He knows Pokémon better than me.

Chapter 4397 Underground Factory!?

He didn't believe it was a coincidence that a problem suddenly arose at this critical juncture.

So Xiao Zhi took the initiative to speak:

"Mr. Kawu, shall I go and check on the situation first?"

Kawu on the other end of the phone was stunned for a moment. Xiaozhi wasn't a mechanical repairman, was he?

However, there's nothing to stop about this.

"Then come over if you want. I've been at the Mech Arena lately."

"Okay, I'll be right there!"

Before hanging up the phone, Xiao Zhi quickly said something.

I happen to have some free time now.

He then scanned the training field.

Cinderace, Urshifu, and a few other Pokémon are still locked in a fierce battle with Forsaken, so they can't be taken away anytime soon.

Even if it were taken away, it would be like a candle flickering in the wind.

So he brought along a few Pokémon in good condition, and summoned Pikachu practicing "Dazzling Gleam" nearby, as well as Victini applying the "Victory Power" buff to all Pokémon around the castle.

Even if something happens, you'll be safe!

"Is there a problem with the Mech Arena? I'll go check it out too!"

Hep had just finished sparring with Mary and came over excitedly when she heard this.

Perfect timing to relax!

Mary didn't keep up; Darkrai was still giving her extra lessons.

With its Dark Hole ability, it can take down any number of Pokémon that try to attack it.

If you're low on stamina, use a Dream Eater attack to restore it.

It's fair to say that Darkrai is perfectly suited for this kind of attrition warfare where he fights against many opponents!

On the other side, the scene was even more tragic; it was barely able to suppress a group of Pokémon.

But if Hop's Pokémon join in, the scales will tip instantly!

Even the most experienced fighter can be knocked out by a flurry of punches.

"Let's go then~"

Ash gave a shout, and the two formed a temporary team and headed towards Motostoke.

Ten minutes later, Ash and Hop arrived at the Motostoke Arena.

With the League Conference approaching, the Galar's spectator spirit has clearly risen.

Even though there were no official matches today, the arena was still packed with people, making it quite lively.

Ash glanced at the large screen on the wall that had been turned off—

If it weren't for the problem with the Mech Arena, the top screen would probably be showing his and that person's alliance card preview, right now?

"Ash, Uncle Kabu is over there!"

Hep noticed that Kawu was already waiting at the gate leading to the dojo arena, and the two quickly walked up to it.

Today, Uncle Kawu was still wearing a red and white athletic short-sleeved shirt and shorts, with a sweat towel draped around his neck and sweat on his forehead.

I guess he just came back from a run at the second mine.

"Mr. Kawu, it's been a long time!"

Hep greeted him politely.

In retrospect, the Motostoke Arena was probably the gym he had the most difficulty conquering.

His team wasn't fully formed at that time.

The Grass-type starter Pokémon are weak against it.

The Woolstice sheep, which has not yet evolved, has a "fluffy" effect similar to that of a bear, and is easily ignited by flames.

Blue Raven has not yet undergone its final evolution and gained the Steel type.

But seeing the flames coming at it, the deep-seated fear would still throw it into disarray.

"Ash, hey. Hop's here too."

Kawu paused, still having a deep impression of Hep.

Without giving it much thought, he turned around and led the way.

"Since you want to see, then come with me."

"But there's really nothing to see here, it's just an abandoned factory. Or rather, an abandoned boiler room?"

After walking through the narrow entrance tunnel, the three arrived at the central arena. However, Kawu did not lead them through the arena, but instead turned to a small door to the side.

It was painted the same color as the wall, and you wouldn't really notice the iron lock unless you looked closely.

Kawu took out his key and opened the door.

Squeak-!

The door hinges made a hoarse, grinding sound, clearly indicating that they were quite old.

"It's right down there."

Kawu pointed out that there was a metal staircase leading down from the entrance.

The three of them descended the stairs, going down about three or four floors before finally reaching the bottom.

Xiao Zhi looked around curiously.

The structure here resembles the underground tunnels of an ancient castle, somewhat like the dungeons of Hammerlocke, but the space is quite spacious.

However, there were no prison cells here, but rather some abandoned factories with piles of miscellaneous materials in the corners.

The factory's iron gate was covered in rust, and the ground was covered in a layer of dust.

The air suddenly became much hotter, as if some slightly warm steam was constantly surging in from the other side of the tunnel corridor.

Xiao Zhi asked in confusion:

"Mr. Kawu, is the factory here still operating?"

It really felt like stepping into a boiler room where coal was constantly being burned; the air was hot and stuffy.

Kawu shook his head, but his expression was not quite certain.

"Actually, I'm not too sure either. But according to employees of the Marocmont Group, the factories here should have all been closed long ago."

After all, there's no new energy supply here, so things should have been completely calmed down by now.

But for some reason, these strange steams still frequently rise from underground over the years.

Although it doesn't conform to the law of conservation of energy, Chairman Loz's subordinates come here regularly to check, so Kawu isn't too worried.

"But recently, Dynamaxing has suddenly become impossible in the arena."

Even as you descend, you can clearly feel that the temperature of these strange steams has increased.

In the stuffy space, Ash and Hop had only been down for a short while, but their foreheads were already sweating.

"Pikachu."

Pikachu stuck out its little tongue, wishing it had waited outside.

"Bick~?"

Victini, a fire-attribute mythical beast, remained unharmed throughout, blinking its large blue eyes and curiously looking around.

"Anyway, let me take you to see that factory first."

Kawu led the way.

He wasn't a mechanical engineer, and his understanding was limited; he only knew that the steam originated from a factory at the far end of the road.

They hadn't gone far when, in the narrow passageway, Hep suddenly exclaimed in delight:

"Huh? Are there wild Pokémon living here?!"

Around the corner ahead, a mischievous little demon is peeking this way.

Upon seeing the three approaching, it immediately withdrew its head and disappeared without a trace.

On the ground nearby, a molten beast was slowly wriggling, seemingly unafraid of people.

Kawu nodded and replied:

"Yes, this place doesn't only have the Mech Arena as an exit; it also connects to other places underground in Mech City."

Originally, a network of crisscrossing subway lines was planned to be built underground in Machine City.

However, the project was never completed and has now been largely abandoned as a sewer.

Directly beneath the Mech Arena lies an underground factory, which has been transformed by the Marocmont Group.

However, it didn't last long, and later all its operations were moved to Gongmen City in the north. (End of Chapter)