Pokémon: I have no choice but to do this old thing?

Time flies, and the six-month intensive training has finally come to an end.

The campsite next to the Tianguan Mountain ruins has witnessed so much sweat and growth, and has become Zhang Jianying and his partners' true second home.

On the day of parting, the thin mist in the mountains had not yet completely dissipated.

Master Gustav stood before the ruins, his figure as steadfast as a rock, but his usually sharp eyes had become gentler today.

Lucario, Iron Warrior, and Night Demon stood solemnly behind them, their auras less oppressive than before, and more showing recognition of the young figures who had trained together for half a year.

"Alright, it's time to leave."

Gustav's voice was as steady as ever, his gaze slowly sweeping over Zhang Jianying and the team behind him whose spirit had been completely transformed. "You need to forge your own path ahead. How high you can reach depends on your own will and steps."

Zhang Jianying, accompanied by Gardevoir, Bagon, Haunter, Torkoal, and Shuckle, bowed deeply to the master and his companions.

The past six months of arduous training, the intertwining of sweat and tears, the alternation of failure and success, have long transcended simple teaching and learning, leaving an indelible mark of growth on each other's lives.

"Thank you so much, Master, and all the senior colleagues, for your meticulous guidance!"

Zhang Jianying's words were filled with sincere gratitude.

Baby Dragon hugged the Everstone tightly, unusually quiet, and let out a loud groan of gratitude to Lucario and the others.

Cynthia was also preparing to set off.

"I still have some internal matters to attend to, so I should head back."

She turned to Zhang Jianying, her gray eyes appearing exceptionally clear in the morning light. "I look forward to seeing you display your remarkable talent at the upcoming Alliance Conference."

Zhang Jianying nodded in response: "I will do my best. And thank you again for your previous visit."

He emphasized the word "on the way," which caused Cynthia's lips to curve into a barely perceptible smile. She glanced at him with a hint of reproach before turning around nimbly, her long golden hair tracing a graceful arc, and soaring away on Garchomp.

Watching Cynthia's figure disappear into the horizon, Zhang Jianying didn't linger any longer. He recalled his little guys, mounted the Pidgeot sent by the League, nodded to Master Gustav, and embarked on his journey back to Pallet Town.

……

Pallet Town, Professor Oak's Lab.

"Oh! Ah Jian, you're back!"

Upon seeing Zhang Jianying push open the lab door, Professor Oak's face immediately lit up with a delighted and warm smile. "It's been half a year, and you look completely different! And everyone else, you've all grown a lot too!"

His kind gaze swept over each Pokémon behind Zhang Jianying.

"Doctor, it's been a long time."

Zhang Jianying responded with a smile. The familiar smell of instant noodles mixed with the research atmosphere in the research institute made him feel a long-lost sense of peace.

"Woohoo!"

Baby Dragon eagerly jumped out from behind Zhang Jianying, tightly hugged its Everstone, puffed out its little chest, and let out a series of low growls at Professor Oak with obvious boasting.

He even gestured vigorously with his little hands, shouting: "Woohoo! Look, old man! I'm super strong now! I can control my strength! I'm no longer that little guy who couldn't control himself!"

Professor Oak was amused by Baby Dragon's appearance and burst into laughter. He crouched down and gently stroked Baby Dragon's head: "Oh! Looks like you've gained a lot in the past six months! Baby Dragon has become so confident!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Zhang Jianying carefully put away the spatial device containing the Alliance rewards and resources, and casually brought up the subject: "Doctor, you are very knowledgeable. Have you ever heard of a region called Padia?"

"Padia?"

Professor Oak looked thoughtful. "The Padia region... There are scattered records in the League's archives. It's an ecologically unique region, said to have a special phenomenon called 'Tai Crystallization.' However, related field investigation reports are very rare, and the League's understanding of it is quite limited, making it a rather mysterious area. Why are you suddenly asking about this?"

Zhang Jianying understood immediately; it seemed that Master Gustav's Iron Warrior background was indeed extraordinary.

He explained calmly, "It's nothing. I just heard Master Gustav mention it occasionally during the special training, and I was a little curious."

"Gustav..."

Professor Oak nodded knowingly, not delving any further, but instead enthusiastically shifting the topic to the details of their special training.

Just as the two were talking, the research institute door was suddenly pushed open with a loud bang, and a vibrant voice instantly filled the entire space:

"Professor Oak! I'm back! Today's training was a great success! Huh? Are we having guests?"

Wearing his signature red and white hat and with a healthy flush on his cheeks from exercising, Xiao Zhi burst in with energy, his steps quick and full of vitality, as if he had springs in his feet.

The familiar Pikachu nimbly perched on his shoulder, waving its little paws in a friendly manner, greeting him with "Pika Pika!"

