The fifty-third day on the Orange Islands: light rain.
A fine drizzle fell in fluttering sheets, filling the air with dampness mingled with the faint fragrance of soil and grass outside the window.
A faint scent of disinfectant permeated the Pokémon Center ward as Nurse Joy changed the dressing on Yu Hai, who lay in bed wrapped in bandages like a rice dumpling.
Just then, unable to endure the pain from his wounds any longer, Yu Hai let out a muffled groan. His trembling eyelashes ultimately failed to escape Nurse Joy's keen notice.
News of Yu Hai's awakening spread instantly. Brock and the others rushed into the ward at once, gathering around his bed with concern in their eyes.
Brock's face was filled with excitement as he hurried to the bedside and asked in a trembling voice, "A Hai, you're finally awake!"
That night, he had seen Yu Hai severely wounded with blood soaking much of his clothing, barely breathing. He had thought Yu Hai would never wake again.
He had lost too much blood and suffered injuries that were far too severe. Brock had thought Yu Hai was done for. Even Nurse Joy had said the outcome of the emergency treatment was uncertain. Seeing Yu Hai awake now, the weight in Brock's heart finally lifted.
"Thanks. Slowking already told me." Yu Hai slightly turned his head toward Brock and Ash. Though his voice was weak, his eyes were still alert.
In truth, he had deliberately created such a perilous situation so the two of them could serve as witnesses. Otherwise, with Slowking's abilities, it could have teleported directly to the Pokémon Center.
Ash was still visibly shaken. Recalling the sight of Yu Hai back then, his mind had gone completely blank. That blood-soaked scene had been like a nightmare