Chapter 404:
Kanto Region,
Pallet Town. This is where dreams begin.
The midday sun spilled over the fields. The verdant green, mingled with the scent of wild grasses carried on the spring breeze, was refreshingly sweet.
"So this is Pallet Town..."
Hayashi Kaede was feeling a bit sentimental.
He'd had countless daydreams about embarking on adventures in various other worlds.
But he never imagined he'd one day actually come to this world.
And he hadn't come without a reason this time.
Although he'd seen Ash's various travels through Kanto in the anime, in reality, the Kanto region was a place no smaller than Eastova, with many areas he knew little about.
So, he had thought of someone.
That would be Blue!
He was currently serving as the Gym Leader of the Viridian City Gym.
That's why Kaede had come here.
Viridian Gym...
Come to think of it, Kaede had some impressions of this place. Previously, the Gym Leader here was Giovanni.
Later, during Gary's challenge, Giovanni had even deployed Armored Mewtwo. Speaking of which, by that time in this world, Mewtwo seemed to have already reached that storm-lashed island to conduct its "Mewtwo's Game."
This meant the timeline and event progression of this world weren't identical to the anime's.
Later, when Ash went to challenge the Viridian Gym, Giovanni was absent for other reasons, and the challengers ended up being the Team Rocket trio.
And now, the Gym Leader had become Blue.
After Blue leaves, the next Viridian Gym Leader would become the former Pewter City Gym Leader, Brock.
Kaede had already checked; the last Indigo League conference had concluded.
Surprisingly, Ash hadn't stalled out in the Top 16 like in his first attempt, where Charizard lost its will to fight against that Pikachu named Ritchie. This time, Charizard only lost its drive during the Top 8 matches.
In fact, during the Top 16 battles, Charizard's fighting spirit seemed especially fierce. Its blazing, unrestrained flames almost made everyone think Ash would be that year's champion.
Even though the final outcome wasn't different, it showed Kaede the variations at play.
It seemed the Charizard that participated in Mewtwo's Game had harmonized with Ash much better.
Perhaps this was the butterfly effect?
And the current reigning Champion of the Indigo League, following Blue and Red, was now Lance.
Which is also known as "Dragon Master".
According to Blue, Red, having found no more worthy opponents, had gone up to Mt. Silver to undertake rigorous training there.
Speaking of which, many regional problems were brought about by humans themselves.
Like the recent rampages of the Legendary Birds—Zapdos, Moltres, and Articuno—which triggered worldwide climate disruptions.
And back then, Mewtwo's escape also caused the volcanic eruption near Cinnabar Island.
It seemed friction between humans and Pokémon was inevitable.
Shaking his head, Kaede didn't dwell on it further.
Following the road ahead, familiar faces soon appeared—people he knew, but who didn't know him.
So, Kaede naturally didn't greet them.
For instance Delia Ketchum, Ash's mom, emerging from her house and Professor Oak, sitting at the entrance of his lab with a bowl of instant noodles, accompanied by two Krabby.
Though they didn't know Kaede, seeing two unfamiliar youths pass by, they couldn't help but cast glances his way.
Walking all the way here gave Kaede a surreal feeling.
It was as if these people weren't so unapproachable after all.
Just as he was about to leave the lab area, someone behind him suddenly called out,
"Hey, they young man over there..."
Putting down his noodles, Professor Oak looked at the back of Kaede figure, feeling a growing sense of familiarity, and couldn't help but call out. When Kaede turned around and the Professor had a closer look did he recognized the person, "Young man, are you Hayashi Kaede?"
"Huh?"
Kaede turned, momentarily stunned.
Wait, how did Professor Oak know him?
He immediately realized the address was likely something he'd seen online.
Given Blue's relationship with Professor Oak, it wasn't surprising the Professor knew about him.
"So it really is you,"
Seeing it was indeed Kaede, a look of surprise crossed Professor Oak's face.
The Eastova region was a very long way from here.
"Hello, Professor Oak."
Kaede also smiled and offered a greeting.
Unlike in Eastova, Professor Oak's reputation in Kanto... one could even say it extended beyond Kanto to other regions, and was quite prestigious.
So, it was normal for people to know him.
Even so, Kaede had no intention of small talk and directly stated his reason for being here. "I came to see Blue. Is he currently at the Viridian Gym?"
"Blue? Yes, he is. Oh, you're both exceptionally talented young breeders. Is this for an exchange? Should I call him over for you?"
Professor Oak regarded the young man with keen interest.
This youth was truly impressive. Whether in breeding or other aspects, he gave the Professor a feeling reminiscent of Blue and Red back in the day.
Back then, Blue and Red had challenged the Indigo League not long after starting their journeys, and later even challenged the Elite Four, earning the qualifications to become League Champion.
This young man before him seemed in no way inferior to them.
He'd heard he was also the winner of this year's Pokémon League Conference over in Eastova.
"No need, I'll go myself. I won't disturb you any further."
Kaede waved, calling out as he walked, quickly disappearing at the edge of Viridian Forest.
…
Viridian Forest,
It was said to be the place where Giovanni obtained the Viridian Power. But as Kaede walked in, he felt nothing peculiar. Perhaps due to the system's reward, his own Viridian Power showed no fluctuations.
Only Spearow flitted through the treetops, and the occasional Weedle appeared from the forest undergrowth.
Soon, he passed through Viridian Forest, and a city appeared before him.
At this moment, Kaede released Mewtwo from its Poké Ball.
It assumed a humanoid form, gazing at the city and pausing. "This is where I once..."
"Once came from?" Kaede finished its sentence.
"Yes."
Mewtwo remembered when it was first created, it was here. Giovanni would have it battle different Trainers every day back then.
It never understood back then why the challenging Trainers were so weak.
Now, having traveled more, it realized those Trainers were merely beginners who had just started their journeys.
Like the Youngster who challenged it the other day?
That's what Kaede had called him, anyway.
Following the map, Kaede quickly found the iconic building within Viridian City: the Viridian Gym.