Pokémon, Ash is going to become a perfect man from now on.

Following the map, we arrived at the entrance of the guesthouse, where we were greeted by a stylish older gentleman wearing sunglasses. Upon meeting us, he immediately presented us with a riddle.

“It’s an open-air hot spring!” Xiaoxia’s eyes darted around, and she immediately gave the answer.

"Correct answer! Please come in, distinguished guests~"

"Mr. Blaine, I am flattered that you personally greeted me at the door," Ash greeted with a smile.

"He...is Xia Bo?" The sudden revelation startled Xia. This person in front of her was actually the gym leader?!

"I've been wanting to see you as soon as possible, kid." Blaine smiled, took off his sunglasses, and patted Ash on the shoulder. "Ash, I've been so excited to hear you were coming to challenge me. Ever since this place became a tourist area, I haven't encountered a single challenger. In the end, even the gym closed down."

"That's because you're so strong that everyone is too scared to challenge you," Ash complimented with a smile. "I also hope that my performance can be recognized."

Ash always shows great respect to a strong person, especially an older one, and it is essential for him to show the respect due to a junior.

"Great! This time I can finally stretch my muscles properly." Xia Bo laughed heartily.

He walked side by side with Xiaozhi into the guesthouse, but on the way, he quietly asked about the other person.

"My old friend, have you seen him?"

"Hmm... He's doing well now, and no one will bother him in the future."

"That's good." Upon learning about Dr. Fuji's recent situation, Xia Bo felt relieved.

He led the group to the rooms that had been prepared in advance. They were two spacious suites, fully equipped with all the necessary amenities, and each had its own separate hot spring pool.

"I've added some fire stone powder to my hot spring. It's very good for your health. You can enjoy it tonight."

After settling everyone in, Blaine turned to Ash and said, "The gym battle will be held tomorrow. I've also arranged the seats you requested in advance that can accommodate many spectators."

"Thank you so much!"

Ash hopes that many people can actually watch the battle against Blaine, and it would be great if the old man could do so.

...

That night, the group enjoyed the unique hot springs of Crimson Lotus Island as they had hoped... the kind where men and women were separated, of course.

"It really feels so comfortable. Is this the effect of health preservation?" Xiaoxia leaned comfortably against the edge of the pool, looking quite relaxed.

After soaking in the water, she felt her skin became whiter, smoother, and more supple.

"Maybe..." Xiao Lan suddenly smiled knowingly, "The hot spring contains evolution stone powder. If you soak in it a little longer, maybe 'that part' will evolve too~"

"There... what nonsense are you talking about!" Xiaoxia's face immediately turned bright red.

"It was just a joke. Besides... don't you guys want to evolve a bit?" She grinned mischievously, gesturing with her hands in front of her...

“I don’t need it.” Sabrina glanced down and shook her head seriously.

"Don't be so sure... He'll definitely like it if we evolve him." Little Blue immediately retorted.

“If he asks for it, I can accept it.”

"I suddenly regret coming together... glug glug." Xiaoxia speechlessly submerged half her face underwater, only spitting out a series of bubbles.

Wait... who are all these people?

One drives like a maniac, while the other responds with complete seriousness?!

However, after hearing what they said, Xiaoxia couldn't help but become curious.

What is that guy doing now...?

At this point, only Xiaogang remained in the men's bath.

Ash only soaked in the hot spring for a short while before leaving with Charmeleon and another one.

They are currently in the courtyard, making final preparations for battle.

"Dragonite, you know your responsibilities, right?" Ash looked solemnly at the pseudo-legendary beside him.

"Woo~" Dragonite nodded hurriedly. On the way here, Ash had told it about the task it needed to complete in this battle.

"That's good... Also, do you feel wronged?"

"Woo...woo!" Dragonite was taken aback by the question, but then immediately shook its head and hugged Ash and Charmeleon.

It had no objection to this and was happy to help its companion in this way.

After all, it has never been the type to be aggressive or violent.

"Very good... Charmeleon, don't let Dragonite's efforts go to waste!"

"Woo!" Charmeleon responded loudly.

Under the cover of night, the trainer and his two dragons clasped their fists tightly together!

We absolutely must win!!!

Chapter 155 Dragonite Appears, Support

The next morning, when Blaine came to inform them, Ash and the others were just getting ready to set off.

"What is it that you can easily say when you know it, but can't say it after you know it?" Upon meeting, Xia Bo presented another riddle.

"Uh...it's a wig."

