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

"Mental interference!"

"Take over!"

Both of them reacted very quickly, but Ash had the advantage of being prepared in advance. The moment Torchic was restrained, he immediately took over and switched to another Torchic!

"Unfortunately, I failed to catch it again..." Komatsu clenched his fists in frustration.

Hypnosis is too unreliable in terms of accuracy. To make it effective in actual combat, you either need to find a way to close the distance or use mental interference to restrict movement, like Gengar does...

But regardless of the method, it may leave an opening for the opponent to crack.

So you see how important Z-hypnosis is; everyone who's used it, even UglyFish, says it's great!

Of course, the evolved Megalopolis has mastered a more suitable method... but that's another story.

Returning to the current battle situation, Xiao Gang and the others watching the battle were actually quite worried.

Ash switched twice in a row, but still couldn't defeat Gengar, something that had almost never happened in previous battles.

"Don't worry, this is just a strategy adapted for a few little ones... and Ash will definitely find a way!"

Blue remained optimistic, knowing that Ash was using tactics to train his new Pokémon, not that he was truly at a disadvantage.

Moreover, Gengar's true nature has already been discovered...

"Go, Doronchi!"

The answer has been revealed: Ash's third Pokémon, used to support Torchic's speed, is Galar's pseudo-legendary Giratina!

“This one…” Xiaosong’s lips twitched uncomfortably, and a feeling of heartache welled up inside him.

Yes, everyone in Daguan knows you're the most awesome second-generation rich kid, but you can't be this blatantly extravagant!

The Hoenn starter Pokémon with hidden abilities, the pseudo-legendary Pokémon of Alolan and Galar—you're not here to challenge us sincerely, you're just showing off your skills!

"Gengar, charge after Shadow Ball!" Despite his inner grumbling, the battle still had to begin. Gengar started with a burst of dark shadow energy and then swiftly charged forward!

"Dragon Dance!" However, in the face of this attack, Dragapult simply drew a circle in the air and easily dodged the Shadow Ball's attack, while also increasing the distance between itself and Gengar.

Its speed was not much slower than Gengar's to begin with, and now, with the acceleration from Torchic and its own Dragon Dance, it has surpassed its opponent!

"Mr. Komatsu, your Gengar is indeed impressive, agile and powerful... but the battle is over!" For once, Ash declared victory during the battle!

"Doraki, curse!" "Doruk!"

A look of pain appeared on Doronki's face, and then a beam of light suddenly shot out from its body, piercing into Gengar like an arrow!

"Gengar?!" Gengar froze instantly, feeling as if a nail had been driven into its body, making even breathing painful!

"It's over..." Seeing this, Xiaosong could only shake his head in resignation.

Curse is a fairly common boosting move. It can raise attack and defense by a certain amount after use, but it will lower speed... However, that's only when non-Ghost-type Pokémon use it!

Once it's used with a Ghost-type move, the curse becomes a truly excruciating spell that will cause the opponent unbearable pain!

At the cost of losing half of your stamina, curse your opponent to continuously lose stamina until they are replaced or lose their ability to fight!

In the game, the opponent loses a quarter of their maximum health at the end of each turn... but Gengar had already taken a hit from Jawful's Dragon Claw, so it wouldn't last four turns!

In addition, Doronchi also has Protection and Spirit Ambush. If you attack me, I will hide in another dimension. If you hypnotize me, I will directly protect you. If you try to control me with mental interference, I will just use Dragon Dance to make you unable to see my taillights!

Like its two previous companions, it also had a setup of one offensive and three defensive moves, eventually dragging Gengar out of the game until it gave up.

"The match is over! Gengar is unable to battle, Dragapult is the winner, and the ultimate victor is challenger Ash!"

"Gengar, come back..." Komatsu said somewhat dejectedly as he recalled his partner.

In this battle, all his tactics were seen through, and he was completely manipulated.

"Well done, Dragapult, Torchic and Jolteon too, you all played beautifully!" Ash celebrated with his friends.

After winning the battle, it's essential to give them a big round of praise.

While it might be a bit unfair to say it this way, Ash did indeed use roadside battles and gym battles to help his newly captured companions build confidence.

After all, in their daily internal training, it's really difficult for them to beat the older pets; each one has experienced being repeatedly tortured.

"Mr. Ash, congratulations! Please accept the Phantom Badge." By this time, Xiaosong had composed himself and presented the Ecruteak Gym badge with both hands.

"Thank you so much!"

After passing the Ecruteak Gym, Ash only needs two badges to qualify for the Silver Conference.

There are still nearly three months until the opening of the conference, so there is plenty of time.

“Uh… Mr. Ash, about the historical truth of Ho-Oh that I mentioned before…” Seeing Ash put away his badge, Komatsu hesitated, wanting to say something but holding back.

Besides the dojo match, this matter is also of utmost importance today!

"Mr. Komatsu, could you answer a question for me first?" Ash asked seriously, "Did you condone your friend Mina's pursuit of Suicune?"

“That was Mina-kun’s dream since he was a child, it started with his grandfather… Our two families have a long-standing relationship, and he really worked very hard…”

“This isn’t about whether we try or not.” Ash shook his head and interrupted. “Mr. Komatsu keeps saying that his clan are loyal priests of Ho-Oh, so you should understand… what the difference is between the Ho-Oh Guard and the ordinary Legendary Beasts.”

