[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You defeated LV.30 Machamp and gained 430 EXP.]
[Ding! Gyarados has met the level-up requirements. Gyarados has leveled up... Current Level: LV.24]
As soon as Hideo conceded the match, a hint of admiration appeared on Ash's face.
Hideo's command ability was far from weak.
Earlier, he had directed Machamp to charge while simultaneously using Revenge. Then, after Gyarados successfully evaded Machamp's assault, he had immediately changed tactics and ordered Machamp to target Chansey instead.
From those small details alone, Ash could tell that Hideo was an experienced and capable trainer.
At the moment, however, Blastoise had been tied down by Chansey and was unable to provide support.
Meanwhile, Machamp had fallen completely into the offensive rhythm established by Ash and Gyarados, leaving it incapable of fighting back.
Judging by the pace of the battle, Machamp wouldn't have lasted more than a few additional exchanges before being defeated.
Not only would defeat have been unavoidable, but it would have likely suffered serious injuries in the process.
Some trainers might choose to stubbornly continue in situations like this.
Perhaps they believe that if they hold on just a little longer, they'll find a way to turn the battle around.
Perhaps they're hoping for assistance from a teammate.
Or perhaps they're trying to display their so-called unyielding spirit and determination.
While there were certainly occasions where persistence could create a miracle, most of the time such behavior was simply foolish.
A trainer's blind pride and misplaced confidence ultimately came at the Pokémon's expense.
If the injuries were minor, that was one thing.
But if serious injuries left behind permanent damage or chronic conditions that could never be fully healed, then a Pokémon's future could be ruined.
Pokémon willingly chose to follow human trainers because they, too, possessed dreams of becoming stronger.
They had ambitions.
They had goals.
The dream of becoming a great trainer never belonged solely to the trainer.
It belonged equally to the Pokémon partners who walked that path together.
There was no shame in surrendering during a battle.
The real disgrace was allowing a Pokémon partner to suffer severe injuries simply to satisfy a trainer's fragile ego.
A trainer who genuinely cared for and cherished their Pokémon companions deserved respect no matter where they were.
And in Ash's eyes, Hideo's decision to surrender the moment he realized victory was impossible was an exceptionally rational and admirable choice.
It was precisely the kind of decision worthy of respect.
"The Red Team has lost one battler. The match will now enter a one-minute halftime break."
The referee raised a red signal flag and announced the activation of the intermission rule.
The one-minute break existed specifically to give the disadvantaged side a chance to regroup after losing a team member.
Blastoise, which had been blocked by Chansey, retreated to its side of the field and took the opportunity to catch its breath.
When Machamp had still been present, Blastoise's primary responsibility had been long-range support and suppressive fire.
Machamp had been the team's main damage dealer.
Now that Machamp had been eliminated, everything was different.
From this point onward, Blastoise would be carrying all the pressure alone.
One Pokémon against two.
Facing both Gyarados and Chansey simultaneously.
Meanwhile, Ash and Clarissa also recalled Gyarados and Chansey to adjust their positions slightly.
However, that was about all they could do.
One minute wasn't very long.
And according to the rules, no additional actions were permitted during the intermission.
"One-minute halftime break has ended. The battle will now resume."
Sure enough, shortly after Gyarados and Chansey finished repositioning, the referee announced the continuation of the match.
"Gyarados, refresh Aqua Ring!"
"Chansey, use Heal Pulse on Gyarados!"
"Blastoise, use Rain Dance!"
The instant the referee's signal sounded, both sides immediately issued their commands.
Since his side currently held the advantage, Ash chose a steady and cautious approach.
He ordered Gyarados to renew its Aqua Ring, whose effect was beginning to fade.
At the same time, Clarissa had Chansey restore Gyarados's health with Heal Pulse.
On the other side, Daizumi instructed Blastoise to use Rain Dance.
Ash narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Blastoise's Ability is Torrent, not its Hidden Ability, Rain Dish."
"So why use Rain Dance?"
"Sure, Water-types gain a boost in rainy weather even without weather-related Abilities."
"But Blastoise is a Water-type."
"And Gyarados is also a Water-type."
"If both sides receive the same enhancement, doesn't that just cancel out the advantage entirely?"
Then a thought suddenly struck him.
"Wait a second."
"Daizumi only has Blastoise left."
"But I still have both Gyarados and Chansey."
"Gyarados benefits from the rain, but Chansey doesn't."
"So he's using Rain Dance to indirectly weaken Chansey's overall impact while strengthening his own remaining Pokémon."
Ash quickly pieced together the logic.
"Interesting."
"A clever idea."
"And considering he's facing a one-versus-two situation with very little chance of winning, he's probably aiming to demonstrate tactical creativity."
"Even if he loses, battle analysts and judges reviewing the match afterward might award additional tactical points."
"Smart."
"Very smart."
Ash instantly understood Daizumi's line of thinking.
But his gaze remained calm and unwavering.
"Unfortunately, the battle isn't over yet."
"And my job is to defeat you with everything I've got."
"Because that's the respect an opponent deserves."
Rumble...
Crack...
Rain Dance began to take effect.
Dark clouds gathered overhead.
After a distant roll of thunder echoed across the stadium, a gentle rain began falling over the battlefield.
The temperature cooled noticeably.
Yet the fighting spirit burning within both Water-type Pokémon only grew hotter.
The atmosphere became increasingly intense.
Snap!
Ash suddenly snapped his fingers.
"Since our opponent doesn't seem interested in making the first move..."
"Let's get things started ourselves."
His eyes flashed with determination.
"Gyarados—"
"Use continuous Water Tail attacks!"
"ROOOOOAR!!!"
Gyarados threw back its head and unleashed a deafening roar.
Although Blastoise was LV.31 and Gyarados had only just reached LV.24 after defeating Machamp—
A full seven-level difference separated them.
Yet at this moment, in terms of momentum and presence, Ash's shiny Gyarados completely overwhelmed Blastoise.
After all, Daizumi had already accepted that his chances of victory were slim.
More and more, his focus had shifted toward dragging out the battle and earning points through tactical displays and strategic decision-making.
From the perspective of a professional club manager, that might be considered an excellent quality.
A practical and rational approach.
But to Ash—
A trainer whose goal was to stand at the absolute pinnacle of the profession—
It felt a little too conservative.
Perhaps even overly cautious.
Then again, Daizumi was an adult.
Ash was still a hot-blooded teenager charging fearlessly toward his dreams.
Ash was a prodigy trainer.
The pride of Kanto.
A future Indigo League Champion in countless people's eyes.
He owned a Skill Disc business generating millions in revenue.
His long-range capture technology patents were worth an immeasurable fortune.
And his recently released Ash's Feebas Beauty Guide was already generating staggering profits, earning tens of millions in sales.
The confidence supporting Ash's decisions was fundamentally different from Daizumi's.
And that confidence was now reflected on the battlefield.
As rain poured from the sky, Gyarados surged forward with overwhelming momentum, beginning the next phase of its relentless assault.
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