Chapter 340: Chapter 340

January 5th, Tuesday. The five-day trip had come to an end. Teacher Lu and Ash returned to Pallet Town to meet Professor Oak.

The winter sun was warm and cozy, the grass in the fields gently rippling in the breeze. “Finally, I can sleep in again,” Lu Ye thought happily.

“Gengarrr~” (Finally, I can get back to training~) Gengar floated beside him, but when it tried to lick him, Lu Ye used his newly awakened "Aura Power" to sense it in advance and dodged. “Gengarrr~(｡•́︿•̀｡)” (Not happy~)

Ash stood on top of a hill, forming a "microphone" shape with his hands, and shouted loudly: “Pallet Town, I’m back!!” Lu Ye glanced over. “Why the heck are you yelling so loud?”

“Hehe, that’s just what it feels like, returning home!” Ash said with a big grin. Lu Ye was a little surprised — he didn’t expect Ash to say something so... poetic. Seems like his encounter with Lucario had really changed him quite a bit. Well, he is an "Aura Hero" now, after all.

Lu Ye smiled, but his face and Ash’s both suddenly changed at the same time. “Teacher Lu…” Ash gulped, staring at the huge swarm of Spearow flying out from the forest, darkening the sky.

“Caw!” Like a black cloud blotting out the sun, the flock of angry Spearow came charging straight at Ash!

Lu Ye rubbed his temples. Good grief, he’d forgotten that Ash had natural taunt magnet status!

“Pika!” Pikachu leaped onto Ash’s shoulder, little paws raised, about to zap.

It was like tearing a hole through storm clouds — the Spearow rained down with a series of "plop, plop" sounds.

“Briio(´^｀)o” With her back to the scattered ‘black clouds,’ Sylveon fluttered her ribbons and tilted her head at Lu Ye. All done

After reaping a huge batch of experience points, Lu Ye and Ash finally arrived at Professor Oak’s Laboratory.

Hearing about their earlier encounter, Professor Oak laughed heartily: “Because it’s winter, Spearow lack food and become irritable. It’s perfectly normal.”

Ash asked, “Professor Oak, what about my Pidgeot...?”

“Don’t worry.” Professor Oak nodded. “Natural competition among wild Pokémon actually helps maintain a healthy ecosystem.”

Ash smiled, then turned to Lu Ye. “Thanks a lot just now, Teacher Lu!”

Lu Ye coughed lightly, feeling complicated. Sure enough... his Sylveon was one of those self-training types, huh?

That K.O. steal from Pikachu just now was way too smooth!

Lu Ye sighed, “Actually, I should be thanking you.”

Seeing the two getting along so well, Professor Oak nodded and smiled: “I’ve already heard about what happened in Orudoran Castle.”

“Ash, you did exceptionally well in your evaluation.”

“But...” Professor Oak said seriously, “Before I hand you the Special Pokédex, there are a few things I need to explain.”

“Please go ahead!” Ash said eagerly.

“The purpose behind creating the Special Pokédex,” Professor Oak said, closing his eyes, “was to help gifted Trainers better collect data and explore the Pokémon world.”

“But during the process, I realized — the Pokédex isn’t just a data collection tool. More importantly, it carries a spirit, a belief.”

“Red, Lu Ye...” Professor Oak paused, “even Gold — they all gave me a clear answer.”

Lu Ye blinked. Seriously? Gotta throw Gold into this too? Professor Oak, just how much do you hold a grudge against Gold?

“Ash,” Professor Oak said deeply, “what does Pikachu mean to you?”

“Pika-chu...” Pikachu tilted its head, looking at Ash’s red cap.

“Actually... I’m not totally sure yet.” Ash scratched his cheek, a little embarrassed, then said seriously, “But like Aaron, even if it cost me my life, I’d protect Pikachu...”

Professor Oak smiled and interrupted: “That’s enough.”

The elderly Professor Oak pulled out a red Pokédex from his lab coat and handed it to Ash.

“Congratulations, Ash.”

Professor Oak’s eyes gleamed warmly. “You’ve passed.”

Ash pressed down the brim of his hat, a huge grin spreading across his face.

Striking his signature pose, Ash laughed loudly: “I got the Special Pokédex!”

“That’s awesome, Pikachu~!” “Pika-chu~!” Ash spun around hugging Pikachu in excitement.

Professor Oak roared with laughter: “Alright, you young people, get back to work.”

“Oh, right, Lu Ye — to thank you for accompanying Ash on this journey, I’ve decided...”

Lu Ye choked. “No need, really no need!”

Young people being humble — it was a virtue. Besides, after solving such a major crisis involving the World Tree, if he didn’t reward Lu Ye somehow, he’d really be ashamed.

Professor Oak smiled inwardly, thinking: Anyway, the data Ash gathered still needed analysis. When that was done, he’d gift Lu Ye a Pokémon in return.

“Oh, right, Professor Oak,” Lu Ye coughed to shift the topic, “What’s Ash’s title going to be?”

“I’ve been thinking about that too.” Professor Oak stroked his chin, then said:

“Ash, do you know what it means to be a Pokédex Holder?”

“It’s not just a sign of talent; it’s also a form of encouragement.” Professor Oak’s tone grew serious. “Red, the ‘Battle Legend,’ faces danger — freezing, petrification, you name it — because of battles.”

“Gold, the ‘Breeding Legend’... his Pokémon picked up all sorts of bad habits too.”

“As for the ‘Tactics Master’...” Professor Oak glanced at Lu Ye.

For a moment, he couldn’t think of any real flaws, so he clenched his fist and coughed: “Well, maybe sometimes he plays too methodically and lacks competitive passion!”

Teacher Lu chuckled. If you put it that way, I’ll gladly take that as a compliment!

“So titles aren’t just recognition — they’re reminders to keep growing.”

Professor Oak looked seriously at Ash. “And Ash, you have a special gift — the ability to bond with all kinds of Pokémon.”

“But maybe because of that... you haven’t taken the next step as a Trainer.”

“Hmm...” Ash fell into deep thought.

Lu Ye nodded slightly. Just like Professor Oak said: Every time Ash entered a new region, he had to rebuild his team bonds. Otherwise, with his old squad, he could’ve won a League long ago.

“But it’s also this continuous encounter and bonding with Pokémon,” Professor Oak said, smiling at the now discouraged Ash, “that makes your bonds even more heartfelt and moving.”

Professor Oak placed a hand gently on Ash’s shoulder.

“You are... the Bonded One.”

Ash sniffled hard and leapt into Professor Oak’s arms. “Thank you, Professor Oak!”

“Hahaha, alright, alright, now I gotta go give Grimer a bath~”

Lu Ye thought about Ash’s Greninja and its "Bonded Evolution," smiling wryly. Victory thanks to Greninja — and defeat because of Greninja.

Maybe that was what Professor Oak meant by: "Titles are both gifts and encouragement."

Outside, the sunlight was perfect, the lake sparkling, a Pidgeot soaring across the sky.

“We should get going too.” ‘Dirty Tactics Master’ Lu Ye stretched and yawned.

“Come on, Gengar, let’s go home and get Blastoise a new tank!”

“Gengarrr~! Ψ(￣∀￣)Ψ” Gengar took the opportunity to land a surprise tongue lick on Lu Ye and looked smugly satisfied.

Teacher Lu munched on some baked rice crackers to change the taste in his mouth.

Walking outside, he suddenly felt a little nervous.

That old tank definitely wasn’t big enough anymore. Knowing his Blastoise’s personality... Was he gonna need to get... the freaking Water Cube?!