Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

"After this match, I, Xiao Mao, will reclaim the title of number one in Pallet Town!"

"Ok?"

Ash was taken aback when he heard this.

"Pikachu?"

Pikachu also looked up, and the two stared at each other for a moment, completing a silent exchange.

"Speaking of Xiao Mao..."

"You... have you never even gotten first place?"

Xiao Mao's smile froze for a moment, then his face visibly turned red.

What do you mean, "not even once"?!

Where did that guy get such an absurd conclusion?!

Before Ash got his intelligence, he used to be number one all the time!

"W-Why isn't it here?!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhi nodded.

"Is that so?"

"Pikachu~"

The three words are plain and unremarkable.

Xiao Mao felt his fists harden.

He took a deep breath, forcibly smoothed his bristling fur, sneered, and raised the Poké Ball, pointing it directly at Ash.

"You don't need to tell me! Just prepare yourself for me to take your number one throne from you later!"

The referee glanced at Xiao Mao, whose face was already flushed red, and nodded.

This was the first time he'd ever seen someone hold back their trash talk like this...

With a slight sigh, the referee raised the flag high, which then drew a sharp arc in the air!

"Contest--"

"start!!!"

The two words landed on the ground, and the battle began abruptly!

Almost simultaneously, Xiao Mao's breathing had completely stabilized.

The anger from before dissipated like smoke in the wind, leaving only calm calculation and sharp focus in his eyes.

His gaze was fixed intently on Ash's every move.

Years of experience, including no fewer than a hundred matches from childhood to adulthood, have etched a clear strategy into his mind!

Now that he knew Ash would go all out against him, and that the only Pokémon Ash truly possessed that could be considered for combat were Pikachu, Charizard, Gengar, and Forsaken, he knew Ash would be able to defeat Ash.

Based on his understanding of Ash, Pikachu will most likely be saved for last!

really!

As soon as the referee announced his decision, Ash reached for his waist and did not send out Pikachu!

Then the remaining choices become clear!

Charizard?

Charizard is powerful, and its performance in the last competition was also very impressive.

However, Charizard's tendency to ambush is somewhat incompatible with Ash's style of attacking with wide-ranging, aggressive moves!

exclude!

Gengar is a given, it's a problem!

It's also not Ash's first choice for a head-on confrontation at the start!

Therefore... there is only one answer left!

"I've chosen you...!"

As Ash and Gary threw their Poké Balls at the same time, Gary's lips curled slightly, and a knowing glint flashed in his eyes.

Ash, your choice is Abandoned... right!?

"...The Forsaken Monkey!"

With Ash's loud roar.

The crimson light solidified, and a gray figure crashed to the ground.

His white hair danced wildly, his eyes filled with compassion.

The abandoned monkey stands amidst the battlefield!

276. The Twin Stars of the Conference!

On Xiao Mao's side, the light also faded away.

A pink figure, the color of the strong, slowly stood still in the center of the arena!

Long limbs, clown-like exaggerated costume, round suction cups on fingertips, and that highly recognizable face.

Without a doubt, the newcomer was Mr. Mime!

Without Natsume's restraint, the audience, who had been holding back for so long, immediately began to discuss it intensely.

"Mr. Mime? Seriously?"

"Sending it out against the Abandoned Monkey... isn't that just sending it to its death?"

"Even the strongest defense can't withstand a punch from the Forsaken Monkey, right? I heard that the Forsaken Monkey gained an advantage in the martial arts tournament!"

In the commentary booth, Kojiro also looked confused.

"Xiao Mao's choice is truly puzzling!"

"This is completely unlike this player's usual style!"

After all, Xiao Mao is known for his "precise counter-play" style in competitions.

From the first match to the last, every single one of them was a disgusting, targeted battle where the team was using the attribute table to their advantage.

What's wrong this time? Has she changed her mind?

Hearing the discussions in the audience and commentary booth, Xiao Mao sneered.

He turned his head slightly, the curve of his lips carrying a hint of condescension.

Looking down on Mr. Mime? That's truly the mindset of a low-level trainer!

Mr. Mime is an extremely powerful being!

After all, in his memory, only Mr. Mime dared to eat for free at Hanako Daimaou's place and even survived to this day.

Daring to eat the devil's free meal shows that he has guts and is willing to fight.

The fact that he has survived to this day shows that he is in good physical condition and can withstand attacks!

It's practically the perfect Pokémon!

Too lazy to explain to everyone, Xiao Mao pointed with his finger.

"Now...!"

"Bari!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the Mr. Mime in the arena began to move.

Its slender hands slowly came together, fingertips pointing at the abandoned monkey opposite it. Immediately afterward, the abandoned monkey trembled all over!

It felt as if something was locking it in place, but before it could figure it out, Xiao Mao continued to speak.

"...Use Black Eyes!"

Mr. Mime's eyes darkened, and at the same time, Ash's Abandoned Monkey Poké Ball locked itself in place!

"Ash! Since you've sent out Forsaken, don't even think about rotating it out!"

"This monkey isn't going anywhere today! I told you!"

Xiao Zhi narrowed his eyes.

He certainly knew the effect of the dark gaze.

A locked Pokémon cannot be switched out; it can only fight until the very last moment.

In short, it's either kill the opponent or be killed by the opponent!

But the problem is...

When did Xiao Mao become so tough?

Shaking his head, putting the question out of his mind, Xiao Zhi grinned.

"But this suits me just the way I want it!"

"In that case, Abandoned Monkey! Let's go!"

"The Fist of Wrath—!"

"Pfft!"

The Abandoned Monkey let out a low growl, clenched his right fist, and gnarled muscles bulged on the grayish-white surface of his fist, his knuckles making a cracking sound.

Those compassionate eyes also changed!

The gentleness and pity in his eyes vanished, replaced by a fierce fighting spirit!

With a stomp of his foot, the sand and gravel on the arena surface were scattered and flew everywhere. The Abandoned Monkey's body was as fast as lightning as it rushed straight to the side of the Mister Doll!

Just as I expected!

Xiao Mao was secretly delighted, but he didn't show it on his face.