Ye Feng stayed at the Orange Flower Dojo for another week.
It was mainly to comfort Mitsuko in her grief over losing her husband.
Of course, every time he exercised, he would hypnotize Haruka and Masaru.
Then, this day, Ye Feng returned to Pallet Town in the Kanto region.
He hadn't been back for a long time.
The air here had a familiar scent.
When he returned to Hanako's house and pushed open the door, he found quite a few people gathered in the living room.
Hanako, Satoshi, Kasumi.
And Brock was there too.
Then Professor Oak.
And a fat man in a blue shirt.
Scott.
Seeing Ye Feng, they greeted each other.
Ye Feng sat next to Hanako.
Hanako, smelling the scent on Ye Feng, her face flushed slightly.
Ye Feng also learned the purpose of Scott's visit.
He hoped Satoshi could challenge the Battle Frontier in Kanto.
The Battle Frontier in Kanto was rather unique.
It wasn't a giant amusement park, but rather distributed in various locations like Gyms.
Satoshi, who had been repeatedly frustrated in Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn,
Decided to change his mood.
And go for the challenge.
After chatting for a while,
The conversation turned to Norman.
Scott said with great sadness:
"Alas."
"I never imagined that after our last meeting, before we could see each other again, Gym Leader Norman would have already passed away."
Ye Feng: "I also did not expect that, back then, Mr. Scott, you had invited both Norman and me."
Scott nodded.
He then looked at Ye Feng: "Ye Feng, you refused my invitation back then. So this time, I want to invite you to challenge my Battle Frontier. How about it?"
Ye Feng: "No, I have other matters to attend to."
Ye Feng certainly wouldn't go to any damned Battle Frontier.
It would be a waste of time.
His goal was the major tournaments of those regions, and then the league championship.
Scott nodded.
They chatted for a while longer.
Then he left.
Inside the house.
Ye Feng, Satoshi, Brock, Kasumi, Hanako, Professor Oak.
And a Mr. Mime who had just come down from the second floor.
Professor Oak looked at Ye Feng and Satoshi.
"Satoshi, your next goal is the Battle Frontier?"
"And Ye Feng, your destination is the Sinnoh region, right?"
Ye Feng: "That's right."
Professor Oak gave an awkward laugh: "Well, Ye Feng, you probably don't know about one thing."
Ye Feng: "What is it?"
Oak: "Currently, all major tournaments and Grand Festivals, whether in Sinnoh, Kanto, or even worldwide, are temporarily suspended. Most official Gyms are also closed. Of course, unofficial ones are still open."
Ye Feng: "???"
Oak sighed: "It's because of that Team Ten. Recently, they had a large-scale conflict with the Pokémon League, resulting in many casualties on both sides."
"Therefore, the Pokémon League has made a firm decision to crack down on all evil organizations in various regions. So, your journey will have to be temporarily paused."
Ye Feng nodded: "It doesn't matter. I can take it as a period of rest. I'm not in a hurry anyway."
Even so, Ye Feng was a little surprised. Team Ten was quite formidable!
They could cause such a significant impact.
Oak: "Oh, that's right, I just remembered, I have a paper to finish. In that case, I'll be going now!"
Oak left.
Kasumi stretched.
Her curves were quite appealing.
She said, "Satoshi, what about Haruka and the others? Will they be joining you on your next journey?"
Satoshi: "I don't know."
Brock: "It's unlikely. Given what happened, they'll probably need to relax at home for a while and clear their heads."
Kasumi: "In that case, I'll accompany you!"
Kasumi was delighted.
But what happened next made her unable to smile.
Kasumi's sister called.
Sakura: "Kasumi, where are you? The Gym needs you to come back!"
Kasumi: "Sister, why should I come back? Aren't all the Gyms temporarily closed?"
Sakura sighed: "Alas, it's because of Team Ten. The League doesn't have enough manpower right now, so they need every Gym Leader to go and help round up Team Ten. You know my and your two sisters' abilities."
"If we go, we'll just be a laughingstock."
Ye Feng heard this.
He thought that although Kasumi's three sisters would indeed be a burden,
They were beautiful!
They could serve as cheerleaders and boost morale.
Kasumi sighed: "Alright then."
Kasumi hung up the phone.
She looked at Satoshi with a hint of reluctance.
Satoshi, the simpleton, patted Kasumi's shoulder: "Kasumi, it's okay. I won't blame you for not accompanying me. Don't worry, go ahead!"
Kasumi: "..."
Kasumi left with a dark expression.
Inside the house, only Ye Feng, Satoshi, Brock, and Hanako remained.
Plus Mr. Mime and Satoshi's Pikachu.
Just then,
Brock's phone rang.
He answered it,
And his expression suddenly became excited.
"What?! Mom is back?!"
That's right!
Years ago, unable to bear Satoshi's father becoming a Pokémon trainer,
Leaving ten children in her care and running away, Brock's mother, Millie.
But Millie's departure wasn't without reason.
If Brock's father, Takeshi, could become a trainer,
So could she.
Thus, Brock's mother, Millie, became a Water-type trainer.
All in all, both parents were extremely irresponsible.
They left, but Brock had to take care of nine children by himself.
Did they think he was Superman...
Despite that...
Hearing about his mother's return, Brock was more than just happy.
After saying goodbye to Ye Feng and Satoshi, he took a taxi back to Pewter City.
Then.
The house was truly left with only Satoshi's family.
Hanako knew about Brock's parents.
She was also happy for him when she heard his mother was returning.
But then she thought of her ex-husband.
For some reason, Hanako hoped he would never return, preferably remain lost forever. She didn't want that guy to come back and disrupt her current family life.
As for Satoshi.
Even though he had a stepfather, Ye Feng,
He still wanted to meet his biological father.
Ye Feng was indifferent.
He sat on a chair, enjoying the warmth of home.
In the evening, after dinner,
Satoshi went back to his room.
Ye Feng and Hanako also returned to their rooms.
After a long absence, Hanako had mostly recovered.
Therefore, Ye Feng could guide Hanako in her physical training.
Meanwhile, in Satoshi's room.
Satoshi, wearing blue pajamas, leaned by the window, gazing at the beautiful, bright moon.
Pikachu jumped onto Satoshi's shoulder, tilting its head curiously.
Satoshi rubbed its head and gave a bitter smile: "Alas, I wish I could see my biological father too."
The next day.
Early in the morning.
Ye Feng's family ate breakfast while watching the news.