"Somehow, this scene feels familiar..."
Ash couldn't help but say, looking at the Turtwig that suddenly ran to the distance to maintain order again.
"Yeah, you mean Bulbasaur? Now that you mention it, the two situations are indeed very similar..."
Reminded by Ash, Brock also recalled his experiences traveling in the Kanto region back then, and...
"Also, Ms.
Kasumi, sigh--"
"I'm surprised you still remember her name."
Looking at Brock's distraught appearance, Ash couldn't help but retort.
"Of course, I won't forget! I will firmly remember the names of every beautiful lady I've interacted with!"
"Get your priorities straight! Be quiet!"
Seeing Brock acting like this in front of Yukino, Dawn felt a little embarrassed and stood up to push Brock back down.
Although Brock's behavior was a bit strange, Yukino remained quiet and watched them with a smile from beginning to end.
After afternoon Tea time, Dawn and Brock remained in their seats, chatting with Yukino about food and Pokémon.
When it comes to Ash... he can't stay idle, so he wouldn't continue sitting.
Taking advantage of this free time, he found a small open space nearby and started training again.
"Very good, that was a good job this time! Aipom has learned a lot since the last time, knowing to flexibly change its offensive strategy according to the situation on the field during battle.
Starly also made good use of its advantages and didn't let Aipom gain too much of an advantage!"
"oki!"
"mu~!"
Aipom and Starly both puffed out their chests confidently, as if to say that all of this was a matter of course.
Although Ash's words did contain encouragement, both Aipom and Starly had indeed grown quite a bit compared to their previous battle.
As long as they could continue to train like this, they would eventually understand how important it is to have their own ideas in battle.
Just as Ash finished the first round of training, he suddenly noticed that a figure had appeared behind him at some point.
figure.
"Turtwig? What are you doing here? Are you very interested in our training?"
"na~"
Turtwig nodded.
It had been watching Ash's training from the side since the beginning, and it could be said that it was watching with rapt attention.
For Turtwig, who had always lived in the Forest, the arrival of Ash and the others, as well as Ash's training of Pokémon, were all very novel things.
It would be a lie to say that it wasn't interested.
Although Turtwig is acting as a nanny or housekeeper here, it actually likes battling very much.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have unleashed such power when facing Team Rocket and others who claimed they would Scratch Pikachu.
Seeing Turtwig looking eager to try, it would be a lie to say Ash had no thoughts about it.
Even though he traveled back to the beginning, Ash didn't initially plan to reassemble his old team, because that felt too purposeful, a bit too deliberate.
But... nevertheless, Ash still hoped in his heart that he could recapture his former companions, of course, Ash had developed feelings for them, and it would feel empty if anyone was missing.
"If you like it, give it a try.
I know you've always wanted to see the outside world, haven't you?"
"Na?"
Just as Turtwig fell into silence, Yukino suddenly came from behind, squatted down, and kept stroking Turtwig's head, saying softly, "Young people should go out and see more of the world, and so should young Pokémon.
Since you're not living in a group, you have to live the way you want... You've helped me here for a long time now.
It's time for you to leave this forest and find a life of your own."
Yukino's words were slow and gentle, like an elder advising the younger generation.
But it seems that this is indeed the case for Turtwig.
"Na..."
After hearing this, Turtwig looked at Ash, then at Yukino, the entanglement in its eyes still overflowing.
But the next moment it seemed to make
a decision, looking at Ash with fighting intent in its eyes, then growling in a low voice.
"Turtwig is..."
"Declaring war? It seems it wants to test Ash's strength too.
" Brock replied.
"Eh? Pokémon choosing trainers? There's even such a thing... I've learned something new."
Dawn was a bit surprised, while Ash agreed to Turtwig's declaration of war without hesitation.
As expected, this is how it should be, capturing it is the right way.
He smiled and ignored Pikachu's eager eyes, sending out Starly instead.
"Starly! I choose you!"
"Mu!"
The dispatched Starly cried out loudly, without any hesitation, it quickly swooped down and charged towards Turtwig.
"Na!"
Turtwig wasn't afraid at all.
It shook its body a few times, and the branch-like part on its head swung out dozens of Razor Leaf towards where Starly was charging.
"Descend!"
Ash waved his hand and commanded.
Although Turtwig's Razor Leaf is dense, it lacks the tracking ability of Swift.
If it is not used accurately against a highly mobile opponent like Starly, it is easy to miss.
What's more, Ash's Starly has a more Limber body than ordinary Starly, and the changes in its movements in the air are quicker and more natural.
"Mu!"
Starly only tilted its body, and the body that was originally descending slowly suddenly disappeared in place.
Turtwig, who lost sight of it, fell into a state of tension, and even forgot about the Razor Leaf it was still using.
Instead, it started running, making its vision wider in order to keep up with Starly's flying rhythm.
Turtwig is indeed still too young.
Looking at Turtwig's firm but somewhat stiff movements, Ash couldn't help but think.
Although Turtwig is talented in battle, that talent is ultimately just experience from wild battles.
It still has a long way to go to transform this primitive experience into something of its own.