Chapter 50: Danger on the S.S. Anne
As Brock walked over beside Misty and the others, he saw Ash battling someone's Raticate with his own Butterfree! Misty sensed someone approach, turned her head to look, and saw Brock standing right beside her. Misty then exclaimed loudly, "Hey! Brock! Get away! You... you man-lover!"
Misty's words were heard by everyone in that area. They all turned towards Brock, looking at him with contemptuous eyes. Brock saw everyone staring at him scornfully, now knowing he "liked men". Unable to bear the loss of face, Brock hurriedly walked away.
Seeing everyone looking at Brock, Misty knew she had caused trouble. She glanced towards Daisy and Melanie beside her. Daisy saw Misty looking at her and understood Misty wanted her to think of a way to remedy the situation. Daisy just spread her hands open wide, gesturing helplessly in opposite directions. Seeing this, Misty knew even Sister Daisy had no solution. Misty then lowered her head, trying to think of a way to fix things herself.
Meanwhile, Ash was stunned hearing Misty's words. He muttered under his breath, "Brock likes men...? He couldn't possibly like... me, could he?! Eww eww eww... From now on, it's definitely better to walk separately from him." Having thought this through, Ash resumed his battle.
Just then, Brock walked over to an area selling merchandise. As he walked, he muttered quietly, "So embarrassing... And Misty! Why did she have to say it so loudly?! Great... now so many people know I 'like men'! Soon, probably everyone on the whole ship will know! Sigh! It's all my fault! Why did I have to say I liked men?! How am I supposed to find a girlfriend now?!" After finishing his mutter, Brock heard a voice, "Young man! Young man! Come over here quickly!"
Brock looked towards the direction the voice came from and saw an uncle (middle-aged man) selling Magikarp, calling over a young man. The young man walked over and asked, "Uncle, were you calling me?"
"That's right! Let me tell you a secret!" the uncle said. He walked over beside the young man, then whispered something in his ear.
Seeing this scene, Brock felt it was very familiar. He then recalled the plot from the anime in his previous life... Yes! This was the scene where the Magikarp salesman tricked Team Rocket's James into buying his Magikarp! Seeing this, Brock wanted to watch how James got tricked.
So, Brock walked closer and stood there watching how the uncle sold the Magikarp. As soon as Brock heard the uncle say to James, "This Magikarp can produce gold!" Brock couldn't help but burst out laughing, "Pfft... Pfft!"
Seeing Brock, James reacted with a mix of excitement and fear, "It's you! You're the one who took Meowth! Also... where is Meowth now? I miss him... Can you let me see him?"
"Sure. I'll let him see you right now," Brock replied. He then took a Poké Ball from his person and released the Pokémon inside. A Meowth appeared before Brock. (Brock had recalled Meowth into its Poké Ball earlier, afraid Team Rocket might recognize it).
Seeing Meowth, James immediately said to him urgently, "Meowth! I've missed you so much!"
Just then, having emerged, Meowth heard a very familiar voice. He turned his head to look and saw James looking right at him. Meowth then glanced over at Brock.
Seeing Meowth's glance, Brock said, "It's okay. But be back before evening!"
Hearing this, James quickly said, "Thank you!" then led Meowth away.
Just then, the Magikarp salesman, seeing his business disappear, turned angrily to Brock and said, "Kid! You drove away my customer! What are you going to do about it?!"
Hearing the uncle, Brock looked at the man's Magikarp. Then he thought, Isn't Misty afraid of Gyarados? And this Magikarp looks like it's close to evolving into Gyarados... Maybe I should buy it just to scare Misty! Serves her right for embarrassing me today!
Having finished this thought, Brock said to the uncle, "Uncle, how about this? Sell this Magikarp to me!"
Hearing Brock wanted to buy the Magikarp, the uncle's eyes lit up. He then whispered conspiratorially to Brock, "Kid! You've got good judgment! This Magikarp, you know... it can produce gold!"
Hearing the uncle, Brock cut him off, "Stop, Uncle! A Magikarp producing gold? Who are you trying to fool?! Just tell me straight how much you're selling it for!"
Hearing Brock, the uncle held up one finger. Then the uncle said, "I'll give it to you cheap. One thousand currency units. Take it."
Hearing the uncle's price, Brock thought for a moment, One thousand units for a potential Gyarados... not a bad deal! He then said, "Okay, deal!" After speaking, Brock paid the money. Once paid, the uncle handed the Poké Ball containing the Magikarp to Brock. Brock accepted the Poké Ball, then continued walking forward.
Just then, Brock suddenly remembered the plot from his previous life. He muttered quietly, "From the plot I remember, this ship sinks into the sea... which means everything on this ship will become useless anyway... Then it wouldn't be excessive for me to take some things to exchange for points, right?!" After saying this, Brock continued wandering around the ship. As Brock walked, the points in the system in his mind inexplicably started increasing, while items in the places Brock passed inexplicably went missing.
Meanwhile, in a storage room on the ship, a man, a woman, and a Meowth were chatting. Yes, they were Team Rocket's Jessie and James, along with Brock's Meowth.
Jessie said, "Meowth, come back to us! James and I both miss you!"
Hearing Jessie's words, Meowth was very moved, but still replied firmly, "No. Brock treats me pretty well. He'll also help me get stronger and help me learn Pay Day again." After speaking, Meowth asked doubtfully, "Jessie, James... how come you two are here?"
Hearing Meowth's question, James told Meowth everything (about Team Rocket's plan for the ship). Then he said to Meowth, "Meowth! You absolutely must not tell anyone else!"
Hearing James, Meowth replied, "Don't worry! Besides Brock, I won't tell anyone!"
Meanwhile, with Ash and the others. The group was eating there. Then, the man Ash had battled earlier walked over and asked, "Little brother! Your Butterfree is pretty good! What do you think of my Raticate?"
Hearing him, Ash replied, "Sir, your Raticate is not bad!"
The man then said, "Little brother, if you think my Raticate is good... how about you trade your Butterfree for my Raticate?"
Hearing this, Ash thought for a moment, Raticate are everywhere. If I wanted one, I could easily catch one anytime. Trying to trade a Raticate for my Butterfree? Dream on! Having thought this through, Ash said to the man, "Get lost! You actually want to trade your Raticate for my Butterfree?! Dream on!"
Hearing Ash's rude refusal, the man left with a gloomy expression.
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