Ace spent a full three days sparring, and Professor Oak's battle sense grew sharper and sharper.
By the third day, even when Ace revealed Blastoise's trump card—the invisible attacks of its Tri-Attack—Professor Oak's Pidgeot, with its incredible speed, still soundly defeated Ace's Blastoise.
"Invisible attacks... a very clever idea, but if they can't hit, their power is zero."
Professor Oak smiled as he recalled his Pidgeot, then said to Ace.
Ace couldn't help but roll his eyes, recalling his Blastoise, which had lost its ability to battle.
His Healing Aura activated, slowly healing Blastoise within its Poké Ball.
According to Ace's three-day estimation, Professor Oak's Pidgeot was probably only around level 40. Yet, even so, his nearly level 50 Blastoise was still being suppressed.
So, Ace conservatively estimated that Professor Oak's Trainer level was at least 60 and above.
And this was after twenty years of not battling. It was hard to imagine how strong Professor Oak was in his youth.
"Now that things are settled, I plan to make a trip to Johto," Ace said to Professor Oak. Professor Oak glanced at Ace and couldn't help but ask, "Pryce?"
"Yes."
Ace nodded. "My current strength is still too weak. I want to become stronger."
"Ahem, ahem, ahem..."
Professor Oak coughed several times. Only he knew how many brain cells he had expended to defeat Ace just now.
If this guy continues to get stronger, he might be able to take over the League's Champion position, Professor Oak thought to himself, then shook his head. But to truly become a Champion-level Trainer, Ace still has a long way to go.
After getting a free lunch at Professor Oak's, Ace prepared to return home first, then set off for Johto.
When Shirona learned of Ace's plan, she immediately jumped up, wanting to go with him.
However, Ace mercilessly suppressed her.
His trip to Johto was primarily to complete those three side quests in Goldenrod City, with meeting Pryce being secondary.
These three quests, if completed and exposed, would undoubtedly lead to Ace being relentlessly pursued, a fight to the death.
So, for safety, Ace had to undertake this mission alone and be very careful not to be discovered by anyone.
Shirona?
If she didn't want to die, he'd have to take her along.
Bidding farewell to Professor Oak and Shirona, and under Shirona's resentful gaze, Ace was carried by Crobat, heading back home.
Returning to his own house, Ace rested for a day, packed his belongings, and then flew towards Johto.
However, he still needed a Pokémon to guard the house, and the Berry farm also required supervision.
Reluctantly, Ace could only leave Victreebel behind.
While having Aerodactyl look after the Berries would be the best option, Ace would need Aerodactyl's strength in his upcoming plans, so he had to take it with him.
Victreebel, being a Grass-type Pokémon with slow movement speed but extremely fast attack speed, could certainly manage the entire Berry farm if any Pokémon dared to trespass, given its attack speed and carnivorous nature.
After a week of on-and-off flying, Ace followed the electronic map on his watch, crossed the Silver Mountains, and flew straight across more than half of the Johto region, reaching Goldenrod City, the most prosperous city in the region.
"It's a pity it's too early. Otherwise, once the Magnet Train opens, I could just take a train directly from Saffron City to Goldenrod City. Who knows how much time that would save."
Ace sighed softly, recalling Aerodactyl, which had been flying in alternating shifts with Crobat.
He dusted off his trench coat, which was covered in dust from the journey, and walked into the bustling city.
As for finding Rayquaza?
It was simple: he just needed to find the Indigo League building in Goldenrod City.
Rayquaza was held by the League within that building. If the plot were to unfold normally, Rayquaza would only be rescued after Zinnia's Salamence broke into the building and caused destruction inside.
Ace's three side quests were to meet Rayquaza, retrieve the Jade Orb, and find Zinnia to inquire about the Draconid Village.
Considering the plot, Ace felt that to complete his quests, teaming up with Zinnia was essential.
Either find Zinnia and team up with her, or, before finding her, infiltrate the building and meet Rayquaza.
Ace asked a few passersby for directions to the League building and easily found the Indigo League's location.
However, as he approached the building, he instantly got a headache.
The Indigo League, after all, was an official stronghold controlling both the Kanto and Johto regions. Thus, security was extremely strict.
Ace just took a quick glance from a distance and could see the security personnel lining the path, numbering over thirty.
And this was only the external security of the League building; he had no idea what the situation was like inside.
I need to come up with an excuse to enter the building and figure out the situation inside first.
Ace's mind raced. In just three minutes, an excuse surfaced in his thoughts.
He straightened his trench coat and walked quickly towards the League building.
But as soon as he approached the building, a guard stopped Ace, frowning as he asked, "Who are you? What do you want?"
Ace calmly pulled out his Pokédex and handed it to the guard, then said, "I wish to report to the League that the Viridian City Gym has been vacant for a long time, which is not good for the entire Viridian City."
The guard checked the Pokédex, waved Ace through, and said to him, "If you want to file a complaint, wait in the lobby on the first floor."
Ace nodded, took back his Pokédex, and walked into the League building.
Upon entering the building, Ace noticed that the main hall had many crowded counters with long lines. There were only two or three security personnel maintaining order inside.
However, judging by their lax demeanor, they probably weren't very vigilant.
Ace casually found a seat in the lobby, then quietly observed his surroundings.
At the same time, he flicked a mechanism on his sleeve, and a Poké Ball dropped into his hand. He stealthily opened the switch, and Gengar quietly merged into Ace's shadow, then moved rapidly along the shadows of the chairs.
Ace looked at the still unmoving security personnel, feeling confident. He then picked up a magazine from a nearby rack and began to read it.
Many other people in the waiting crowd in the lobby were doing similar things to Ace.
Thus, Ace wasn't suspected at all.
Gengar was very fast. After Ace had only read the magazine for ten minutes, Gengar returned to Ace's shadow.
"Tsk, too many people. I'll just come back to queue later," Ace muttered, feigning annoyance as he put down the magazine, glanced at the crowded counters, sighed, stood up, and walked out of the building.