As the undisputed top support in the entire Pokémon anime series, Uncle Gang's addition obviously brought considerable convenience to Ash.
At least with him present, Ash wouldn't have to deliberately balance the weight of breeding and training. As the saying goes, 'there are specialties in every art'; in terms of breeding, Uncle Gang, even if self-taught, would be stronger than Ash.
Moreover, with years of experience taking care of his younger siblings, Uncle Gang was also a domestic all-rounder. Not only was he good at washing clothes and cooking, but he also managed finances carefully, saving money and increasing income, making him a paragon of a versatile male servant~
If he hadn't always been lusting after mature older sisters, and hadn't caused Nanami to give Ash a beautiful eye-roll over the phone, Uncle Gang's character would have been even more perfect.
"These are a small token of my appreciation, thank you for taking care of Ash on your journey... Also, please continue to work hard on your Breeder training."
When Ash reported his battle results to the lab, Nanami suggested packing and mailing her Breeder's notes and medical books she usually read, saying they were a gift for Takeshi.
"Don't worry, Miss Nanami! With your support, This humble one will definitely..."
Beep~ Beep~
"Oh, she hung up~" Ash shrugged helplessly.
It seemed that Nanami's question about 'why he found such a lecherous travel companion' could only be explained another time.
However, Ash felt that her worries were completely unnecessary.
Instead of worrying about himself being led astray by Uncle Gang, Nanami should worry more about her brother, who was confirmed to be juggling multiple relationships~
...The two set off together. Ash planned to follow the original route to Cerulean City, so they would pass through Mt. Moon on the way.
Ash was very interested in this place and planned to explore it thoroughly.
"Mt. Moon is a mountain range famous for meteorites. Not only does it produce Moon Stones, but wild Clefairy are also said to appear there." Takeshi looked at the map in his hand. "Ash, are you here for Clefairy or Moon Stones?"
"Neither." Ash shook his head. "It's just that the Pokémon I want to catch happens to be here."
"I see..."
"However, I think you could catch a Clefairy." Ash suggested. "Fairy-type Clefairy and its evolution, Clefable, can master many types of moves, and they're quite handy for taking care of Pokémon. Although no region currently has a precedent for using Clefable as a nurse, you might as well try it."
"If that's the case, then I'll have to look for one." Hearing Ash say that, Takeshi also became interested.
To become an excellent Breeder, the requirements for partner Pokémon are more specific than for a Trainer. Ash might catch whatever he feels Li Ke, but Takeshi must prioritize those with innate advantages in breeding.
What's more, Clefable's own strength is also excellent.
Urgent, life orb, four attacks... getting blasted by a Clefable with Magic Guard and Moonblast, you'd know that the pink devil is definitely not an empty name~
So Ash couldn't help but wonder, even Alola's Comfey are on the public payroll, but Clefable has never been chosen as a regional nurse. Perhaps it's really because it's too violent... The two chatted as they walked along the rugged mountain path. During this time, Ash also let Charmander out, and the little guy kept waving its small paws energetically.
Ash had promised it a capture battle during this Mt. Moon exploration, so Charmander had been in an excited state, already impatient...
"Help!"
Just then, they suddenly heard a cry for help.
"Let's go take a look."
The two immediately rushed over and found a person in a white lab coat cowering on the ground, clutching his head. Many Zubat were flying above him, furiously trying to attack him.
"Charmander, Ember!" "Geodude, you help too!"
Ash immediately had Charmander spray flames to disperse the swarm of bats, and Takeshi also commanded Geodude to kick up a shower of gravel... and also threw a Poké Ball to catch a Zubat.
"Are you alright?" After the commotion subsided, Takeshi stepped forward to ask... but he quickly regretted it~
"Wow, you guys are amazing! Thank you, I'm Li Ke, a researcher of love and courage at the Pewter City Science Museum! Thank you for saving me, I see in you the ideal combination of humans and Pokémon..."
"Uh... is this guy's brain damaged by the Zubat?" Startled, Takeshi quickly backed away, then turned to Ash in confusion, pointing to his own head... "Don't ask me, he's from your Pewter City." Ash also took a step back. This researcher's boisterousness was a bit annoying.
And instead of focusing on him, Ash and the others might as well investigate why the Zubat were active during the day.
With this question in mind, the two entered the cave together, only to find that many large light bulbs had been installed on the walls, making the cave as bright as day!
"This is too much!" Takeshi frowned angrily. "This is simply destroying Mt. Moon's ecosystem!"
"Yes, all the Pokémon here have gone crazy." Li Ke, who had returned to normal, also caught up, saying remorsefully, "Zubat are flying around in the daytime, Paras are constantly growing mushrooms, and Sandshrew are dehydrated. I don't know what to do..."
"I think we can start by destroying the light bulbs. Charmander, Flamethrower!"
"Let's go—straight to the source of the problem!" Ash pressed deeper into the cave, ordering Charmander to smash every light-bulb along the way.
He quietly released a pulse of Viridian Power, giving the affected Pokémon a quick heal.
But the farther they went, the more afflicted Pokémon they met; even Ash felt drained from the constant flow of Viridian Power, and his face darkened with every step.
He knew exactly who had caused this mess—those three punks had really gone too far this time.
"P-Pii..." Around the next bend they found a Clefairy collapsed on the ground, looking barely conscious.
"It's a Clefairy—are you okay?" Brock hurried over and scooped it into his arms.
"Pii..." Recognizing help, the fairy weakly pointed down a side passage.
Following its finger they soon heard the clamor of pickaxes, until at the tunnel's end they spotted two humans and a Meowth digging for all they were worth.
"So you're the ones wrecking the homes of Clefairy and the other Pokémon?" Li Ke demanded. "Who are you?!"
At that challenge the trio froze, then snapped upright as if jolted by lightning.
"Since you asked so sincerely,"
"We'll answer with mercy!"
"To protect the world from devastation,"
"To unite all peoples within our nation—"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love,"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Musashi!"
"Kojiro!"
"Team Rockets, we're blasting off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth, that's right!"
"What are you even babbling—Ash, uh, what's with you?" Brock broke off his tirade when he noticed Ash giving a big thumbs-up and spacing out. "Nothing—my DNA just tingled for a sec."