When it comes to riddles, Xiaoxia is definitely a master.

“Correct answer! Then let me show you what I really look like~” Xia Bo ripped off his wig and changed into a researcher’s white trench coat.

He was already wearing a crisp shirt and a tie that fluttered like flames today, and after the transformation, he looked exactly like the sprightly old man from the game.

"Good morning, Mr. Blaine," Ash greeted in a deep voice.

"Ash, you look great too. You should have a good battle today."

Blaine was very satisfied with Ash's current state. His eyes behind his sunglasses met those of someone with extremely restrained fighting spirit, eyes that would ignite with just a spark!

"Come on, let me show you the venue I've prepared."

He led Ash and the others away from his inn, all the way to a volcano outside Cinnabar Town, and climbed straight to the top!

Only then did everyone realize that a section of the land on the mountaintop had been leveled, creating a viewing platform several meters wide.

Furthermore, within the crater, there are four interconnected suspension cables, suspending a standard battleground suspended in the air!

"This place...is so magnificent!" Even Xiaoxia, who has never been fond of fire-type magic, couldn't help but feel excited when she was in such an environment.

“Your travel companions can watch the game from the air in a hot air balloon; it will be safer that way. The referee can also be there.” Blair pointed to the side of the crater, where everyone saw several hot air balloons that had been parked there beforehand.

"As for the other 'spectators,' let them stay on this platform; they'll have a clearer view that way." Blaine made the arrangements methodically, clearly understanding Ash's thoughts perfectly.

"You've thought of everything!" Ash said gratefully, then threw out nine Poké Balls in quick succession. "Come out, all of you!"

In an instant, a burst of white light appeared, and apart from the two dragon beasts from last night and the Pikachu on his shoulder, the rest of them, mainly holding small bags, lined up in a row at the crater!

"Wow... these are all formidable guys~" Blaine's gaze swept over Ash's handheld weapon one by one, and the more he looked, the more shocked he became. At the same time, he recognized Ash's strength even more.

Although the battles haven't started yet, the fact that these nine Pokémon have been raised to be so majestic is something that no ordinary trainer could easily achieve!

"Good...haha, that's wonderful!" Blair laughed with satisfaction. "The power you've just displayed is enough to make my elaborate preparations for the venue worthwhile!"

"I definitely won't let you down!!" Ash clenched his fist excitedly; he couldn't wait any longer!

"Then let's not waste any more time. The battle rules are three against three!" Blaine immediately pulled out the first Poké Ball. "Old buddy, the first battle is yours... Arcanine!"

"Ouch!"

With a distant bark, a giant dog with a mane as red as fire leaped into the arena. Its graceful movements even made the lava below the crater restless.

"A tough opponent from the start..." Ash's expression gradually became serious. Although Blaine's Arcanine looked a bit old, its overall aura was extremely impressive!

Arcanine is Blaine's signature Pokémon... If we only look at it from the perspective of the anime, we might not agree with this statement.

However, in the game, during the Kanto era, Blaine's highest-level weapon was Arcanine!

"But... only by battling against a guy like that will collecting the last badge have any meaning!" Ash suddenly smiled with satisfaction. "Dragonite, I'm counting on you from now on!"

"Oh, we've already encountered a pseudo-legendary right from the start... Come on, attack!" Blaine enthusiastically challenged Ash to a battle!

"Dragonite, Extreme Speed!" With Ash's command, Dragonite immediately unleashed its maximum speed and sped off towards Arcanine!

"Growlithe, let's use Extreme Speed ​​too!"

Blaine chose to confront him head-on, and on this volcano, the two Pokémon representing extreme speed were about to clash!

"Use electromagnetic waves!"

"what?!"

Blair was taken aback. In the instant the two Pokémon passed each other, Dragonite suddenly released an electric arc that wrapped around Arcanine's body, causing its overall speed to slow down significantly!

"Arcanine, use Crunch now!" Although she was tricked, Blaine was not to be outdone and immediately ordered Arcanine to stop its attack and open its blood-red maw to bite the Dragonite next to her!

"Ugh..." Unfortunately, the paralysis effect took effect immediately, and Arcanine whimpered, failing to successfully use its Crunch move!

"Then let's play around, don't let it get away!"

"Ow!"

Just as Dragonite was about to escape far away, Arcanine suddenly pounced and chased after it, slapping Dragonite's tail with a super-effective attack!

"That Arcanine is really strong." Even Sabrina couldn't maintain her composure after such a confrontation.