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The battlefield was filled with thick smoke from both sides' attacks, obscuring the vision of both Trainers. Kaoruko stared intently at the field before her, not daring to blink even once.
The moment the smoke cleared would determine the outcome. At this critical juncture, Kaoruko didn't even dare to breathe heavily.
As time passed, the smoke on the field gradually dissipated, and visibility slowly returned. When Kaoruko saw her opportunity, she prepared to launch an attack.
"Bellsprout, use—what?!" But before she could finish her command, she froze in place. She began looking around frantically, but Muk was nowhere to be found in the arena.
"Wait! Muk has disappeared!" the commentator exclaimed with equal surprise, because at this moment, Muk was completely absent from the battlefield.
Bellsprout was also searching for Muk's location. Suddenly, it noticed the sky above darkening, and Bellsprout instinctively raised its head upward.
"Bell!"
When it looked up, Bellsprout's expression turned to one of panic. Seeing Bellsprout's reaction, Kaoruko quickly raised her head to look into the air as well.
"Muk, use Body Slam!"
At that moment, Ash's voice rang out across the arena. Muk was suspended in the air and descended directly following Ash's command.
Its body spread open like a massive net. At this point, it was far too late for Kaoruko to have Bellsprout dodge the attack.
Crash!
Muk's entire mass struck the ground, instantly kicking up tremendous amounts of dust across the grassy field. Bellsprout was completely engulfed by Muk's expanded body, pinned directly beneath it.
"Bellsprout!" Kaoruko shouted worriedly as Bellsprout was completely suppressed by Muk and disappeared from view.
"Bell! Bell! Bell!"
However, Bellsprout's voice could still be heard, and it was clearly struggling beneath Muk's weight. Observers could see Muk's body bulging outward periodically, obviously being struck by Bellsprout's attacks from within.
But Muk clung to the ground with its body mass, refusing to relent even when under attack. Gradually, Bellsprout's struggles grew weaker and weaker.
"Bellsprout!" Kaoruko couldn't help but call out again.
At that moment, Muk turned its head to look back at Ash. Ash met Muk's gaze and nodded slightly. Understanding Ash's silent communication, Muk slowly backed away and its body contracted once more.
Bellsprout reappeared before everyone's eyes, but it had now collapsed on the ground, unable to move.
"Bellsprout has fallen!"
Seeing this outcome, the commentator immediately announced the result. After a moment of stunned silence, powerful cheers erupted once more throughout the venue.
Ding!
As had become routine, Kaoruko's portrait dimmed and vanished from the large screen, while an image celebrating Ash's successful advancement was displayed.
"In this match, player Ash has successfully advanced! What's truly remarkable is that after three rounds of qualifier battles, player Ash has once again defeated his opponent using only a single Pokémon!"
"With this victory, player Ash has successfully become the third youngest Trainer in history to achieve three consecutive qualifier victories using only one Pokémon!"
Throughout the entire history of the Indigo Plateau Conference, fewer than ten people had accomplished three consecutive victories in the qualifiers using only a single Pokémon. Before Ash, only two individuals had achieved this feat at the age of ten.
Having matched the accomplishments of these legendary predecessors, the audience grew incredibly excited listening to the commentator's announcement.
Although they were merely spectators, this was equivalent to witnessing history unfold—and more importantly, potentially witnessing the birth of a future Elite Four member or even Champion-level Trainer.
"Congratulations, Ash! Just as Erika said, you truly are amazing," Kaoruko acknowledged from the battlefield.
She had already recalled Bellsprout. After collecting herself emotionally, she walked over to Ash and congratulated him wholeheartedly.
"Thank you! Your Bellsprout's training is also exceptional," Ash responded politely after hearing her words.
The two then shook hands briefly. Witnessing this display of good sportsmanship, the venue erupted in applause once more.
"Ash, will you achieve the impossible?"
At that moment, Charles Goodshow, watching the match from his office, couldn't help but wonder as he observed Ash's figure on the battlefield.
If Ash could maintain this level of performance in the next match, he would accomplish something truly unprecedented. Charles Goodshow watched the young Trainer before him with cautious anticipation.
Over the years, he had witnessed countless competitors, but none had ever inspired such strong expectations within him.
Ash left the competition venue and while waiting for Misty and the others outside, he encountered the audience members who had just watched his match.
Many spectators enthusiastically approached Ash requesting autographs and photographs, and he found himself somewhat overwhelmed for a moment.
However, seeing their genuine enthusiasm, he didn't refuse. But gradually, more and more people gathered, and Ash began to realize something was wrong. By the time he wanted to make his escape, he was completely surrounded.
When Brock and the others arrived, they couldn't even push through the crowd to reach him. Eventually, security personnel had to intervene to disperse the crowd, explaining that Ash had just finished his match and needed rest. This finally convinced the enthusiastic fans to disperse.
Brock and the others realized that Ash had become genuinely popular now. Naturally, Misty and Yellow were very happy for Ash's success.
Brock, however, was envious and somewhat jealous. Among the fans who had just taken photos with Ash, there had been numerous attractive young women. Being treated like a celebrity by these ladies was something he could only dream of.
"Excuse me, Nurse Joy!"
Back at the Pokémon Center, Ash handed Muk's Poké Ball to Nurse Joy. Although Muk had won all three consecutive battles and didn't appear visibly injured, Ash knew better.
During this match, Muk had blocked all attacks with its body, so it had actually sustained injuries to some degree.
However, due to its unique body composition, what would be serious injuries to other Pokémon were relatively minor for Muk.
"Of course! Please leave everything to me," Nurse Joy responded gently, then accepted Ash's Poké Ball.
After entrusting Muk to Nurse Joy's care, Ash departed with Brock and the others to watch other competitors' matches. Gary and the rest of their group had also successfully advanced.
After watching the remaining matches and returning to the Pokémon Center, Ash encountered many more enthusiastic fans waiting at the entrance.
It took considerable time to accommodate all these passionate supporters. For Ash, this situation proved more exhausting than the actual battles themselves.