Chapter 175: Deal with Luoz!

Regarding strengthening the Dan Emperor's strength and increasing the Galar Alliance's influence,

President Luoz said, I, Luo, will cover any expenses.

With a generous gesture, he gave Ash 10 million as thanks.

Ash, who never intended to hide the news, now spoke more freely.

He revealed the information about the rainbow-colored feather.

Being able to sit as president of Malokemeng Group and chairman of the Galar Alliance, Luoz is naturally no fool,

He quickly inferred that other divine beasts' related items also have similar effects.

Deciding to part ways with Ash later, he immediately sent people worldwide to collect items related to legendary Pokémon.

However,

Not only Luoz among the smart people present,

Xiluona, Da Wu, Kaluna, Xiao Juer, and Professor Oak would not stand by while Luoz's family dominates.

Just as Luoz was painstakingly plotting for the rise of the Galar Alliance, giving his all until death,

the Dan Emperor again challenged Ash, this time even choosing to challenge him in a public tournament.

Of course, the Dan Emperor's idea is also simple.

As a pure battle-loving trainer, the Dan Emperor acknowledges the result of losing to Ash.

But at the same time,

He, who rarely finds worthy opponents, very much wants to have an evenly matched contest with Ash.

And Xiluona…,

Their showdown can wait until the final of the Top Eight Masters elimination tournament at the year-end World Championship.

Luoz furrowed his brow,

Although he had confidence in the Dan Emperor, after all it's a worldwide masters tournament, and any competition carries risk,

If he were to lose…

the Galar Alliance's reputation would suffer further damage,

such a scene is absolutely not what Luoz wants to see.

Smoothing his furrowed brow, Luoz smiled and approached Ash.

"Duke, can we talk privately?"

Ash didn't answer, but went straight to the corner of the battlefield.

Seeing that, Luoz naturally hurried to follow.

"President Luoz, what do you need from me?"

Knowing Luoz's character,

he almost regards the Galar region as his lover, using any means to achieve his goals.

Ash thus roughly guessed the other's demand,

but some things can only be said by the other party, not spoken by him.

"Most exhibition matches end in a draw, right?"

Ash raised his eyebrows, "President Luoz, what are you saying? I don't understand."

Luoz gritted his teeth, as if making a very difficult decision,

"I can give the Duke 100 million alliance coins."

Who would have thought, Ash shook his head without even thinking,

"No reward without merit, and..."

Facing Luoz's puzzled expression, Ash spread his hands,

"I've never dealt with money; I have no interest in it."

Luoz: "..."

Luoz rolled his eyes, but thinking that Ash indeed wasn't short of money, he couldn't refute.

He had no choice but to put the decision in Ash's hands.

"What does the Duke want?"

Ash smiled,

"I prefer collecting; I know President Luoz will surely gather a lot of items related to legendary Pokémon when he returns."

Having said that,

Luoz's brow was already tightly furrowed,

He merely wanted to ensure Ash's battle with the Dan Emperor ends in a draw.

But Ash wanted a precious legendary‑grade item; the value gap between the two is too unbalanced.

"I know you're eager, but don't rush, President Luoz."

"What do you mean?"

"I know President Luoz's purpose in collecting these legendary‑related items is to help Champion Dan Emperor break through his current realm, so he wouldn't seek trouble for himself."

Pausing, seeing Luoz's tightly furrowed brow finally relax, Ash then continued,

"Speaking of that, I'll give President Luoz a special piece of information as a bonus."

"Please tell me!"

"Ordinary rainbow-colored feathers only have the effect of sensing or summoning the Phoenix King in specific locations."

"Only rainbow-colored feathers condensed from the Phoenix King's primordial power can help Pokémon break through the divine realm."

"What I want to collect is a useless item with no effect."

「Now I understand, 」

Now I understand, the Duke's noble character is truly admirable.

Loz finally broke into a smile, nodding.

「I am willing to do a good deed; at that time I will give all the remaining ineffective legendary items to the Duke. 」

「Then I wish Chairman Loz success in his wish; it's settled with a word! 」

「Settled with a word! 」

Fearing Ash might renege, he kept thinking about the effective legendary items,

Loz decisively upped the ante, throwing all the other useless items at Ash.

In this situation, even if Ash wanted to renege to save face, it would be awkward to speak up again.

Loz didn't know, or if he did, he still chose to do this.

Using a Pokémon of the same level, and given that it's a performance match with a countdown, Ash also couldn't say he was absolutely sure to capture the Dragon Emperor's trump card Charizard with Extreme Gigantification before the countdown reaches zero; the final result would likely be a tie with the Dragon Emperor.

Moreover, audiences of the performance matches in various regions also assume it's scripted, so even if the public learns of the transaction's inside story, it's no big deal.

Going with the flow, even if Ash ends up with nothing, he doesn't lose out.

But if, by chance, among the items Loz collected,

it just so happens to possess an important item related to the Sword-Shield Dual Kings' transformation forms—the rusted sword and rusted shield.

Then Ash's idle move, set up by going with the flow, could earn a big profit.

The matter is settled, and it even avoided a large outflow of funds; Loz is pleased as punch.

His attitude toward Ash became even more enthusiastic, and he proactively started chatting with Ash.

Returning to the edge of the crowd, Loz's words also reached everyone's ears.

「I wonder which former companion the Duke intends to let out to play at the performance match? 」

Ash thought for a moment,

He still had the grass z given by Mrs. Lusalumina that he hadn't used.

Coincidentally, the grass type is also weak to the fire and flying types of Charizard, putting it at an absolute disadvantage.

Decided to give Loz a reassuring pill.

「It will probably be Bulbasaur. 」

Good, good, good!

If Ash uses Bulbasaur, Loz would naturally raise both hands and feet in approval.

Even if the Dragon Emperor wins with Charizard against Bulbasaur, it smacks of bullying the weak and is uninteresting.

But at least it's better than possibly losing the match and losing face, right?

Loz was happy, but others hearing this obviously didn't think the same.

The crowd, who had always been curious about what the two had just discussed,

They looked at the Dragon Emperor and Loz with eyes full of contempt.

As the one who challenged Ash, the Dragon Emperor expressed strong dissatisfaction.

「Ash, no matter what Chairman Loz and you said, I hope we can have a fair match between us. 」

「Otherwise……, this match might as well not be fought. 」

Upon saying this, Loz's face instantly darkened,

I, with kind words and earnest advice, just finalized a business that earned blood money, and you come to ruin it?

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances, wondering if this was internal strife.

「I say, hold on……, 」

「If I say, let Bulbasaur appear, is it a joke I'm making that you would believe? 」

Just as the situation became tense, Ash stepped forward and resolved the two's embarrassment.