"It's Ash."

Professor Oak was clearly used to his dynamic entrance, and his smile was full of the tolerance and love of an elder.

"You're back just in time. This is Zhang Jianying. He stayed at the research institute for a while, but you didn't see him. He just returned from a six-month special training program in the Tianguan Mountains."

"Six months of intensive training?! In a place like Tianguan Mountain?!"

Ash's eyes instantly shone like brightly lit stars.

He rushed up to Zhang Jianying in one stride, his eyes filled with undisguised curiosity, carefully examining Zhang Jianying and the Pokémon around him.

"That sounds amazing! There are even Pokémon I've never seen before! Hello, I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and my goal is to become a Pokémon Master!"

Xiao Zhi stretched out his hand, his movements crisp and powerful.

Looking at the incredibly familiar face before him, a face he had seen countless times on screen, now appearing so realistically before him, Zhang Jianying felt an extremely strange sense of disorientation.

Even though he had already confirmed with Mewtwo and Professor Oak that he and Ash lived in the same world, seeing the protagonist who had accompanied him throughout his childhood in person, this encounter across the dimensional barrier, still brought a strong sense of unreality.

He subconsciously reached out and shook hands with Xiaozhi; the real touch slightly dispelled his daze.

"Hello, Xiaozhi, I'm Zhang Jianying."

He composed himself and responded with a smile.

"Pikachu!"

Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder, tilted its head, and curiously looked at Zhang Jianying and the outstanding Gardevoir with its bright black eyes.

"Woohoo!"

The baby dragon, which was originally showing off to Professor Oak, immediately hugged the Everstone and squeezed next to Zhang Jianying's legs when it saw the human and mouse that had immediately attracted the trainer's attention.

Its crimson pupils, tinged with scrutiny, stared intently at Ash and Pikachu, letting out a low growl that seemed to assert its dominance.

Ash's attention was immediately drawn to the Bagon. Completely ignoring its slight hostility, he crouched down, trying to look it in the eye, his gaze pure and friendly: "Wow! It's a Bagon! Even though its markings are a little different, it looks incredibly well-raised! It's so energetic!"

Baby Dragon was taken aback by his direct and frank attitude, his vigilance lessened slightly, he snorted a thin puff of white breath from his nose, turned his little head away, and only the tip of his tail unconsciously swayed slightly.

Professor Oak watched the interaction between the two young men with amusement and explained, "Sword stayed at the research institute for over a month, building a very solid foundation with the Pokémon before going for special training. Now it seems their training over the past six months has yielded remarkable results."

"Brother Jian, let's have a match!"

Ash suddenly stood up, his eyes burning with a fierce fighting spirit.

He clenched his fist, his body leaning slightly forward in excitement. "How about we have an all-out battle using just one Pokémon? Please!"

This straightforward, uncompromising, and passionate style is indeed typical of Chi.

Zhang Jianying looked at Ash's clear, eager, and passionate eyes, and at Pikachu beside him, who was also in a battle stance, looking eager to try.

The subtle emotions in my heart were gradually replaced by a rising fighting spirit.

He smiled, his tone equally earnest and expectant: "Okay, I've been wanting to test the results of the past six months. Let's do one-on-one."

"Great! Pikachu, I choose you!"

Xiao Zhi excitedly waved his arm, his voice booming.

"Pikachu!"

Pikachu nimbly jumped down, its tail held high, poised to pounce, tiny sparks of electricity dancing on its cheek sacs.

Zhang Jianying looked at the Gardevoir beside him.

A hint of composure and confidence flashed in Gardevoir's crimson eyes. It nodded slightly and gracefully floated forward, its skirt swaying gently with the movement. It exuded a calm demeanor that had been tempered and refined over countless trials, standing opposite Pikachu.

"Haha, young people are so energetic, that's great!"

Professor Oak adjusted his glasses, a pleased and amused smile spreading across his face. "Then let's use the backyard arena. I'll be the referee. Perfect, let me witness your growth firsthand."

"No problem, Doctor! Let's get started!"

Ash was full of confidence and couldn't wait to run towards the backyard, turning back to urge him energetically, "Hurry up, hurry up!"

Zhang Jianying and Professor Oak exchanged a smile, then followed with Gardevoir and their other companions.

Baby Dragon followed closely behind Zhang Jianying, occasionally casting scrutinizing glances at Xiaozhi's back and Pikachu in the center of the field.

It growled a few times, its little paws clutching the Everstone tightly, conveying to the drifting Gardevoir the message, "Go for it! You have to win! Don't let that Electabuzz get too cocky!"

This unexpected duel, which in a sense felt like a dream-starting place for him, slowly began.