Mustard ultimately accepted Su Hao's request.
For the time being, he would remain in Hammerlocke and have his Master Level Urshifu, One-Hit Flow, teach Lucario the true essence of the One-Hit Flow.
Until Su Hao left, Lucario would train under Mustard.
This also meant that Lucario could only sit out tomorrow's Pokémon World Championship, the Masters Eight Elimination Tournament final against Ash.
Fortunately, Su Hao had plenty of strength in reserve. Even if he prioritized Lucario's development, he had other choices capable of filling that gap.
Before leaving, Su Hao even treated Urshifu's injuries inflicted by Reshiram so it could teach Lucario with greater focus and diligence.
After all.
While Mustard had expected the intensive training to take at least half a month, Su Hao planned to make it harsher—perhaps with only one or two days available.
The next day.
The day of the Pokémon World Championship Masters Eight Elimination Tournament final.
The eyes of the entire world converged on Spikemuth Arena. The six-on-six full-team battle that would determine the world's strongest champion was about to begin.
As for the support ratings for the final, Su Hao—who had defeated the former strongest champion, the invincible Dande—held an overwhelming advantage.
Yet none of that pressure could shake Ash, who was currently in the waiting room, receiving encouragement from his partners.
He merely stared resolutely at the five carefully selected red-and-white Poké Balls in his hand, as well as Pikachu at his side.
He had finally made it this far. Worry and fear were thoughts that could never arise.
Right now, Ash only wanted to give everything he had to the Pokémon Battles he loved most, condensing everything from his journey that began in Kanto all the way to the present into this single battle.
When the lively waiting room gradually