"It was actually a Single Battle."
Sitting in the stands, Lu Ze watched Leon and Raihan in the arena. When he heard the referee's announcement, he smiled helplessly.
The first match of the Masters Eight Challenge was actually a Single Battle.
"I heard this year's new Masters Eight tournament would use a new format." Ash excitedly explained it to Lu Ze.
"That's good. It would feel a little too frivolous to use a Single Battle format for such an important competition."
"That's true, but Single Battles are battles between the two trainers' ace Pokémon."
Goh also spoke excitedly. "It's still incredibly entertaining!"
"That's true."
As the three chatted, the two trainers in the arena sent out their Pokémon at the same time.
Raihan's Pokémon was his ace, Duraludon.
Leon's Pokémon was also his ace, Charizard.
Both Pokémon possessed Master level strength.
Judging by strength alone, it was impossible to say who would win this match.
But barring any surprises, Leon was the Champion, so he should have won this battle.
After both trainers sent out their Pokémon, the battle officially began.
Although it was not Lu Ze's first time watching a match from the sidelines, he was still swept up by the electrifying atmosphere.
"Metal Claw!"
Raihan's Duraludon was incredibly fast. With its Light Metal Ability, it had nearly reached Charizard in the blink of an eye.
Its Metal Claw struck Charizard squarely in the abdomen.
Lu Ze found that strange. Charizard resisted Steel-type moves.
Why hadn't Raihan used a move of another type?
Lu Ze did not understand, but he did not say anything.
Leon then directed Charizard to counterattack.
Dragon Claw was blocked by Iron Defense.
The two Pokémon clashed rapidly in the arena.
Their exchange was utterly spectacular.
When Duraludon's Stone Edge hit Leon's Charizard, yet Charizard