Chapter 57: The Fighting Experts: Bea and Anthony
After experiencing Pokémon massage on Celadon City's Beauty Street, Ash proudly declared he had mastered its essence.
…Which, in truth, was simply: use a lot of force and you're good to go!
"Right, Hitmonlee~?" Ash asked with a sweet smile. Hitmonlee, who was currently lying limp on the ground while having the Yongquan acupoint of his foot pressed, could only hang there silently… foaming at the mouth.
"No wonder you're Hitmonlee—look at you, not even screaming once…" Verity commented with biting sarcasm on the side.
"Look carefully. Isn't he already rolling his eyes?" Sorrel sighed helplessly.
"Alright, I declare the massage techniques fully mastered." Ash said with an utterly calm face as he returned Hitmonlee to its Poké Ball and stood up.
The three were now located at the rest area between Celadon City and Gringey City.
This spot was only ten minutes away from the sports arena where the P1 Grand Prix Fighting Tournament would be held.
Interestingly, despite being only a rest stop, aside from a few motels and small private stalls, this area somehow had over a dozen dojos.
With two days left before the tournament, Ash and his group had arrived yesterday and successfully rented a private training hall that included a rest room—perfect for training and lodging at once.
Ash and Verity also successfully registered for the competition. Now all they had to do was train while waiting for the event to begin.
After finishing their morning striking drills and muscle relaxation, Ash changed into a sports outfit and brought along his chosen fighters—Primeape, Hitmonlee, and Pikachu—for a morning run.
"Are you two coming?" Ash asked, fully geared up, looking back at Sorrel and Verity.
"I'll stay here and prepare sports drinks and salted rice balls." Sorrel said considerately.
After running, replenishing energy and electrolytes was crucial. As the duo's unofficial coach, Sorrel was taking the role seriously.
"I need to train Bellsprout and Hitmontop in fighting skills for a bit. I'll save my run for tonight." Verity waved a hand.
"Alright." Ash nodded and jogged out of the dojo with Pikachu, Primeape, and Hitmonlee.
The dojo they rented, Wind Fist Style Dojo, sat on the edge of the rest area beside the asphalt road, so Ash simply took the group running along the road.
"Come on, come on! Our target is that giant banyan tree five kilometers ahead!" Ash cheered, clapping as he ran.
"Push harder! Keep up with my rhythm! Let's sing—Five kilometers~ I love you so~ If I don't run today~ I'll miss you so~"
"Pika! Pika!" Pikachu shouted along enthusiastically.
Hitmonlee ran with his legs in front, his soul chasing from behind… If he had known that good food came with such brutal training, he would've stayed in Saffron City forever.
But it was too late now… riding a tiger was easier than getting off it. Seeing Ash's expectant eyes—and Primeape looking ready to challenge him at any moment—Hitmonlee could only grit his teeth and keep going.
No way could he let Primeape look down on him!
Primeape's thinking was simple: Ash, a human, could run faster than him? Unacceptable! If he caught up, he'd give Ash a few bang bang punches…
Problem was—huff, huff—he couldn't seem to catch up!
Ash glanced sideways at Primeape's eager glare. Kid… too young. Do you even understand physical conditioning? Raw power?
This P1 Fighting Tournament, sponsored by Silph Co., was the largest event in the fighting world.
In both scale and popularity, it ranked on the same level as a regional league competition.
Experts from all over the world—new-generation fighters as well as veteran gym leaders—would be eager to join.
If abilities were unrestricted, Ash would have basically no chance.
But! The brilliance of this tournament lay in one rule:
No special non-physical moves allowed.
Only pure martial arts techniques and basic physical-type moves were permitted.
And when the topic was pure physical combat—Ash was suddenly wide awake. As Pallet Town's No.1 "muscle maniac," he had more than enough confidence in this field.
Although training time was short, Ash had a special method.
Over the past two days, both Primeape and Hitmonlee had suffered miserably—Pikachu would occasionally zap them with Thunderbolt for "lightning conditioning."
Electric muscle stimulation—Bruce Lee himself used it to build strength.
Add to that Ash's own example: three five-kilometer runs a day, extensive fighting drills, and nightly massages for recovery…
Primeape and Hitmonlee's muscles had visibly transformed into sharp, chiseled lines.
The giant banyan tree finally appeared in sight, and Ash raised a fist:
"Charge!"
Primeape's veins bulged, Pikachu gritted his teeth, Hitmonlee… vomited while accelerating.
Whoosh—like a dusty land-dragon, the group thundered toward the tree.
"Don't come any closer!!!"
A scream from ahead caught Ash's attention.
Screech—he braked hard. Hitmonlee, Pikachu, and Primeape immediately collapsed on the ground to rest.
Ash looked up to see, perched on a branch, a big-chinned middle-aged man crying while tying a white ribbon to the tree…
"Hitmonchan!!" A desperate Hitmonchan shouted from the ground.
Beside it stood a short-haired girl in Galar-style sportswear, watching the scene quietly.
"Don't stop me!" the middle-aged man sobbed. "I, Anthony—left my wife and child to train for years just to win the P1 Grand Prix!
And now… I was knocked out by a little girl in a single blow! I refuse to accept this cruel reality!
Let me… end it all!"
Ash silently walked up and pulled a chocolate bar from his pocket, handing it to the petite Bea.
"Here. Want some?"
"Mm… arigato…" Bea blinked for a long moment before surrendering to the charm of sweets and accepting the chocolate.
And so, the two, while eating chocolate, quickly went from strangers to acquainted.
Ash: "What's with that guy?"
"I don't know~" Bea said, cheeks puffed full of chocolate as she explained in her naturally blunt tone. "I was just jogging with Machamp, and he insisted on sparring.
Then his Hitmonchan got knocked out by Machamp's Cross Chop in one hit. He started crying like that.
Oh right—what is he trying to do?"
Ash shrugged. "Not sure… fishing for sympathy?"
"Probably~" Bea finished her chocolate and turned away. "I'm leaving. This is boring."
But Ash, interested, stopped her. "Since we've already met, how about a match? It's proper etiquette between fighters."
"Sure. But Machamp's tired. Can I use another Pokémon?" Bea asked cutely.
"No problem." Ash nodded, then turned to see Primeape already itching to fight. "Primeape, time to throw hands."
"Hee-ha!" Primeape cracked his knuckles and marched forward aggressively.
"Grapploct! Go!" Bea tossed a Poké Ball.
"Huff—" Grapploct landed, limbs spread wide, four flexible tentacles swaying dangerously… it looked troublesome already.
Ash and Bea bowed to each other. The spar officially began.
Up in the tree—
"Hey! Aren't you going to save me?! I'm literally trying to hang myself here, and you two start a battle!? Have some compassion!" Anthony wailed.
Ash rolled his eyes and signaled Pikachu.
"Pika~" Pikachu grinned evilly as sparks crackled from its cheeks.
CRACK!
Thunder struck the treetop. Anthony instantly leaped down, clutching his chest in terror.
"Goodness—almost died…"
Ash nodded to Bea. "Handled. Let's begin."
Bea's eyes sharpened. She flicked a coin into the air.
Street rules—the moment the coin hits the ground, the match begins.
To be continued…
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!