Chapter 312: Ash vs. Bruno!
2024-05-15 Author: Samsung Charmander (Author Name)
"Master Bruno, I'm counting on you too!!"
While the two strong men were still moved, Ash, who was at the side, once again stole the scene and interjected. He gave Bruno a formal bow, leaving the other two stunned.
Brock: "?"
"From the sound of it, Ash wants an apprenticeship too?"
"He likes being the second disciple, does he?"
Ash's goal, of course, was not an apprenticeship. He was carrying a Deity on his person; even if Champion Lance showed up, he could be toppled on the spot. Why would he need to find a League Elite Four member to become a master?
It's just that he'd resolved to thoroughly 'steal' from Bruno today. Now Brock had a Master and a giant Onix, getting benefits from both sides. What about him?
He couldn't just get nothing out of this, acting as a background character munching on melon seeds, could he?
He, Ash, would not be outdone by anyone in his life.
"Please, Master Bruno, have a battle with me!"
Ash looked at the big man with eyes full of battle intensity and got straight to the point with a low shout.
As the saying goes, "a newborn calf doesn't fear the tiger." Even against an Elite Four member, Ash showed no fear.
An ultimate move or what have you... a direct battle is the best time to copy it.
Bruno hesitated slightly. He didn't actually like accepting private challenges; they were a hassle. Just as he was about to refuse, another voice came from his side.
"Teacher, please! Ash is a Trainer with great future potential. Please have a battle with him!"
Brock also bowed at his side, speaking sincerely.
Before, it was Ash helping him. Now, it was his turn to help Ash.
Brock's "Repaying the Favor."
Bruno: "..."
Bruno was silent for a moment, but looking at the two youths before him with their burning gazes, he finally nodded and agreed.
"Very well, I'll accept your challenge."
Besides, his second purpose for coming here today was to see for himself this Trainer who could physically fight an Articuno.
"Is it a trick? Or is it real strength? Let me see for myself..."
Hearing this, Ash was overjoyed. He gave Brock a grateful look, and Brock returned it with an encouraging one.
Subsequently, the group found a flat Rocky Area and left the Battle Arena in the center to Ash and Bruno.
"K-k-k..."
The sound of cracking bones could be heard.
It was Bruno, doing warm-up exercises on the spot, his body's muscles trembling powerfully.
Although his opponent's physique was several levels smaller than his own, being as cautious as he was, he naturally had to complete his warm-up. Otherwise, an accident like a sprain might occur during the battle.
Ash: "?"
Everyone: "?"
Watching this big man start to do push-ups on the spot, not only was Ash dumbfounded, but the onlookers watching the show were also dumbfounded.
"Huh? Is this how the plot is supposed to go?"
After Bruno finished a 10-minute set of warm-up exercises, his muscular body was already covered in sweat. Only then did he turn his gaze forward.
"Come, Youth! Let me see your power!!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Bruno saw that Ash still had a dazed look on his face. Without waiting for a reaction, he decisively broke into a run and charged forward. His tall body was like a moving mountain, carrying an incomparably dominating aura.
"Youth!! In battle, you cannot let your guard down for a single moment!"
While sprinting, Bruno was still laughing wildly and arrogantly.
Ash: "??"
Completely unprepared, Ash had never even imagined such a situation would occur. In the next second, his body was seized by Bruno's hands and lifted high into the air.
The kind where you're facing the sky, with the sun shining directly into your eyes.
Ash: "???"
"Eat my Ultimate Move!!"
As his voice fell, Bruno let out a roar. He exerted force with his hands again; his palms, chest, waist—his entire body brought the application of his power to the ultimate state, viciously smashing Ash's entire body into the ground at his feet like a rock!
My Thunder Bomb!!
Ten Layers of Strength!!
"BOOM!!"
Instantly, rock and earth shattered and crumbled. The entire Rocky Area trembled violently as terrifying smoke and dust billowed outwards...
If he can really fight an Articuno hand-to-hand, at worst he'll just be severely injured!
Everyone: "?"
"Uh... this?"
Everyone: "..."
Half a second later, everyone came to their senses. They silently raised their hands, palms together in the gesture of a "Planetary Devastation," letting the smoke and dust and rubble mercilessly blow against their faces.
"I hope he'll be okay... (Referring to Bruno)."
"Hahaha, Youth, you're still a long way off!"
From within the smoke and dust, Bruno's boisterous voice could still be heard.
"Hmph, to this day, no one has ever been able to withstand this move of his, My Thunder Bomb. He'd lost count of how many Team Rocket members he had smashed to death with it."
"Today's outcome has been decided!"
But when the smoke and dust dissipated, Bruno saw the expressions on the faces of the surrounding crowd. They were looking at him as if he were an idiot. He froze for a moment and couldn't help but scratch his head.
"Huh?"
"Is there something wrong with what I did?"
"Or did I go too far?"
He looked towards his disciple, casting a pleading gaze, as if to say, "Highly suspicious. Please explain?"
"Damn it all, you bastard..."
Suddenly, a complaining voice came from behind him. Bruno's expression changed slightly, and he looked back with a face full of disbelief.
"This guy isn't dead yet?"
His move, if it didn't knock the target out on the spot, would at the very least leave them in a Flickering Candle in the Wind state. How could his voice sound so full of vitality?
As the smoke and dust cleared, Ash was seen scratching the back of his head, his dumbfounded expression tinged with a hint of ill intent. He propped himself up with his hands on the ground and slowly stood up.
"How is that possible?!" Bruno blurted out in shock.
Ash's body was surrounded by rubble and debris. There was even a half-meter-deep crater in the ground around him, signifying that this My Thunder Bomb was a perfect Slam, dealing full damage.
*Pat, pat, pat...*
However, Ash just patted the rubble and dust off his body, completely unharmed.
HP - 0.
This time, it was Bruno's turn to be dumbfounded.
"Master Bruno, I wanted to challenge you to a Pokémon battle. Why did you suddenly attack me?"
Ash asked with a hint of resentment.
"Is this an Elite Four member of the League? His opening move is a back-suplex?"
"But he had to admit, that old back-suplex... actually felt quite comfortable..."
However, Bruno's expression was even more innocent than Ash's.
"Ah? Youth, didn't you want to challenge me to a physical battle?"
"Huh? We're elegant Trainers. When have we ever needed to get in there and start punching ourselves?"
Ash said, as if it were a matter of course.
"To automatically assume a challenge means a physical battle... you're the one with the problem, not me."
As his words fell, Bruno became a little awkward, finally realizing his misunderstanding. He hurriedly dusted himself off and laughed heartily, using his laughter to cover his embarrassment.
Seeing this, Ash suddenly became interested as well and proposed:
"In that case, before the Pokémon battle, let's have a physical battle first."
"No, no, it's getting late. Let's just fast-forward to the Pokémon battle..."
Bruno's burly body shuddered, and he repeatedly refused. He was a Pokémon Trainer, how could he casually step into the ring for a round of punching...
"Vulgar."
(end of chapter)