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

"Has this kid's Milotic become this strong...?"

"No, it's your Milotic that's gotten weaker." Ash shook his head, correcting Wallace's comment. "The Saltwater move doubles in power when the opponent's HP drops below half!"

"You predicted this from the very beginning?!" Mikeli exclaimed in surprise.

Earlier, when facing Tentacruel, Ash's Milotic didn't use a bunch of powerful Water-type Pokémon, but instead chose a Saltwater Pokémon with mediocre base power. It turns out that he was going to use it in this situation!

What kind of long-term plan is this?!

"No time to surprise you now! Milotic, coil up!" "Miyo!"

Ash got really into the fight, and Milotic, instead of its usual graceful coiled state, became like a dragon about to wreak havoc!

Even when the opponent's surf was sweeping around it, it didn't care at all and just sprayed back a burst of salt water!

"Milotic..." Seeing his Milotic being forced to retreat, Mikuri himself seemed to be on the verge of collapse.

But soon, he mustered up his last bit of courage!

"No matter what, we can't give up! Milotic, have you forgotten... we were once champions too! Gather your last bit of strength, use Surf!!" "Meow!!"

The usually dignified and elegant water snake let out a series of hisses, and the surging waves turned into a tsunami on the water!

"Giving it your all is a sign of respect for your opponent... Milotic, Giga Impact!!" "Miyo!!"

Ash also chose to go all in. Milotic leaped up like a dragon, circled in the air for a while, and then slammed its long tail down with tremendous force!

Boom! !

The giant tail cleaved the terrifying tsunami in two, relentlessly crashing towards Mikkelmenas's neck, even slamming it all the way to the bottom of the pool.

"Miyo!!" Amidst the splashing water, only Ash's Milotic cried out.

It certainly didn't have the strength of a champion, but in a head-on battle, it defeated Milotic, which was considered the strongest in the world!

At that moment, Mikoli also sincerely acknowledged his defeat.

Although he still had two companions left, looking at the bottom of the pool where only shallow water remained, and Ash's incredibly magnificent and powerful Milotic...

He knew it was all over.

Chapter 951 The Final Battle...The Prelude

"Swamp Monster is unable to battle, Milotic wins! The winner of the fourth battle on the Victory Road is challenger Ash!!"

The commentator's passionate voice echoed in the air. Since the previous battles had all taken place in the arena built into the Champion Road, this was the first time Ash had heard the announcement of the winner during a challenge.

The outcome of his battle with Wallace was actually decided after Wallace's Milotic left the field, but in order not to be criticized for not finishing what he started, Wallace still sent out his last two Pokémon.

The first to appear was Mega Swampert. After being hit by Spikes again, its health was less than half. Ash's Milotic took it out with a single Salt Water attack.

The last one to enter the battle, Gyarados, fared even worse. It was injured by Stealth Rock and was left with only half its health. However, after intimidating Milotic and knocking off its level 1 Attack, it triggered Milotic's Competitive ability, allowing Gyarados to gain two levels of Special Attack for free.

Thus, the extremely powerful salt water once again delivered a devastating blow!

And so, the battle between Ash and Wallace finally came to an end.

It's no exaggeration to say that Ash's combat and command skills in this battle were so impressive that he deserves to be called a 'battle master'!

He is adept at various tactics, including capturing opponents, forcing trades, utilizing terrain, and strengthening his defenses. In battle, he commands with composure, keenly discerning his opponent's strategies and weaknesses, and immediately countering them.

What's most unbelievable is that this was his condition after defeating three Heavenly Kings in a row!

The man opposite him, Mike, was already pale and panting heavily, but he simply let out a long sigh of relief, his energy and spirit almost unchanged from before the battle!

"Aren't you tired?" Mikuri asked, one hand on his waist, his face full of doubt.

"I'm definitely tired, but I won't show it in front of them." As he spoke, Ash took out some medicine and began to treat Milotic's scratches. The other partners who had fought hard also began to recover quickly, while at the same time, they were busy gathering strength for the final battle.

Looking at their figures, Xiao Zhi seemed to have something to say.

"Trainers and Pokémon are partners in battle... That's true, but I think it's too vague. Trainers should be the Pokémon's support, their extra eyes, ears, and brain in battle; trainers need to maintain absolute focus, minimize mistakes, protect their partners from unnecessary harm, and walk together towards victory!"

"Moreover, from beginning to end, the only ones fighting desperately and taking damage on the field are the Pokémon themselves; although they are called partners and buddies, what they are striving for is only the honor of the trainer."

"So, in front of these hardworking partners, what right do trainers have to complain about being tired?"

...

“Not qualified…that’s true.” Mikoli unconsciously straightened her back.

He admitted that Xiaozhi was right, and that he absolutely did not want to be outdone by a thirteen-year-old in this regard!

