Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

Looking up, I met Xiaogang's signature squinty eyes again.

...Even their expressions are similar.

Your dojo has already used me to boost their reputation.

The fact that I beat you up without even seeing you is already a sign of a king's magnanimity!

You want me to give you more guidance?

snort!

no way!

......

In the following days.

The four of them then settled into the training area without worry.

Although Watari refused outright, he couldn't resist the fact that Tsuyoshi, who aspired to become a top breeder, was truly exceptional in his skills.

Make sure the Dragonite is well taken care of.

In the end, Wataru had no choice but to reluctantly offer some guidance.

Onix, Charmeleon, and Gyarados—three Pokémon—were summoned at his command.

They began to join forces to engage in high-intensity battles against Dragonite.

Dragonite fully demonstrated what it means to be a regional ace.

It doesn't even need to use those world-destroying ultimate moves.

With his precise dragon claw parries, lightning-fast dodges, and effortless power control, he easily neutralized all three attacks.

It anticipated the rockfall of the giant onyx and knocked it away with a single claw.

Gyarados dodged Waterfall Slam by sidestepping and then countered with a backhand slap, deflecting its force.

Charmeleon's most tricky Dark-type Bite was also lashed out at the last moment by its tail, which was covered in Dragon-type energy.

Pressure, immense pressure, was constantly being applied to the three Pokémon.

Among them, Charmeleon bears the brunt of the pressure.

If the other two only get slapped once for making a mistake.

That fire dinosaur would slap anyone it saw, two slaps in quick succession.

It's the kind that's fully loaded.

......

"Dragonite, keep going, suppress it!"

Watari's calm voice rang out.

A glint flashed in Quick Dragon's eyes, and his movements suddenly quickened by three points.

A seemingly ordinary tail strike forced the Charizard, which was attempting to ambush its flank, to scramble away.

Immediately afterwards, the Dragonite's massive body brought with it a fierce gust of wind.

Charizard gritted its teeth and unleashed a blazing jet of flame in an attempt to intercept it.

However, Dragonite neither dodged nor evaded, and its claws, covered in rich Dragon-type energy, ripped forward.

"Hey!"

The flames were actually split in two, flowing to either side!

The shadows completely descended.

Clearly, Charizard's repeated harassment of his lower body had made this ace player somewhat impatient.

Dragonite's slap landed solidly, accompanied by the sound of wind breaking through the air!

"Charmeleon!"

"Roar--!"

The Charizard roared, crossing its arms in an attempt to withstand the attack.

"boom!"

With a dull thud, it was slammed to the ground.

Dragonite did not lift its claws, but instead increased its pressure slightly, pressing it firmly to the ground.

The other claw rose up again without any mercy—

"Snapped!"

A slap landed precisely on the back of the Charizard's head!

I told you not to study bad habits!

"Snapped!"

I'll teach you to like low-class things!

Om-!

A familiar pain returned.

Charizard's mind went completely blank.

This feeling... instantly brought back bad memories!

In an instant, it seemed as if what was in front of it was not Dragonite, but its traitorous underling who had attacked the back of its head!

"Awooo—!!!"

Their figures overlapped.

An unprecedented rage and humiliation erupted from the deepest part of my heart like a volcano!

The already scorching flames on its tail suddenly flared up wildly!

Its color instantly changed from orange-red to blackish-red, its size expanded several times over, and an astonishing heat wave spread out from the Charizard as its center.

Startled, the Dragonite holding it instinctively released its grip.

It's not that its power is so great that it can't suppress it.

Instead, the dark red flames coiled around the fire dinosaur's body as if they were alive.

A hidden undercurrent of light.

And then there's Charizard's deliberately blackened skin...

That's so cool! Even dragons are envious!

Dragonite blinked its eyes.

It's making me want to get the same dye job!

It seemed as if flames were burning deep within the eyes of the Charmeleon!

Power, a violent and scorching power, surged forth from the depths of its nearly depleted body!

"Now! Flamethrower!"

Ash caught the moment of the explosion and shouted sharply.

Charmander's chest heaved.

He turned his head and unleashed a burst of flames, the scorching heat gushing from his throat.

A black and red pillar of fire, several times thicker and more powerful than before, roared like a fire dragon and crashed down on Dragonite!

"boom--!"

Dragonite's eyes narrowed.

It's still the dragon claw!

Slash forward!

The flames were split in two once more!

But the moment the flames dissipated, the Charmander's figure had already vanished from its spot!

"Charmeleon! Dragon Claw!"

"Not bad!"

Du's voice remained steady, but carried a barely perceptible hint of approval.

Dragonite felt a sudden tightening under its body, and instinctively reached down with its claws!

"clang!"

A metallic clang rang out as Dragonite barely parried Charizard's sudden claw attack from the shadows below, then used its momentum to send Charizard flying once more.

Dragonite breathed a sigh of relief and wiped away non-existent sweat.

That was close! I almost got ambushed by this guy who suddenly erupted!

It glanced at its trainer with a hint of resentment.

Watari didn't even warn me beforehand... It's just that I accidentally tore a corner of his cloak while stealing something from his pocket last night, is it really necessary to hold such a grudge...?

Charmander tumbled and flew backward.

Ash reacted quickly, rushing forward and spinning around to catch it securely in his arms, dissipating the force.

"Are you alright, Charmeleon?"

The black and red flames on Charmeleon's body slowly subsided. Exhausted, it leaned against Ash's chest, panting heavily. Its whole body trembled slightly from the excessive burst of energy, but its eyes shone with an astonishing brightness.

It shook its head, feeling the lingering, scalding power within its body—it had never felt so powerful before!

Ignoring Dragonite's gaze, Lance straightened his obviously short cape and stepped forward.

He carefully observed the Charmeleon's condition and then nodded.

"I've basically mastered the characteristics of the Fiery Blaze."