Ash Ketchum's stomach immediately growled uncontrollably.
Diya's expression turned serious, and after thinking for a moment, he took out some food from his pocket.
"Emergency rations."
For the now completely ruined city, food was the most precious resource.
"Eat mine, then."
Natsuhiko stopped Diya.
He understood Diya's difficulties.
Fortunately, every time Natsuhiko went out, he brought enough food to last ten days or so.
This was due to past experiences of getting randomly thrown into an Alternate Space which had scared him.
Diya was stunned for a moment, then gratefully nodded at Natsuhiko.
"And for you too."
Natsuhiko smiled as he took out some Energy Blocks, handing them to Pikachu and Zeraora.
"Pika—!!"
Pikachu's eyes lit up instantly.
He eagerly grabbed them and sat by Natsuhiko's feet to eat.
"Zera!"
The Zeraora he was holding appeared a bit indifferent.
However, its sideways glance constantly staring at the Energy Block in Natsuhiko's hand betrayed its inner desires.
"Go ahead and eat."
Natsuhiko simply stuffed the Energy Block into its arms.
The usually stoic Zeraora showed a tinge of embarrassment.
"Eat up, Zeraora."
Thankfully, Diya spoke up, easing Zeraora's awkwardness.
Yet it still hugged the Energy Block, scurrying to a corner to eat.
"Sorry, that's just Zeraora's personality," Diya said apologetically.
"No problem."
Natsuhiko also took out Energy Blocks for Beedrill and Alakazam.
After distributing them, he looked at his own feet.
The Pikachu.
He never expected to meet Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu here.
In his world's timeline, Ash might have to wait another two or three years to officially start his journey.
Perhaps noticing Natsuhiko's gaze, the Pikachu happily eating an Energy Block raised its head.
"Pika~~"
It squinted its eyes in delight.
Natsuhiko was amused by its cuteness and laughed.
He reached out to pet Pikachu.
"Wait a minute!" Ash Ketchum quickly called out, trying to stop him.
However,
In the next second,
"Pika~~"
Pikachu let out a pleased sound, its body shivered from top to bottom.
"Eh?" Ash was stunned.
"Ash, you've raised Pikachu well," Natsuhiko said.
Ash scratched the back of his head, grinning, "Really? Is that so? Pikachu rarely lets others touch it."
Natsuhiko couldn't help but chuckle lightly and said,
"Pikachu is an Electric Mouse, Pokémon like them have many similarities. For instance, massaging these spots makes them feel comfortable."
He demonstrated to Ash Ketchum.
Ash suddenly had a look of realization.
Watching Natsuhiko pick up Pikachu, who showed no resistance and lay on his leg, exposing its soft belly,
Squinting in comfort, its ears twitching.
It's no wonder it's a Divine Beast when overpowered, and a starter Pokémon when faltering, the Pikachu.
Natsuhiko silently clicked his tongue.
After eating and drinking their fill,
The three of them and their Pokémon were in pretty good shape.
Ash and Pikachu showed curiosity toward Zeraora.
They ended up annoying Zeraora by fiddling with its ponytail-like fur.
But even after getting shocked by Zeraora's electrical attacks, Ash just acted as if nothing happened, leaving Natsuhiko amazed.
Even though Zeraora was cold outside but warm inside and didn't use full force, Ash, can't you at least show some reaction?
With no reaction at all, it's no wonder Guzzlord holds such a grudge against you.
"It's decided! Mr. Diya, we will help you fight Guzzlord!"
After experiencing Zeraora's thunder, Ash seemed suddenly stimulated.
"No way." But Diya rejected flatly.
"Why?"
"You'll become a burden," Diya said coldly.
Zeraora also cast a sidelong glance at Ash and Pikachu without hesitation, a clear disdain.
Ash got anxious immediately.
"That's absolutely impossible! Don't look at me like this, but I'm actually a member of the Ultimate Defense Team, and I've fought against Ultimate Beasts."
"I've never heard of such an Ultimate Defense Team, this isn't child's play," Diya continued with his cold remarks.
Zeraora's current cold exterior and warm interior wasn't without reason, either.
After speaking, Diya even shot a glance in Natsuhiko's direction.
If it were Natsuhiko, he wouldn't refuse.
Zeraora's gaze also kept flitting over to Natsuhiko's Beedrill, a hint of battle spirit in its eyes.
But as for Pikachu, it had little interest.
"Then let's have a battle! If I lose, I definitely won't bother you anymore!" Ash insisted.
Diya glanced at Ash, his eyes resting on the Z Bracelet on his wrist for a second.
He slowly said, "Alright."
Then Ash's gaze shifted,
Facing Natsuhiko.
"Mr. Natsuhiko, please accept my challenge!"
"Huh?"
The scene suddenly caught Natsuhiko, who was waiting to watch the drama, off guard.
Why are you dragging me into your argument?
Ash quite proudly rubbed his nose.
"An Electric Type Pikachu isn't advantageous against an Electric Type Zeraora, so I hope to battle against Mr. Natsuhiko!"
You really are Ash... smart.
"Besides, I've noticed that Zeraora's glanced at Mr. Natsuhiko's Beedrill more than once. Zeraora definitely wants to battle Mr. Natsuhiko's Beedrill; I noticed the battle spirit in its eyes, didn't I? Zeraora."
Ash is still quite sensitive to the feelings of Pokémon.
And he's thought it through well.
If even Zeraora wants to challenge Beedrill, then it means Beedrill's strength definitely doesn't lag behind Zeraora, maybe even stronger!