Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

But Xiao Gang's reaction was lukewarm; he simply nodded.

After all, he was just a former idol, and he has been completely demystified.

"It really is the King of Shiba! Is something the matter? By the way, why are you wearing a mask?"

Shiba's lips twitched.

What could he say?

He said he had been squatting all day and was afraid of being discovered?

He said he was asked by Dragonite to teach him something so he could test him out, but on a whim he wanted to act mysterious.

Huh?

Yup!

Shiba's expression turned solemn.

"Dragonite asked me for a favor."

"Brother Dragonite?"

Xiao Zhi was taken aback.

"Um"

Shiba nodded, crossing his arms over his chest, his bulging muscles becoming even more defined with the movement.

He paused, then subtly made a dig at her.

"After all, it said that Du is no match for me, and specifically asked me to give you some pointers."

He said this without batting an eye.

Anyway, Watari isn't here.

Besides, when it comes to providing guidance and special training, I am indeed much better than that Dragonite accessory.

"I see."

Xiao Zhi believed most of it.

Wataru did say that he asked Shiba for help through Dragonite.

Shiba's gaze swept over the Pokémon in the arena, finally settling on Ash's face.

"Anyway, I squatted down—"

He suddenly stopped.

"Ahem, I mean, based on my observations, after seeing you and that stinky foreigner—"

He paused again.

"Well, I saw you training."

"Don't underestimate yourself; you've trained your Pokémon quite well."

Shiba's tone became serious.

"It's just that you still lack experience."

"You need to understand that humans and Pokémon are different. What works for you may not work for Pokémon."

He took a step forward, his gaze sweeping from Pikachu to Primeape.

“I read what you just said to them—'Even a small step forward is progress.' That’s true, having motivation is a good thing.”

He then changed the subject.

"But kid, do you know how every Pokémon takes its 'small step'?"

120. My friend, you are the king!

Which way do I get there?

Xiao Zhi scratched his head.

"So... based on each Pokémon's situation, and then consistently train them every day?"

Based on his experience and the notes he took over the past two days.

That's what everyone does.

That is, there are some differences in strength.

"That's what I thought when I was young."

Upon hearing this, Shiba shook his head, a hint of wistful reflection from someone who had been through it all.

He crossed his arms and looked into the distance, as if recalling something.

"But young man, I've come to understand something from my decades as a trainer."

"That is, the more a trainer focuses on training itself, the more likely they are to fall into unexpected predicaments."

Shiba withdrew his gaze and looked at Ash, who looked completely bewildered.

"Pokémon... has its limits!"

"Pikachu?"

Pikachu tilted its head.

It looked at Shiba, then at Ash, and finally scratched the pointed tip on its head.

Why does this sound so familiar?

Xiao Zhi seemed to be deep in thought.

His brows gradually furrowed.

"So...you mean that each Pokémon needs to train different things?"

Shiba grinned, revealing two rows of neat teeth.

It's convenient to talk to a martial artist who has a brain.

It's crystal clear!

"What do you think trainers do?"

Is he a supervisor urging the Pokémon to run behind him? Or a cheerleader standing on the sidelines shouting encouragement?

His gaze swept over each of Ash's Pokémon.

“Strength is certainly important—I don’t deny that.”

He stretched out his arm, clenched his fist, his muscles bulging, and veins coiling like a dragon.

"Some Pokémon are born with superhuman strength, and they can do whatever they want just by relying on their brute force."

"If one punch isn't enough, throw two; if two punches aren't enough, throw ten. With great force, bricks fly—simple and brutal."

"But, kid—"

He lowered his hand, changed the subject, and his tone became serious.

"Not all Pokémon are suited for this path."

"This also requires talent."

"If you make a speed-type Pokémon train strength, in the end, it won't develop strength, and its speed will be ruined too."

"If you can't reach the shore at either end, you'll end up with a hybrid that's neither fish nor fowl."

He walked up to the fiery monkey, whose hands were clasped together, whose eyes were calm, and whose whole body exuded the aura of a virtuous monk.

"Take your Infernape, for example. Do you know what its greatest talent is?"

"Well……"

Ash looked at Primeape and began to think seriously.

"Very steady and composed?"

He tentatively began to speak.

"No, you're talking about personality, not talent."

Shiba shook his head.

"Alright!"

He took a step back and assumed a fighting stance.

No fancy moves, no pauses to build up power—just one punch.

Before the punch arrives, the wind comes first.

That's a punch that only a true fighting master could deliver.

A sharp gust of wind from the punch hit him, ruffling the fur on the Infernal Monkey's forehead.

Caught completely off guard, the Inferno Monkey felt the approaching fist wind with a bewildered expression.

No?

Are you right?

Why did you show Ash how to hit me?!

Before the Infernape's brain could even react, its body moved first.

Its body trembled slightly, not from fear, but from an instinct ingrained in its bones after countless trials.

Energy dissipation techniques!

He turned his body to the side, his chest contracting and expanding, his arms seemingly welcoming but not quite welcoming.

His entire body seemed to have transformed into a vortex.

Shiba's fist struck, but the force was like a mud ox sinking into the sea, pouring down the body of the Infernal Monkey and onto the ground beneath its feet.

With just two steps back, Infernape neutralized Shiba's casual attack.