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

Domineering, arrogant, and a busybody, insisting on reporting his own dojo...

But then I thought about it, wasn't it all because my older sisters weren't good enough?

Forcing people to buy tickets and give away badges for free, regardless of the reason, is a clear violation of the league's rules for gym owners.

Just because no one investigated them before doesn't mean they were legal. Does being pretty mean they can escape being reported?!

In contrast, Ash Ketchum is now...

Xiaoxia was a little afraid to think about it... but in any case, she had already regarded Xiaozhi as the guiding flag for her to move forward.

Without his encouragement and help, and of course, someone else's, she wouldn't have made it this far!

She truly cherishes this relationship and doesn't want it to end at this conference...

Night had completely fallen, and the athletes' village gradually quieted down. No one went out for activities, and no one came to disturb the young men and women who were enjoying a certain atmosphere...

"Quack?" Psyduck stared blankly at the two whose eyes were starting to drool, and inexplicably felt that the atmosphere around them was getting sour and sour.

It glanced at Pikachu, puzzled, as if hoping that this fellow observer could offer some guidance.

Pikachu's response was: "Pika pika, Pikachu pika, Pika pika pika~"

This explanation immediately made Psyduck understand: "Quack, quack quack quack quack~"

After some explanation, the two brothers, Huang and Huang, simultaneously revealed knowing, mischievous smiles.

"Psyduck, what kind of look is that?!" This little action naturally disrupted the atmosphere. After regaining her senses, Misty noticed Psyduck's lewd gaze and immediately realized that this guy was definitely up to no good.

"What were they saying just now?" she asked Ash.

"Uh... it's better if you don't know." Ash's expression stiffened, and he flicked Pikachu on the forehead in dissatisfaction.

What nonsense are you talking about? He's not that thirsty.

I don't know who this electric mouse learned bad habits from, how come its thoughts and fur are the same color...?

"Pikachu!" Pikachu immediately started baring its teeth and claws in dissatisfaction after being unjustly accused.

Don't you have any idea who I've been corrupted by?

Some people seem genuinely unaware of just how effective they are at teaching by example.

No matter what kind of young man he is, after spending some time with him, he will gradually get back on the right track and vow to never tolerate gambling and drugs again.

Chapter 198 Round of 16 vs. Xiaoxia!

Xiao Zhi enjoyed the banquet dinner on the night of the Round of 16 draw.

There was no veiled barbs or subtle power struggles in their words, nor any menacing atmosphere in their eyes. Everyone was in harmony, sitting around the table eating and praising Hanako's cooking skills to the skies.

The Empress Dowager's authority in this regard is beyond question. With Hanako present, even the usually unruly Ran would pretend to be a well-behaved girl.

Xiaoxia, who had been persuaded to return earlier, also entered a 'ladylike mode' that she was not familiar with.

Moreover, Professor Oak and Marie, who was there to discuss a collaboration, were also invited to the dinner. Naturally, these future heroines had to be mindful of their image in front of these guests…

However, during the meal, Xiao Mao kept secretly pointing and whispering something.

"One, two, three..." His gaze swept over Xiao Lan, Serena, and Xiao Xia in turn, skipping over Lila, and then he rolled his eyes and began to think.

"Including the two guild leaders who didn't come... is this guy about to catch up with me?"

He muttered to himself, which made Nanami, who was beside him and heard him muttering, speechless and put her hand to her forehead.

That poor kid! Why does he insist on comparing the number of girlfriends with Xiaozhi when Xiaozhi has so many good qualities?

Besides, who says you have to skip over the steps with your god-sister?

So they're actually tied now. If they work a little harder, Ash might just overtake them...

"To the three finalists here, good luck in tomorrow's match! Cheers!" Professor Oak, in high spirits, raised his glass with a beverage, and the others at the table, each with their own thoughts, also raised their glasses in celebration.

Since Ash and Misty are rivals, the professor didn't say anything about them both winning.

However, in his mind, these two "peerless talents" from Zhenxin Town were a shoo-in for the top eight.

The banquet ended in this celebratory atmosphere, followed by an equally short night.

...

At noon on the second day, in the main venue of Indigo Plateau, Ash and Misty took to the stage from the two sides of the contestant passage!

Looking at each other across the space, they both seemed to be struggling to calm their emotions...

"In the fifth round of the Kanto League Indigo League, Ash from the red team will face Misty from the green team. What kind of exciting battle will these two strong trainers bring?"

The commentators did their best to create a lively atmosphere, so much so that even before the competition started, the venue was already filled with all sorts of cheers.

