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Mankey struggled fiercely in Ash's hand, but he couldn't break free.
He tried to kick Ash, but Ash swung him twice with force, making him dizzy and weak in the legs.
"I say, why did you ambush me? I don't think I provoked you, did I?" Ash tilted his head, a little confused.
Ash had no idea about Mankey's behavior in the wild; he just found it strange that Mankey would ambush him when he hadn't done anything.
"Wild Mankey are like Spearow; they often ambush passing Trainers or Pokémon. They just like to stir up trouble."
Brock stepped forward to explain the 'legend' of wild Mankey to Ash. After hearing it, Ash looked at the Mankey in his hand, a strange expression on his face. So, besides Beedrill and Spearow, there were other Pokémon in the wild that caused trouble for no reason!
"But it's strange, Mankey usually travel in groups like Spearow and Beedrill. Why is this Mankey alone?" Brock mused, stroking his chin.
"Hocha!!" Human, put me down!
"You ambushed me, and you want me to put you down? Your target just now was my hat, wasn't it? That's very precious to me, and I'd be very troubled if you took it!" Ash said, annoyed.
His keen intuition told him that Mankey's target was the red and white hat on his head.
To him, it wasn't just a commemorative hat; more importantly, Pikachu needed this hat to enter its partner form. Without the hat, what was the difference from crippling Pikachu?
So, Ash couldn't easily forgive such behavior.
"Hocha!!" I thought it looked good, so I wanted to take it, what's wrong with that?!
"Hoh, you have good taste, but why do you say 'robbery' so righteously?" Ash rolled his eyes, speaking with a hint of disdain.
He approved of Mankey's taste, but he disdained Mankey's actions.
How could a Pokémon describe such a thieving act so righteously? Good-looking is good-looking, but does good-looking mean you can just snatch it?
"Hocha! Hocha!" Put me down, let's fight. If I lose, I'll turn and leave! If I win, you have to give me your hat!
"What kind of logic is that? If you lose, you don't have to pay anything, but if I win, I have to give you my hat? Gambling can only happen if both sides have a stake!" Ash said, a little speechless.
This guy must be used to being a bandit, right? He proposes a duel agreement where he has no disadvantages whatsoever. Who would gamble with you?
Mankey's round eyes darted around, then he proposed: "Hocha!"
If I lose, I'll acknowledge you as my Trainer!
"Using yourself as a stake? Interesting, let's do it." Ash felt this Mankey was quite amusing. Although he had bandit logic, it was more like the result of being influenced and going with the flow.
From the fact that he thought about equivalent exchange after Ash refused him, it showed that his thinking ability and nature were not bad, which was also one of the reasons Ash wanted to catch him.
And for a wild Mankey, this Mankey's talent should be quite impressive.
Species: Mankey
Gender: Male
Type: Fighting
Level: Advanced High
Ability: Defiant
Moves: Scratch, Low Kick, Seismic Toss, Swagger, Cross Chop...
Six-dimensional abilities: Physical Attack B (A) Special Attack D (D) Defense D (C) Special Defense D (C) HP C (B) Speed B (A)
Although there were only two A-rank aptitudes, with only one B and the rest C and D, the placement of these two A-ranks and the one B-rank was just right.
As a Fighting-type Pokémon, Mankey relies almost entirely on its fists, meaning physical attacks. Additionally, it needs excellent speed for dodging and close-quarters offense.
So, having A-rank aptitudes in these two abilities is already very good for a Pokémon like Mankey.
Even if other aptitudes aren't high, it doesn't matter; it can just be a high-attack, fragile Pokémon.
And besides its aptitude, what surprised Ash most was Mankey's level; it's very rare for a wild Pokémon to reach the advanced stage!
Among all the Pokémon Ash had caught, only Gastly was beyond the advanced stage; all the other Pokémon were normal, or even beginner level, but this Mankey was at the advanced high level!
Either his talent was exceptionally outstanding, or he was passionate about battling, having defeated countless wild Pokémon and accumulated a large amount of experience.
Either way, it proved this Mankey's exceptional talent.
However, for Ash, the main reason he wanted to catch this Mankey was that it was quite to his liking. Although it initially spoke with a bandit's tone, it immediately corrected itself once it realized what was wrong.
This intelligent mind, wasn't it just like his? Hmm, yes, just like his.
"Let's fight right here. Regardless of winning or losing, we'll feed you, okay?" Ash released Mankey's wrist. Mankey landed and rolled a few times, creating distance between him and Ash.
"Hocha! Hocha???" You're quite a nice human! Wait, you can understand what I'm saying?
Ash: ...Alright, he took back the thought that Mankey's mind was as intelligent as his. They had been communicating for so long, and it was only now that he realized Ash could understand Pokémon language?
"Hocha!" Never mind, it's not important, make your move!
Mankey immediately put this matter out of his mind. A human who understood Pokémon language was strange, but right now, he was more concerned about Ash's hat and the delicious-smelling food nearby.
He had originally planned to ambush Ash, get his hat, then sneak over to grab some food, and then make a quick getaway.
But he didn't expect to be caught before even getting the hat, let alone eating the food nearby.
Fortunately, this human was decent; after catching him, he was even willing to negotiate. Mankey wasn't a Pokémon that didn't know how to repay kindness. If he won against this human, he would just mooch a meal off him, and as for the hat, he would wear it for a bit and then return it.
Mankey was already envisioning the scene of him stylishly returning the hat to Ash after winning, while Ash was choosing an opponent to battle Mankey.
"You're the one, Charmeleon." Ash pointed at Charmeleon and declared loudly.
"Roar? Roar!!" Charmeleon seemed surprised to be chosen, initially not reacting.
After all, at times like these, Kirlia would usually already be on the field; it was never his turn to fight.
