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

However, Serena didn't dislike this; on the contrary, she gradually developed a tacit understanding with him.

"I was thinking, should we form a cheerleading squad and cheer for Ash and the others starting tomorrow?" Serena suggested with a smile.

"That's a great idea! I was just thinking of bringing that up." Xiao Lan's eyes lit up. "Why should only Ilima have a female fan club? If others have it, our Xiao Zhi must have it too! Sisters, put on your cheerleading uniforms tomorrow and cheer for Xiao Zhi together!"

"No way... cheerleader outfits again?", "And that explosive slogan...", "Won't this affect my brother's performance?"

Hearing this suggestion, Xiaochun, Xiaoxia, and Lila couldn't help but recall the play at the Quartz Conference... and those incredibly embarrassing slogans.

...

On the other side, Ash, of course, had no idea that Blue was egging everyone on to do something silly, and he was waiting for Lillie beside him to speak.

"Ash... what do you think of my match today?" After a long internal struggle, Lillie finally asked nervously.

"The battle itself was fine; your fundamentals are solid, and you used type advantages very well." Ash nodded in approval. "Being able to defeat Happou shows that you've really gotten stronger."

"Is that so..." Lillie blushed, feeling secretly pleased to be praised by Ash.

But she also knows about her current problems.

"Ash, should I return those Pokémon to Mom?" Ash's gentle attitude made Lillie less nervous, and she finally asked the question that had been bothering her for a long time.

"At first I just wanted to participate in the tournament, but after I came back recently, I found that I didn't have enough companions... Even if you include Magearna and Nebula, I only have three."

That's a correct way of calculating it, but it's impossible for her to use Little Nebula in the battle.

With not enough units in hand and no time to recruit more, Lillie was in a hurry when her parents offered a solution.

Moen and Lusamine shared their Pokémon to supplement Gladion and Lillie's handheld Pokémon, finally helping them each have six.

However, what Ash said to Gladion earlier also touched Lillie.

She wasn't really competing on her own merits... She became increasingly aware of this during her match against Hapuu.

"Since they gave you the Pokémon, it's not against the rules for you to use it in the competition... but you need to make sure you always understand what kind of growth you, as a trainer, expect to achieve."

“My growth…” Lillie seemed to understand something.

Unlike her brother, she doesn't always want to become stronger, nor does she want to force her Pokémon to do so.

She became a trainer simply because she loves Pokémon and wants to interact with them more!

"Ash, I understand!" Lillie excitedly grabbed Ash's hand. "I'll still give it my all in the upcoming battles! But after this tournament, I'll return the Pokémon to my mom and then go catch my own true partners!"

She wants to see different Pokémon and learn about them in as many ways as possible; that's what she wants to do!

In addition to that, there is…

"Ash, when the time comes..." Lillie looked at Ash, her eyes shining brighter than the stars, overflowing with endless anticipation.

Ash was certainly aware of the other person's feelings, but before he could respond, a call broke the current mood.

"Ash... uh, did I disturb you?" Acerola, who rushed over, immediately felt guilty after seeing Ash and Lillie's condition.

I'm ruining someone else's good thing...

However, if Ash gets angry, he might be more likely to agree to his request?

"It's okay, is there anything I can help you with?" Xiao Zhi asked, puzzled, after calming down.

"I...I hope Little Intelligence will give it his all in the battle!" Acerola hesitated slightly before finally making a serious request, "I want to witness firsthand just what kind of power the humans chosen by Solgaleo possess!"

"Full power?" Lillie was taken aback.

She really wants to advise Acerola not to have such a suicidal idea.

If Ash really goes all out, you might end up crying...

"Okay." To everyone's surprise, Xiao Zhi agreed very readily. "If this can put your mind at ease, I will do my best!"

"Thank you..." Acerola seemed relieved, regaining her usual playful demeanor. "See you during the match... You guys can continue~"

How can we continue...? Watching Acerola's retreating figure, Lillie couldn't help but feel like crying.

Although it was a coincidence and seemed a bit rushed, she was really looking forward to what would happen next.

Even if it doesn't go to that specific level, at least let Ash understand your feelings...

"Lillie, you must tell me when you want to catch Pokémon."

"Huh?" Lillie was taken aback when she heard Ash's words.

Bathed in the moonlight, the boy gazed at her with a gentle smile, tenderly brushing away the stray hairs from her forehead.

"I'll be with you then."

"Ash... um!" Lillie covered her mouth in surprise and nodded vigorously at Ash.

That's exactly what she wanted to say!

Continue with Ash, and then whatever...

"Go catch Pokémon, or continue your journey, do whatever you want... I'll be by your side as long as you need me, without any time limit!"

