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Seeing Ash's Heracross, Genzou's eyes immediately lit up. As an expert in Fighting-type Pokémon, he could tell at a glance that this Heracross had extremely strong combat power; it had been exceptionally well-trained by Ash!
The battle was practically imminent, but before either side could take their positions, shouts came from the dojo entrance.
"Is anyone here?"
Everyone looked over and saw a strong, tall young man. "I am Shiro, currently undergoing martial arts training. I wish to challenge the master of the Genzou Style, a renowned martial arts school with a long history."
Hearing the name Shiro, Genzou was somewhat astonished.
"I ask you," Chigusa stepped forward and questioned, "Are you the one who's been going around challenging Fighting-type Pokémon dojos recently?"
"I have defeated dojo masters and taken their signboards as badges. Currently, I have nine signboards. The signboard here will be a memorable tenth!" Shiro was clearly very confident in his abilities, and his track record seemed quite impressive.
"Why are you doing this?"
Actually, such dojo challenges were not uncommon among Fighting-type dojos. However, generally, no one would specifically challenge dojos just for the sake of it; this Shiro must have an objective!
"I plan to open a Fighting-type Pokémon dojo, and doing this has promotional value!" Promoting one's strength by defeating other dojos was clearly very efficient. Perhaps even some apprentices from other dojos would be willing to jump directly to his newly opened dojo.
"I see. It seems you've only picked on weak dojos in the past. We won't be so easily defeated by you. Let my chosen successor accept your challenge!"
Successor?
Ash looked at Genzou. Wasn't I just supposed to help you educate your precious granddaughter? How am I actually being used as a pawn?
Before he could speak, Genzou patted Ash's shoulder again. "Ash, if you inherit the Genzou Style, I'm willing to marry my granddaughter to you!"
"Grandpa!"
Chigusa immediately exclaimed, whether from anger or embarrassment.
"What?!" Misty stamped her foot and stood in front of Ash. "Ash won't inherit your Genzou Style! He's a man destined to become a Pokémon Master!"
"That's right, that's right!" Mei sat on Meganium, looking displeased, and even Meganium protested.
"I don't care who you send, just battle me!" Shiro stood on one side of the battle arena, growing impatient. Are you all putting on a show here?!
Chigusa insisted on accepting the challenge, and Genzou couldn't stop her. But Hitmontop's attacks were easily seen through by Shiro, and it was defeated in less than two rounds.
"You were the successor mentioned earlier, right? If you're willing to wager your signboard, I don't mind another round!" Having easily defeated Chigusa, Shiro was clearly a bit proud.
Ash turned to Shiro. "If you want to battle, I'll never refuse!"
"Starting now, Ash, the representative of the Genzou Style Dojo, will begin a one-on-one battle with the challenger, Shiro!"
"Go, Hitmonlee!"
"Heracross, I choose you!"
This was a type more skilled at kicking than Hitmontop. Earlier, it had easily countered Hitmontop's Triple Kick.
"Chigusa, watch Ash's battle carefully!" Genzou stood beside Chigusa, softly reminding her, hoping she would learn something from it.
"Yes!" Chigusa, still reeling from her defeat, stared fixedly at Ash and Heracross.
"Hitmonlee, use Rolling Kick!"
"Dodge!"
This Rolling Kick seemed quite ordinary in terms of both power and angle. However, Ash, having watched Shiro battle, dared not underestimate it and had Heracross avoid it.
"Hitmonlee, use High Jump Kick!"
Leaping high, it delivered a flying kick. This was a powerful move among Fighting-type kicking techniques.
"Catch it, use Brick Break!"
Heracross's eyes suddenly glinted. It grabbed Hitmonlee's leg and then slammed it to the ground with a single palm!
"Such incredible strength!"
In terms of strength, ten Hitmonlee wouldn't be a match for Heracross!
"Hitmonlee, are you okay?" Confirming Hitmonlee still had the strength to stand up, Shiro attacked again. "Use Double Kick!"
This was a Fighting-type move that involved two consecutive kicks.
"Chigusa, watch closely!" Seeing Ash's expression, Genzou spoke up to remind Chigusa.
"Huh?"
Heracross and Ash's eyes were almost identical!
"It's coming, dodge left!"
Heracross stepped back with its left foot, turning sideways to avoid Hitmonlee's attack.
"Next is above, now!"
Its massive horn took Hitmonlee's kick head-on. Then came Ash's attack!
At that moment, Heracross slammed both fists into the ground, then used its large horn with immense force, actually sending Hitmonlee flying!
"Oh no!"
A finishing blow!
"Close Combat!"
Heracross flapped its wings, suddenly catching up to the airborne Hitmonlee. With two fists and its giant horn, a three-directional close-range combo, it finally slammed Hitmonlee to the ground with a fierce punch, raising a cloud of dust.
"Hitmonlee, unable to battle! Therefore, Ash wins!"
Shiro was straightforward enough; after his defeat, he only left a message saying he would challenge Ash again after training and getting stronger. Ash didn't even notice that a certain girl, who had been watching him intently, now had stars in her eyes.
"I didn't misjudge you, Ash! You're truly amazing!" Genzou thought he had already highly estimated Ash, but clearly Ash's strength was far greater than he had imagined.
"Your name is Ash, right? Please give me special training!" Chigusa seemed to realize something.
"Then call me Master!" Ash patted Heracross. He still planned to thoroughly sweep this dojo to earn some exchange points and significantly boost Heracross's bond value!
"Master?"
Ash turned away from Chigusa, no longer bothering with her, and asked Genzou, "Old man, you owe me one. If I help you train your granddaughter, that'll be two!"
"You're not interested in inheriting my Genzou Style dojo and my granddaughter?" Genzou clearly thought highly of Ash, but he quickly understood. "Ash, what do you want?"
"I'd like Heracross to battle your Pokémon once, and I also have some newly caught Pokémon that I hope can battle your disciples!"
That day, Chigusa learned how to truly battle, and her attitude towards Ash became very respectful. She would accept Genzou's training and challenge Ash again once she became stronger! Ash once again gained over a thousand exchange points, and Heracross's bond value reached 200/253.
In short, completely satisfied and delighted!