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

With unparalleled foresight and the ability to see through any tactic, Ash is giving his all as a trainer!

If one's command skills weren't truly close to Ash's, trying to outmaneuver him with such tricks would be asking for trouble.

Just like Marina, her subsequent Wigglytuff and Mighty Crocodile both had an advantage against Strongchicken...

But how can they stop a berserk turkey with +4 attack, maxed speed, and a guaranteed fatal blow with its Flame Kick?

Chapter 585 Round of 16, Off-Season, and an Unexpected Visitor

The subsequent matches between Ash and Marina don't really need much explanation.

The result was simply that the Combusken kicked the remaining two Pokémon one by one, knocking them over one by one.

To be honest, Ash didn't initially intend to win three games in a row, but Kommo-o got carried away in the first game.

It single-handedly pushed the entire team aside, and the strong chicken, whose strength was similar to its own, naturally did not want to be left behind.

Of course, all things considered, Marina is more difficult to deal with than Junichi.

Besides the difference in raw strength, Junichi's fighting style is more direct, making him easier to target.

As for Marina, Ash needs to spend a little more time figuring out her next choice.

After the two matches, Ash officially made it into the top 16 of the tournament, and his other companions also had good news to share. None of them encountered any setbacks.

After the final day of the preliminary rounds, the official tournament organizers will release the match schedule for the top 16.

Surprisingly, what was displayed on the big screen was not a simple table, but a huge and detailed step chart that covered everything from the round of 16 to the final!

According to the official statement, the top 16 contestants will be divided into two halves, with each half containing four groups. The knockout stage, where all participants compete against each other, will determine who will advance.

And each player's path to the next round is fixed from this moment on. For example, the winners of Groups A and B in the upper bracket will automatically become opponents in the quarterfinals.

"What does this mean? Does it mean we're only drawing lots this once?" Xiaoxia asked, puzzled.

"That should be it," Ash nodded and said. "But it's good, it actually gives us more preparation time."

With rules similar to those of a certain football tournament, there's a high probability of behind-the-scenes manipulation. To ensure the excitement and thrills of the competition, the organizing committee will definitely try to weave together the strongest competitors.

However, this also gives the players more opportunities to think about their strategies and tactics.

As the competition progresses, the players will gradually gain a deeper understanding of each other. If they can anticipate the opponents in advance, they can make targeted lineup arrangements and leave enough room for rotation of the main players.

While everyone was discussing it, the avatars of the top 16 contestants were finally 'randomly' assigned to their respective groups!

"This is...it seems I have to make it to the finals." After seeing his group assignment, Xiao Mao was taken aback for a moment, but then a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

Ash was assigned to Group D, while Gary was in Group E. Although their letters were adjacent, they were in different upper and lower halves of the group!

This means they must make it to the finals to have a chance to face off!

“However…” Xiao Shi turned to the taciturn Aya, his expression becoming more serious.

Rainbow Bean is in the final H group.

If Gary really wants to meet Ash in the finals, he must take down this obstacle in the semifinals!

"I will win, and then I will go and fight him." Cai Dou said succinctly, looking at the match pairings.

"Interesting~" Gary also revealed a fierce smile, "I don't care what your relationship with Ash is, in the League Conference, the only one who can stand on the highest stage and compete with him is me, Gary!"

"These two guys..." Ash sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation.

What was supposed to be a serious rivalry has somehow turned into a fight over someone's partner.

However... this grouping is really something.

Ash looked at his own tournament schedule and was taken aback. He hadn't expected to run into a opponent so early in the round of 16.

The person who was assigned to Group D with him was none other than Xiao Yin!

"This group assignment..." Xiao Lan blinked curiously, then held out her hand as if making a microphone in front of the red-haired boy. "Come on, let's interview you. How are you feeling right now?"

"Boring." Silver impatiently pushed Blue's hand away, but his eyes remained fixed on Ash. "During the match, give it your all!"

"Are you sure?" Xiao Zhi asked pointedly.

Ash always gives his all in battles, but only at the level of a trainer.

Xiao Yin is clearly asking for something else now.

"I..." Silver was stunned for a moment, then suddenly bowed seriously to Ash, "I'm sure! Please!"