"Ash!" The girl was completely enveloped in happiness. Ash actually said the words she had been rehearsing in her mind, which made her stop worrying and anxious.

All she needed to do at that moment was to hug him tightly and enjoy the warmth of his embrace.

Chapter 831 Kashiri VS Guzma, the first Flying-type Elite Four member!

After the quarterfinals were decided, the main tournament of the Manalo Tournament officially entered its second round.

During this stage of the competition, the outcome of every match has captivated countless people.

As the first tournament of the newly formed Alola League, the champion and the Elite Four will be determined from the top eight... In other words, being able to reach the top four means you are a shoo-in for one of the Elite Four!

The first all-out battle is about to unfold between Kashiri and Guzma.

Unsurprisingly, Guzma was once again portrayed as the villain in the match, and was ridiculed by a large number of spectators.

"He's really unlucky, always drawing those popular characters." Listening to the discussions among the audience around her, even Serena felt a little sorry for Guzma.

“With his personality, he’d be ridiculed no matter who he draws,” Xiao Lan shrugged. “His real misfortune is that he drew the person who most counters him.”

Among the quarterfinalists, Guzma is a sure winner against Acerola and Musashi, and even against Marin, he can only manage a 50/50 match.

But he happened to run into Kashiri, a young lady who was skilled in flying-type attacks, who was a natural counter to Guzma.

The game unfolded exactly as predicted, with the entire match divided into two halves. In the first half, Kashiri used only the male and female duo of Vulture and Warrior Eagle to successfully defeat Guzma's Alidos, Rainwing Moth, and Megaloceros.

"Kahiri is pulling ahead, and if Guzma doesn't take action soon, the game will collapse in the second half." Lila also saw the current situation.

Although it was a two-on-three situation in the first half, in the overall battle, the remaining hand count was five to three.

If Guzma loses any more Pokémon, it will completely lose its rotation options.

"He's already preparing to retaliate. Look what he's sent!"

"A stag beetle?" The girls looked in the direction Ash was pointing and found that Guzma had indeed sent out an unusual stag beetle.

It has a pair of large pincers, and it flies through the air with a buzzing sound as it vibrates its wings. The electric arcs that flash across its body from time to time also add to its sense of technology.

The Bug/Electric type and incredibly strong Special Attack of Vikadounon makes it the perfect card for Guzma to counter Flying-type Pokémon.

However, his next instructions were somewhat incomprehensible.

"Vacannon, use Rain Dance!" Guzma commanded in a deep voice. The Vacannon obediently launched a water ball into the air, which quickly turned into a torrential downpour that enveloped the entire field.

Many people don't understand Guzma's actions. Most Flying-type Pokémon are good at the Hurricane move, so this was practically deliberately making Vikadounon a target.

"Let's keep watching. He should be able to dodge the Storm Move," Ash guessed.

Based on the characteristics of Vikadounon, Ash probably figured out how Guzma would cause trouble.

"Warrior Eagles, use the Storm!"

"Swagglebug, after digging the hole... unleash lightning at full power!!"

Sure enough, just as the downpour was about to begin, Kashiri immediately had the Warrior Eagles unleash a hurricane.

To everyone's surprise, the stag beetle poked its pincers into the soil and disappeared underground in a flash.

The lightning bolts shooting out from the cave accurately struck the warrior eagle down from the sky!

"They can actually fight like that?" Xiaoyao was definitely the most shocked person there. Such a battle between masters was very beneficial to her, as she was in the process of improving her skills.

"Both thunder and storms are guaranteed to hit in rainy weather and can hit Pokémon in flight, but neither can reach underground," Ash explained. "In comparison, Vikadounon, which can dig, naturally has the advantage."

Guzma's counterattack did indeed begin, and in a very short time, he defeated Kashiri's Warrior Eagle and Crobat in succession, barely leveling the score again.

Having Vikadoux dig a hole is indeed a rather underhanded move, since Flying-types rarely launch underground attacks... Besides, even if they manage to do it, it won't do much to Vikadoux.

This thing has a levitation feature, so vibrations from the ground can't damage it at all!

“In that case… I’m counting on you, Hawkman!” After thinking for a long time, Kashiri pulled out a muscular man.

This choice surprised both Aya and Korini in the stands, who then simultaneously showed expressions of interest.

They are both trainers of Wrestling Hawks, and their characteristics are exactly the same: one is flexible and the other is light-footed, so I'm very curious how Kashiri, an Elite Four member, fought.

"After the sword dance, he leaps and presses down!"

Surprisingly, Kashiri launched a field offensive directly.

As the Buchanan Beetle casts its Rain Prayer, the Wrestling Hawkman immediately completes his Sword Dance buff and then descends from the sky to slam into the arena.