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

A few days later, the new home was bustling with unprecedented activity.

The joint research team led by Professor Oak and Professor Yamanashi rode in a large hovercar bearing the Alliance logo, carrying a dazzling array of sophisticated instruments.

The research team quickly set up a temporary research institute on an open space outside the ancient ruins. The white tents and gleaming instruments instantly filled this tranquil coast with the atmosphere of cutting-edge scientific research.

"Ah Jian, let's save the pleasantries for later. First, take us to investigate the anomaly!"

As soon as Dr. Yamanashi got out of the car, he went straight to the point, his tone as serious and earnest as ever, but his eyes burned with the burning passion unique to researchers.

Professor Oak followed behind with a cheerful smile, admiring the beautiful surroundings and exclaiming sincerely, "Wow, this is truly a wonderful place to raise Pokémon! Sword, you've managed this place exceptionally well!"

Following behind Professor Oak was Zhang Jianying's figure, a mixture of anticipation and fear.

"Brother Jian! Long time no see! I heard you discovered an incredibly powerful spacetime rift here? Is that true?"

Xiao Zhi practically rushed up to Zhang Jianying, his eyes shining brightly with an eager desire to explore, still full of vitality.

Pikachu waved its little paws amicably on his shoulder: "Pikachu~"

Immediately afterwards, a calm voice rang out: "Shōji, don't be so rude, we've only just arrived."

A young man with squinty eyes but a very reliable demeanor stepped forward and nodded politely to Zhang Jianying: "Hello, Mr. Zhang, I am Xiao Gang from Nibi City. Sorry to bother you. This is Xiao Guang from Shuangye Town."

"Hello, Mr. Zhang, nice to meet you. Your home is beautiful!"

Hikari is a very polite blue-haired girl who smiles and bows, accompanied by an adorable Piplup that looks around curiously.

Goodness, the Sinnoh main cast is all here...

Looking at this familiar group, Zhang Jianying felt a sense of anticipation, as if a great show was about to begin.

He responded "enthusiastically": "Welcome, Xiaozhi, Xiaogang, Xiaoguang. This place is very spacious, so don't be shy."

He looked at the large group of people gathered in front of him.

A meticulous professor, a hot-blooded idiot, a reliable gym leader, and a polite rookie trainer—he thought to himself: This isn't a gathering of heroes, it's more like a meeting of radishes…

Zhang Jianying began directing Gardevoir and Gastly to help guide the guests and carry their luggage.

Xiao Gang immediately showed his reliable character, taking the initiative to help count the supplies, and even began to observe the location of the kitchen and the food reserves; Xiao Guang followed obediently behind, and Bo Jiaman followed closely behind.

In the evening, to welcome the guests who had come from afar, Xiao Gang volunteered to prepare a sumptuous dinner, and the mouthwatering aroma filled the air.

Just as everyone was sitting together enjoying their meal, Zhang Jianying's communicator rang, and Cynthia's image appeared on the screen.

He gestured somewhat shyly to everyone and connected the communication.

An image of Cynthia appears; she seems to be in a quiet room with a bookshelf in the background.

"It looks lively where you are?"

Cynthia smiled faintly as she looked at the chaotic scene through the communicator. "Both Doctors are here too? What happened?"

Her greeting was as understated as ever, yet it conveyed genuine concern.

"Hmm, the situation is a bit complicated."

Zhang Jianying briefly explained the current situation.

Cynthia hesitated for a moment, then asked directly, "Do you need me to come over?"

Zhang Jianying felt a warmth in her heart, but subconsciously refused.

On the one hand, he didn't want to rely on Cynthia for everything; on the other hand, he didn't want her to be exposed to unknown risks.

"Not for now, Miss Champion."

He chuckled. "The two doctors and we have enough manpower right now. Besides, if there really is something extraordinary inside, wouldn't you be stealing my thunder if you came?"

On the other end of the call, Cynthia quietly rested her chin on her hand and looked at him. Her insightful gray eyes instantly saw through the concern hidden beneath his relaxed words, as well as that subtle "male chauvinism".

She didn't point it out, nor was she disappointed; instead, the corners of her lips curved into an even softer arc.

"I see."

Her voice softened slightly, "In that case, be careful. Keep in touch, in case the situation changes..."

"Don't worry, if I really can't hold on any longer, I'll definitely ask you for help first," Zhang Jianying assured him.

"Okay." Cynthia smiled gently, her smile filled with understanding and acceptance. "I'll wait for your news."

After the communication ended, Zhang Jianying turned around and saw Professor Yamanashi stroking his beard with an air of understanding. Professor Oak patted him on the shoulder with a smile, his eyes filled with kindness, everything understood without words.

Zhang Jianying touched his nose and quickly called out to everyone, "Let's eat, let's eat!"

……

After this little incident, the dinner continued.

Xiao Gang's cooking skills indeed won over everyone's stomachs, and even the usually serious Dr. Yamanashi ate an extra bowl of rice.

On the other side, the Ice Goose was full of curiosity about Piplup, who also looked like a penguin, and Pikachu, the electric mouse.

With a "squeak squeak," it moved closer, its icy head touching Piplup's beak, then curiously looked at the electric sacs on Pikachu's cheek.

Pikachu and Piplup were also very interested in this new friend with an icy head and a "squeak" sound when he walked. The three of them quickly started playing together on the beach, creating a heartwarming and adorable scene.

As everyone enjoyed their delicious dinner in this harmonious atmosphere, no one noticed that from the bushes not far away, several pairs of eyes were watching them with envy, while their stomachs were rumbling loudly.

"It smells so good..." Kojiro clutched his stomach, staring longingly at the aroma.

"And they look so happy..." Musashi was also somewhat lost in thought.

"There are still Pokémon I haven't seen before, meow!"

Meowth stared at the Ice Goose playing with Pikachu and Piplup, its eyes shining. "That little blue guy looks so special, meow!"

But their hunger was quickly replaced by their "professionalism"!

"Since we've encountered a Pokémon we've never seen before, we can't let it go!"

Musashi waved his hand, "While they're not looking, grab Pikachu, Piplup, and that blue guy all at once!"

The Rockets trio turned around and started banging and clanging away.

As the dinner party drew to a close and everyone relaxed and chatted, a strangely shaped robot suddenly jumped out from behind the bushes.

The robotic arm launched a huge capture net, which swiftly enveloped Pikachu, Goose, and Piplup, who were playing together!

"Pikachu?!"

The incident happened suddenly, and Pikachu instinctively wanted to use its electric shock to break the net, but when it saw that there were two fragile little creatures, Ice Goose and Piplup, inside the net, it hesitated, afraid of accidentally hurting them.

With just that moment of hesitation, the three little ones, along with the net, were pulled over by the robot.

Zhang Jianying looked at the robot with the "R" mark with a sigh. Instead of being alarmed, he felt a sense of relief, as if he had known it all along.

"Here they come! Team Rocket's trio truly have a deep love for Ash."

"And... Pikachu, isn't your acting a bit too deliberate? With your skills, even if you were considering your teammates, you shouldn't have been caught in the net so easily, right? You're acting again, aren't you?"

He inwardly scoffed, but wasn't too worried. After all, he knew very well that although the three members of Team Rocket's goal was to catch Pikachu and rare Pokémon, they wouldn't actually harm them.

"Pikachu! What's going on?!"

Ash exclaimed in surprise, his mouth full of food.

Zhang Jianying's eyelids twitched. "Master Zhi, where's your brain...?"