Chapter 181: The Charmander is the dream dragon!

"Pikachu, a flash of electric light."

In the depths of the forest, dappled sunlight penetrates the dense canopy, casting a yellow silhouette.

This silhouette nimbly leaps among the trees; each light tap on a trunk launches it like a spring, instantly reaching the branch of another tree without the slightest hesitation or pause.

The movement is swift and smooth, its speed astonishing—only a faint afterimage can be caught, like a yellow lightning bolt flashing through the forest. Each leap is precise, displaying extraordinary bodily coordination and balance.

Behind it, a Pokémon closely follows. Although it also strives to catch up, it clearly cannot compare to the yellow silhouette ahead.

Its speed is also fast, but compared to that, it appears somewhat clumsy and strained, unable to leap and weave through the trees as effortlessly as the leading silhouette.

"Water Cannon Turtle, Marvelous Flower Frog, use Water Cannon and Flying Leaf Swift Blade."

"Fire-spitting Dragon, catch up to Pikachu and evade their attacks."

Ash had the Pokémon train together, using his own ability to strike opponents or dodge their attacks.

The Water Cannon Turtle immediately shot a strong stream of water from the cannon on its back, while the Marvelous Flower Frog fired sharp leaves from the flower on its back, both attacking the opponent together.

The Fire-spitting Dragon swiftly turned its body, slipping through the encirclement of Water Cannon and Flying Leaf Swift Blade.

If it cannot avoid the attack, it will quickly flap its wings, stirring up a gale that blocks all those attacks in front of it and scatters them outward.

Pikachu simply relied on speed to dodge, while the Flame Monkey looked flustered—lacking Pikachu's speed and unable to neutralize the Water Cannon Turtle's and Marvelous Flower Frog's attacks like the Fire-spitting Dragon could, so it took the full brunt of those attacks.

The Flame Monkey is truly greedy, not dodging at all!

Seeing the Flame Monkey's performance, the Marvelous Flower Frog and Water Cannon Turtle both felt strange—why not dodge at all, why take the hits fully?

Could it be that they think these attacks lack power, so they don't bother dodging?

Although the Flame Monkey's speed slowed while taking the attacks, it quickly returned to normal and pressed on. This action left the Water Cannon Turtle and Marvelous Flower Frog more puzzled, yet it also sparked their fighting spirit.

The two exchanged a glance, instantly understood each other's thoughts, and decided to increase the intensity of their attacks on the Flame Monkey.

Thus, the Water Cannon Turtle and Marvelous Flower Frog exerted force together, the Water Cannon and Flying Leaf Swift Blade raining down on the Flame Monkey like a storm.

"Roar!"

The Flame Monkey widened its eyes, staring blankly at the sky‑covering attack, wanting to dodge but already too late. As soon as it leapt up, it was struck by the Water Cannon and Flying Leaf Swift Blade; the immense impact sent it flying, finally landing snagged on a tree.

Although there are many, the attack power is also substantial!

"Roar!"

The Flame Monkey watched the receding Fire-spitting Dragon and the vanished silhouette of Pikachu, feeling resentful as its fists hung limp.

Three trainings, and it's always at the bottom!

"All right!"

Ash saw that all the Pokémon had finished training and gave them a potion to heal their wounds.

"You've gotten used to the Strength Anklet and Training Vest, right? Now don't you feel it's quite different from the Weight Ring?"

Pikachu nodded first; it now runs more easily and faster than before, and hardly expends any stamina.

The Fire-spitting Dragon feels it's all right—it's been put under considerable pressure, not as agile as before, and still needs practice.

The Marvelous Flower Frog and Water Cannon Turtle share the Fire-spitting Dragon's view: the gear imposes considerable pressure, making it hard for them to unleash their moves smoothly.

Seeing them all nod, the Flame Monkey felt fine, yet its heart was about to burst—"Good grief, you all can pass, but I can't!"

Helpless, it also nodded, complaining though it may, but it couldn't lose face—at most it'll put in a bit more effort next time.

"Chirp!"

The Chrysanthemum Grass Leaf eagerly jumped onto Ash's shoulder, its eyes full of expectation fixed on him; it too had finished training—quick, praise it!

Ash gently stroked its leaves, his face glowing with a sincere smile, earnestly praising the Chrysanthemum Grass Leaf.

Hearing Ash's praise, the Chrysanthemum Grass Leaf snuggled up to him even more happily.

The Flame Monkey glanced at the Chrysanthemum Grass Leaf, feeling even more defeated, almost forgetting about it.

