Chapter 328: Chapter 328

Inside the Vermilion Gym.

“Don’t worry, leave it to me!” Ash took the Orange Badge and smiled with a nod. “When Teacher Lu needs it, I’ll hand it over to him!”

Lt. Surge crossed his arms, nodding with satisfaction. Having Ash hold on to it in advance… That way, when the League Conference starts, the mentor won’t suddenly show up at his door for a badge battle.

Planning ahead. Lt. Surge silently praised himself: So clever—Major Surge!

Standing at the harbor bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, Lu Ye was examining the Insulated Gloves he had just received.

Black-and-red fingerless gloves, a bit of a workwear style—they fit perfectly. They didn’t quite look like Red’s pair. Apparently, the System had “projected” this style specifically for Lu-sensei.

“They’d go great with trackwear or a jacket… pretty stylish.” Lu Ye nodded in approval.

Thanks to the enhanced Insulated Gloves, they had anti-corrosion properties. Not only could Gengar pre-charge Sludge Bomb, but even Poké Balls could be used as stink bombs.

Many Trainers in Pokémon Special had their own creative uses for Poké Balls. Like Bugsy’s bug net, Yellow’s fishing line, Gold’s pool cue...

Lu-sensei imagined himself putting on a gas mask and hurling Poké Balls— He shivered at the thought.

“No way... that’s way too dirty!”

At sunset, all of Vermilion City was bathed in a warm orange glow. Lu Ye put away the gloves for now and stood beside Gengar, gazing out over the sea while waiting for Ash.

A quick glance at the quest tracker: [Badge Collection: 6/8] Lu Ye grinned.

Since nothing went wrong with the Vermilion Gym... Then even if he got the Dark Gray Badge, it wouldn't be an issue!

Feeling upbeat, Lu-sensei gave Sylveon a good head scratch.

Sylveon was innocently staring at the cruise ship, listening to the horn. Then—whap!—it got yanked suddenly.

Sylveon whipped its ribbon-like feelers around like pinwheels, slapping Lu Ye’s leg. The force wasn’t strong—more like how Ash’s Chikorita would shake its leaf.

Honestly... kind of relaxing.

Lu Ye chuckled and reached out to Gengar for a can of cola.

Lu Ye: “...Not this brand.”

“Gengarrr! (～￣▽￣)～” (It’s all we got.)

From behind, Ash came jogging over, Pikachu on his shoulder.

“Teacher Lu! Sorry to keep you waiting!”

“So, what did Surge say to you?” Lu Ye asked, chewing on some chips.

Ash scratched his head, ready to speak— But remembering Surge’s request, he shook his head and smiled.

“Nothing much... mostly just so we won’t have to bother Mr. Surge again once the League starts!”

Lu Ye blinked, not fully getting it. But with the flight coming up, he glanced at his phone and said:

“Anything else we need to do? This trip might take a week.”

Ash rubbed his chin, and a lightbulb lit up over his head.

Staring at the ramen stand in front of him, Lu Ye’s mouth twitched.

“This ‘important matter’... was ramen?”

“Airport food sucks!” Ash slurped noodles contentedly. “And I don’t wanna eat in-flight meals… so Pikachu and I needed to fill up first!”

“Pikachuuu~” Pikachu slurped a long noodle.

“D*mn it! I won’t lose to you!” Ash started competing with Pikachu on who could slurp the longest noodle.

He’d just eaten chips—not exactly hungry.

Gengar, however, was fascinated by the ramen chef. It leaned in to watch, and the chef offered kindly: “Want a bowl?”

Gengar grinned and held up two fingers.

“Gengaaa!” (Twenty bowls!)

“Gengaaa~ (*⊙~⊙)” Next to Gengar was a towering stack of bowls.

The ramen chef and shop owner stared in shock. “This guy’s on Snorlax-level appetite!”

Lu Ye rubbed his temples and said, “Ash, I’ll cover yours too, alright?”

“Huh? That’s too much, you don’t need to—!” Ash quickly wiped his mouth.

