round mandarin oranges, a specialty of Hinoki Town, as their outer shells!"

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

After a long pause, Xiaoxia's lips twitched slightly, and she whispered:

"No wonder Huipi Town has such a developed economy despite lacking high-tech industries."

The league consumes a massive amount of baby balls every year, with functional baby balls accounting for about 15% of that.

All 15% of the shell orders went to the town of Hinoki!
"Hey, hey, hey, what are you whispering about?"

The steelworkers raised their voices in discontent.

"Uh, sorry, Mr. Steel."

Xiaoxia was a little nervous, but unexpectedly, Gangtie suddenly laughed heartily:
"Hahaha, I know what you're talking about. Not only that, but the town of Hinoki was actually established more than ten years ago!"

"This orchard beneath my feet is the original Hachipi Town!"

“When the alliance asked me to choose a citrus orchard, I specifically chose this place. Everyone in Huipi Town received compensation for the demolition!”

Steel beamed with pride, looking quite pleased with himself.

"Wow, it seems like Grandpa Steel has really brought good fortune to the whole town!"

Xiao Gang stopped leaning against the wall and was amazed.

No wonder there are so many statues in the town that beautify steel.

If Pewter City produced someone like that, he would name the Pewter Gym after that person!

"Uh, wouldn't that be a bit inappropriate?"

Xiaoxia asked in a low voice.

"Back when Grandpa Steel was in school, the Alliance didn't have any welfare policies. I heard that his living expenses and tuition fees were all paid for by people in the town."

Natsume transmitted his voice to everyone, and they immediately shut their mouths.

In fact, the alliance has only truly improved and experienced economic take-off in the last forty or fifty years.

The era of steel production marked the beginning of a welfare society.

"Oh right, Grandpa Steel, GS Ball!"

As if remembering something, Xiao Gang took out a GS ball from his backpack and respectfully handed it to Steel.

"Oh, I almost forgot about the important matter."

Steel put down the hammer, rubbed his sore arm, and took the GS ball from Xiao Gang.

After only a few glances, Steel drew a conclusion.

"This is strange. I've never seen this Poké Ball's system before."

Steel's brows were furrowed.

"never seen it?"

Natsume seemed lost in thought.

He had never seen it before and thought it was because he was not knowledgeable enough.

But now that even steel is saying this, it's possible that this precious ball really isn't a creation of this era.

However, the GS ball's appearance doesn't resemble the style of the ancient times.

"Why don't you leave it with me for now? I'll take a look at it when I have time."

As he spoke, Steel put the GS ball away.

He turned to look at everyone: "Thank you all for bringing me GS balls all this way. It must have been hard work."

"How about we go for a stroll through the orchard? Since we've come all the way to Huipi Town, we definitely have to bring back some tangerine balls!"

As he spoke, Steel gave each of them a large bag.

"Go and search for tangerines yourselves, fill them up, and come to me. I'll exchange them for the corresponding tangerine ball products."

As he spoke, Steel waved to his granddaughter.

"Chie, come here, take these guests to our own orchard!"

"it is good!"

Chie led the group toward the orchard.

"Wow, I thought all these tangerines were grown by your grandfather."

Xiaoxia, holding Pokobi, curiously looked around at the various round tangerines.

"Of course not, there are too many grandfathers to grow them all, and most of them were distributed to the people in the town."

"My grandfather's mandarin orange orchard is over here!"

As she spoke, Chie pointed to a spot not far away.

"Beep beep-"

Suddenly, an alarm went off around Chie's waist.

"Damn it, another thief!"

Chie pouted, preparing to go back to find her grandfather.

"Wait a minute, we'll go with you."

Natsume yawned; he had no intention of going back the way he came.

"Yeah, we're super awesome!"

Xiaoxia gave Qianhui a reassuring look.

However, when everyone arrived at the location where the report was filed, the situation was somewhat unexpected.

"Ash, it's you!"

Xiaoxia stared at Xiaozhi in disbelief.

The other person and Pikachu sat on the ground, each holding a round tangerine in their hands.

"Isn't that you?"

Xiao Zhi's lips were swollen, like two sausages, and he could not speak clearly.

"You can't eat mandarin oranges directly, don't you know that?!"

Chie angrily snatched the mandarin orange from Satoshi's hand.

"Ash, your bite force is probably stronger than Feraligatr's."

Xiao Gang seemed to be pointing something out.

Upon hearing this, Chie lowered her head and looked at the round mandarin orange in her hand.

Judging from the marks on it, this tangerine was not broken open with a tool, but rather bitten open by Ash.

This shell is as hard as steel!

"Hey Ash, what are you doing here?"

Xiaoxia asked curiously.

"I beep beep beep."

As Xiao Zhi spoke, his mouth started pouting, and no one could understand what he was saying.

The only way to tell from their gestures was that Ash lost.

"Lost? You lost to the Sashimi Dojo!?"

Xiaoxia was surprised and turned around to look at Xiaogang with a look of disapproval.

Later, Natsume also felt very strange.

Logically speaking, the Bug-type Gym is a relatively easy gym, so Ash has no reason to lose!

"Hmph, our Bitterskin Gym Leader, Abby, is really strong!"

Chie suddenly spoke.

"Oh? Why?"

Jiaozi looked at Qianhui with curiosity.

Chie felt a little smug about those inquisitive eyes.

She said:

"Because all of Abby's Pokémon were caught in the Apricot Orchard, and the Bug-type Pokémon that live there are very strong."

"Why is this so powerful?"

Xiaoxia asked in confusion.

"Because those who aren't strong enough can't even split open a round mandarin orange, and they can't survive without food." Natsume yawned.

"Dududu, a blast-colored, blast-colored Pokémon, so cool!"

Xiao Zhi's indistinct voice followed closely behind.

Red, insect-type.

Natsume thought for a moment and realized that only the Mantis could be found.

Ash is really not easy to deal with without Charizard.

(End of this chapter)