Outside the Viridian City train station, Lu Ye spotted the clumsy figure of Ash.
“Teacher Lu!”
The boy in the red cap and blue hoodie came running over, Pikachu perched on his shoulder.

Ash rested his hands on his knees, catching his breath before looking up with a bright grin.
“Sorry to keep you waiting!”

Lu Ye’s eye twitched. “You… ran here all the way from Pallet Town?”
“Yup, what about it?”

According to Hanako, Ash’s dad once took three days to travel from Pallet Town to Viridian City.
And back when Ash was trying to escape a flock of Spearow, he floated downstream and made it in just half a day...

“…Nothing.” Lu Ye shook his head, gaining a fresh, firsthand appreciation of Ash’s physique.

“Pikachu~” Pikachu twitched its nose, eyes lighting up.
This Trainer smells really nice!

Lu Ye was no stranger to Pikachu either.
Back at the party, he’d nearly been zapped to a crisp by this yellow rodent.

Reaching out, Lu Ye rubbed Pikachu’s soft chin and casually handed over a Pokéblock.
“Pika…” Pikachu nibbled on it like a hamster, momentarily forgetting to use Thunderbolt.

Ash’s jaw dropped.
That’s not how Pikachu acted the first time we met!

But Ash also figured maybe Teacher Lu, like Daisy, had that kind of natural affinity.
He scratched his head and grinned:
“Teacher Lu, I’ll be counting on you for the next little while!”

“Pikachu~!” Pikachu happily nodded on Ash’s shoulder.
“Of course.”

Lu Ye gave a faint smile, taking a moment to study Ash’s hat.
Red and black, with a green semi-Poké Ball emblem… this was the AG-era Ash.

Fun fact: Ash’s hat, outfit, and even battle prowess vary from era to era.
During the AG and DP arcs, he was a tactical master—
Coming up with techniques like Swellow’s Thunder Armor and the Counter Shield.

His record included conquering the Battle Frontier and even defeating legendary Pokémon trainers.

Setting aside the mixed receptions of BW and XY…
It was actually in the cutesy Sun & Moon era that Ash’s battle power hit its peak.

As for Pokémon Journeys… What? Ash was the main character in that too?

Lu Ye cleared his throat, glancing at the clear-eyed Ash in front of him.
This was the solo-traveling Ash—most likely the future “Hero of the Rainbow.”

With seniors like Red and Green around, he was sure to mature mentally.
Getting to witness this dork’s growth firsthand—Lu Ye actually felt a little proud.

“Let’s go,” Lu Ye said with a smile. “First stop: the airport!”

Ash, shouldering his backpack, followed behind curiously.
“Teacher Lu, what’s your Trainer level now?”

After all, Trainers themselves differ in ability—
Differences in command, tactics, experience… all of that mattered.
Otherwise, if only Pokémon strength counted, then even a kid with max-level Pokémon could become League Champion.

In fact, looking at the outcomes—
Red’s title as “Battle Legend” meant he was practically unbeatable.
And since Teacher Lu was titled “Tactics Master”…
Did that mean his fighting style was super dirty?

“About even with Lance,” Lu Ye replied honestly.
From a Trainer-only standpoint, Lu Ye wasn’t any weaker than the Dragon Master.

That said… his Pokémon were also steadily growing stronger.
And that gave Lu Ye a weird feeling inside.
Wasn’t I just here to earn some easy cash?
Why does it feel like I’m drifting farther and farther from that goal?

Ash’s eyes lit up. “Please teach me how to train, Teacher Lu!”
Lu Ye: “No.”
“Eh?” Ash blinked.

Lu Ye cleared his throat.
Even I don’t know how I train—how could I teach you?

They boarded a train bound for Vermilion Harbor.
Ash kept chatting non-stop in his ear.

Lu Ye massaged his forehead, forcing a smile.
“Ash, how about asking Lance directly instead?”
Ash froze. “You mean I really can?”
Lu Ye nodded.

He opened his photo album and held up a QR code.
Better you than me, pal!
Lance, I hereby pass Ash’s spam texts onto you!

[Ding! Group Owner invites new member ‘Won’t Change Name Until I Win the League’ to the Chat Group!]

Lu Ye glanced at the notification and did a double take.
“Dude! What’s with that name?”
“It’s to keep myself motivated,” Ash said, grinning.

Flipping through the member list, Ash was dazzled.
“I can challenge… I mean, ask advice from every one of these people?” His eyes sparkled.

Lu Ye cleared his throat. “Best not to bother Lorelei—uh, Lorelei-sis. You might get skewered by Cloyster.”

Then again…
Was it Cloyster that would skewer Ash, or would Ash end up roasting Cloyster over a fire? Hard to say.

Gold: Welcome~
Gold: Huh? The kid from Pallet Town?
“You’re not that much older than him,” Kristal said flatly.
“Yo, Ash! Let’s hit the arcade next time!” chuckled Grandpa Ironspinner.
“No problem!” Ash replied with a smile.

As a teacher, Roxie gazed up at the sky silently.
This kid didn’t even fully memorize the type chart…
She muttered, “He might be… the only Trainer in Pallet Town who can’t recite it?”

At Lu Ye’s insistence, Ash reluctantly changed his username.
Ash: “I thought that name was pretty good…”
Lu Ye: “Better not set up too many flags…”

During the 30-minute train ride,
Ash’s fingers flew across his phone as he sought advice from his many seniors.

Lu Ye finally got some peace and quiet, idly fiddling with Sylveon’s ribbon.

Across the table, Pikachu and Togepi were having a staring contest.
“Pika?” Pikachu made a funny face.
“Togeeeee… (｡í_ì｡)”
Togepi tilted its head… and suddenly burst into tears.

“Pika! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ”
Pikachu frantically tried to comfort it.

Gengar sipped on some juice, floating above them with a smirk.
Finally—someone else can babysit for a change!

“So this is the airport?”

Lu Ye stepped off the train and looked around—then suddenly froze.
The deep blue ocean… the echo of foghorns… the gleaming white cruise ships…

“Ash, why are we at Vermilion Harbor?”

Ash answered matter-of-factly:
“Because the Electric-type Gym is at Vermilion Harbor, of course.”

Lu Ye: ???

Ash turned his cap backward and grinned, about to say more—
“Pika!”
Pikachu suddenly leapt off and darted toward the harbor.

“Pikachu, wait up!”
Ash chased after him like it was second nature.

Lu Ye glanced at Gengar, who scratched his head in confusion.
“Gengaa?”
Why does this kid seem more eager than me?

“Let’s go see what they’re up to.”

Lu Ye hoisted his backpack, suddenly feeling a bit uneasy.
If his hunch was right…
Given Ash’s personality…

The first place he’d go in any city—
Lu Ye looked up at the sharp-edged, glassy building in front of them.

[Vermilion Gym]

Lu Ye’s face turned a little pale.

You little dork!
Don’t think just because you’re younger…
…I won’t hold a grudge!

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read