"Of course I know that. They are three Pokémon resurrected by Ho-Oh, and can be considered Ho-Oh's eyes in the world!"

"Okay..." Seeing Xiaosong's matter-of-fact expression, Xiaozhi realized he had lost interest in talking.

In fact, it was precisely because Komatsu knew the special nature of Ho-Oh's guard that he allowed Mina to chase after Suicune!

In his view, his ancestors were priests of Ho-Oh, and even if Ho-Oh never returned, he was still the person closest to Ho-Oh in his generation.

The Ho-Oh Guard are Ho-Oh's resurrected subordinates, and it is only right that his fate should be decided by him, the High Priest.

Mina-kun is the one that Komatsu approves of as Suicune's destiny.

That's the only way things can be. Otherwise, how else can we explain how a self-proclaimed Ho-Oh priest and a guy who has been relentlessly pursuing Suicune and trying to capture her even if it means relentless pursuit, can become such close friends... and how their families are even old friends?

They simply considered Phoenix King and its guards as their own family's private property, and they would never allow outsiders to touch them!

As for Ash's identity as a hero, if Matsu hadn't used his clairvoyance to see the situation in Vermilion Harbor, he probably wouldn't have cared at all...

“Mr. Komatsu, I’m sorry I can’t help you. My influence in the league isn’t for doing these kinds of things.”

Having figured all this out, Xiaozhi found it difficult to agree with Xiaosong, and of course, he didn't intend to offer any help.

"Also, if you encounter Mina-kun again, please convey my message... I don't object to his actions of subduing the three legendary beasts, but please don't interfere with Ho-Oh's guard!"

"He can capture any Suicune he wants, except for Ho-Oh's guards, and even all three legendary beasts. I can even report this to the League and give him an investigator's identity to do these things... as long as he can do it!"

Chapter 533 The Round Vermilion Ballroom, The Five Sisters' Invitation

To be honest, Ash didn't have any ill feelings towards Matsu and Mina.

His first meeting with Mina wasn't pleasant, because Mina kept pestering Suicune even though he couldn't catch it, and his arrogant attitude after meeting Ash was also very annoying.

Xiaosong and he were birds of a feather, and both of them had a certain arrogance about being superior to others.

My family are priests of Ho-Oh, and from ancient times to the present, we have been the closest people to Ho-Oh. When it comes to questions related to Ho-Oh, I am the most knowledgeable.

My family has been chasing Suicune since my grandfather's generation, and it hasn't stopped with me. Suicune can only be captured by me. When it comes to issues related to Ho-Oh's guard and Suicune, I am the most professional.

Ash also possesses this kind of arrogance, and it might even be stronger than theirs.

He is a hero recognized by both Lugia and Ho-Oh, and one of the three legendary birds and three legendary beasts directly under the two gods. Whether he can be captured, and by whom, is entirely up to him!

From this perspective, Ash has conflicts with Matsu and Mina, which is why he needs to give them a warning.

As for the Ho-Oh history passed down in the Komatsu family, Ash can't really say it's wrong, since that's how it's portrayed in the anime.

The problem is, Ash is not simply experiencing the world of an anime.

Xiaosong's situation is probably similar to that of Xiaoxia and Xiaogang before him; they were all influenced by the worldview of the original anime, which caused their life trajectories to deviate.

If he were to experience a time warp and see his animated self, he would probably be able to understand the discrepancies involved.

To be honest, the history depicted in the original anime is really a romanticized version of Ho-Oh.

Peace, kindness?

This quality might exist in Ho-Oh, but it's definitely not common.

Ash's impression of Ho-Oh has always been that of a cunning and petty fellow, as evidenced by its frequent threats of turning into a villain with Rainbow Feather and its schemes to trick Celebi.

Moreover, Ho-Oh is not easily vengeful. If people in the past really did something so reckless as to use Ho-Oh's power for evil, its punishment would definitely not be just burning down a tower!

Wasn't that Potis from back then? Daring to covet Ho-Oh's power, first you'd destroy his country, then you'd have to extract his soul and stuff it into a stone sphere, basically meaning he'd never be reincarnated.

These are the basics of Ho-Oh's gameplay.

But Xiaozhi didn't intend to get involved, nor did he need to go up to Xiaosong and say... Honey, your family's ancestral history is wrong, blah blah blah.

This is really meaningless. It involves legendary history, and it doesn't concern royal legitimacy like Galar. Why bother to verify the authenticity of legendary Pokémon?

Stubbornness can not only cause a series of problems, but may also change the life trajectory of Xiaosong and many others.

Ash doesn't want that to happen. After all, outsiders won't trust Ash wholeheartedly like Misty and Brock are, and won't be willing to face all difficulties, including the alpaca, with him!

...

“I said… you should be able to show yourself now, you’ve been following us all this way.”

After leaving Ecruteak Gym, Ash seemed to be planning the next part of the trip, but when the group arrived at a secluded intersection, he suddenly stopped and said to the person behind him.

"Is someone following us?" Xiaoxia asked, puzzled.