But this time, Kirlia wasn't on the field, and Ash had chosen him.
So, Charmeleon roared excitedly, then leaped in front of Ash, looking at the opposing Mankey with high spirits.
Kirlia merely snorted softly, not caring that she wasn't on the field.
Intelligent as she was, she knew Ash's thoughts. Mankey's strength was slightly weaker than hers, and he primarily relied on his fists and feet.
Her Psychic abilities would completely counter Mankey. If they were to fight, the opponent would be no match for her, leaving no room for gaining experience.
The reason for sending out Charmeleon was the same. Charmeleon loved close-quarters combat, which is why Ash chose him for this battle instead of Pikachu or Wartortle.
That big oaf was still very happy, thinking she wasn't trying to steal his turn.
On the field, Charmeleon had already begun to grapple with Mankey. Charmeleon extended his sharp claws, which were covered in a layer of green energy—Dragon Claw!
After evolving into Charmeleon, he learned Dragon-type moves. Although he didn't have the Dragon type, Charmeleon liked the feeling of direct, close-quarters combat!
Dragon Claw and Metal Claw were the moves he preferred to use in Close Combat.
Charmeleon swung his emerald Dragon Claw, fiercely striking at Mankey. Mankey countered with Fury Swipes, trying to confuse Charmeleon with rapid claw attacks.
However, Dragon Claw held immense power; under such a heavy blow, any flashy moves were useless.
Mankey's distracting claw attacks were directly smashed away by Charmeleon's claw, and then his other claw heavily struck Mankey's body.
In just one exchange, Mankey was sent flying, suffering considerable damage.
In a direct confrontation, Mankey was no match for Charmeleon, even with the weights Charmeleon was currently wearing.
But he surpassed Mankey in both level and ability stats, so even in a weighted state, he was not someone the current Mankey could challenge.
"Roar!" Charmeleon let out a low growl, two puffs of smoke coming from his nose, a look of disdain on his face.
This level?
Charmeleon's taunt was seen by Mankey, and instantly, a raging fire burned within his body!
He was the most elite existence among Mankey; only a handful in the entire Mankey tribe could fight him!
Yet now he was reduced to being mocked, truly unbearable!
Instantly, brilliant light emanated from his body!
Ash and Charmeleon both paused. This was... evolution???
Moments later, the light dissipated, and a much more robust Mankey appeared before everyone!
Compared to Mankey, its evolved form, Primeape, had much stronger limbs and body. Its long tail on its back was gone, and it now had black iron rings on its wrists and ankles.
"It actually evolved; this Mankey is indeed extraordinary! Charmeleon, be careful!" Ash exclaimed, then his expression turned serious.
Although Primeape's level only increased to advanced peak after evolving, evolution itself represents an increase in base stats. Plus, Charmeleon still had his weights on, so he wouldn't have much of an advantage in a real fight.
"Roar!!"
Charmeleon let out a Roar, breathing a stream of fire into the sky, his fighting spirit soaring!
If it was that easy to deal with, it wouldn't be fun, would it!
After evolving, Charmeleon could also feel the threat emanating from the opponent, so he didn't act rashly at first. The evolved Primeape was also the same.
Primeape is a hot-tempered Pokémon, but now he was controlling the anger from deep within him, carefully observing Charmeleon for weaknesses, not charging forward impulsively.
"Charmeleon, Dragon Claw!" Finally, Ash couldn't hold back any longer and commanded Charmeleon to attack!
Charmeleon roared, closing in. The emerald Dragon Claw once again condensed on Charmeleon's claws.
Seeing this, Primeape also made his move instantly, parrying Charmeleon's Dragon Claw.
He swung his fists, creating countless afterimages in the air, even producing whooshing sounds!
The howling fist shadows attacked Charmeleon. Charmeleon swept with Dragon Claw, but the Dragon Claw, which had just been unstoppable, was actually bounced away by the opponent's fists!
Caught off guard, Charmeleon took several heavy punches, his body showing some bruises!
The evolved Primeape was simply not on the same level as before. Charmeleon was subtly struggling to fend off the opponent in a direct confrontation.
"This is... Close Combat? Charmeleon, create some distance!" Ash saw through the move Primeape was using, a powerful Fighting-type move, Close Combat!
Primeape hadn't learned this move before, but he knew it as soon as he evolved!
This Primeape was indeed exceptionally talented, but now was not the time to marvel at Primeape's talent.
Dragon Claw against Close Combat was too difficult; now they should avoid its sharp edge.
However, a hint of unwillingness showed in Charmeleon's eyes. The opponent he had easily sent flying just now, now he had to dodge? How could he be reconciled to that.
But Ash's position in his heart was extremely important, so he obediently listened to Ash, started dodging backward, and with a few leaps, he created distance between himself and Primeape.
"You want to go punch for punch with him, don't you, Charmeleon?"
"Roar!" Charmeleon nodded.
"Then take off your weights and let your opponent see your true strength!" Ash knew Charmeleon wanted to go head-to-head with him, but in Charmeleon's current state, it was impossible to beat the opponent head-on.
The weighted vest put full-spectrum pressure on Charmeleon. This vest would make Charmeleon work harder than usual during training and battles, but the improvements it brought were also very significant.
And when facing opponents clearly weaker than himself, wearing weights allowed him to experience a sense of evenly matched combat.
However, now facing a newly evolved Primeape of similar strength, Charmeleon still had to take off his weights.
Upon hearing this, Charmeleon's face flashed with excitement. Then, he sliced at his shoulder area with his claws, and the weighted vest was directly removed, landing on the ground with a heavy thud!
Primeape, who was about to continue his attack, was startled by the dull thud.
He looked at Charmeleon with a very strange gaze, then at the vest at Charmeleon's feet, as if to say, "You were fighting me with that thing on just now?"