"Okay, then go back and prepare yourself mentally." Xiao Zhi nodded calmly.

"I will!" Xiao Yin solemnly promised, and left the players' hall alone.

Before the round of 16 begins, there will be a one-day break, during which Xiao Yin will take the opportunity to make final adjustments.

"Well, this match probably won't be very technically challenging." Watching the boy's departing figure, Xiao Lan asked curiously, "Are you really planning to field your main player?"

"That's what he asked for, he wants to see my full strength." Ash shrugged. "I was also wondering whether or not to have my signature battle, but now it seems I don't need to worry about it."

The so-called "battle for fame" is actually when the main force beats the team.

Pikachu defeated Jimin five times in a row at the Indigo League, forcing Jimin to give up sending out his last Pikachu and willingly admit defeat.

In the Orange Islands match against Yuji, Charizard once again single-handedly swept the opponent's team, completely dominating all of their Pokémon, including Dragonite!

It can be said that these two battles established their invincible reputation, and they began to be widely known as Ash's absolute main force.

Now that Silver has made this request, Ash has decided to do the same at the Silver Conference.

However, since Xiaodai is currently pregnant, the jackals and foxes will have to fight her for now.

...

After confirming the upcoming match schedule, Ash explained the situation to his teammates at the training ground the following day during the rest period.

Upon learning that they were going to fight their moment of fame, the two canines were naturally extremely excited.

However, Circle Bear couldn't help but complain.

I finally made it to the League Conference, thinking I could finally show off my skills, but the selection exam was dominated by Salamence, and Kommo-o and Torchic shone brightly in the preliminary League.

After advancing to the knockout stage, they had to give way to the two teams that had fought their most famous matches...

"You'll be involved in the battles, and the tasks assigned to you are quite important... If you fail to complete them, you can expect your training volume to be doubled in the future."

Ash has always been primarily encouraging and motivating his Ursaring.

He valued the potential of the circle bear and its cunning yet persistent nature, so he had been working on refining its character.

"Ash, you're very diligent. You're still checking on the Pokémon's status?"

A familiar voice came from behind him, and Ash subconsciously turned around, only to be momentarily stunned.

"Doctor, Mom... uh, Xiaochun is here too?"

This combination was quite unexpected for Xiaozhi.

It's perfectly normal for Professor Oak to come with his mother, but what's the deal with the girl from the Sakuragi family?

"Hello Ash... I told my dad, and he agreed to let me come here to cheer you on... Professor Oak and Aunt Hanako were also coming, so they took me with them." Xiaochun explained nervously, her hands unconsciously twisting the hem of her clothes. "I watched your previous matches on TV... They were really exciting."

"Thank you." Xiao Zhi nodded blankly, still a little confused about the situation.

"Also, there were the soup dumplings from a while ago... Thank you so much!"

"Soup dumplings?"

"Yes... Dad said it was a very precious thing, and I never expected that Ash would give it to me and Yamper..."

Goodness…

Seeing the girl's flushed face and grateful expression, Xiao Zhi finally understood the cause and effect.

Blue asked Ash for two packets of Dragon Tooth Soup Dumplings, but mysteriously refused to tell him where they went. Now it seems they used them on Spring.

"That was a gift from Xiaolan," Xiaozhi explained casually.

“I know, it was you who asked Xiaolan to do it…” Xiaochun nodded gently.

"I..." Xiao Zhi fell silent.

Xiao Lan is really going further and further down the path of building a harem; besides Xiao Xia, she even has a new target for her...

But even if you have a strategy guide, why drag yourself into it?

At this moment, Xiao Zhi, who was inwardly grumbling, did not notice the girl's constant peeking, nor did he realize that the matter was not just about two packets of broth.

Xiao Lan had also secretly sent the girl some photos and 'truth' videos.

"The reason I'm helping you... is probably because you look a lot like one of my good friends," Xiao Zhi said in the video.

Just because she looks like him, Ash is willing to give guidance to Princess Kasuga...

As we all know, videos cannot be photoshopped, so it must be real.

And what does this mean...?

Chapter 586 Just Friends, Not More Than That, What to Do?

After arranging accommodations for his mother, the professor, and Xiaochun, Xiaozhi felt a little uneasy throughout the journey.