First of all, he couldn't see through Ash's trainer level — which meant one of two things: Ash was far stronger than him, or he possessed a specialized method of concealing his level. Combined with Ash's earlier display of near-instantaneous movement, the old martial master couldn't suppress his shock.
"Grandpa, he's younger than me. How could he be as powerful as you said?" the girl grumbled, glaring daggers at Ash. Her stare practically screamed fight me.
"Oh? You're upset? What now—want to fight me?"
Ash narrowed his eyes with a small, mocking smile. Even Sabrina rarely saw this side of him.
Truthfully, Ash was irritated. As a trainer, he could tolerate arrogance; what he couldn't tolerate was the way the girl had practically ruined her Hitmonlee's fundamentals. Its originally solid combat technique had been turned into flashy, hollow movements. That alone annoyed him more than he cared to admit.
"Fine! Let's fight. I'm not scared of you!"
The girl immediately snapped back, temper flaring. Ash sighed internally. Hot-headed as ever…
"Tch. Forget it. Even without using the weakest Pokémon on me right now… even if I caught a random one outside, I could still defeat your Hitmonlee."
Ash's tone remained calm, but filled with the indifference of someone far above the challenge.
"You—! What did you just say!?"
The girl's face flushed red with anger. She looked seconds away from swinging at him directly.
Before the tension could break, a young man wearing a red shirt and black sweatpants stepped into the dojo. His gaze immediately locked onto Ash, burning with battle intent. Even the old master looked surprised.
"You are…?"
Ash frowned at the teen—two years younger than him—trying to recall if they'd met.
"I'm a trainer undergoing combat-skill training. Emiya Shirō. I came here to spar, but I never expected to meet you in person. It's an honor."
He dropped to one knee in a respectful bow.
"I ask you to battle me, Ash. I want to understand… the gap between myself and a true Champion."
"What!! You mean he's the Champion!?"
The girl shrieked, stunned, while the old master nearly choked on air.
"Of course. Don't you know?" Emiya said with conviction.
"Not long ago, the one who saved Kanto, Johto, and the Orange Islands—Ash Ketchum, creator of self-made techniques, the strongest and youngest Champion in Kanto's history."
His admiration was so sincere that even the fiery-tempered girl fell silent.
Ash exhaled softly. "Stand up. I accept your challenge. I won't hold back."
Emiya rose immediately, eyes blazing. He possessed Elite-level strength bordering on King-rank, far surpassing someone like Gary in raw combat talent. A rare genius.
"Thank you, Champion Ash. Elder Carlos, may we borrow the arena?"
"No problem. Let my granddaughter witness what a real Pokémon battle looks like," the old master said, though he felt a mix of awe and disbelief. His granddaughter, Mira, was about Ash's age—but miles behind in capability.
In the dojo's backyard arena, Carlos Riven stepped forward as referee.
"One-on-one battle. If both sides have no objections, we will begin."
He still found it unbelievable—he had invited a wandering youth, only to discover he was the strongest Champion in Kanto's history. And the challenger was an Emperor-tier prodigy. All he could do now was sigh at fate.
"Go, Hitmonlee! Show him the results of our training!"
Emiya called out his ace the moment the match began.
"Lee!!"
The Hitmonlee landed with a powerful shout, posture sharp and disciplined. Its fighting aura surged outward, proof of the immense effort Emiya had poured into its cultivation.
The air trembled with anticipation. The stage was set.
The battle was about to begin.
"Pika."
Pikachu glanced toward Emiya Shirō's Hitmonlee, then looked back at Ash. Their years of battling side-by-side meant Ash didn't need to say a word. Pikachu leapt from his shoulder, landing confidently opposite Hitmonlee.
"What—he's actually using Pikachu!?"
Mira froze, unable to believe it. Her grandfather had clearly told her that Shirō's Hitmonlee was at King-level strength. How could a Pikachu possibly win?
"Champion Ash," Shirō said, brows furrowing, "please use one of your main Pokémon. I didn't expect to win today—I only want Hitmonlee and myself to understand the true gap between us and a Champion."
To him, Ash sending Pikachu felt like outright dismissal. He had reached Elite-King level at fourteen. He had his own pride.
"You think I'm underestimating you?"
Ash's calm reply left everyone except Sabrina and Master Carlos confused. After all, wasn't using Pikachu against a King-level Hitmonlee clearly underestimating Shirō?
Carlos Riven kept silent—he couldn't see through Pikachu's power at all.
Sabrina, however, knew exactly why Ash didn't switch Pokémon. Pikachu wasn't just a "Pikachu."
He was Ash's first partner, the Pokémon who had fought beside him through countless life-or-death moments. The bond between them had transformed into something far deeper than mere battle experience—something closer to a perfectly synchronized chakra flow.
Besides, Pikachu had not participated publicly during the Kanto League, so few people truly understood how overwhelming his real strength was. Their assumptions weren't entirely unreasonable.
But they were about to learn the truth.
(End of Chapter)
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