“See, you don’t know.”
Watching Ash scratch his head, Gary forgot about Yu Feng, who was constantly trying to get his attention, and focused on confronting Ash.
“I am thinking,” Ash seemed unconvinced, refuting Gary’s words, he just took a bit longer to think, that was all.
“Splash, Tackle, Flail. What was used on you just now was Flail.”
As he spoke, Gary pulled a book from his clothes, opened it towards Ash, and continued, “Aren’t you a passionate supporter of my Grandpa, Professor Oak? Could it be that you haven’t even read the book my Grandpa wrote, Ash?”
“I have read it,” Ash said with very little confidence. Although he had read it, he basically forgot it as soon as he finished.
“Soon, we’ll be able to qualify as Pokémon Trainers. For someone like you, who gets played by Pokémon, becoming a Pokémon Master will be too difficult.”
Gary gave a somewhat comical smile, waving his hand at Ash. A Trainer being schooled by a Pokémon was truly something to laugh about.
“That’s strange. How do you know it won’t work if you haven’t tried?”
Ash started to get angry. Gary had always talked about him this way. Before, when it was just the two of them, it didn’t matter, but now with other people around, Gary still spoke like that, giving him no face at all.
“See, you’re doing it again.”
“What do you mean?”
Gary seemed to know what Ash wanted to say, following up right after Ash finished speaking. Now it was Ash’s turn to be puzzled. How did Gary seem to know what he was going to say?
“You always say, ‘How do you know it won’t work if you haven’t tried?’ But you always lose to me. From the past until now, have you ever won against me even once?”
Gary’s understanding of Ash was second to none. After all, they were good friends who grew up together, but he didn’t hold much hope for his good friend’s brain.
Ash was also rendered speechless by Gary’s words. After all, he didn’t know of any time he had won against Gary, but that didn’t stop him from gritting his teeth in anger.
Just then, Ash’s fishing rod moved, which made Ash a bit excited.
“Here it comes!”
“Mine too!”
Gary’s fishing rod and Ash’s moved at the same time. Both quickly reeled in, wanting to catch their prey before the other.
“It looks like the same thing.”
Yu Feng didn’t use his Psychic to check what was underwater, as that would make fishing lose all its fun.
But the performance of these two had already given him a good idea, and memories that had been dormant for nearly a decade also began to stir.
“Ai Wan. (Yes, Yu Feng.)”
“Indeedee.”
The Indeedee nearby and the Water-type Pokémon watching sent their approving congratulations. After all, this scene was rare even for them.
Finally, with the relentless efforts of the two, the object in the water finally revealed its true form.
“This is…”
“A Poké Ball!”
A slightly old red and white Poké Ball hung on both of their fishing rods.
“This is all fate’s arrangement, sending me a Poké Ball early for my upcoming journey.”
Gary gritted his teeth, trying to pull the Poké Ball to his side. It was very rare to catch a Poké Ball.
“How lucky! I didn’t expect to find a Poké Ball in a place like this.”
Ash was also very happy, even more at ease than Gary.
“Hey, don’t pull, Ash, this is mine!”
“Don’t talk nonsense, this is mine!”
The Poké Ball swayed back and forth between them, unable to be obtained by either side.
“I caught it first, so it belongs to me!” X2
Watching the two of them grit their teeth, Yu Feng couldn’t help but sigh. Although he really wanted to stop them, after all, this Poké Ball was already very old, and continuing like this would definitely split it in half.
But… gossiping was so good, and gossip about two men was even better. Plus, he couldn't resolve this matter.
His Poké Balls were prepared by his mother and couldn't be given to others casually. Moreover, it wouldn't be good for him to give them, after all, one old and one new, giving the new one to anyone would offend someone.
“You really don’t know how to admit defeat!”
Gary pulled with force, yanking the Poké Ball to his side, almost getting it into his hand.
“You’re the one!”
Ash also pulled with force, and the Poké Ball returned to the middle between them, giving Gary no chance at all.
For some unknown reason, the two began to pull and tug while running forward along the river.
“Before the important journey begins, I will absolutely not lose to you!”
“That’s what I should say! I won’t lose to you!”
The two remained unyielding, the Poké Ball constantly swaying left and right.
Contending and advancing, they soon reached the small bridge ahead.
Here, their battle gradually escalated, their fishing rods creaking under the strain.
“It’s mine!”
“Mine!”
The old Poké Ball could no longer withstand the Machamp-like strength of the two, splitting in half down the middle.
The two watched half of the Poké Ball fall at their feet, slowly squatting down to pick up their half.
“A Poké Ball I finally found.”
Ash held the bottom half of the Poké Ball, a bit sad.
“It looks very old. The connecting parts are loose, which is why it split in half.”
Gary picked up the top half of the Poké Ball and examined it carefully, concluding that this Poké Ball must have been soaked in the water for too long.
“This result should be considered a draw, right?”
Ash looked up, asking Gary about the outcome of the matter with a hint of helplessness.
“A draw? I don’t accept that!”
Hearing Ash’s words, Gary became a bit agitated, clenching the Poké Ball tightly in his hand.
“A draw with you is equivalent to losing.”
Gary slung his fishing rod over his shoulder, turning away impatiently and walking towards the town.
Ash stood alone on the bridge for a long time, saying nothing.
“Ash, are you alright?”
Yu Feng finally caught up from behind. Because the two ran too fast, fortunately, the fishing spot wasn’t very far from this bridge, allowing Yu Feng to pack up his things while enjoying the show.
“This is? That Poké Ball split?”
Seeing the bottom half of the Poké Ball in Ash’s hand, Yu Feng asked knowingly.
He did get the bottom half, after all? It seems this world is closer to the anime?
“Ah, it’s nothing. Gary said this Poké Ball was too old and couldn’t withstand the strength of both of us.”
Ash held the Poké Ball in his hand, his voice a bit low. After all, he still didn’t quite understand why Gary wouldn’t accept a draw.
Was drawing with him something shameful? Something that made Gary so disgusted?
Unfortunately, Yu Feng’s Psychic ability hadn’t reached the point where he could read minds, otherwise he would definitely say yes. At least, a draw with early-stage Ash, in Gary’s eyes, was a crushing defeat.
“Alright, look at you. After all, it’s half a Poké Ball, so it’s not like you gained nothing.”
“And it’s only a few days until we set off on our journey. Then you’ll get your own Poké Balls.”
“Later, make Gary regret saying that.”
Yu Feng patted Ash on the shoulder, encouraging him to cheer up. After all, they were about to set off, and a Poké Ball was no big deal.
“Mm, you’re right.”
“One day, I’ll make Gary willingly lose to me.”
Ash clenched the Poké Ball in his hand, his gaze firm as he looked forward.
“By the way, it’s already noon.”
Yu Feng checked the time. Unbeknownst to them, they had been fishing for almost half a day for Pokémon. Although the Pokémon here seemed to be growing well, they weren’t the types he liked, so he had to reluctantly give up.
“Eh! Is it that late? Oh no, oh no, Mom will definitely scold me when I get back.”
Ash looked at the watch Yu Feng was wearing and realized it was very late. His mom would definitely scold him if he went back at this time.