"Many viewers may know that Ash is a rising star who has been very popular recently. Although he has only been a professional player for less than a year, he has already achieved many amazing accomplishments, including personally defeating the leader of Team Rocket!"

"According to a special message from the organizing committee, Misty, who comes from the Cerulean City Gym, seems to have traveled with Ash multiple times during their journey. The two even worked together to resolve a serious incident where a giant beast attacked the Yumachi Wharf!"

"In today's do-or-die battle that will determine the quarterfinals, how will they choose between past feelings and the desire for victory? Let's wait and see!"

With the commentator's enthusiastic encouragement, the atmosphere at the scene instantly reached its peak, but Xiaozhi and Xiaoxia remained silent at the same time...

Can this commentator be a little more professional? Talk more about handheld devices and tactics, instead of bringing up traveling together and past relationships.

After a brief exchange of complaints, the two quickly regained their composure.

"Ash, give me a battle I won't regret!" Misty shouted with high spirits.

"As you wish!" Ash nodded solemnly, raised his hand and threw the first Poké Ball. "Dragonite, you're the first one!"

"Go, my sweetheart, starfish!"

The two are now facing off in a standard arena, and the versatile Starfish is undoubtedly the most suitable forward.

Moreover, Xiaoxia had already begun to deduce Xiaozhi's strategy in her mind.

The only official match record for Dragonite was against Blaine in the Crater, a match that Misty also watched.

Ash's Dragonite is mainly for support, so you must be very careful to defend against its variant moves!

"Dragonite, Dragon Charge!"

As soon as the match started, Ash's Dragonite immediately unleashed its powerful dragon energy and crashed into Starmie with lightning speed!

"So fast! Starfish, quickly use mental interference!"

Xiaoxia was relieved when she didn't hear the command for speed, but she didn't expect that Dragonite would be close to her in the blink of an eye!

Fortunately, Starmie's psychic powers were quite strong; invisible energy ripples wove a net in front of it, and after being hit, it finally managed to restrain Dragonite's body.

"Quickly throw it out!" Misty urged Starmie, flinging Dragonite into the air with all her might.

She didn't want to get hit in the face by Dragonite's electromagnetic waves, otherwise she would have to replace it...

"Rain!" With the help of the power from the Starmie's throw, Dragonite began to soar through the sky, unleashing a torrential downpour!

"Another rainmaking ritual?" Xiaoxia frowned. "Gem Starfish, use water cannons!"

No matter what the opponent wants to do, you can't use your signature move.

With Starmie's Special Attack, combined with the power boost from rain, Dragonite can still deal decent damage with Hydro Pump even if it has resistances...

"Get out of the way!" However, Ash's Dragonite was very agile. It made a dragon-like circling motion while flying, easily dodging the water cannon's attack.

"Don't let it get away, use Blizzard!"

A terrifying blizzard swept out, and facing the Dragonite that kept circling in the sky, Misty immediately had Starmie unleash its ultimate Ice-type move, which was absolutely super effective against it!

"Speed ​​up, get out of the way!"

call out!

Dragonite's speed increased again, and it dodged Starmie's attack once more.

"That's... I see." Xiaoxia finally understood.

Ever since it was thrown away by Starmie, Dragonite has been circling in the air, trying to increase its flight speed.

Dragonite is said to be able to circle a planet in sixteen hours, and its maximum speed of flight definitely exceeds the speed of sound!

However, this super speed can only be gradually displayed during long-distance raids, and it is difficult to apply it in battles. As a result, Dragonite is jokingly referred to as Slow Dragon by some people.

However, Ash improved Dragonite's mobility by having it circle in the air to briefly simulate the effect of a long-distance run!

"Even so, it can't escape! Starfish, unleash another blizzard... this time, use mental interference!"

boom!

An even stronger blizzard than before erupted, and guided by the powerful psychic ability, endless snowflakes relentlessly pursued Dragonite!

"A powerful combination move... but even Starmie can't dodge Dragonite's attack! Thunder!"

"Oh no!" Xiaoxia exclaimed in alarm, only able to watch helplessly as a staggering bolt of lightning erupted from Dragonite's body!

It didn't need to aim deliberately, because all the lightning would be absorbed by the dark clouds above and then turn into an even thicker bolt of lightning that crashed down on the gem starfish!

"Gem Starfish!" Xiaoxia cried out in alarm. This attack not only severely injured the gem starfish, but also paralyzed it!

"Dragon Charge!"

Dragonite bravely broke through the oncoming snowstorm and pounced on the immobilized Starmie!