Kenzo's eyes lit up the moment he saw Ash's Heracross.
As an expert in Fighting type Pokémon, he could tell at a single glance that this Heracross possessed formidable combat strength. It had been exceptionally well-raised by Ash!
The battle was on the verge of breaking out, but before either side could take their positions, a shout echoed from the dojo entrance.
"Is anyone there?"
Everyone turned to look. A tall, sturdy young man stood there. "I am Shiro, a wandering martial artist. I have come to request a match with the master of the Kenzo Style, a prestigious school of martial arts with a long and storied history."
Kenzo looked startled upon hearing the name Shiro.
"Let me ask you something," Chigusa stepped forward and demanded. "Are you the one who's been going around lately challenging every Fighting type Pokémon dojo you can find?"
"I defeat the dojo masters and take their signboards in place of badges," Shiro said with obvious confidence, his track record clearly brilliant. "I've already collected nine signboards. The one here will be my tentha worthy milestone!"
"Why are you doing this?"
In truth, such challenges weren't uncommon between Fighting type dojos. However, people rarely went around challenging schools just for the sake of it. Shiro clearly had an ulterior motive.
"I plan to open my own Fighting type Pokémon dojo, and doing this has great promotional value!" Shiro explained. Proving his strength by defeating other dojos was an efficient way to make a name for himself. He might even convince some of the apprentices from defeated dojos to jump ship to his new school.
"I see. It seems you've only picked on weak dojos in the past," Kenzo said. "We won't be so easily defeated. Let my chosen successor face you in battle!"
Successor?
Ash looked at Kenzo in confusion. Wait, wasn't I just supposed to help you teach your granddaughter a lesson? Why are you actually using me as a hired gun now?
Before Ash could speak, Kenzo patted him on the shoulder. "Ash, as long as you inherit the Kenzo Style, I am willing to betroth my granddaughter to you!"
"Grandpa!" Chigusa cried out, her face a mix of anger and embarrassment.
"What on earth!" Misty stomped her foot and stepped in front of Ash. "Ash isn't going to inherit your dojo! He's the man who's going to become a Pokémon Master!"
"That's right, that's right!" Molly Hale added with a pout from her seat atop Bayleef. Even Bayleef let out a cry of protest.
"I don't care who you send out, just fight me!" Shiro shouted from the edge of the battlefield, growing impatient. "Are you all putting on a play or what?"
Chigusa insisted on taking the match herself, and Kenzo was unable to stop her. However, Shiro easily saw through her Hitmontop's attacks, and she was defeated in less than two rounds.
"So, the 'successor' they mentioned is you, right? If you're willing to bet the signboard, I don't mind going again!" After his easy victory over Chigusa, Shiro had clearly grown arrogant.
Ash turned to face Shiro. "If it's a battle you want, I won't refuse."
"The match will now begin! Ash, representing the Kenzo Style Dojo, will face the challenger, Shiro, in a one-on-one battle!"
"Go, Hitmonlee!"
"Heracross, I choose you!"
Hitmonlee was a type even more specialized in kicking than Hitmontop; it had just effortlessly countered Hitmontop's Rolling Kick.
"Chigusa, watch Ash's battle closely!" Kenzo whispered to her from the sidelines, hoping she would learn something.
"Yes!" Chigusa replied, her eyes fixed on Ash and Heracross, still reeling from her own defeat.
"Hitmonlee, use Rolling Kick!"
"Dodge it!"
To the naked eye, the force and angle of that Rolling Kick seemed ordinary. However, Ash had watched Shiro's previous battle and refused to underestimate him, commanding Heracross to evade the strike.
"Hitmonlee, use Jump Kick!"
Hitmonlee leapt high into the air and came down with a flying kick, one of the most powerful techniques among Fighting type kicks.
"Catch it! Use Brick Break!"
A sharp glint flashed in Heracross's eyes. It reached out, snatched Hitmonlee's leg mid-air, and followed up with a palm strike that slammed the opponent into the ground!
"What incredible strength!"
In terms of pure power, even ten Hitmonlee would be no match for Heracross.
"Hitmonlee, are you alright?" Seeing that Hitmonlee still had the strength to stand, Shiro attacked again. "Use Double Kick!"
"Chigusa, look closely!" Kenzo said, noting Ash's expression.
"Huh?" Chigusa gasped. Heracross and Ash had almost the exact same look in their eyes!
"It's coming! Dodge to the left!"
Heracross stepped back with its left foot, pivoting its body to narrowly avoid Hitmonlee's assault.
"Now, use your horn! Take it!"
Heracross's massive horn braced against Hitmonlee's follow-up kick, stopping it cold. Now, it was Ash's turn to counter!
In that instant, Heracross slammed its fists into the ground and heaved its great horn upward with a mighty surge of strength, sending Hitmonlee flying into the air.
"Oh no!" Shiro cried.
It was the finishing blow.
"Close Combat!"
Heracross beat its wings and instantly closed the distance with the airborne Hitmonlee. It unleashed a barrage of strikes from three directions using its fists and horn, before finally slamming Hitmonlee into the earth with a devastating punch, kicking up a massive cloud of dust.
"Hitmonlee is unable to battle! Ash is the winner!"
Shiro was a graceful loser. After his defeat, he simply stated that he would train to become stronger before challenging Ash again.
Ash didn't even notice that a certain young girl watching him now had stars in her eyes.
"I didn't misjudge you, Ash. You really are incredible!" Kenzo admitted. He thought he had already held Ash in high regard, but Ash's actual strength far exceeded his imagination.
"Your name is Ash, right? Please, give me some special training!" Chigusa said, seemingly realizing something.
"Then just call me Master!" Ash said, patting Heracross. He planned to spend some time 'sweeping' this dojo to earn more exchange points and give Heracross's bond a significant boost.
"Master?"
Ash turned away from Chigusa and spoke to Kenzo. "Old man, you owe me a favor now. If I train your granddaughter too, that makes it two!"
"Are you really not interested in inheriting my Kenzo Style dojo or marrying my granddaughter?" Kenzo asked, clearly impressed. But he quickly came to his senses. "Ash, what is it that you want?"
"I want Heracross to have a match with your Pokémon, and I have some newly caught Pokémon that I'd like to pit against your apprentices!"
By the end of the day, Chigusa had learned how a true battle should be fought, and her attitude toward Ash became very respectful. She would accept Kenzo's training and challenge Ash again once she had grown stronger.
Ash walked away with over a thousand exchange points, and Heracross's bond reached 200/253.
All in all, he was satisfied and feeling great!
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