Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

"Now's the time! Use the most powerful water gun ever!"

Before the good and bad stars, tossed up by the whirlpool, could land, the black seahorse had already adjusted its posture in the water.

With its tubular snout aimed at the target, a jet of water, several times thicker and imbued with even more power, blasted out and struck the Good and Bad Star's soft abdomen squarely!

"boom!"

Good and Bad Star was slammed back onto the platform by the water jet, bounced a few more times in a sorry state, and finally its eyes turned into vortexes, and it went limp and motionless.

"Good...Good and Bad Star is unable to fight! Blackbeard wins!"

The referee paused for a second before announcing the decision loudly.

The battle ended unexpectedly quickly.

Xiaoxia won with a well-trained and dominant style.

The seahorse returned to her side and affectionately nuzzled her leg with its head.

Xiaoxia happily patted its cold head.

"Good job!"

A bewildered Kojiro retrieved the Good and Bad Stars that were making his eyes sparkle.

The voice of the person in charge at the back office came through the headset in time.

"Well done, Kojiro! Although you ended the game a bit too quickly and didn't fully execute the classic 'last-ditch counterattack - slightly damp clothes - stubborn tears' sequence we designed, our esteemed guest won cleanly and decisively, and the scene was quite swift!"

But he...didn't release water?

"Excellent! Your performance in this event will receive extra points!"

But upon hearing the words "bonus points," Kojiro swallowed back the words he was about to utter.

He definitely let the water go!

They've flooded the market! A strategic show of weakness!

Everything is for the sake of our valued guests' experience and the success of our event!

However, in stark contrast to the satisfaction backstage, the expected enthusiastic applause and cheers from the audience did not materialize.

Instead, a low, dissatisfied murmur arose.

"That's...that's it? That's so boring!"

"That's right! Haven't you seen the wonderful expression on Xiaoci's face when she was in dire straits—the tearful, pitiful yet determined expression as she stubbornly fought back? That's the essence!"

"That blonde girl's fighting skills were alright, but there was absolutely no entertainment value in it! It was vulgar! So vulgar!"

"We paid to sit here to watch serious Pokémon battles! Aren't the official battle channels more professional and intense?"

"What we want to see is passion! The intense, frustrating confrontation between the two sides, a battle filled with both helplessness and necessity, and the tense exchange of expressions!"

"I want to see raging waves!"

"His hair wasn't even messed up after the match, what kind of competition is that!"

"rnm, refund my money!"

66. Do not answer! Do not answer! Do not answer!

Xiaoxia: "???"

She stood on the battle platform, momentarily stunned.

She won cleanly and decisively, and her tactical execution was impeccable.

Instead of the expected cheers, the audience erupted in murmurs of discontent, with some even standing up and leaving their seats, their faces clearly saying, "Is that all?"

This is completely different from what she expected!

The dedicated waiter kept a close eye on what was happening in the audience.

Seeing the audience complaining, and even affecting the experience of guests in other areas.

His high level of professionalism immediately motivated him to take action.

He turned to the side and lightly touched the miniature microphone hidden under his collar with his fingertips.

He whispered a few words very quickly.

Soon, several well-dressed staff members, who appeared to be ordinary spectators, quietly blended into the crowd.

They exchanged a brief glance, and then—

"Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic!" The first burst of applause was crisp and powerful, carrying just the right amount of excitement.

"This challenger is quite capable; her command is clean and efficient!" Another voice chimed in, loud and sincere.

"That's right! This is the speed and aesthetics that Water-type Pokémon battles should have! No unnecessary dragging!"

Please accept our heartfelt respect!

With the encouragement of the atmosphere-building team, and the fact that some viewers also felt that Xiaoxia had indeed won beautifully.

The awkwardness and murmured complaints in the room were gradually replaced by fairly enthusiastic applause and sporadic cheers.

Although it may not have been entirely from the heart, at least the situation was salvaged.

Xiao Gang, who was standing to the side, witnessed all of this and couldn't help but feel a deep sense of respect.

That's why they call it a top-tier luxury cruise ship!

This emergency response, this emotional value provision.

It's absolutely maxed out!

Xiaoxia's confusion on the stage lessened slightly.

Hearing the applause that finally broke out, she straightened her back and nodded slightly to those around her.

Then, accompanied by his obedient Blackhair, he strode down from the battle platform and returned to the VIP viewing platform.

"Did you see that? Did you see that?"

As soon as she arrived, she couldn't help but raise her chin at her companion.

He couldn't hide his slight smugness at all.

"What is professionalism? This is professionalism!"

"Whatever Water-type Pokémon it is, as long as it's sent out by a future Water-type master like me, the outcome will be the same!"

"Pikachu~"

Pikachu clapped its little hands in a very gracious gesture.

Xiao Gang also regained most of his rationality from his previous sage mode and nodded in an objective evaluation.

"The tactics were executed very well. The timing and skill combos of the Mohair were excellent. It seems that your training with it these past few days has paid off."

"Of course!"

Xiaoxia was in a better mood.

Just as I was about to continue sharing the details of the battle, my gaze swept over the area, but I suddenly paused.

"Huh? Where's Ash?"

On the observation deck.

Ash, who was excitedly watching the battle from the railing, has disappeared; only Brock and Pikachu remain.

Upon hearing this, both Xiao Gang and Pikachu displayed a subtle, indescribable expression.

Xiao Gang didn't answer directly.

He simply raised his hand silently and pointed his index finger quietly behind Xiaoxia.

Pikachu also gave a signal with its eyes.

Why don't you look behind you?

Xiaoxia's heart skipped a beat, and an ominous premonition instantly rose within her.

He turned around in confusion and looked in the direction Xiao Gang pointed.

In a quiet corner at the edge of the observation deck not far away, Ash was squatting on the ground without any regard for his image, very close to his Horsea.

Ash's face was adorned with his signature bright, untroubled smile.

And her black seahorse was also leaning slightly forward.

Its big, round eyes stared intently at Ash, making cheerful "ha-chi, ha-chi" sounds.

The little tail seemed to have a motor, constantly and happily slapping against the smooth ground.

One man and one horse.

They were chatting so enthusiastically, completely oblivious to everyone else.

Xiaoxia: "!!!"

You can guard against anything, but it's hard to guard against a thief within your own family!

No, it's an outsider... no, that's not right either!

In short, she was on high alert, but Xiao Zhi did not expect to take the usual approach and directly "flanked and stole the base"!

And it only took a few minutes from receiving the applause to walking back here?

Why are you two so close together? And chatting so happily?

Enough talk, let's get to work!

Misty rushed over in three quick steps, cutting directly between Ash and Horsea.

"Hey! What are you two doing, having so much fun?"

She tried to keep her tone calm and natural, but her hands unconsciously tightened slightly.

"How about I join?"

"Oh, it's Xia!"