All Advance

"Wingull, Wing Attack!"

"Sudowoodo! Use Double-Edge!"

After a fierce battle, Brock and Enka successfully advanced to the second round of the competition.

However, in Bai Shi's view, the way the two advanced was similar to that of his team, relying entirely on Brock's output.

The only difference is that Brock's Double Battle experience and teamwork are much stronger than mine, so he can carry the opponent.

The two seemed to have a very good understanding and coordination.

In reality, Enka's strength might not even be as great as Dawn's.

If I and Dawn were to run into Brock's team...

The strategy used in the first round can be completely replicated.

Through a swift attack, the Pokémon of Enka was beheaded.

Then they turned around and surrounded Brock.

In that case, even if Brock is very strong, he won't be able to cause any major trouble.

Moreover, the opponent was in the same lower half of the bracket as Ash and his friends.

It's unlikely that you'll break through the encirclement and encounter yourself in the upper half of the bracket.

"In my half of the bracket, the only really strong team is Kōhei."

"The other teams are generally not very strong."

"Kōhei was placed in Group D, so he might only face him in the semifinals."

"If I can get past him, I can make it to the finals."

Bai Shi rested his chin on his hand, silently Analytic the situation in his mind.

The matches in the upper bracket have all concluded.

Four teams, including Bai Shi, with a total of eight Pokémon Trainer, advanced to the second round.

According to Bai Shi's observation, among these eight people, only Kōhei's strength surpasses his own.

The remaining few were of average strength.

Even with perfect teamwork, Bai Shi was confident he could single-handedly defeat any one of their Pokémon.

Only with Kōhei was Bai Shi not very confident.

"Looks like we'll have to keep the High-Speed Crush Claw hidden for a while longer."

After some thought, Bai Shi decided to use the High-Speed Crush Claw of the Zangoose as his trump card.

Save it for when you're Kōhei.

Try to catch Kōhei off guard and deliver a "sudden kill" to his Pokémon.

Anyway, my opponent in the second round isn't too strong.

Bai Shi is confident that he can advance to the semifinals by concealing his true strength.

While Bai Shi was plotting how to defeat Kōhei, the match continued in earnest.

In the blink of an eye, before the match even started, only Ash Paul's team remained.

"Please welcome the last four Pokémon Trainer from Group H in the first round!"

As the match began, the two, who were like oil and water, were forced to stand in the same command area.

"Pikachu, I choose you!"

"Chimchar, prepare for battle!"

Just like in the anime, Ash and Paul each sent out Pikachu and Chimchar in this match.

Their opponents, on the other hand, fielded Rhydon and Magmar.

Magmar is a pure Fire-type, while Rhydon is a Ground/ Rock-type.

The former greatly reduces the power of Chimchar's Fire-type moves, while the latter completely seals Pikachu's Electric-type moves.

In terms of Pokémon type, Chimchar and Pikachu don't have much of an advantage.

Furthermore, the opponent's Rhydon has the Lightning Rod Ability.

This prevents Pikachu from even using Electric-type moves.

In addition, there was a rift Pokémon Trainer.

In the first round of the match, Ash and Paul were locked in a tough battle.

"Chimchar, use Flamethrower!"

In order to ignite the Chimchar's Special Blaze, Paul stubbornly launched an attack on the Magmar.

Not only did they gain nothing, they also fell into the other side's trap.

It was caught red-handed by the Rhydon and was about to be defeated.

"Pikachu, use Iron Tail!"

Left with no other option, Ash had to have Pikachu use Iron Tail to get Chimchar out of trouble.

This allowed Chimchar to escape unscathed and avoid being eliminated.

"Mind your own business! Chimchar, use the Flame Wheel!"

Paul, however, was not grateful for Ash's help.

Instead, it directed the Chimchar to continue its attack on its own.

Unfortunately, it didn't do much damage to the Fire-type Magmar.

"Their teamwork is even worse than ours!"

Seeing this, Bai Shi, who was "watching the show" on the sidelines, couldn't help but complain.

This earned him a glare from Dawn, who was standing next to him.

She didn't know how Bai Shi could have the nerve to criticize someone else's poor teamwork.

"Rhydon, use the Hammer Arm!"

"Magmar, use Flamethrower!"

After their plans were ruined, the opponent immediately shifted their focus and launched a frenzied attack on Pikachu.

"Pikachu, use Quick Attack!"

Pikachu was forced to flee in a sorry state, unable to find a chance to fight back.

Paul, as a teammate, turned a blind eye, only thinking about battling the opponent one-on-one to see if he could trigger Chimchar's Ability.

There wasn't a single indication that they wanted to help Pikachu out of its predicament.

Fortunately, Pikachu was quite strong, dodging left and right under the opponent's attacks, thus avoiding being defeated.

"Rhydon, use Surf!"

Unable to break through after a prolonged attack, the opponent unleashed the Rhydon's wide- Beat Up skill.

A colossal wave crashed towards Chimchar and Pikachu.

His teammates, however, used protective skills to avoid the onslaught of the giant wave.

Despite the disadvantage in terms of type, Paul stubbornly made Chimchar use Fire-type move.

Thanks to Ash inspiration, he commanded Pikachu to use Iron Tail to Slash the giant wave in two.

That's why Chimchar's "suicide" attack failed.

Paul's stubbornness led Ash to completely give up on cooperating with him and begin to fight independently.

This, however, yielded excellent results, bringing out Pikachu's full potential.

They even seized the opportunity and knocked down the opposing Rhydon with a powerful Iron Tail attack.

Then, Pursuit, they secured the victory in one fell swoop.

"Dawn, look! This is the true essence of Double Battle!"

"If Ash had played like this from the beginning, the match might have been over much earlier."

After the two won, Bai Shi spoke to Dawn with a sense of righteous indignation.

The cases of Ash and Paul further solidified his idea.

Instead of focusing on Double Battle combinations that you're not good at.

It would be better to play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses, and approach the game with Single Battle strategy.

Even if a five-star general were to arrive, he wouldn't be able to find fault with his own strategy.

"..."

Dawn felt something was off about Bai Shi's "twisted logic," but he didn't know how to refute it.

After all, Ash did win the match using Single Battle strategy.

Dawn opened his mouth again and again, but in the end, he chose to nod silently.

Whatever makes you happy, anyway, she's already tired.

"Don't worry, with me here, I guarantee you'll make it to the finals!"

Seeing that Dawn "agreed" with his idea, Bai Shi was overjoyed and patted his chest, determined to bring him into the finals.

Even if we don't make it to the finals, it's okay; an empty promise doesn't cost money.

Let's give Dawn a pep talk first, so he doesn't lose all fighting spirit.

With that, the first round of the competition came to Curtain.

Bai Shi and Ash's team all advanced.

The second leg of the match will be held tomorrow.

Then, even fiercer battles await them.