Pokemon: This Ash Is Too Versatile-Chapter 681 - 365: Suicune, Incarnation of the North Wind! Suicune’s Challenge! (Part 2)
"Ash, you’re truly a great brother! Don’t worry, I’ll definitely help you!" After Ash agreed, Brock, tears streaming down his face, grabbed Ash’s shoulder and said.
Ash felt a bit confused, help with what? Help him more along the journey?
To this, Ash patted Brock’s shoulder and said, "Don’t be so formal. We should be helping each other; we’re all brothers, right? Isn’t it natural to look out for each other on the road?"
Brock: ...
It seems this kid’s emotional intelligence is still so low. When Ash gets married, he’s definitely going to invite him to be at the main table.
Finally, the number of travelers was confirmed, increasing from the original three to four. Tomorrow morning, they’d set off for New Bark Town!
...
On the fifth day of Ash and his group’s journey—
In a forest full of mist, Ash and his group were slowly walking forward. For the average person, getting lost in this kind of mist would be very easy, even if they had a map, they couldn’t find north, south, east, or west.
But for Ash, who has the power of Aura, this was no different from following a GPS with a map imprinted in his mind.
A mere mist was nothing in the face of Aura Power.
"Just ten more minutes, and we’ll reach New Bark Town. Hang in there, everyone!" Ash turned and encouraged the slightly tired two girls loudly.
Misty and Serena, being girls, couldn’t compare their stamina to the two boys, especially Ash, whose physical strength was monster-level.
After traveling long distances over these days, they were both mentally and physically exhausted. Moreover, in the wild, there were hardly any places to bathe, making the cleanliness-loving duo feel extremely uncomfortable, enduring a double torment of spirit and body.
Now, hearing that it was just ten minutes to New Bark Town, the two girls instantly perked up: "What are we waiting for? Let’s go faster, Ash!"
"Yeah, yeah! If I don’t bathe soon, I’m going to die!"
As soon as they said it, the two girls charged ahead. Ash, Pikachu, and Brock exchanged glances, shrugged helplessly, and followed along.
Five minutes later, Ash, who was leading the way again, suddenly stopped. Serena, following right behind, accidentally bumped into Ash’s back, her body tilting backward.
"Smack!" Ash quickly grabbed Serena’s soft hand, pulling her back from falling: "Be careful, Serena."
"Tha... Thanks! No, wait, Ash, why did you suddenly stop like that!" Serena, initially blushing slightly, thanked him but soon realized it wasn’t her fault; Ash had suddenly frozen without warning, causing her to bump into him and almost fall!
If there was any blame, it should be half and half for both of them!
"Because there’s something up ahead." Hearing this, Serena looked over Ash’s shoulder curiously and saw a blue figure standing in their way, radiating a gentle, light blue glow, giving off a very comforting feel.
At the same time, the group could sense a significant pressure from the light blue figure. The strength of this Pokémon—very strong!
"Ash, could it be..." Misty scrutinized the figure for a moment, her pupils suddenly shrinking, and she asked Ash uncertainly.
"Yes, this is the embodiment of the North Wind, Suicune!" Ash identified the figure’s true form in one word, one of Ho-Oh’s three emissaries, known outside as the Three Holy Beasts, the embodiment of the North Wind, the Holy Beast of Water, Suicune!
The Three Holy Beasts’ habitats are mostly in the Johto Region. Although sightings of them are rare, it’s usually in Johto when they do appear.
Even Ash didn’t expect to encounter Suicune just as they arrived in Johto. And talking about New Bark Town, known as the town where the wind picks up, was this name because of the embodiment of the North Wind?
"Roar~~" Suicune let out a sound towards Ash and the others, or more accurately, towards Ash. The aura emanating from its body gradually subsided, revealing its true appearance.
It was a divine figure, entirely covered in clear, ice-blue fur that was shiny and smooth like liquid gemstones, reflecting a delicate pearl-like luster under the weak light of the mist, each strand polished to perfection.
Its body was more slender than ordinary Pokémon, with sleek, upright shoulders and back, exuding the majestic aura a Holy Beast should have.
"So... so beautiful..." Serena subconsciously covered her mouth, her voice full of amazement, her eyes fixated on Suicune, even her breathing turned gentle, afraid of disturbing this Legendary Pokémon.
She had seen many elegant Pokémon, but none matched the elegance, sanctity, and power perfectly embodied by Suicune, as if a being walked out of myth.
Even the initial impact from Lugia couldn’t compare to Suicune in terms of appearance, and as for Misty... thanks for asking, her eyes were already brimming with red hearts.
Brock’s face showed some astonishment as well, but he was more concerned with why Suicune deliberately appeared before them. Was it for Ash? After all, Ash was chosen by Ho-Oh!
"Want to battle?" Ash said surprisingly at Suicune’s call, which left Misty dumbfounded.
"Hey, hey, Ash, are you challenging Suicune now? Isn’t that a bit rash?" Although Ash was strong, defeating Suicune seemed unrealistic; after all, it was a Legendary Holy Beast!
Unless Ash used Mewtwo, there was virtually no chance of winning, but using Mewtwo would be somewhat unfair to the Pokémon.
"It wasn’t me who suggested it, Suicune did." Ash shook his head, this time it wasn’t his desire for battle, but Suicune who initiated the challenge, which puzzled even him. A Legendary Holy Beast appearing before him to battle?
This would be hard for anyone to believe.
"Roar~~"
"You mean, this is Ho-Oh’s test? Only by defeating the Three Holy Beasts can one challenge Ho-Oh? I see, Ho-Oh believes I am qualified for the test now? Come on then, Suicune! Let’s battle!" Suicune’s words cleared Ash’s doubts.
Initially puzzled why Suicune specifically sought him out, now it all made sense.
It was likely that Suicune sensed the Rainbow Wing within him, which was still inside Charizard, and Ash always carried Charizard with him. Even through a Pokeball, sensing the Rainbow Wing would be no challenge for Suicune.
"Huh?! Challenge Ho-Oh?! Is that the Legendary Ho-Oh?" In the group, only Serena was unaware of Ash’s connection with Ho-Oh because, along the journey, Ash never had the chance to inform Serena about Ho-Oh.
It’s not like Ash would voluntarily recount all his travel experiences to Serena. Nonetheless, Ash had no intention of hiding it from Serena, so when Suicune mentioned it, he explained it to everyone present.
"I’ll tell you more about Ho-Oh later, Serena; let me defeat Suicune first!" Hearing this, Serena nodded, then retreated with Brock and Misty.
Suicune roared skyward, and the surrounding mist instantly dissipated, revealing an exceptionally clear field. Mist still covered the distant areas around Ash and the others, encircling the center, making it look like a battlefield had been deliberately cleared.
"Then I entrust this battle to you, Pikachu!"
"Pika Pika!!"