This recognition seems to be spreading. What started as just some people nodding in approval eventually turned into thunderous applause throughout the room!

"Miyo~" Milotic lowered its head and gently rubbed Ash's cheek, its expression showing excitement, but also a hint of reproach.

Please, the reason they keep working so hard isn't just for Ash's own honor!

The other companions echoed their agreement, believing that Ash was half right.

The other half is that they are also striving to realize their own value in the process of growing up and fighting alongside Ash!

If they hadn't met Ash, they might still be scattered all over the world, living monotonous and even aimless lives.

It was Ash who brought them together, gave them different training, and helped them grow stronger while also discovering the unique flavor of each companion.

And most importantly, it made them understand the importance of their companions.

They can stand alone when separated, and when they work together, they can unleash power beyond their own limits!

Take the battle just now, for example. Wallace wasn't actually that difficult to beat. It's just that everyone was working together to implement Ash's strategy in order to conserve their energy to complete the Champion Road, so they fought quite restrainedly overall.

In addition, we need to help Milotic unlock achievements. All its companions worked hard in their own ways and finally helped it defeat the strongest of its kind in a head-on battle!

The next battle will be the same!

"Ash, I've been completely defeated by you." Wallace came up to Ash, the crushing defeat seemed to have sobered him up a bit, and there wasn't as much resentment in his eyes anymore.

"You are a truly powerful trainer, I am no match for you... so, I concede." Mikuri's expression was solemn. "Whether it's Hoenn or Nakia, I've lost to you, and I have no face to mention it again..."

When Michael mentioned someone, Ash was about to explain, but the other person suddenly added another sentence.

"But Rukia is still a child! How could you extend your evil clutches to her?!"

"I... never mind, I don't have time to argue with you about this." Ash's expression froze for a moment, and he finally responded with a big eye roll.

Pah, what's so clear-headed about this guy? His head is still full of the same old nonsense.

The final battle was about to begin, and Ash completely ignored this guy, focusing his attention solely on all his companions.

The ground beneath our feet was trembling. The original water field was gradually filled in and replaced by a standard competition field without any additional elements.

This simplicity is actually most in line with the final battle of the road to victory.

"The final opponent is coming, everyone, let's give it our all!!"

"Roar!!"*6

As if in response to Ash, the six companions who had fought so hard here let out a deafening roar, their powerful voices shaking the entire field!

"How terrifying, they still retain such power?"

"Why are you still here?" A soft, feminine voice suddenly came from behind, startling Xiaozhi.

He turned his head and saw that Mikey was still lingering there.

"I'm going to stay and watch the battle!" Mikuri said matter-of-factly, and even pulled up a chair from somewhere. "This is the battle that will decide who wins the Hoenn Championship, so of course I have to be in the closest spot to cheer for Daigo."

"I...I take back what I just said!" Ash exclaimed, his face full of disgust and even a little exasperated. "As for Miss Naki, her breakup with you has absolutely nothing to do with me. It's all your own doing!!"

"No... I finally let go, why are you going back to it?" Mikuri was indignant when she heard this, and insisted on pulling Ash aside to explain. "Tell me, what did I do wrong? You were the one who interfered, seduced me... In short, it's because of you that I got dumped!"

Ahhhhh!

Xiao Zhi couldn't help but roar in his heart. He was really at his wit's end. Couldn't someone come and take this guy away right away?!

hum~

Ash's heartfelt thoughts didn't move the heavens, but they clearly 'moved' Steven.

A surge of superpowers erupted from beneath the arena, grabbing Mikoli's body and forcibly throwing him off the ring.

Suddenly, a hole opened up in the battle area opposite Ash, and a Metagross, entirely silver-gray, gradually rose into the arena.

Standing on its back is none other than the current champion of Hoenn, the Steel Prince—Daigo Zufki!

"You've finally arrived, Ash!" Steven, recalling Metagross, looked at Ash with excitement. "I've been waiting for this moment for so long..."

"I think Mr. Daigo's expectations might not be high enough, otherwise he wouldn't have let that little rascal run around here for so long." Ash's tone was slightly reproachful.

Honestly, Daigo must have seen the whole thing—Mickey's embarrassing moment—from behind.

Why didn't you send Metagross out to catch people sooner? Did you have to wait until he completely lost face?

"This... I was actually quite surprised too." A hint of embarrassment flashed across Daigo's face. He was hesitant to admit that he had been so engrossed in watching the show that he hadn't stopped it immediately...

However, Hoenn's higher-ups have already lost countless face-saving moments recently, so they won't be any worse off than Mikuri.

"Ash, let's battle!!" Quickly regaining his composure, Steven formally challenged Ash to a battle!

"no problem!!"

Ash responded without flinching, and both of them simultaneously gripped the Poké Balls at their waists!