Chapter 148: P1 Competition

"Xiao Gang, why don't you turn back to Beauty Street? Maybe Miss Xiaoxue can give you some more guidance," Huo La said, looking at the dejected Xiao Gang ahead, whose steps were dragging, a smile at the corner of his mouth.

Xiao Gang sighed, his head drooping even lower: "Alas, no. I've already promised Miss Xiaoxue that I'll become the world's number‑one Breeder and raise Six‑Tail even better. When I truly have the strength, I'll go back to see her."

When Xiaoxue was mentioned, his eyes instantly brightened, showing a burning drive, but the next second they sagged again, his shoulders drooping, clearly still not recovered from the "failed apprenticeship + temporary separation" emotions.

Huo La shook his head helplessly—he had originally followed Xiao Gang to Beauty Street to help Xiao Gang get Xiaoxue's Six‑Tail; the goal was achieved, but Xiao Gang's heartbreak was unlike before, languishing for half a day and still not recovered.

At that moment, Huo La caught sight of a tree behind not far ahead, and suddenly said, "Hey, Xiao Gang, it looks like a big sister up ahead is in trouble, seems to need help."

"Where? Where?" Hearing the words "big sister," Xiao Gang seemed instantly hit the revive button, jerking his head up, eyes wide as saucers, the previous languor vanished, even his voice rose an octave.

Huo La stifled a laugh, raised his hand toward the big tree: "Just behind the tree, the one with red hair in a braid."

Xiao Gang followed his direction, indeed seeing a girl in a white tracksuit with a long red braid, fists clenched, standing there, brows tightly furrowed, staring at an Abirang training not far away.

"Wow! What a beautiful big sister!" Xiao Gang instantly revived, his steps lightening, his form rushing like wind, in a blink he was beside the girl, a passionate smile on his face: "Miss beautiful lady, may I ask what trouble you're in? I'm Xiao Gang from Shenhui Shi, proficient in Pokemon breeding and combat techniques; perhaps I can help you!"

Huo La, watching Xiao Gang's practiced shift from heartbreak one second to flirting the next, couldn't help rolling his eyes, muttering, "Damn, I was really over‑worried about him just now."

"Ah!" The long‑braided girl startled by Xiao Gang's sudden charge, instinctively stepped back half a step.

After seeing Xiao Gang's face full of eager smile, she relaxed, quickly bowing politely: "Mr. Xiao Gang, hello, I'm Ai Mei."

"Ai Mei? What a beautifully moving name, just like a person!" Xiao Gang immediately offered praise, his eyes sparkling, leaning forward again, "Miss Ai Mei, I saw you frowning just now—did something trouble you? If you need help, feel free to tell me!"

Ai Mei pressed her lips together, her gaze hesitant, not speaking right away.

Huo La stepped forward, gently patting Xiao Gang's shoulder, smiling to smooth things over: "Your enthusiasm is almost scaring Miss Ai Mei."

After speaking, he turned to Ai Mei, his tone gentle: "Miss Ai Mei, hello, I'm Huo La, traveling with Xiao Gang, preparing to challenge the Pokemon League. If you truly have trouble, Xiao Gang may be clumsy at times, but he's reliable when helping people."

Upon hearing Huo La was a League challenger, Ai Mei's eyes lit up instantly, she hurried forward, grasped his hand, voice urgent: "Mr. Huo La, I… I indeed have something to ask of you!"

Half an hour later, the two sat in Ai Mei's home, sipping warm red tea.

On the living‑room wall hung many Fighting Championship certificates, and in the photo a middle‑aged man was holding an Abirang, smiling brightly.

"So… the Abirang we saw by the roadside earlier is Miss Ai Mei's father's Pokemon?" Xiao Gang set down his teacup, speaking thoughtfully.

"Yes, Mr. Xiao Gang." Ai Mei nodded, her eyes full of worry, "My father is single‑mindedly intent on entering the P1 Fighting Tournament, winning the Champion title; he's become obsessed, neglecting even his home. I hope you can enter the competition, defeat my father, and make him stop being so fixated on the Fighting Championship."

Huo La cradled his teacup, gently blowing the steam, having long anticipated this—when they set out in the morning, Ash hadn't fully understood his rerouting intention, but still agreed to take a detour.

So the matter that originally Ash should have encountered and resolved now naturally fell to them to handle.

"Miss Ai Mei, I promise you!" Xiao Gang suddenly stood, grasping Ai Mei's both hands, his eyes sparkling with vigor, "I will definitely defeat your father and make him come to his senses!"

Huo La set down his teacup, speaking slowly: "Xiao Gang Ge, having determination is good, but you've forgotten one thing—you don't have any Fighting‑type Pokemon."

"Ah!" Xiao Gang froze as if doused with cold water, instantly stiffening, then slumped his shoulders, wiltedly sitting back in the chair, his hair drooping, "Right… my Giant Rock Snake and Little Fist Stone aren't Fighting‑type…"

"Um… actually you don't need Fighting‑type Pokemon." Ai Mei, seeing his dejected look, quickly added, "The P1 Competition's rules are lenient; the only requirement is that the battling Pokemon may only use Fighting‑type Moves, regardless of their type, they can all enter."

"Really?!" Xiao Gang jerked his head up, his eyes instantly regaining sparkle, as if fully revived, slapping the table and standing, "Then my Little Fist Stone can enter! It knows Brick Break, a Fighting‑type Move! Miss Ai Mei, the P1 Competition three days from now—I'll take care of it!"

Ai Mei, seeing his renewed vigor, smiled, nodding firmly: "Then I entrust it to you, Mr. Xiao Gang!"

Huo La, watching the two brimming with energy, shook his head helplessly—Xiao Gang, that guy, loses his mind entirely when he sees a pretty girl, even basic battle logic gets tossed aside.

He lowered his head, rubbing the rim of his teacup, having already analyzed the situation clearly: Little Fist Stone indeed knows the Fighting‑type Move "Brick Break," meeting the competition's "only Fighting Moves" rule, but Rock‑type being countered by Fighting‑type is a natural elemental disadvantage.

Against opponents composed entirely of Fighting‑type Pokemon or those adept at Fighting Moves, Little Fist Stone's rocky body, however hard, cannot withstand several strong attacks; surviving one or two rounds might be possible, but reaching the finals to face Ai Mei's father is impossible.

Not to mention Ai Mei's father's Abyssal Beast, though never having won the P1 Competition Champion, has been active in the fighting scene for years; its move proficiency and battle experience are no less than the Pokemon of the Fighting Gym master in Goldenrod City.

Especially under the "only Fighting Moves" rule, Little Fist Stone's best skill, "Rock Block," a control move, cannot be used, forcing a hard clash relying on fighting ability; in this case, it's a guaranteed feed.

"Looks like in the end I still have to rely on myself," Huo La sighed in his heart.