Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

This time, Ash didn't have any help.

The massive, heavy industrial rollers, which could only turn slowly by water power, actually produced a sound from their bearings that was different from anything Pikachu had ever made, thanks to Pikachu's desperate effort.

The roller's rotation speed increased slightly!

Although it was only a wisp, it was far from reaching the terrifying level that Ash could create afterimages with one hand.

But this is indeed the result of its own power!

"Wuhu! We did it! We finally did it!"

Xia, who was watching from the sidelines, jumped up excitedly, her face beaming with genuine joy.

For no other reason than that.

I spent a whole month in this desolate wilderness, where all I could hear was the sound of water and metallic noise.

Watching these two goofballs go through all sorts of bizarre training sessions every day, she really couldn't take it anymore.

Wu Neng, on the other hand, was unusually numb, with no expression on his face and even a somewhat vacant look in his eyes.

After all, he had long since grown accustomed to this inhuman scene over the past month.

Ash uses the waterwheel as a workout tool, while Pikachu sees it as the ultimate test.

After seeing so much of it, and being overwhelmed by the shock, I actually feel... well, it's not entirely unacceptable after all.

After all, this human and this mouse can eat doses of medicine every day without batting an eye—dose strong enough to send a Snorlax to the hospital for a stomach pump—and still be alive and kicking.

In contrast, Wu Neng was completely unfazed by Pikachu's ability to accelerate the waterwheel slightly on its own, and even found it perfectly reasonable.

"Pikachu! You've mastered it!"

Ash stared intently toward the Pewter City Gym, his fists clenched, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.

"It's time to avenge this humiliation!"

"Pikachu! Pikachu!"

Pikachu nodded vigorously, its little paws clenched tightly.

It felt the surging power within its body, forged over a month, almost bursting out of its body. It felt that it had been reborn and was now incredibly strong!

"Oh, right!"

Ash suddenly slapped his forehead, as if he had remembered something crucial, instantly interrupting Pikachu's surging inner monologue.

"You haven't taken your medicine yet, here you go."

He skillfully poured out a handful of pills, then set aside a small portion for Pikachu.

"It's best to eat this after exercise; you can't stop eating it!"

Pikachu didn't even look at it.

Skillfully taking the pill from Ash's hand, and imitating Ash, tilting his head back and gulping it down, amidst the envious gazes of Staryu and Caterpie.

It wasn't that neither of them hadn't tried it out of curiosity.

However, after licking just a tiny bit of the pill, they both foamed at the mouth, collapsed, and convulsed, and were rushed to the Pokémon Center.

From then on, the only look they had of Pikachu when it calmly took drugs every day was pure admiration.

It's okay to take so many drugs.

This, I suppose, is just talent!

"Gudong!"

After taking the medicine, a burning power instantly flowed through his limbs and bones!

Pikachu could even feel its eight-pack abs getting slightly hot, and its sense of power surged once again!

It clenched its little paws tightly, and golden lightning crackled and flashed uncontrollably, its momentum rising steadily.

Right now, it only feels that it is incredibly strong...!

"Pikachu, hand me the liver protection pills. I accidentally ate a few too many, so I need to take a few more."

Pikachu was interrupted again.

"Pikachu".

I took a handful of liver-protecting pills.

It now only feels that it is strong...

Pikachu glanced at Ash silently, making sure Ash wouldn't interrupt it again.

It rearranged its posture, its small chest held high, its eyes sharp as lightning, and its tail taut like a steel whip.

...Terrifyingly strong!

......

Inside Nibi Dojo.

Light streamed through the skylight high above, casting dappled beams of light, while the air was filled with the cold, hard scent of dust and rocks.

Having just seen off a cheerful new challenger, Xiao Gang sat cross-legged on the cold rocky ground, conducting his daily review.

Of course, he wasn't reviewing the battle itself to see if there were any oversights—against a mere rookie trainer, even if he let his Pokémon fight on its own, the chances of defeat were extremely slim.

What he was really going over and examining in his mind was whether he had effectively instilled those basic combat concepts and skills into the young challenger through appropriate confrontation and guidance in the battle just now, and whether there were any details that could be improved in the process.

After all, his Pewter Dojo is designed to be beginner-friendly.

To boost the confidence of new trainers, he would even deliberately control the battle, "narrowly losing" to them after they demonstrated sufficient strength.

As for experienced trainers... well, he can only go all out and let them experience the weight of the rock.

But thinking about this...

Unconsciously, the image of the boy from Zhenxin Town from a month ago, and the blurry figure that caught his eye and looked remarkably like his father Wu Neng, floated into his mind.

"Could it be that I really saw it wrong?"

Xiao Gang muttered to himself.

Over the past month, he had noticed the people appearing near the dojo.

There were indeed a few people with similar builds, but upon closer inspection, none of them were his bastard father who had abandoned his family and had not returned home for many years.

Thinking of the boy who had disappeared after he crushed him with Onix, Brock couldn't help but sigh.

A pang of guilt rose in my heart.

"Sigh, it's probably just a coincidence. If that's the case, I really shouldn't have taken my anger out on that jerk on that newbie that day..."

Such an overwhelming battle would undoubtedly be devastating for a rookie trainer with dreams in their heart.

That would probably completely destroy the boy's confidence and fighting spirit.

Just as he was immersed in self-blame and reflection—

"boom!!!"

A muffled thud.

The heavy, thick door of the dojo was suddenly kicked open from the outside!

Immediately afterwards, a powerful shout resounded throughout the entire venue.

"Ash from Pallet Town, here to challenge you!!"

They're here?!

Xiao Gang suddenly stood up from the ground and looked in the direction of the sound.

A familiar figure stood backlit at the doorway—it was the boy from a month ago!

His eyes shone brightly like stars, and he exuded an even more vigorous and intense fighting spirit than before. Even his physique appeared to have become more robust and muscular.

Seeing that Ash had not only not become discouraged, but had returned with an even stronger attitude, the weight that had been hanging over Xiao Gang's heart for a month finally lifted.

good good!

It's good that you're alright!

"You know the rules, right?"

A smile spread across his face.

"This time, it's still one-on-one!"

"Pickup!"

Without Ash giving the order, Pikachu had already jumped into the center of the field on its own.

His small body stood ramrod straight, his eyes fixed intently on Xiao Gang, his fighting spirit boiling!

Upon seeing this, Xiao Gang shook his head slightly.

It's Pikachu...

It seems he hasn't learned his lesson about elemental advantage from his last defeat, but oh well...

Without further thought, he flicked his wrist and skillfully launched the Poké Ball.

"In that case, I'll send out the same one!"

"Roar--!"

With a low growl, the enormous rock serpent reappeared, coiling itself on the field.

"Cough cough!"

Xiao Gang coughed and then quietly winked at the Onix.

Onix and he had fought side by side for many years and had developed a perfect understanding.

Although his trainer's signature squinty eyes couldn't convey any clear meaning, that didn't stop him from understanding Brock's intentions.

The enormous rock head nodded slightly.

This is because the other person is a newcomer and doesn't seem to have made much progress, so they're letting the younger person have some confidence!

Don't worry!