Chapter 149: Many trainers in the Galar region look forward to challenging Black Satoshi

「Come on, Strong Power, use Karate Chop on me. 」

A Si shouted, his eyes locked firmly on Strong Power before him.

Strong Power, hearing that, immediately turned its head, those power-filled eyes also locking onto A Si. Taking a deep breath, muscles tensed throughout its body, it used Frenzied Karate Chop on its trainer, A Si.

Seeing A Si and Strong Power's actions, Ash and his group were somewhat surprised—how could they be fighting each other before the match even started?

No, it's Strong Power hitting A Si, and the latter hasn't fought back yet.

He simply let Strong Power's attacks land on him.

He forcibly endured, shouting loudly, as if using his voice to cheer on Strong Power, though his expression was unusually resolute. As he shouted, Strong Power's emotions were completely ignited, its gaze grew fiercer, and the speed and force of its attacks kept climbing, as if it wanted to pour all its strength into this barrage.

「Oh! 」

「I see, Gym Leader A Si is having Strong Power use this method to ignite its fighting spirit, thereby letting it unleash extraordinary power. 」

Brock watched and watched, then understood Gym Leader A Si's intention.

「Hmm, this way of stimulating a Pokémon's fighting spirit is also a good method. 」

Ash's eyes lit up; he looked at the excited Blue Croc, his Pokémon all have strong fighting spirit and desire to win, needing no such method to stimulate.

Soon, Strong Power's fighting spirit was fully aroused, returning to the battlefield with a more determined gaze.

「Force Throw! 」

Strong Power hearing the command, like a fierce tiger descending the mountain, lunged at Blue Croc, swiftly extending its sturdy arm and grabbing Blue Croc's forelimb, attempting to use its strength advantage to slam the opponent to the ground.

Blue Croc, however, stood firm, unmoved by Strong Power's fierce pounce.

「Grab it, use Ice Fang. 」

Blue Croc firmly planted itself, ice crystals began to drift from its body, the air filled with a chill. Strong Power also felt this sudden coldness, involuntarily shivering.

Blue Croc grabbed Strong Power's arm, opened its huge mouth, and a powerful ice-type energy swiftly gathered between its sharp teeth. With a deafening roar, Blue Croc bit down hard, the icy mist instantly enveloping Strong Power's body. This mist quickly spread from around Strong Power, eventually encasing its entire body in thick ice.

「Frozen! 」

A Si widened his eyes, his face showing an incredulous expression—having been hit by Ice Fang and then frozen, should he say his luck is bad, or that Blue Croc's luck is off the charts?

「Water Cannon! 」

Ash felt it surprising that using Ice Fang on Blue Croc also put Strong Power into a frozen state, or perhaps it was the first time he'd seen another Pokémon frozen.

Blue Croc opened its mouth again, the surging water element quickly gathering in its maw. With a deafening roar, a massive water column shot from its mouth like an angry dragon, surging toward the ice-encased Strong Power.

「Strong Power, dodge quickly! 」

After A Si's shout, the ice-encased Strong Power erupted with astonishing power at the critical moment, instantly exerting force, the ice on its body exploding outward, shards scattering.

Strong Power broke free from the ice, but unfortunately, just as it regained freedom, it was met head-on by Blue Croc's Water Cannon attack.

「Cool~」

Strong Power roared in pain, its body continually recoiling under the Water Cannon's bombardment, ultimately being slammed hard into the wall outside the battlefield. The Water Cannon's power was so great that it spread from Strong Power's body, the surrounding walls unable to withstand the immense impact, gradually cracking and rumbling.

「Strong Power, are you okay? 」

A Si watched as Strong Power struggled to get up.

「Cool~」 Strong Power hoarsely replied, still able to fight!

Pokémon trained in karate are just different—their bodies are pretty resistant to blows.

The Water Cannon's power is a bit lacking compared to Water Cannon Turtle...... Ash saw Blue Croc's Water Cannon performance and thought he should have Water Cannon Turtle teach Blue Croc more.

Afterward, Blue Croc engaged Strong Power in close combat; although Strong Power was quite tough, it was still defeated by Blue Croc.

Ash won the Gym match and obtained the Strike Badge.

「Strong Power, are you alright? 」

A Si stepped forward to comfort Strong Power, saying reassuringly: "You've done very well; although you lost the match, I will absolutely not forget your fighting spirit."

Afterward, he turned to the passionate Blue Croc, walked up to Ash, his eyes full of satisfaction: "Ash, this was an open and aboveboard head-to-head showdown, a most exhilarating match."

"It's been a long time since I've encountered a challenger as excited and vigorous as you."

A Si glanced at Blue Croc and Ash, then said slowly: "I saw it, I felt it—you and your Pokémon share a psychic connection, executing beautiful moves to win."

"Moreover, your admirable stamina and fighting spirit make me envious; I look forward to your performance in the Johto League."

"Hmm, thank you, Gym Leader A Si!"

After Ash finished the Gym, he immediately bought medicine and sent it back, but the message he received was that Electric Dragon is temporarily unable to battle and needs to rest for a while.

【A Si: Their fighting spirit is even more exalted than mine; only such trainers and Pokémon can achieve great things.】

【Cai Dou: I look forward to seeing Black Satoshi come to the Galar region; I want to see Black World Cai Dou battle him.】

【Dan Di: Haha, I also want that, but by then Black Satoshi will have traveled all the way here, having caught many Pokémon and become strong; that's what makes it interesting—no matter how strong the opponent, I will defeat him.】

【Qi Ba Na: Hmph, as your rival, if he hasn't even beaten me, then he lacks the strength to face you.】

【Ma Shi De: It's still you young folks who have energy; this old man can barely keep up!】

"Master Ma Shi De?"

Shitron looked up Ma Shi De's information, his eyes widening in disbelief, his face full of incredulity.

Hearing Shitron's exclamation, Ash turned his head with a puzzled expression, his gaze landing on Ma Shi De's data.

Ma Shi De is the former Champion of the Galar region; before Extreme Giant Transformation was introduced into battles, he held an 18-year Champion record, which remains unbroken to this day.

Moreover, Ma Shi De is Dan Di's master; it was he who discovered Dan Di's potential and cultivated him into a Champion.

"The Champions of the Galar region are so strong!"

Shitron sighed with feeling.

Strongest Champion?

Never lost?

Ash looked at the information on Ma Shi De and Dan Di, and a fighting spirit ignited in his heart to not lose to Black Satoshi.

Before, I only heard that the strongest Champion was Cynthia; now, through this Light Screen, I learned that Mr. Dan Di of the Galar region is also strong, so he ought to prepare to go over, take a look, and challenge the Galar region's Champion.