Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

The screen flickered, and a line of text appeared—

[Event Notification: Trainer Ash, your battle information for tomorrow's quarterfinals has been confirmed. Please check your inbox.]

[Match 1: Ash vs. Fan Fighting]

[Match Time: 9:00 AM]

[Match Venue: Central Main Field]

Below the text is a small portrait—the scrutinizing face of Shan Dou.

Xiao Zhi stared at the screen for a few seconds.

Then his shoulders slumped.

"What's wrong? What's wrong?" Xiaoxia noticed his change in mood. "Who's the opponent?"

"It's Uncle Fandou."

Xiao Zhi answered honestly, his tone clearly showing disappointment.

"Fan?"

Xiaoxia paused for a moment, then blinked.

"Isn't that good? It's not the weakest, but it's not the strongest either."

"Hey~"

Xiao Zhi's gaze drifted out the window.

"I originally thought I could face off against Dr. Kukui."

His tone was full of regret.

"If all else fails, that guy who prefers real-life offline interactions will do too."

Xiaoxia thought about it.

From Ash's perspective.

It seems... this choice really is the worst?

Unlike the dejected Ash, Pikachu was clenching its little paws tightly into fists.

Two small flames burned in those bright black eyes.

What did that guy named Shan Dou say again?

Weak and innocent?

Pikachu is a Pokémon?

Practice the basics more?

Although the mouse can't remember very well—after all, there are so many things to remember every day, who would bother to remember something like this?

Pikachu isn't particularly vengeful—it's a very forgiving Pokémon.

But since it's a competition, you can't cheat, right?

Tomorrow, I must slap him in the face!

Oh no, I mean we absolutely must give the other side some good pointers!

Let it know what Pikachu's iron fist is like!

......

the next day.

The main venue in the center was bustling with activity.

The stands were packed with spectators, some waving homemade banners, some holding binoculars, and vendors weaving through the aisles selling snacks and drinks.

"Both players, please take your positions! Both players, please take your positions!"

The referee's announcement pierced through the noise and echoed throughout the field.

Ash stood at the entrance to the contestant tunnel and took a deep breath.

The passageway was somewhat dim, with only a bright white light shining in from the exit ahead.

This is the first time we've fought in front of so many people.

He was still a little nervous.

"Pikachu?"

Pikachu nudged Ash and handed him a berry.

This is what it ate at breakfast; it can't eat anymore now.

Xiao Zhi was taken aback at first.

He then laughed, reached out and took the fruit, split it in two, keeping one half for himself and giving the other half back to Pikachu.

"Let's go, Pikachu."

He took a bite of the fruit, his voice a little muffled, but his steps were steady as he walked out.

"Pickup!"

A man and a mouse stepped into the sunlight.

The venue is large, and the grass has an excellent texture, with a perfect balance of softness and firmness when stepped on.

The faces of the people in the distant stands gradually became clearer, and cheers surged in like a tide.

"Go for it, Ash!"

In the nearby stands, Staryu and Misty were cheering for Ash.

Shiba, who was in the guest seats, also nodded at Ash.

Meanwhile, Xiao Gang was chatting with an older female audience member next to him.

Seeing this, Xiao Zhi immediately relaxed.

The cheers erupted once again.

Then, another figure emerged from the player tunnel opposite.

Fan.

He was wearing a dark training uniform today.

His face bore that familiar expression that Ash felt when he first met him.

He scrutinized her, with a slightly condescending expression.

The two walked to the center of the field, and as is customary, the time before the match was for trash talk.

Fan Dou glanced at Xiao Zhi and raised his eyebrows slightly.

"It is you."

His tone carried a hint of surprise, with a slight rise in his voice at the end, as if he had seen something that shouldn't be there.

"I never expected you to make it to the semi-finals."

He paused, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"I underestimated you. But I'll say it again—"

His gaze fell on Pikachu on Ash's shoulder, his tone as certain as if stating a fact.

"Pikachu is not suited for this stage!"

"Yebi!"

The quick-fisted man beside him nodded in response, and lightly tapped his fists together in front of his chest, producing a dull sound.

Its gaze was sharp, clearly indicating that it had entered a fighting state.

But Pikachu was surprisingly calm.

It crouched on the ground, its tail swaying slightly, and showed no reaction to the fan's words.

There was no outburst, no angry "Pikachu, Pikachu," and not even a glare back.

They simply looked at each other quietly, their eyes as calm as a deep pool.

It listened to the human opposite it spouting nonsense, and to the fast-fisted beast nodding in agreement, but its eyes remained completely unmoved.

I even felt like yawning.

After all, for a mouse, there's absolutely no need to say anything to something that's destined to fail.

It raised its little paw and licked the fruit juice that was stuck to it.

The corpse is speaking.

123. I got up and killed him in one move. What's there to say?

Upon hearing what Fan Dou said, Xiao Zhi scratched his head, a thoughtful look in his eyes.

I never thought I could make it to the semifinals.

This... probably means he's saying he's amazing, right?

"Um... Uncle Fan Dou."

Xiao Zhi paused, seemingly thinking about how to organize his thoughts.

"Actually, I didn't expect you to make it to the top four, uncle!"

"I remember you were only in the top sixteen before?"

"They've jumped straight to the semifinals, that's amazing!"

As he spoke, he nodded vigorously, as if affirming his own words.

"That's really amazing!"

Fan: "..."