join patreon.com/worldoffanfiction for advanced chapters and to support the daily update
Ash's system, though capable of exchanging various Pokémon world items for exchange points, couldn't exchange for such an important item that could summon a Legendary Beast.
As Ash put away the Clear Bell, Suicune had already vanished, and even the rain had stopped. Ash rubbed Pikachu's head. "Pikachu, let's go back. One day, we'll capture Suicune and make it our partner!"
"Pikachu Pika!"
Back at the mansion, Mei was the first to greet them. Ash had used his Aura power to shield himself from the wind and rain the entire way, so he hadn't gotten wet at all. Having psychic abilities was simply too convenient, wasn't it?
After spending a night at the mansion, Ash and his group bid farewell to Miss Anna. Interestingly, Brock's Zubat had evolved into a Golbat during the night. Congratulations, congratulations!
Soon, they would leave this forest, and Ecruteak City would not be far then. But just then, a Tauros suddenly charged out from behind them. Ash quickly pulled Meganium aside, scooping Mei off its back and into his arms. Being hit by a Tauros would be disastrous.
"No, Ash, look!"
Misty noticed that on the mountain path where the Tauros was charging, an old man was leisurely walking. The Tauros was moving very fast and could easily knock the old man away in a blink.
"Meganium! Come quickly!"
Ash put Mei down, called out to Meganium, and took a shortcut by sliding down the slope, standing beside the old man. Noticing that the old man actually pulled out a Poké Ball from his embrace, ready to face the charging Tauros head-on, Ash smiled slightly, "Old man, give us young people a chance!"
Saying this, Ash pointed at the Tauros. "Meganium, use Vine Whip!"
Meganium's Vine Whip wrapped around Tauros's horns and slammed it to the ground. A beautiful wrestling move! That was natural; Meganium was currently a key focus for Ash. It traveled with Mei every day and underwent special training whenever there was time. Being with Ash, Meganium was always very happy. Its bond value had already exceeded 200, and before evolution, it would increase very slowly. But he believed that after evolving, it should soon be able to achieve bond evolution!
"Little fellow, calm down!" Seeing the Tauros still struggling, Ash smiled and commanded, "Use Sleep Powder!"
The Tauros simply fell asleep.
"Big Brother Ash!"
Misty and Brock caught up with Mei. The trainer of this Tauros also caught up, thanking them repeatedly before recalling Tauros into its Poké Ball. It turned out that this Tauros had been stung by a Beedrill in the forest and was startled. This was a minor incident, not worth mentioning for Ash, but the old man behind them seemed to appreciate it and walked towards Ash.
"Little brother, your Meganium is exceptionally well-trained! I'm very impressed; you must come to my house!" In short, Ash and his group seemed to have encountered a similar situation to the episode with Muramasa. In a similar forest, they arrived at a private dojo. A very large dojo! "One, two, one, two" sounds emanated from within.
"What's that sound?"
The old man showed a bitter expression, as if disappointed by his own failure to improve something. "That's my granddaughter, Chigusa, doing useless training!"
"My family's dojo specializes in Fighting-type Pokémon, a sect with a long tradition, 'Genzou Style'!"
The Genzou Style Pokémon Dojo! Pushing open the door, they indeed saw many Fighting-type Pokémon training with their trainers: Machop, Mankey, Hitmonchan... In terms of their strength, they couldn't compare to Muramasa's dojo from before, and there were far fewer people, which made Ash abandon the idea of crushing easy opponents. But sticking to the principle of 'even a small mosquito is still meat,' Ash decided to challenge the Genzou Style dojo. He loved dojos like this.
The one training these trainers was a girl who looked to be Ash's age. Her Pokémon was a Hitmontop. It possessed kicking techniques as graceful and fluid as a dance, and along with Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee, it was an evolution of Tyrogue. However, looking at how this girl was training, it looked more like she was doing calisthenics, even calling out "one, two, one, two."
Just then, Chigusa clapped her hands. "Everyone, pay attention! Maintain beautiful postures for your kicks and punches, and don't forget to follow the rhythm!"
"Hmph!" A cold snort came from Genzou. "Fighting techniques aren't for show!"
Chigusa demonstrated Hitmontop's graceful Triple Kick, then waved goodbye to the trainers as they all returned home. Only then did Genzou walk over.
"Grandpa, who are these people?"
The old man actually said, "I've finally found my successor!" He then patted Ash's shoulder. The meaning was clear: he wanted Ash to inherit the Genzou Style dojo!
By the way, if I inherit the dojo, do I have to marry your granddaughter?
Ash, of course, wouldn't have such a thought; he wouldn't let a dojo tie him down. But he didn't rush to object. The old man's hand seemed to grip his shoulder like an iron clamp, clearly expecting him to cooperate.
Sure enough, Chigusa grew anxious. "Grandpa, are you really so against me inheriting your dojo?"
"With your aptitude, you cannot inherit mine! What you're doing is just ordinary combat dancing, not the practical combat style of our school!" The old man spoke quite bluntly. Hitting the nail on the head!
"Nonsense! My fighting techniques are very useful in real combat too!"
Words alone weren't enough, so the girl was eager to prove herself and directly pointed her challenge at the "successor" Genzou had chosen, Ash. "Since you want to be the successor to our dojo, first defeat my Pokémon! Bring out a Fighting-type Pokémon!"
Ash actually did have a Fighting-type Pokémon! "I'll never refuse a battle that comes to me! So, let's do this!" "Heracross, I choose you!"
Heracross: 185/253. This is a Bug/Fighting-type Pokémon. Speaking of Fighting-types, Ash had previously caught a Mankey that liked to steal his hat, and it later evolved into a Primeape. However, not long after catching it, Primeape participated in a fighting tournament and was entrusted to a martial artist named Anthony. This Primeape was not released, nor was it traded; it was simply entrusted to Anthony. In fact, it was still Ash's Pokémon. He should definitely get Primeape back later!