In a Trainer battle, reading your opponent is crucial. From the moment both sides send out their Pokemon, the game of strategy begins, and the superiority of the first Pokemon can greatly influence the subsequent match.
That's why Paul estimated that Ash might send out Bulbasaur and chose to use Magmortar instead of recklessly sticking with Torterra.
Even though Ash surprised him by sending out Monferno, Magmortar still held an absolute advantage over Monferno. Although there were some hiccups in the process, the result remained unchanged, with Magmortar firmly holding the upper hand.
But in this situation, Paul didn't take action, instead allowing Ash to withdraw Monferno. How is that different from going easy on him?
This is why Ash was so surprised. Could the cold and ruthless Paul really be going easy on him? Has the sun risen in the west?
"No need, Monferno has prepared for this battle for a long time. He wants you to see his strong side." Ash shook his head and 'politely declined' Paul's offer to go easy. He indeed didn't send out the wrong Pokemon; the first choice was indeed Monferno.
Upon hearing this, the coldness on Paul's face increased a bit: "I know you can bring out Monferno's potential, but now is not his time to step onto this stage."
A peculiar expression appeared on Ash's face: "Paul, you're not…worried about Monferno, are you?"
From Paul's demeanor, it seemed like he was concerned that excessive failure might be too harsh a blow for Monferno, which is why he repeatedly discouraged him. However, Ash found it hard to believe that such a cold-blooded Paul, who was so ruthless to Pokemon, would think about Monferno in such a way.
Could it be that he felt a pang of conscience after abandoning Monferno?
Ash's words seemed to hit home for Paul, causing his expression to darken immediately while his aura became even more indifferent: "I just want to battle you at full strength. Since you're using this kind of Pokemon to brush me off, get ready to regret it after I thoroughly defeat you."
"Magmortar, Flamethrower!" After leaving these harsh words, Paul finally decided no longer to hold back. He initiated the attack, intending to defeat Monferno in one swift move, to spare Monferno further torment.
As Ash had said, Paul indeed had Monferno's interest in mind. He had always sought power, but after seeing the relationship between Ash and Monferno, something quietly changed in his heart.
Although he could never entirely change from his current personality, Ash's actions did have some effect on the impact of that Pyramid battle on him.
In the end, gaining strength wasn't only through brutal training; there are other methods to gain power…
After Monferno became stronger, Paul didn't feel regret or envy, only a sense of reflection that he indeed wasn't the right Trainer for Monferno. Even if he changed a little, he could never treat Pokemon the way Ash does in his lifetime.
There was indeed a soft spot in his heart, but his way of expressing it was different from Ash's. Just like in the battle now, when he talked to Ash, he really didn't want Monferno's newfound confidence to be crushed, yet he had to say that Monferno wasn't worthy of being his opponent.
Though the meaning is the same, expressing it in those words can be particularly harsh.
But now, he finally saw it clearly: Ash was also a stubborn person. He was determined to let Monferno play in this match. Since that was the case, let them battle it out. Even if setbacks occurred, it was an issue for Ash and Monferno, not him.
Magmortar aimed its two thick arms at Monferno, and from its wide barrels spewed searing flames, two columns of fire closing in on Monferno from both sides!
Given the difference in their Levels, once Monferno is hit by the flames, even if he doesn't lose fighting capability, his Physical Strength should be severely depleted, even if the Fire Type effect on him is weak.
In that instant, Ash's eyes glimmered with a long-lost blue light, and a surge of power emerged from within Monferno's body, causing the flames closing in on him from both sides to appear slower from his perspective.
"Monferno, dodge!" As the command rang out, Monferno leaped with agile movement, dodging the approaching Flamethrower from both sides.
But Magmortar was relentless, waving its dual-barreled arms, and the Flamethrower followed its movements. In the air, Monferno had no space left to evade and was about to be hit by the Flamethrower.
"Detect!" In the air, using Protect would be more suitable than Detect, as even if Detect is used in the air, there's no way to evade. Yet, Ash still instructed Monferno to use Detect, a command that puzzled many.
However, Monferno soon provided the answer.
Facing the approaching Flamethrower, Monferno spun his body in mid-air, turning sideways, then suddenly reached out with both hands towards the two streams of flames. Somehow, the flames brushed past Monferno's palms, crossed behind him, and shot towards the audience.
"Boom!!" The fire collided with a transparent barrier, scattering countless sparks. Many in the audience showed visibly relieved expressions, as they truly believed the flames were about to hit them, causing an accident.