In the game: I stole Groudon at the start.

"Ash doesn't seem to be very strong, does he?"

Lillie blinked. Although they had met a few times, she didn't really know much about Ash's abilities.

“Ash is a rookie trainer.” Campfire shook her head. She did know a little about Ash, but then, as if remembering something, she added.

"He belongs to the kind of true rookie trainer."

Yes, now even new trainers are divided into tiers...

After all, those shades of green, yellow, and red can't really be considered newcomers.

"Never mind, let's just take it as a lesson from a senior."

Bakura shrugged helplessly, stood up, and walked towards the player tunnel. Ash...

He didn't look down on Ash, nor did he not want to battle Ash.

But Ash, whose Indigo League is still ongoing... is far too immature at this stage.

As the protagonist of the TV series, Ash is completely different from Red, who has monstrous talent.

Red is a typical genius; he defeated the Four Heavenly Kings and became the champion in just one year.

But Ash is different. He is the type who is wise in a seemingly foolish way. When he first started out, Ash couldn't even distinguish between types, but he believed in bonds and the shared beliefs with his Pokémon.

If Ash is given enough time, he might not necessarily be weaker than Red in the end!

Because they are essentially the same person, just with different growth patterns, but their ultimate goal is the same!

Bakura is also looking forward to Ash becoming truly stronger and to fighting him, but not now. Ash is still too immature now.

But since we've been randomly matched, let's play with this guy beforehand.

Meanwhile, on the other side...

"...Um..."

Xiao Gang stared speechlessly at the big screen. What kind of divine randomness is this?

"Ash..." Misty looked at Ash with concern, though she said that making it to the top 16 was enough.

But as a partner, Xiaoxia naturally hopes that Xiaozhi can achieve better results.

but now……

Meanwhile, Yukinari Oki and Shigeru frowned slightly. No matter what, being matched with Bakura was just too unlucky.

"What are you all looking at like that? I'm not going to give up so easily, right, Pikachu?"

"Pikachu!"

Xiao Zhi adjusted his hat slightly, stood up, and greeted the group with a cheerful smile.

"I aspire to become a Pokémon Master, so battling Bakura would be the best thing ever!"

"We won't lose so easily!"

Xiao Zhi clenched his fists tightly, his clear eyes shining brightly, and the stubbornness in his words was captivating.

Yes, even if it's Bakura, he won't surrender without a fight!

He is Ash from Pallet Town!

Xiao Zhi knows that he got this far thanks to a lot of luck; he is a lucky person.

In that case, let's hope that luck will smile upon him again!

"Seriously, these young people nowadays..."

Looking at Ash's determined back, Yukinari Oak seemed a little dazed, then shook her head helplessly with a smile.

Kids these days...

His excellence makes older generations like him proud.

"Oh ho~ Ash got matched with Bakura, tsk tsk~ what a pity."

Mei hugged the bag of snacks in her hands, her face beaming with joy, showing absolutely no sign of regret.

"Could you tone down your smile a bit before saying something like that?"

Touko sighed and rubbed her forehead. This girl, is she really that happy to see her friend being eliminated?

"What? I was thinking of Ash's best interests. You see, Bakura is at least someone I know, right? He'll definitely go easy on me."

"Otherwise, if Xiaozhi gets matched with other people, he'll be in even worse shape."

Mei puffed out her cheeks and declared loudly and righteously that she was not gloating, but was genuinely considering Ash's perspective.

"You've got a whole set of arguments to make."

Alice rolled her eyes and gave her jealous sister a disdainful look.

On the battlefield.

After a half-hour break, Bakura and Ash entered the arena simultaneously through the player tunnels on both sides.

The entire venue erupted in thunderous cheers, a cheer for Bakura.

"Ash, come to think of it, I don't think I've ever battled you before," Bakura said with a smile, looking at Ash.

"That's right, so I'll do my best this time!" Ash said with a smile, his fighting spirit high.

"That expression is really good. Well then, go for it and give it your all."

Bakura was taken aback by what he heard, then lowered his head and smiled knowingly.

For some reason, seeing that expression stirred something within me.

——————————————————————————————

(Please give me flowers, votes, and a subscription!)

Chapter 481 Top 8: Bakura vs. Aomori (Seeking full subscription)

"Ash, you're a newbie traveling for the first time this year, right?"

Bakura took out a Poké Ball, gently spun it, and smiled at Ash, asking, "Yes."

Ash was taken aback by Bakura's question, not understanding why Bakura would suddenly ask him that.

"To make it to the top 16 in the first year of traveling is a really good result for a newcomer."

"However, I think your goals certainly go beyond this."

Bakura caught the Poké Ball. Ash was really lucky. Despite his average strength, he was still able to compete in the Indigo League, a gathering of top players.

You can still make your way here.

"But let me tell you, in Pokémon battles, you can't defeat all your opponents just by relying on some vague luck and some so-called indomitable spirit."

Before Ash could speak, Bakura's lips curled up slightly as he tossed the Poké Ball in his hand.

Now that they've been matched, Bakura doesn't mind and will train Ash a bit.

"Emperor Yan! Prepare for battle!"

The Poké Ball opened in mid-air, a flash of white light, and a majestic Entei landed heavily on the battlefield.

"Wow~ It's the Flame Emperor I used when I fought Alice last time."

Mei, who was eating snacks, had her big eyes light up when she saw the Ent Emperor appear.

She still vividly remembers the Flame Emperor who defeated Alice's Haxorus.

"嘁~"

Alice gave a disgruntled snort, but her eyes, as she looked at Emperor Yan, seemed to burn with raging flames.

Emperor Yan!

This time, I definitely won't lose to you!

"Emperor Yan..."

Ash looked at this majestic and extremely powerful Pokémon and decisively took out his Pokédex.

His encyclopedia entry has also been specially upgraded by Yukinari Oki.

"Entei, a fire-type Pokémon, is a legendary volcano Pokémon capable of spewing flames hotter than volcanic lava. It is said that when it roars, it can cause a volcano in the world to erupt."

The Pokédex's electronic voice gave Ash a brief introduction to the Pokémon before him.

"Wow, amazing~ A legendary Pokémon."

After listening to the Pokédex explanation, Ash's expression brightened, and he exclaimed in great excitement.

Just by listening to the Pokédex entry, you can tell that this Pokémon is extremely powerful.

"Ash, let me see how you're going to deal with my Entei."

Bakura found Ash's reaction somewhat amusing. Shouldn't he be worried about how to defeat Entei at this moment?

The brain is really quite thick-skinned.

"Of course! Even if 467 is a legendary Pokémon, we won't lose!"

"When it comes to dealing with Fire-types, Squirtle, I choose you!"

Upon hearing this, Ash clenched his fist and, full of energy, threw out his first Pokémon.

Although he has a carefree personality, he still knows the basic principle that water type counters fire type.

The Poké Ball opened, and a tiny Squirtle leaped out energetically, staring intently at Entei.

"Squirtle..."

In the audience, Lillie's eyelids twitched when she saw Squirtle, and her expression was a little strange.

Water beats fire, that's true, but using Squirtle in its initial form to fight Entei just feels a bit strange.

"Mimi~"

Meanwhile, Mewtwo, comfortably nestled in the embrace of the campfire, blinked its big eyes at Squirtle.

Hmm, I feel a strange sense of familiarity with it?