"Whoosh—"
Aura Power surged into Ash's hand.
In an instant, it condensed into a long, slender blade the color of pale blue crystal, its elegant shape resembling a willow leaf.
With nothing more than a simple upward draw of the blade...
The seemingly gentle slash, graceful as a willow branch swaying in the wind, effortlessly knocked Samurai's sword aside.
The Aura Blade slipped through the opening with perfect precision...
Its tip stopping directly against Samurai's chest.
"..."
Samurai froze.
Then he let out a helpless sigh.
"As expected of you, Ash."
"I lost the sword fight."
"But a Pokémon battle..."
"I won't lose so easily!"
"On the honor of my pride as a Trainer..."
"Ash!"
"I challenge you!"
Samurai sheathed his rubber practice katana, leapt backward, and pointed confidently at Ash.
Ash chuckled.
"Oh?"
"I've heard that exact speech from you at least a hundred times over the past six months."
"And every single time..."
"You ended up getting beaten black and blue."
"So..."
"What makes you think today's challenge will end any differently?"
"Hmph!"
"Because this time..."
"It definitely will!"
Samurai proudly lifted his chin.
"Oh?"
Ash deliberately dragged out the word, his face plainly saying I don't believe you.
Beside him, Pikachu, Greninja, and the others all wore exactly the same expression.
Seeing both Ash and his Pokémon openly doubting him...
Samurai finally became flustered.
"Hey!"
"Don't underestimate me!"
"This time..."
"I've caught a brand-new Pokémon!"
"And it's much stronger than before!"
"This time..."
"I'm definitely going to beat you!"
Samurai declared with complete confidence.
"Oh?"
"So you've come prepared."
"No wonder you're acting so confident."
Ash immediately became interested.
…
Half a year ago...
Samurai had owned only a single Caterpie.
Aside from being a little chubbier than the average Bug Catcher wandering around roadside routes...
There had been virtually no difference between him and any ordinary Bug Catcher, especially when it came to strength.
Over the past six months...
Samurai had challenged Ash again and again.
Ash had personally watched his Caterpie evolve...
From Caterpie...
To Metapod...
And finally...
Into Butterfree.
Butterfree's talent wasn't bad.
It barely reached Green+ Potential, only a step below the Red Potential possessed by most starter Pokémon.
Ash had never disliked the kid.
And, frankly...
He had also wanted to stop Samurai from pestering him endlessly.
So over the past several months, he'd given the boy quite a bit of advice regarding catching, training, and raising Pokémon.
The most important piece of advice was simple.
Don't imitate those ordinary Trainers who catch Pokémon indiscriminately.
Most people lacked the money...
The time...
The energy...
And the resources necessary to properly raise a large team.
Many couldn't even afford enough food for all the Pokémon they caught.
Never mind Pokéblocks, medicines, nutritional supplements, and all the other necessities required for proper training.
Because of that...
Many ordinary Trainers preferred capturing already evolved Pokémon that were immediately battle-ready, using them to earn prize money.
However...
Any Trainer who genuinely hoped to climb higher professionally...
Almost always chose to raise Pokémon from infancy...
Or even hatch them from Eggs.
Seeing Samurai's perseverance...
And his genuine desire to become stronger...
Ash had advised him to avoid catching additional Pokémon for the time being.
Unless he encountered a Pokémon with truly exceptional potential...
Or one he genuinely fell in love with...
His priority should remain wholeheartedly raising his Butterfree.
…
Although Samurai constantly proclaimed he wanted to become Ash's rival...
Deep down...
He regarded Ash as his idol.
His teacher.
Even an older brother.
So despite always acting stubborn...
He sincerely listened to Ash's advice.
For more than half a year...
Despite living in Viridian Forest—a place overflowing with wild Pokémon—
He never captured another Pokémon.
Instead...
He focused entirely on training Butterfree.
Even after Butterfree had grown powerful enough to help capture new Pokémon...
Samurai still restrained himself.
Because he knew...
Ash had established two wilderness clinics around Pallet Town and was familiar with nearly every wild Pokémon in the area.
If Ash ever discovered a Pokémon truly suited to him...
Or felt the time had come for him to expand his team...
He believed Ash would either tell him directly...
Or even introduce the Pokémon personally.
And...
He was absolutely right.
Ash knew perfectly well that Samurai thought that way.
Which was exactly why...
When Samurai suddenly claimed he'd caught a new Pokémon...
Ash couldn't help feeling surprised.
He genuinely wanted to see what kind of Pokémon had impressed the boy enough to make him break his own restraint.
…
"So..."
"You've caught a new Pokémon?"
"Very well."
"Let's see what you've got."
"Samurai..."
"Which of my Pokémon are you planning to challenge today?"
Ash asked.
"Pika!"
(Challenge me, Chubby!)
"Fearow!"
(Come fight me today, little darkie! It's been ages since I've had the chance to give you a proper beating!)
"Roaar!"
(Samurai! Pick me! I've been itching for another battle with you lately!)
...
Several of Ash's more battle-loving Pokémon—Pikachu, Fearow, and Valor among them—immediately volunteered, eager for another match.
"Hmph!"
"One day..."
"I'll beat every last one of you until you're lying on the ground!"
"But today..."
"I'll challenge..."
"Ivysaur!"
Ignoring Ash's powerful ace Pokémon...
Samurai ultimately chose the weakest member of Ash's current team.
Of course...
The title of "weakest" applied only within Ash's own lineup.
Among Ash's Pokémon, Ivysaur indeed occupied last place in terms of level and overall strength.
But compared to Pokémon owned by Trainers of the same age...
Calling Ash's Ivysaur weak would be laughable.
If someone actually dared to say that...
Gary would probably be the first person to argue with them.
"Ivysaur?"
"Very well."
"Ivysaur."
"You're up."
Seeing Samurai make his choice, Ash didn't even wait for his opponent to reveal his new Pokémon.
Instead, he released Ivysaur first.
Bang!
A burst of white light flashed.
An elegant, blue-green Pokémon landed lightly on the ground.
Large palm-like leaves spread across its back...
Supporting a vibrant crimson flower bud.
"Vaaa! Vaaa!"
Ivysaur immediately let out two spirited cries toward Samurai.
Its eager expression clearly urged him to hurry up and release his Pokémon instead of wasting everyone's time.
Having battled Ash's team countless times...
Samurai naturally understood exactly what Ivysaur meant.
"Hmph!"
"Ivysaur!"
"You're way too arrogant!"
"Today..."
"I'm going to defeat you!"
"Come out!"
"My strongest beetle warrior!"
With a powerful shout...
Samurai threw his Poké Ball toward the battlefield.
The sphere burst open in a flash of brilliant white light...