After leaving Ecruteak City, Ash's group continued their journey towards the next stop, Mahogany Town.

On this day, they arrived at a place called Eggseter Town.

"I see a town!" Ash said, looking at the town ahead.

"That should be Eggseter Town up ahead," Brock said, checking the map.

"Since we're hungry, how about we go into town, have lunch, and then continue our journey?" Misty suggested.

Ash nodded. "Agreed."

Just then, a large dog came running from behind them.

The large dog was none other than Arcanine, and it was pulling someone behind it.

"Arcanine, stop," Gary shouted, pulling on the reins in his hands.

Ash looked over and asked in confusion, "Gary, didn't you say you were going for special training? Why are you in a place like this?"

"That's exactly why I'm here—for special training!" Gary said matter-of-factly.

Upon hearing this, Ash's group looked puzzled.

"Don't you know? Eggseter Town is hosting a Pokémon Race tomorrow, and I want to use the race to train Arcanine's speed," Gary explained.

"A Pokémon Race? That sounds interesting. I think I'll participate too."

Ash knew a little about racing; it was a competition that tested the rapport between a Trainer and their Pokémon, and it was also quite a challenge for the Pokémon's stamina and endurance.

"Then I look forward to competing against you, Ash."

"Me too."

"Alright, I'm going to continue training with Arcanine."

Saying this, Gary signaled for Arcanine to continue.

Arcanine's speed was indeed fast, and it disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"Ash, are you really going to participate in the race?" Misty asked, looking at Ash suspiciously.

"Yeah, but before that, let's go get something to eat."

Ten minutes later, Ash's group arrived at a restaurant.

After a hearty meal, Ash's group met an elderly man who ran a Pokémon Day Care; his name was Dazao.

From the old man, Ash and the others learned that the Eggseter Town Pokémon Race had evolved from an ancient method of transportation.

The rules of the race were simple: the Trainer puts reins on the Pokémon, and the Pokémon pulls the Trainer to the finish line.

On the way to Mr. Dazao's Day Care, the group saw many other families who also ran Day Cares.

Before long, the group arrived at their destination.

Misty looked at the shelves filled with Pokémon eggs inside the house and exclaimed, "Wow, so many Pokémon eggs! Were these all sent by others to be hatched?"

"Yes, that's right! Especially this one; it was only entrusted to us yesterday," Mrs. Dazao said.

"The ones on the cabinet over there don't seem to be the same, do they?" Brock asked, looking at another shelf.

"Oh, those are our own."

"Ash, the equipment you'll need for the race is ready. It's a bit old, but it can still be used."

Just then, Mr. Dazao walked over with a set of reins and a large sled.

Ash gladly took them and said solemnly, "Okay, thank you, Mr. Dazao!"

"But Ash, which Pokémon are you planning to use for the race?" Brock asked.

"Bayleef, I suppose."

Actually, for a racing competition, Ash felt that Tauros would be the best fit, but he didn't have one with him, there was no trade machine in his capsule house, and there wasn't a Pokémon Center nearby, so he would just have to make do with Bayleef.

After releasing Chikorita and explaining the situation, Chikorita evolved into Bayleef and began pulling Ash happily across the grass.

Meanwhile.

On a nearby mountain.

Meowth was watching Ash's every move through binoculars. "What exactly is the Ash doing, meow?"

However, Jessie and James were napping under a tree and had no intention of paying any attention to him.

Seeing this, Meowth's claws sharpened, and he jumped over, unleashing a furious Fury Swipes. "What are you guys doing, meow!"

"Ouch, ouch, ouch~"

"Meowth, what the heck are you doing! That hurts!"

Jessie and James woke up instantly.

"Get serious! The Ash is doing something strange!" Meowth said.

"Huh? What?"

The two of them slowly formed a question mark.

After some observation, James remembered that when they were passing through the streets of Eggseter Town, someone had handed him a flyer.

Subsequently, a plan targeting the Pokémon that would win the Pokémon Race was born.

The next morning, bright and early.

The race starting line.

The race route was simple: run along the road through Eggseter Town to Mr. Dazao's Day Care, collect a substitute for a Pokémon egg, and then run back.

"Ash, this time Arcanine and I definitely won't lose!" Gary said confidently.

Ash replied, not wanting to be outdone, "Alright, then let's give it our all and see who's better."

As the countdown ended, all the contestants set off at the same time.

However, in order to gain a favorable position, half of the participants collided with each other right at the start.

Breaking out of the chaos, Gary shouted first, "Arcanine, use Extreme Speed, go!"

Arcanine suddenly exploded with incredible speed, taking Gary and charging towards Mr. Dazao's house with sparks flying.

"Bayleef, run as fast as you can!" Ash also shouted.

In order to help Ash win, Bayleef tapped into its potential and ran very fast, only trailing Gary by less than two body lengths.

When the two reached a mountain road, an accident occurred. The Team Rocket Trio targeted Gary's Arcanine, fired a fishing net to scoop it up, and then accelerated to flee.

"We'll be taking this Arcanine, thank you very much!"

Because they were participating in the race, other than the Master Ball that Ash and Gary needed to keep secret, they didn't have any other Pokémon with them, so...

Ash looked at the distance and said, "Bayleef, throw me up."

Bayleef nodded, rushed forward, and used momentum to throw Ash into the air.

Ash used the momentum to launch himself, crashing headfirst into the Team Rockets hot air balloon.

After the hot air balloon started leaking, it flew towards Dazao's house.

Ash rolled up his sleeves, intending to beat up the trio: "You three idiots, you really never learn!"

"Hey, hey, there are so many Pokémon eggs inside the house!"

Just then, James walked out carrying two baskets of Pokémon eggs.0

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