Chapter 312

After capturing Snow Child, Ash and his companions continued their journey to Liuli City.

Along the way, Xiaosheng heard a cry for help and went over to find that it was the sick Lullaby.

While taking Lullaby to the Pokémon Center, they were intercepted again by the Team Rocket Trio, so the task of delivering Lullaby was given to Xiaosheng.

Although Xiaosheng himself had no Pokémon, he liked Pokémon very much, treated them well, and despite his young age, he had learned a lot of Pokémon knowledge.

And Lullaby also took a liking to Xiaosheng, but Xiaosheng wasn't a Trainer yet, so he couldn't capture Lullaby; they agreed that once Xiaosheng became a Trainer, he would come find Lullaby to travel together.

Xiaosheng was still pretty good with Pokémon, getting along well with them—Pokémon like Earth Wolf Dog, Mushroom Mushroom, and Grudge Shadow Doll all had a decent relationship with him.

As the son of the Orange Blossom Gym Leader and also Ash's brother-in-law, he truly is a kindred spirit, just as passionate about Pokémon.

Everyone still felt fond of the young Xiaosheng; despite his age he had learned so much, was usually decent, and enjoyed helping others.

After traveling for a long time, Ash and his group finally arrived at the Liuli Gym.

This gym's rules are quite special: at the start, they must battle in doubles, and only when one side's Pokémon lose their ability to fight does it switch to singles.

At the beginning, the recently captured Snow Child lost its fighting ability first, but after a teammate's sacrifice, Pikachu and the Lobster Soldier consecutively defeated Adam's Sea Devil Lion and Goldfish King.

Upon entering singles combat, the Forest Lizard was defeated by Adam's Love Fish; first confused by Angel's Kiss, then a single Water Cannon rendered it unable to fight.

?

Angel's Kiss plus Water Cannon just defeated the Forest Lizard?

Water type defeated grass type?

Forest Lizard, you're not acting, are you?

Everyone was amazed—how strong is the Love Fish? Even if the Forest Lizard is weak, with resistance it shouldn't be knocked out in two or three moves!

Next, the Lobster Soldier entered the battle and defeated the Love Fish with a Crab Claw Hammer.

Then Adam's Catfish King unleashed a combo that took out the Lobster Soldier, and now they faced the Great King Swallow.

This time the Great King Swallow exceeded expectations; after taking a hit from a Destroy Light, it could still use Swallow Return to dive into the water and knock out the Catfish King, rendering it unable to fight.

Is it really the Great King Swallow?

Oh, it's Ash's Great King Swallow—no problem then!

Everyone had grown accustomed to Ash's extraordinary Pokémon; in their eyes, only his Pokémon could be that fierce, especially his Great King Swallow and Pikachu.

One more fierce than the next—none of their Pokémon could compare!

The final match was Pikachu versus Menace.

Menace kept using Self-Regenerate to restore stamina, causing Pikachu to be constantly worn down; for a while Pikachu was at a disadvantage, but in the end Pikachu dragged Menace into the water, used the water terrain to unleash Thunderbolt, and actually electrocuted Menace into losing its ability to fight.

Hmm, that's a familiar taste!

It's not the smell of Menace being scorched by electricity, but Pikachu's strong lightning that made the spectators watching the Light Screen feel familiar.

Normally Pikachu doesn't act, so Ash's Badge is basically already in hand!

【Tie Xuan: If Pikachu had absorbed the power of the Mechanical Raikou like last time before fighting Menace, I think it wouldn't have been so hard, and Menace wouldn't even get a chance to use Self-Regenerate!】

Ma Zhishi: I think so too.

Adam:???

You took advantage of Ash, and you still want to try me too, really damn bad!

Adam was somewhat speechless.

"Pikachu, look, they're all praising you!"

Ash said to Pikachu.

"Pika!"

Pikachu felt a bit embarrassed; it just needed to know in its heart, why say it out loud!

The long-awaited Black Light Screen finally lit up.

Ash and his party passed an island, were recognized by someone, who wanted to battle Ash.

Faced with the enthusiastic invitation of a passerby trainer, Ash, who originally wanted to go to a restaurant for a meal, had no choice but to agree, sending out Iron Claw Lobster to battle.

The passerby trainer sent out a Giant Claw Mantis.

Its key speed still couldn't match Iron Claw Lobster, but the Giant Claw Mantis was very aggressive; those attacks were either blocked by Iron Claw Lobster or hit its hard body, and Iron Claw Lobster took the opportunity to use Iron Defense, planning to withstand the Giant Claw Mantis head-on.

In terms of hardness, Iron Claw Lobster has never lost.

It trained together with the Great King Swallow, its resistance to being beaten is maxed out; it can withstand several attacks from the Giant Claw Mantis, but the Giant Claw Mantis doesn't know if it has trained; if it hasn't, it can't really stand up to Iron Claw Lobster's Crab Claw Hammer and Water Cannon!

Seeing Iron Claw Lobster being beaten back by the Giant Claw Mantis's Bullet Punch, the passerby trainer was delighted, feeling his Giant Claw Mantis was formidable, able to go toe-to-toe with the Kanto region Champion!

But he saw Ash's face showing no reaction, as if expected, and for a moment couldn't think why, he pressed the attack: "Giant Claw Mantis, use Iron Head!"

The Giant Claw Mantis charged straight out, its head flashing with silvery-white light, like a dazzling meteor, slamming into Iron Claw Lobster.

"Water Cannon!"

The trajectory is so straight...... Ash likes opponents like this, not agile, perfect for Iron Claw Lobster as a target: "Iron Claw Lobster, Water Cannon!"

Iron Claw Lobster's two huge claws flung open, and a surging stream of water gushed from the large pincer, forming a thick water column.

In the blink of an eye, the Giant Claw Mantis saw the thick water column hurtling straight at it; it wanted to dodge, but it was already too late.

Only hearing a loud "bang," the Water Cannon accurately struck the Giant Claw Mantis.

That powerful impact directly blasted the Giant Claw Mantis away; it traced an arc in the air, then heavily fell to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Lost!

The Giant Claw Mantis now lay powerless on the ground, its signature huge claws limp at its sides, having lost its battle ability!

The passerby trainer stared dumbfounded at the scene, the smile on his face instantly freezing.

His eyes widened like brass bells, his mouth slightly open, yet he couldn't utter a word.

Ash was very pleased with Iron Claw Lobster's performance; his usual training wasn't for nothing!

"Awesome!"

Yuan Zhi walked over with steady steps, his eyes showing approval of this splendid battle.

He also comforted the losing trainer.

Johto Region's Elite Four...... Ash recognized Yuan Zhi before him; he is one of the Johto Region's Elite Four, and like Adu, a Dragon-type Poké Ball trainer.

"Kanto region's Ash!" Yuan Zhi also recognized Ash.

He specially invited Ash and his companions to a meal, fulfilling the host's courtesy.

"How about we also have a battle?"

After the meal, Yuan Zhi inquired.

Mainly he wanted to see how strong the Kanto region's Champion is; the trainer who could defeat Adu must be strong, and he wants to test the new Champion's strength.

"Sure!" Ash agreed.

He went with Yuan Zhi to the nearby battle site.

Yuan Zhi sent out his signature Poké Ball, Violent Flying Dragon.

This is tough...

Ash thought for a moment, decided to send out Swampert!