This Chrysanthemum Grass Leaf may not match Pikachu, is comparable to the Fire-spitting Dragon, but is actually a bit faster.

Normally the Chrysanthemum Grass Leaf isn't as diligent in training as I am—how can it be so much stronger than me?

Looks like it's also a talent monster.

I'll battle you talent monsters!

【Brock: Flame Monkey's stress is maxed out! Before me is big brother Pikachu, behind me is the talent monster Chrysanthemum Grass Leaf—I can't beat either.】

【Xiaosheng: I can really empathize with the Flame Monkey's feelings right now!】

【Xiaomao: The Flame Monkey hasn't realized how strong Black Satoshi is, has he? Black Satoshi can now forge wave‑missiles by hand, and his combat proficiency is high—maybe the Flame Monkey can't even beat him!】

【Xiba: I believe that—Black Satoshi's trainers are almost catching up to Pikachu and company; I really want to see Black Satoshi go all out battling the Pokémon, I want to see how Black Satoshi fights the Pokémon, I want to learn!!】

【Ash: Mmm, I want that too—I really want to see it, I want to learn from Black Satoshi.】

【Xiaoguang: Go on, Black Satoshi is also you—believe you can definitely do it!】

【Misty: Believe in yourself, go for it!】

Shalina stared blankly at the barrage, puffed her cheeks, and thought those two seemed like Ash's traveling companions.

Black World——

Ash made a detailed training plan for each Pokémon, changing the methods somewhat.

By the lake near Smoke Ink City, Ash saw an old friend, the manager of Fire-spitting Dragon Valley, Jike.

And her Fire-spitting Dragon, Little Lisa!

Besides her was a beautiful girl; Ash, having read the Gym Leader's information, recognized her as the Gym Leader of Smoke Ink Gym, Xiaochun.

Brock noticed earlier, walked over at once to talk to Jike, and also to Xiaochun.

"Ash, you got here this quickly?"

Jike looked at Ash, now curious about his strength—just how strong has his Fire-spitting Dragon become?

"And the Fire-spitting Dragon?"

Ash released his Fire-spitting Dragon, then chatted with Jike's Fire-spitting Dragon.

Ash and the others then chatted with Xiao Chun and Ji Ke.

They learned that Ji Ke had known Xiao Chun since childhood, and he had brought his Charizard here to train.

Xiao Chun looked at Ash, bright eyes fixed on them as they scrutinized them closely.

They thought he was the one Ji Ke spoke of, who had defeated the strongest Charizard in the Charizard Valley at that time.

His Charizard had obtained a Mega Evolution Stone at that time, and with overwhelming strength dominated the Charizard Valley.

Soon enough, they should be challenging themselves, right?

Seeing Xiao Chun gazing at Ash without blinking, and with a hint of something indescribable in those clear eyes, Xiaoxia felt a faint ripple in their heart.

She puffed out her cheeks slightly, a hint of jealousy barely visible on her face. To conceal her emotions, Xiaoxia gently moved closer to Ash, trying to make her actions appear natural. She tilted her head, using the corner of her eye to quietly observe Xiao Chun.

"Done, you did it?"

Brock exclaimed in surprise, his voice full of disbelief.

That exclamation immediately drew everyone's attention, and all turned their gazes toward Brock, following the direction he pointed.

Only to see Xiao Lisha and Ash's Charizard standing closely together, their interaction full of rapport and intimacy, as harmonious as a pair of partners.

"This fast?"

Not only were the spectators surprised, but even Trainer Black Satoshi felt greatly surprised.

He seemed not to have noticed anything between the Charizard and Xiao Lisha; this was only their second meeting, yet the progress was surprisingly fast.

"My Xiao Lisha fell in love at first sight with your Charizard, and after seeing your Charizard in those Battles in Charizard Valley, she was already deeply attracted to your Charizard, so......"

Ji Ke said happily, looking at Ash's Charizard, their expression full of pride, enjoying Xiao Lisha's admiration.

The Charizard also liked Xiao Lisha, glanced at Ash, curled the corners of its mouth, and gave Ash a thumbs-up.

Ash understood its meaning, basically saying, 'Master, look, I've found a girlfriend!!!'

"Mm-hmm, Ba Da Hu has a girlfriend, Strong Croc has one, and now Charizard you have one too!"

Ash felt relieved.

【Xia Bo: Such a handsome and powerful Charizard is truly a dream dragon, and Xiao Lisha falling in love at first sight with Ash's Charizard is completely normal!!!】