"Professor Oak, speaking of which, what's your relationship with Ash's father like?" Heath was a little curious. He remembered wondering exactly what Professor Oak's relationship with Ash was when he watched the Ash anime in his previous life. People had even speculated that Professor Oak might be Ash's father. But of course, the truth was indeed reassuring: Professor Oak was not Ash's father. Still, he seemed to be fairly well acquainted with Ash's father, so Heath was curious about their relationship.
"Hmm, I suppose Yaping and I are friends despite our age gap? Back when I became a Pokémon-ahem, anyway, an outstanding Trainer, Yaping already knew me. He used to pester me all the time, wanting to beat me." Professor Oak spoke with a nostalgic expression, but midway through, he coughed twice, deliberately cutting himself off. Heath's expression turned odd. Professor Oak, you really were a Pokémon Champion once, weren't you? After all, Heath remembered that Professor Oak's levels were very high, higher even than Lance's in the first playthrough, so it hardly seemed unreasonable for him to have a Champion's strength.
Heath really had not expected the very ordinary-looking Yaping to have gone through such a hotheaded phase, thinking about beating Professor Oak every day. From Professor Oak's account, Heath could also be certain of one thing: Professor Oak and Yaping had a very unusual relationship. The two had gotten to know each other through battling, and later, Ash's father had attained Elite Four-level strength. But after he and Delia had Ash, he began to take an interest in certain things.
"...Then Yaping saw some of our archaeological discoveries and became interested in that era." Professor Oak smacked his lips. Heath was taking out the braised pork knuckles for Charizard to roast. Although he was busy with the roasting,