Listening to Yu Feng, Ash stared blankly, pointing to himself and Pikachu, then surprisingly pointing to Shiny Hatenna and Charmander.
His eyes were wide open, and the confusion on his face was overflowing, as if he was very puzzled how Yu Feng's '36-degree mouth' could utter such cold words.
"Yes, you heard me right. You and Pikachu need to dodge Charmander's Ember or Flamethrower while being interfered with by Shiny Hatenna."
Yu Feng saw Ash's disbelief and said very calmly, "This isn't anything strange."
"Let's not talk about Pikachu for now, but how can I withstand Charmander's Flamethrower?"
Ash pointed to Pikachu, indicating that he was fine, but how could he withstand Charmander's attacks?
"Pika~~? Pika!!"
Pikachu was originally nodding in agreement with Ash, but then he heard the words "Let's not talk about myself for now." He immediately balled his tiny fists and started punching and kicking Ash's leg.
Hearing Ash's words, Yu Feng looked at him strangely, pointed to Pikachu and said, "You know, in the time I've traveled with you, you get shocked by Pikachu an average of four times a week."
"And that's me low-balling it. In reality, you've been hit by Thunder Shock even more times, and after each Thunder Shock, you're usually up and lively again in no time."
Yu Feng didn't say the rest of the words, believing Ash knew what he meant.
"Pikachu is Pikachu, and Charmander is Charmander! Just because I can withstand Thunder Shock doesn't mean I can withstand Flamethrower."
Ash tried to appeal to Yu Feng's mercy by highlighting the difference between fire and electricity, hoping to be spared. However, he didn't realize that Yu Feng was not someone who would easily show mercy, especially since Yu Feng knew very well that Ash himself would get burned often after he caught Charmander.
"Since you put it that way..."
Yu Feng looked at Ash and began to ponder thoughtfully.
"Mhm, mhm, let me off the hook. Just train Pikachu."
Ash's eyes sparkled as if Yu Feng had already agreed to his request.
When Pikachu heard Ash's words, his kicks and punches against Ash became faster, and faint electrical sparks appeared on his cheeks. If it weren't for the thought that Yu Feng would stop him, he would have unleashed a Thunder Shock long ago.
Yu Feng looked at Pikachu's angry expression, then gave Ash a mischievous smile and continued, "In that case, you don't need to dodge Charmander's Flamethrower."
"Yay!"
Ash jumped up excitedly, but Pikachu's gaze towards Ash grew increasingly dangerous. If Ash wasn't training, wouldn't all the attacks be directed at him?
"Don't get happy too soon," Yu Feng stopped the excited Ash, his smile growing even wider. "Pikachu needs to dodge Charmander's Flamethrower while being interfered with by Hatenna, and at the same time, attack you with Thunder Shock. And you, you must dodge Pikachu's attacks."
Since you said you can withstand Thunder Shock, then I'll just have Pikachu shock you. Not only can it train my two Pokémon, but it can also help Pikachu practice flexibility and accuracy, and slightly increase Pikachu's attack power.
When Ash heard Yu Feng's words, he seemed to be petrified. The world instantly turned gray and black. Pikachu, on the other hand, looked at Ash with an eager expression, and faint electrical sparks burst from the electric sacs on his cheeks.
You, Ash, caused me trouble. Now I must teach you a good lesson.
Pikachu started rubbing his paws, eager to teach Ash a good lesson. Those words just now had deeply hurt his feelings.
"Don't rush. Since it's training, there must be a prize. This is your first training session, so you just need to last half an hour against them. Pikachu cannot be hit by Charmander more than five times, and Ash cannot be hit by Pikachu more than ten times."
"Charmander's task is to hit Pikachu more than five times; each additional hit adds one day of 'Gourmet Time.' Hatenna is the same. Ash and Pikachu also, if the number of times they are hit is less, they also get one day of 'Gourmet Time.'"
Yu Feng presented his rewards. Hearing Yu Feng's rewards, Charmander and Hatenna subconsciously swallowed their saliva. Gourmet Time! They usually only had it once a week.
This time, it was great! Just exceeding the hit count directly added a day, and that's three meals a day!
Immediately, Charmander and Shiny Hatenna's gazes towards Ash and Pikachu became strange.
Although Ash and Pikachu didn't know what 'Gourmet Time' was, seeing the suddenly serious Charmander and Shiny Hatenna, they knew this 'Gourmet Time' must be extraordinary, at least it must be delicious.
"Pikachu, let's talk. Shock me a few less times."
Ash squatted in front of Pikachu, trying to negotiate with him to go easy. He also wanted to know what this 'Gourmet Time' was, and if it was free, why not take it?
"Pika!"
Pikachu turned his head to the side when he heard Ash, pretending not to hear him.
"Ah! Pikachu, I really want to know what Gourmet Time is."
Ash almost begged, pleading with Pikachu to let him see what 'Gourmet Time' was.
"Pika!"
Pikachu turned his head to the other side again, as if he didn't want to see Ash at the moment.
Seeing Pikachu like this, Ash knew his 'Gourmet Time' was definitely gone, and he couldn't help but lower his head in disappointment.
"Alright, alright, once you're done discussing, we'll start."
Yu Feng saw Ash and Pikachu's expressions and it seemed they had finished their discussion, so he was ready to begin the training.
He had Charmander and Hatenna get ready. However, considering it was Ash and Pikachu's first training, Yu Feng told them to go easy for the first twenty minutes to let them adapt.
As Yu Feng announced the start of training, a red glow appeared from Charmander's mouth, and he sprayed it directly at Pikachu.
Pikachu lightly jumped, ready to dodge Charmander's attack, but his body suddenly stopped in mid-jump as if controlled. By the time he could move again, Charmander's Ember was already close to Pikachu.
Pikachu, frightened, immediately performed an Iron Tail to dodge Charmander's Ember. Getting up, Pikachu looked at the scorched ground behind him and let out a long sigh of relief. "How much would that have hurt if I got hit? Good thing I'm more skilled."
Pikachu had dodged, but Charmander's eyes turned into dots. Although he had gone easy, wasn't it disrespectful to be dodged like that?
And he was even controlled by Hatenna for a moment. Could an electric mouse really do that backbend?
"Pikachu, good job!"
Ash also cheered for Pikachu, but he seemed to have forgotten that he had just offended Pikachu, and that he and Pikachu were also in an adversarial relationship.
"Pika!!"
Pikachu saw Ash cheering from the side and immediately launched a Thunder Shock.
"Eek, Pikachu, are you serious?"
Ash was so startled by Pikachu's Thunder Shock that he sat on the ground, looking at Pikachu in disbelief, as if he couldn't believe Pikachu actually shocked him.
The Thunder Shock that landed in front of Ash demonstrated Pikachu's attitude: he would control his power, but for the sake of 'Gourmet Time,' he would not let Ash off the hook.