Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

The secret battle arena at the Cinnabar Island Gym has been almost completely ravaged by the two Pokémon.

Looking around, the field was covered with charred craters and claw marks.

Some were left by flames, while others were clearly caused by attacks that "accidentally" missed.

The originally neatly arranged volcanic rocks were also blasted into pieces.

The air was filled with a strange smell of sulfur mixed with burnt fur.

Bob sat on the small stool he had brought with him.

Holding a warm drink in his hand, his eyes were fixed on the two figures locked in combat.

Magma, Charizard.

The more he looks at it, the more suspicious he becomes.

On the first day, everything was relatively normal.

Besides, Magmortar used the guise of "teaching" to thoroughly defeat Charizard several times.

However, Xia Bo could understand this.

After all, they've lost the advantage of using underhanded tactics to kill on first sight.

In a serious fight, purely a contest of raw strength, the Duckbill Flame Beast that we've raised for so long is naturally the stronger one.

The reputation of Crimson Lotus Dojo is well-deserved.

Having followed him through countless battles over the years, the Magmortar has developed a truly seasoned skill in controlling its flames, mastering the rhythm of its attacks, and maintaining distance.

As for things like "accidentally" raising the temperature of the Flame Body and scalding the Charizard's unclean hands and tail, or "slipping" and splashing flames onto the Charizard's face...

Xia Bo turned a blind eye to it.

It's about settling personal scores; everyone's been young once.

However, the Duckbill Flame Beast was very thorough in teaching what it needed to learn.

Characteristic control, this core course that Chapman deliberately arranged, was not hidden at all.

By the end of the first day, Charizard was already able to vaguely grasp that threshold.

Ash was very happy, and Blaine was also very pleased.

Then, on the second day, things started to look a little off.

Under the influence of Magmortar, Charizard's strength is indeed increasing at a visible rate.

This Pokémon has extremely high talent; it changes almost every half day.

His control over the flames became increasingly refined, and the rhythm of his use of the flames became more and more sophisticated. He even began to try to change the shape of the flames when he spewed them out to launch surprise attacks.

The problem is that the influence of this thing is mutual.

Inversely proportional to Charizard's mastery of its abilities, as Charizard progresses...

The moral standards of the Duckbill Flame Beast are also declining at a visible rate.

On the first day, it was just a matter of "accidentally" burning myself or "slipping" my hand and splashing something on my face.

The following afternoon, Blaine witnessed the Magmar attacking Charizard just as it was about to unleash its full flames.

Feeling a little embarrassed, I kicked up some gravel on the ground.

Not only did it interrupt the charging up, but Magmortar also took the opportunity to deliver a Flame Punch, forcing Charizard to retreat several steps.

Xia Bo's lips twitched at that moment, thinking to himself.

Alright... Tactical interference is also part of the battle.

Then the Magmortar went completely out of control.

Day three.

Blaine watched helplessly as the Duckbill Flame Beast was able to carry out tactical interference with a completely expressionless face.

On the fourth day.

The Duckbill Flame Beast has completely let loose.

Blaine saw it taking advantage of the fire-breathing dragon using smoke to obscure its vision.

It circled around behind Ash, then openly used Ash as a human shield, poked its head out from above its shoulder, and unleashed a massive Flame Burst at the Charizard still shrouded in smoke.

—From that moment on, an unspoken "tacit understanding" quietly formed between these two Pokémon.

Bob also started having trouble sleeping.

It is now the afternoon of the sixth day.

Blaine watched helplessly as the Magmortar and Charizard in the arena once again used their vocal techniques simultaneously.

Without the slightest hesitation, he simultaneously attacked the opponent's groin area.

"Oh!"

The two Pokémon covered the same spot, each taking three steps back, their faces displaying a twisted yet inexplicably sympathetic expression.

They looked at each other.

At the same time, the corners of his mouth turned up slightly.

What a smile that was!

It was definitely not the passionate smiles of a normal Pokémon battle, not the joy of clashing against a worthy opponent, and not the gentlemanly friendship of mutual respect.

That is……

Blaine frantically searched his mind for words, tracing back through his fifty years as a trainer, scouring every adjective he could think of, and finally found only one that barely matched the scene—

[A man of great virtue cherishes another man of great virtue!]

When the word popped into Xia Bo's head, he almost crushed the cup in his hand.

He panicked.

I panicked completely.

Ash doesn't mind having such a Pokémon.

After all, he's still a rookie trainer, so even if he didn't win in a very dignified way, everyone was still forgiving.

Young people who want to surpass the older generation always have to pay a price.

But I'm different!

He is the Gym Leader of Crimson Lotus Gym, a senior figure, a League-certified veteran trainer, and a man whose name has been written into textbooks!

How can we ruin the reputation we've built up over the years with a low-level fight?

What if word gets out—

[The Scorbunny from the Crimson Gym has a cunning and vicious style, and is good at sneak attacks and groin kicks.]

Does he even want to stay in this industry anymore?!

Watching the Magmortar skillfully sprinkle ash into the Charizard's eyes.

Blaine finally couldn't sit still any longer.

"Stop! Stop right now!"

Uncle Xia suddenly stood up, and the small stool overturned to the ground with a "bang".

The shout of "Stop!" was delivered with such force that it startled Ash and Pikachu, who were intently watching the training from the sidelines, trying to avoid being used as human shields.

The Magmortar and Charizard, who were locked in a fierce battle, paused upon hearing this.

The two Pokémon looked at each other.

"Gurgle?"

A temporary ceasefire?

"Roar."

can.

They both nodded in unison and took a step back at the same time.

Just when Blaine thought there was still hope...

A glint flashed in their eyes, and without the slightest hesitation, they immediately attacked each other's weaknesses!

"Gurgle!"

I knew you were going to pretend!

"Roar!"

You were definitely bluffing me!

The two Pokémon's gazes collided in mid-air, sparking a dazzling display.

There was no anger, no hostility in that gaze—

On the contrary, their eyes were full of eagerness and excitement.

That was the highest form of respect one user of underhanded tactics could show to another.

"You thought of that too? Fine, let me see what other tricks you have up your sleeve!"

The two sides were locked in combat again, forgetting all about their special abilities or their moves.

They used every dirty trick in the book, from groin kicks and tripping to eye gouging and tail biting.

Blaine: "......."

唏~

Is it too late for him to start training a new one?

I heard from the Cerulean City Gym, who has the best gossip network, that the man who recently took over as the Gym Leader of Saffron City has some experience in reopening these places.

Should we... go and learn from their experience?

"Senior? What's wrong?"