Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

Xiao Zhi, oblivious to the situation, was still preoccupied with the issue of the venue and asked another question.

"Speaking of which, Senior Xia Bo, is it really not possible to fight inside the volcano?"

"This is my first time visiting Crimson Lotus Island; it's a rare opportunity—"

"Of course not."

Xia Bo resolutely refused, his face practically radiating righteousness.

He stood up, put his hands behind his back, and his expression became serious and firm.

“Setting up a battleground in a volcano crater poses serious safety risks.”

"Not only does the high temperature environment pose a potential danger to trainers and Pokémon, but the uncontrollable factors of magma eruption also increase the risk factor of battle."

"As a responsible gym leader, I am firmly, firmly opposed to gym challenges being conducted in such an unsafe location!"

He paused, as if he felt that what he said was not convincing enough, and added another sentence.

"This matter should not be mentioned again!"

"Our Crimson Lotus Gym has always prioritized the safety of trainers!"

"So that's how it is!"

Ash was deeply impressed by Blaine's righteous and awe-inspiring speech and exclaimed in admiration.

"That senior's safety awareness is truly ahead of its time! This is the first time I've ever seen such a responsible gym leader!"

Putting aside other things.

Of all the gyms he's fought, none have ever been so considerate of trainers.

Blaine: "..."

He stared at Xiaozhi's sincere face.

Is this a targeted attack?

Click on me, this elderly person who was fined 500,000 yuan the first time, suspended for seven days the second time, and was directly warned that "if you offend again, your dojo qualification will be revoked" the third time?

Blair took a deep breath and decided to stop beating around the bush.

He raised his hand, directly interrupting Ash's attempt to continue praising him.

"Alright, I already know what you're here for."

"Let's stop hiding things and just speak frankly."

He sighed, his tone carrying a sense of vicissitude, as if he had seen through everything.

"Why don't you guys believe me?"

"I really stopped doing that stuff a long time ago. Lava arenas, volcano battles, those are all things of the past."

"They've arrested me three times already. I've truly reformed."

"We believe in you!" Xiao Zhi patted his chest and assured him.

"Pikachu!" Pikachu nodded vigorously in agreement.

Blaine stared at Ash for three seconds.

"Believe me, why are you still coming?"

Xiao Zhi: "?"

No?

How can you challenge a gym if you don't come?

The three exchanged glances.

Is this person getting old and their mind isn't working properly anymore?

But at this moment, Blaine was completely immersed in his own world of reasoning.

He decided to stop beating around the bush and directly posed a new question.

"Speak, who sent you?"

He paused for a moment, his gaze sharp.

"Dragon Crossing?"

He had already gotten wind of it.

Yu Longdu, the man who is known as "the least afraid of offending people" because he has already offended everyone, was recently assigned a mission by the Alliance.

That is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the dojos in the Kanto region.

To put it bluntly, they're here to cause trouble.

Now, a boy of unknown origin has scored full marks.

Bringing two colleagues who didn't know how to bypass their own system, they immediately showed unusual interest in the volcano battle upon entering.

Isn't it obvious?

We're here to collect evidence!

If he accepts the challenge at the crater, Dragonite will be able to present a report at the League meeting tomorrow stating that "Cinnabar Gym violated safety regulations."

Xia Bo sneered inwardly.

Despicable! Absolutely despicable!

Can he fall for the same trick a fourth time?

Upon hearing the name Lance, Ash scratched his head.

"Brother Lance? Brother Lance can do this? Shouldn't it be Dragonite?"

"Pikachu".

Pikachu nodded.

Xia Bo's expression changed.

Ha! I knew it!

You still say you're not fishing!

They even know the League's top secret that "Dragonite is the true Dragon-type Elite Four member"!

How could an ordinary trainer possibly know such inside information?

Blaine felt his chain of reasoning completely shut down at that moment, with every gear meshing perfectly.

He couldn't help but give himself a mental pat on the back.

Wow, Chapman!

You're still as sharp as ever!

"Enough with the small talk," he waved his hand, raised his head, and his gaze was like lightning. "Let's begin the assessment now!"

181. Well done, junior!

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhi's eyes lit up immediately.

Although the venue isn't to my liking... it's not really that important since we can fight!

"it is good!"

"Then let's go!"

The underlying code of the Kanto people was triggered.

Ash responded and quickly moved to the other side of the field, standing opposite Blaine.

His entire aura suddenly changed, and he instantly switched to battle mode.

"Pikachu!"

Pikachu is also eager for battle.

With a flick of its little paw, it made a move as if to leap off Zhi's shoulder—

But at this critical moment, a large hand descended from the sky and firmly grabbed its top flower skin.

The vital points were captured.

Pikachu's four legs were dangling in the air, and it instinctively pawed at the air twice.

It instinctively turned its head to look, following the force of the large hand—

"Pikachu...?"

Pikachu was completely stunned.

The culprit turned out to be their own trainer.

What... what is the reason for this?

"Sorry, Pikachu."

Ash picked up Pikachu and held it in front of him, then shook his head seriously.

"But let other Pokémon handle this battle."

"!"

Pikachu's body trembled, completely unable to believe its ears.

His eyes were filled with shock at being betrayed.

Should we send other Pokémon?

What do you mean by that?

Pikachu, having followed you for so long, has always been a pioneer and a leader.

And today you actually want to sideline me?

I, Mouse, am truly disappointed in you!