Evening.
Pallet Town was bathed in the rosy glow of the setting sun.
Ash and the others finally returned from the hills behind Pallet Town.
After returning to Pallet Town, Ash was the first to rush into Professor Oak's Laboratory, his expression tense.
"Ash, wait—"
Behind him, Brock and Misty followed helplessly. They truly could not understand... after being busy all day, why was Ash still so energetic?
Was this guy a human-shaped Pokémon?
"Hurry up, you guys."
Ash shouted as he pushed open the laboratory doors and ran straight inside.
At that moment, in the hall.
Fang Yuan, Cynthia, and Professor Oak were still seated on the sofa, chatting calmly.
When they saw Ash rushing back into the laboratory, all three of them turned to look at him.
Why was this kid always in such a hurry?
"Ash, you're back... Why are you so sweaty? Want some water?" Professor Oak asked, lifting the teapot.
"Never mind that... I just remembered—did you come back early because you were going to battle?!"
Ash spoke urgently, panting as he stared wide-eyed and expectantly at Cynthia and Fang Yuan.
That morning, Cynthia and Fang Yuan still had a battle they had not fought.
After resolving the Super Ancient incident, the two had returned with Professor Oak. Once Ash thought it over, he immediately realized that perhaps Ms. Cynthia and Mr. Fang Yuan had returned early to battle in secret without him—
How could that be allowed? He had to watch such an important battle.
"Ash..." Fang Yuan paused slightly as he watched Ash rush in.
Cynthia smiled faintly as well.
A battle...
After talking all afternoon, they had both forgotten about it.
"Don't worry. We haven't battled yet," Fang Yuan said helplessly.
It wasn't even your battle, so what were you in such