The car sped along, passing through the industrial hub of Hei Yun City.
Due to industrial pollution, the air in Hei Yun City felt heavy and carried an unpleasant industrial odor.
Since Hei Yun City did not have a Pokémon Gym, Ye Feng bypassed it and headed directly for the Celadon Gym in Celadon City.
Arriving in Celadon City.
The two first parked their car at the Pokémon Center.
Although Ye Feng's Pikachu didn't need it, Yu Deng Jiao Zi did.
After all, her Gengar and other Pokémon had been through several Gyms and needed recovery.
The Pokémon Center was as bustling as ever.
Many were Pokémon Trainers.
Their conversations mostly revolved around the Indigo League, collecting badges, or the emergence of strong Pokémon Trainers in the Kanto region.
"Ah, it really was more exciting a few years ago. First, that guy named Green won the Indigo League championship, becoming the number one in Kanto. Then, less than five minutes later, he was defeated by that guy named Red. Red became the new League Champion, so thrilling!"
"Yeah! Yeah! And both of them are from Pallet Town. You have to say, Pallet Town is truly a blessed land, producing two champions at once."
"Haha, but it's a bit tragic for that Green, being champion for only five minutes."
"Heh, five minutes as champion is still champion. You speak without tact."
"For example, low EQ: Green was champion for only five minutes.
High EQ: Green was champion five minutes ahead of Red."
"Alas, it's a shame that both Green and Red disappeared afterward, rumored to be training. Who knows where they are now."
"After they left, Lance temporarily took over as League Champion."
"Sigh, I wonder if Pallet Town can produce another strong trainer like Green or Red for this Indigo League."
"Impossible. Producing two champions is already too much for one town. To produce another..."
At this point, the trainers shifted their conversation to other topics.
Most of it was still about Pokémon.
Indeed, they were a group of Pokémon enthusiasts. kanδん
Yu Deng Jiao Zi retrieved her fully healed Pokémon and found Ye Feng.
Ye Feng was currently in a private phone booth at the Pokémon Center, engaged in a video call with someone.
The person on video and Ye Feng were speaking in an intimate tone, with a hint of flirtation.
"Yes, yes, that's right. I've already arrived in Celadon City. After this Gym, there's only one left before I can return to Pallet Town."
"Miss me, my little darling?"
Ye Feng looked at Hanako on the video.
Hanako blushed: "Of course, I miss you!"
Ye Feng: "Then does your sister miss my brother?"
Upon hearing this, Hanako's face turned as red as boiling water, burning hot.
"Alright, hurry up. When I get back to Pallet Town, I'll let you have a good time."
Ye Feng's voice was gentle and full of masculine charm.
"By the way, where is Ash now?"
"Ash? Ash has just finished his battle at Cinnabar Gym, I believe."
"Oh, oh, then it's soon. By the way, have you told him about our relationship?"
"No, not yet. I think it's best to tell him after you've both returned to Pallet Town."
"Okay, I'll hang up now."
"Okay, husband."
When Ye Feng ended the call, he turned and saw Yu Deng Jiao Zi. She was staring at him intently.
"What?"
Ye Feng said dismissively and walked out of the Pokémon Center.
Yu Deng Jiao Zi followed closely behind him.
Her heart pounded incessantly: "Good heavens, so what he said before was true. He really has a girlfriend. The only difference is that the son isn't his biological son. But he's going to be Ash's father?!"
She had seen the entire conversation between Ye Feng and Hanako and now understood everything.
She couldn't fathom why Ye Feng would be attracted to such an older woman.
And to be able to tolerate a ten-year-old son.
"The most critical part is, Ash he..."
Thinking of that hat-wearing, chuunibyou boy, Yu Deng Jiao Zi covered her face in exasperation.
"What should I do? That guy... that night, in the car outside Lavender Town, he touched me all over."
Yu Deng Jiao Zi had actually woken up that night, but facing Ye Feng's actions, she didn't know why she didn't stop him and instead enjoyed it.
Perhaps, deep down, she had harbored a slight liking for him since before?
And since then, seeing Ye Feng chat with other girls, she would become jealous and put on a sour face.
She had initially thought Ye Feng was lying about having a girlfriend, but now, everything he said was true.
"Then why is he still bothering me? What should I do?"
Even as strong as she was, this young lady found herself at a loss when it came to matters of love.
The Celadon Gym was located outside the city, not within it.
It was a building with a very ancient architectural style.
Ye Feng and Yu Deng Jiao Zi pushed open the gate.
The spacious courtyard was empty.
Ye Feng called out a few times, but no one appeared.
"Let's go inside,"
Yu Deng Jiao Zi suggested.
"No need."
Ye Feng stopped her. "Celadon Gym is also known as the Ninja Gym."
"This house appears to be an old residence, but it's actually filled with traps and mechanisms. Once someone enters without the owner's guidance, they can hardly get out."
"If we go in, we'll probably get lost for a long time."
Ninjas weren't truly that mystical.
It wasn't like in Naruto, where with hand seals and chakra, terrifying ninjutsu would be unleashed.
Real ninjas had houses filled with such mechanisms, turning intruders into their playthings.
This was why they gave the impression of being able to appear and disappear at will within their homes.
Another example is the ninjutsu for which ninjas are most famous.
According to common perception, when these ninjas fled, they would throw a ball on the ground, which would explode, creating a white mist.
When the mist cleared, the person would be gone.
In reality, the historical "escape technique" involved, when you weren't paying attention, throwing a handful of quicklime directly into your eyes. Your eyes would be severely irritated, and they would escape.
Hearing this, Yu Deng Jiao Zi frowned: "Then what should we do?"
"What to do? Since they won't come out, let's smoke them out."
Ye Feng, pulling a lighter from who knows where, was about to set the mansion ablaze.
These ancient Japanese houses were made of wood, so once a fire started, it would easily spread into a large conflagration.
Just as Ye Feng was about to succeed.
Suddenly, several sharp shurikens flew out from the house, aimed at Ye Feng.
Ye Feng propped himself up with his right hand, easily dodging the projectiles.
Then, as he steadied himself, he saw a figure appear in front of him.