He knows Pokémon better than me.

Soon, Ash arrived at the Motostoke Arena, where Gym Leader Kabuto was already waiting for him.

Although he was a middle-aged man with graying temples, he still wore a smart racing uniform every day, with a towel draped over his back, looking like he had just returned from a run at the Second Mine.

Upon arriving at the arena lobby, I found that there were no matches scheduled for today, so the lobby was relatively empty.

"Oh, it's been a long time, Mr. Kabu!"

Upon seeing the target, Xiao Zhi greeted him and quickly walked over.

The last time they met was when he specifically arranged a "sparring match" to test whether the Max Bracers Lucario had handcrafted were usable.

It wasn't a formal gym challenge, and there were no spectators; the rules were arbitrary.

If it were any other museum owner, they probably wouldn't agree.

However, Kawu is a very kind-hearted uncle. He not only accepted the challenge but also accompanied him to try it several times.

"Uh"

Although he had made a reservation in advance, Kawu still couldn't help but shudder when he saw Ash again.

He thought his opponent was just an ordinary, hot-blooded trainer, someone he could just have a quick spar with. But it turned out to be a chaotic battle that completely drained him!

I'm just making soup today, so it shouldn't be a problem, right?

"Oh? You've already brought the things. Come with me."

Seeing that Ash was still holding two Dynamax mushrooms, Kawu coughed, remained calm, and led the way to the battle arena.

At this moment, a boiler has been set up in the middle of the field, with a pot of hot soup that has been boiled and then calmed down.

puff--!
Seeing someone approach, the coal turtle, which had been dozing nearby, raised its head and spat out flames, bringing the hot soup to a boil again.

boom!
Flame Ace sprang out of the sphere on its own, revealing a rare, eager and fiery expression.

"Has your Tengcuo Little Warrior completed its evolution? It's been trained quite well!"

Kawu looked him up and down and couldn't help but praise him.

He then took the two giant mushrooms, skillfully tore them apart, and threw them into the pot.

Puff-!
The coal turtle turned up the heat, and the soup gradually turned pink, with a mushroom aroma wafting around it.

"Well, it will probably take another two hours."

Kawu leaned closer and sniffed it, then made a guess.

Fearing that Ash might invite him to spar again, he quickly changed the subject:
"By the way! Your Cinderace should have the Free Spirit ability, right? How well have you mastered the moves of various types?"

"Various attributes? Uh... I've already mastered quite a few, but there are still a few attributes I just can't learn." Ash thought for a moment:
"For example, Water, Grass, Fairy. Hmm, there are quite a few."

Making Cinderace learn Water and Grass type moves is a bit too much, isn't it?

Kawu smiled and held up one finger:
"I don't know much about Water-type Pokémon, but for a Fire-type Pokémon, mastering Grass-type moves isn't actually that difficult, for example..."

Before he could finish speaking, he threw out a Poké Ball, and a golden Ninetales with rich, thick fur appeared.

"With the blazing sun!!"

Nine-Tailed Fox raised its head and chanted. The next moment, a ball of golden-white energy condensed above its head, and a scorching beam of light suddenly slanted down, leaving a charred mark on the ground.

"Oh right, and there's also the Sunfire!"

Ash came to his senses; he hadn't even considered this move before.

However, Ash quickly shook his head. Solar Beam is a move that requires charging up, while Cinderace excels in leg techniques.

Learning this special attack move seems to have no real use other than triggering the Free Agent?
"Bei" Flame Ace nodded in agreement, especially since such a powerful move was quite difficult to learn.

"If the blazing sunlight doesn't work, how about this one?"

Kawu didn't care, and raised the corners of his mouth. The Nine-Tailed Fox beside him understood and raised its head again to gather energy above its head.

But this time it wasn't a blazing golden-white beam of light that shot out; instead, it was a vibrant green energy sphere.

"Yeah, and energy balls too!"

This time, Ash and Cinderace's eyes lit up.

Although it is also a special attack move, it can be activated instantly, and it is not as difficult to learn as Solar Beam.

the most important is
This is a characteristic of ball sports!
Cinderace can launch an "energy ball" unexpectedly, much like using "Electric Ball," and combined with its kicking power, the force is quite considerable!
"cowry!"

Flame Ace immediately bowed to Kawu and Nine-Tailed Fox, humbly seeking their guidance.

I learned this move from Xiong's apprentice.

Ash thought for a moment. Although Shaymin at home could also use Energy Ball, as a Fire-type Pokémon, it should be easier to teach him, right?

"Then I'll leave it to you, Mr. Kawu!"

Kawu didn't think much of it and quickly agreed with a smile.

As a middle-aged trainer, his strength has actually plateaued, and he has even been rated by many people online as the weakest gym leader in the Galar region.

The Machine Arena is a beginner's arena.

Kawu really couldn't refute it.

He could not improve any further, but whenever a young person asked him for advice, Kawu would always choose to teach them without reservation.

Especially the young people in front of us.
Kawu had a premonition that Ash would achieve a remarkable result in the upcoming World Championships!

In that case, I would have provided some assistance.

"Let's go, Nine-Tails, Ace of Flames, let's go over there and practice this move!"

Kawu led two Pokémon to the other side of the arena to prevent the aftershocks of the move from knocking over the Max Soup.

Ash also curiously went over to take a look for a while. Ninetales was an energy ball condensed above its head, while Cinderace was naturally condensed in the form of a juggling ball.

Because the attributes were completely incompatible, and the "Racial Skill List" of the Cinderace itself did not include the Energy Ball move, it took quite a while to gather energy, but no green light appeared on its feet.

It's quite difficult to master in two hours.

"Oh right, Cinderace, and this too!"

Ash suddenly remembered something, and took out three Mastery Seeds. These seeds could put Pokémon into an "awakened" state.

Whether you're mastering a move or simply learning a new skill, it can accelerate your progress.

Of course, I'll use Flame Ace; I'll just take one.

"?"

Kawu stood to the side, completely bewildered. What were these black melon seeds?
However, as the Mastery Seed was ingested, Cinderace's eyes gradually became brighter and more lively.

Originally, nothing could be formed on his feet for a long time, but in the blink of an eye, a faint green arc of light appeared.

Kawu: "???"

Learning moves outside the "racial skill list," especially those with attributes completely contrary to his own, he estimated that it would take three days to achieve a minor level of proficiency and a week to truly be able to use them.
How could Flame Ace have already grasped the basics in just ten minutes?!
What were those black sunflower seeds I just ate?! (End of Chapter)