Chapter Four: Ash and the New Residents of Pallet Town

“Hey, what else could I want? Give me a jianbing, add an egg, and make it spicy.” Sakaki smiled, then cheerfully released Nidoking, giving its head a gentle pat.

Heath nodded and began preparing Sakaki’s jianbing. In fact, when Sakaki first visited, Heath hadn’t recognized him, but later discovered he was none other than Sakaki of the Earth. Heath almost pulled out his phone to ask Sister Maple for help.

After all, this was the leader of Team Rocket. Heath had overheard Sister Maple and her colleagues discussing Team Rocket in the dorms; lately, Team Rocket had developed rapidly, and the League was relentlessly investigating their headquarters.

If the League ever learned Sakaki was Team Rocket’s boss, Viridian City’s Gym would certainly be shut down.

Of course, the League still hadn’t discovered Sakaki’s true identity, and he continued to reside in Viridian City. But judging from the games and anime, it seemed Sakaki would soon relocate.

“Mr. Sakaki, here’s your jianbing.” Heath smiled as he handed it over. Sakaki took a bite, nodded in satisfaction, and paid Heath.

Watching Sakaki walk toward the Gym with Nidoking in tow, Heath licked his lips, wondering if there would be any reward.

[You have served Team Rocket’s leader Sakaki. Received: ten Farfetch’d Candies.]

Heath was stunned. Farfetch’d Candies? What were those?

He tried to recall some vague memories from his past life, but gave up and instead grabbed his notebook to look for relevant information.

“Hmm... are these candies from Let’s Go games? They boost the corresponding Pokémon’s effort values?” Heath felt a surge of joy. Ten candies would mean all of Farfetch’d’s effort values increase by ten points, right?

Heath wasn’t well-versed in effort or individual value calculations, but he knew the higher the numbers, the easier a Pokémon could grow. With Farfetch’d’s unique traits, Heath’s mood brightened further.

But then Heath realized a problem: every “cheat” he’d seen so far was triggered by serving customers. Did this mean his cheat was tied to cooking?

With this experiment in mind, Heath began his day’s business.

Heath had previously learned about the Pokémon world through anime and games, but only when he actually found himself here did he realize how vast it truly was.

Every morning around six, sanitation workers set out, usually accompanied by Goldeen or other water-type Pokémon, using foam to lubricate the pavement before cleaning.

By seven, office workers started heading out, streets grew lively, and Heath’s breakfast stall began its daily bustle.

After four years, Heath had built a solid reputation on this street; everyone knew his breakfasts were delicious, so many chose to buy from him.

“Heath, good morning! You’re up early as always. I’ll have my usual.” With customers queuing up for breakfast, Heath calmly handled his ingredients, efficient and unhurried.

“Uncle Yaning, good morning!” Heath greeted the middle-aged man, who was rubbing his back after working overtime yesterday.

Uncle Yaning’s wife was gentle, but Heath had heard from other customers that she was eager for a child, which had made these days tough for Yaning.

After preparing Yaning’s breakfast, Heath saw what he’d hoped for: another Agility Candy, seemingly similar to the Farfetch’d Candy.

By the end of a busy morning, Heath had collected over fifty candies. Some customers didn’t reward him with candies, but he could be fairly sure his cheat was linked to his culinary skills.

“Heath, big brother!” A boy ran over, and Heath couldn’t help but laugh.

“Ash, you’re here for jianbing again?” Heath smiled at the boy, a few years younger than himself. His name was Ash.

Yes, that Ash from Pallet Town, the future protagonist and Pokémon master, though at this moment he was just a child yet to begin his journey.

“Yeah! Your cooking is the best, Heath!” Ash nodded happily, making Heath chuckle.

Ash looked carefree, but he possessed an exceptional passion and determination for Pokémon. Heath had often heard Ash brag about the Pokémon he’d discovered.

“All right, today I’ve got some delicious green onion—want it?” Heath asked with a smile.

Ash hesitated, then pulled out a few crumpled bills, counted them, and nodded firmly.

Heath wasn’t surprised; Farfetch’d’s green onion was an extra ingredient, and the price was fairly steep, even working adults had to think twice.

“Ash, how long until you can receive your first Pokémon?” Heath asked, spreading the batter while chatting.

“Hmm... two more years! Mom says I have to wait two more years before I can travel.” Ash calculated and answered expectantly.

Heath nodded. Two years left before Ash’s journey began, heralding a strange era.

Ash’s journey always meant many events would unfold. Heath could only hope this world wouldn’t see anything too outrageous.

“Oh, Heath, big brother, a new family moved into town recently. Their boy is about my age.” Ash watched eagerly as Heath scooped some chopped onion from a box, swallowing hard.

“Oh? What’s his name?” Heath was curious; not many people moved to Pallet Town, most preferred Viridian City.

“His name... is Red!” Ash’s words made Heath’s hand tremble, nearly dropping the egg.

Red?

Heath stared in disbelief at Ash. You, with those thick eyebrows and bright eyes, aren’t you Red yourself? How could another Red have moved in? What was going on in this world?

Heath suddenly felt events were spiraling beyond his expectations. Could this Red be the one he knew?