Lu Ye: “It’s fine. We’re already twenty bowls deep… what’s one more?”

Togepi held a bowl larger than itself, gulping soup until it practically dove headfirst into it.

The bowl flipped over and trapped Togepi inside. It flailed around, panicking: “Doooy!”

“Pika~” Pikachu, like a big brother, lifted the bowl off and sighed in relief.

“Cheeky doooy~ヾ(◍°∇°◍)ﾉﾞ”

The nearby customers chuckled kindly at the scene.

Suddenly, sirens wailed as Lu Ye stepped outside—and saw a massive group of Squirtles rushing toward them.

“Why do they look familiar?” Lu Ye muttered.

“Squirtle…” Even the normally chill Squirtle was surprised by the scene.

Officer Jenny pulled up with a smooth drift on her motorcycle and smiled.

“Sorry for the disturbance… These are the Squirtle Squad assigned to the Vermilion City fire drills.”

“They heard their original Trainer was here, so they came rushing over.”

Ash stepped out with his ramen bowl, eyes lighting up. “Squirtle!”

“Squirtle!” The leader of the Squirtle Squad leapt into Ash’s arms joyfully.

“Didn’t expect to run into you here.” Ash smiled. “How’ve you been lately?”

“Squirtle squirtle~!”

The area was filled with the sounds of happy Squirtles.

But when the squad noticed the Squirtle standing by Lu Ye’s side, the chatter stopped.

That Squirtle… might actually be stronger than their leader?!

Their leader also glanced at Lu Ye’s ‘Crouching Dragon’ Squirtle.

A bead of sweat slid down its forehead.

Even that Blastoise boss from Blastoise Island didn’t have this kind of terrifying aura...

The Everstone hanging around its neck gave a sharp crack.

Squirtle Squad: Σ(°△°|||)︴

What the shell?! This is scary as hell!

They scrambled to lift up their leader and fled like their tails were on fire.

Ash didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. He looked a little bummed.

Lu Ye glanced at him. “Why don’t you just ask Officer Jenny to give it back to you?”

Ash shook his head. “Being with its team and joining the fire squad… I think that makes Squirtle happy.”

But still, I gotta say it—what a player!

“Um…” Officer Jenny hadn’t left yet. She scratched her cheek shyly on her motorcycle.

“Teacher Lu… could I have your autograph?”

Lu Ye blinked, then nodded. “Of course.”

Watching the giddy Officer Jenny, Ash stood there slack-jawed.

Teacher Lu… is actually super popular with the Jennys?!

Jenny smiled with satisfaction after getting the autograph.

She rode off with the Squirtle Squad.

Ash pumped his fist, fired up again.

“I’m gonna make it to the League! Then I’ll bring back Squirtle, Charizard… and everyone to help out!”

Lu Ye resisted the urge to roast him.

That’s all well and good...

But you almost never call back your old squad, man.

With the flight coming up, Lu Ye paid the bill. The shop owner made a suggestion:

“If you’re interested, you could join Vermilion City’s Competitive Eating Contest…”

“It’s in January next year. The prize money’s pretty decent!”

Competitive eating contest?

Lu Ye glanced at Gengar, who was picking his teeth with a toothpick.

Not to brag, but none of the Snorlaxes here could out-eat this guy!

Lu-sensei and the chatty Ash finally boarded the flight.

“Night.” Lu Ye put on his eye mask. “I’ll wake you in the morning.”

Ash buckled his seatbelt, then asked suddenly:

“Teacher Lu, how long will it take us to get to Orudoran Castle?”

Lu Ye was about to answer—then froze.

No wonder that name sounded familiar!

That’s the place from the movie Lucario and the Mystery of Mew!

Ash looked curiously at Lu Ye, who had just unbuckled his seatbelt and stood up.

“Teacher Lu, where are you going?”

“I’m going to ask the flight attendant,” Lu Ye said.

“To see if it’s still… not too late to get off this plane.”