Ash: ...
Alright, he took back his earlier thoughts about Mankey's mind being as clever as his. How long have they been communicating now, and he's just realizing he can understand Pokemon language?
"Haha!" Oh well, it doesn't matter, let's get started!
Mankey quickly put this matter aside. It's true that humans who understand Pokemon language are strange, but right now, he's more interested in Ash's hat and the delicious food nearby.
Originally, he planned to ambush Ash, snatch Ash's hat, grab some food over there, and then make a quick escape.
But unexpectedly, before he could even get the hat, he was caught directly, let alone getting to eat any of that food.
Fortunately, this human wasn't too bad. After catching him, he was still willing to negotiate terms. Mankey wasn't an ungrateful Pokemon; if he won against this human, he would just mooch a meal, and as for the hat, he'd return it after wearing it a bit.
Mankey was already visualizing the scene of returning the hat to Ash gracefully after winning, while Ash was selecting his opponent for the battle against Mankey.
"It's decided, you, Charmeleon," Ash pointed confidently at Charmeleon.
"Huh? Roar!!" Charmeleon seemed surprised to be chosen and didn't react at first.
After all, normally, Kirlia would have already taken the stage by now, leaving no opportunity for him to intervene.
This time, Kirlia didn't come out, and Ash had designated him instead.
So, excitedly, Charmeleon roared and leapt in front of Ash, looking at Mankey with fighting spirit.
Kirlia just gave a light snort, not bothered by not being called to the stage.
Smart as she was, she understood Ash's thoughts; Mankey was somewhat weaker than her and primarily relied on physical combat.
With her superpowers, she could easily counter Mankey; if they really fought, he wouldn't stand a chance against her, nor would there be any opportunity for growth.
This was why Charmeleon was chosen to fight since Charmeleon loved close combat battles the most. That's why Ash let him battle this time instead of Pikachu or Wartortle.
The big doofus was quite happy, thinking she didn't compete with him.
On the field, Charmeleon was already tangled in battle with Mankey, extending his sharp claws, covered in a layer of green energy—Dragon Claw!
After evolving into Charmeleon, he learned skills related to Dragon Type. Although he's not of the Dragon Attribute, Charmeleon loved the feeling of close combat, favoring hand-to-hand combat!
Dragon Claw and Metal Claw were skills he tended to use in close combat.
Charmeleon swung his verdant Dragon Claw, harshly targeting Mankey, while Mankey used Fury Swipes, hoping for quick swipes to confuse Charmeleon's vision.
However, the strength of Dragon Claw was overwhelming, rendering any flashy skills useless under such heavy strikes.
Mankey's distracting strikes were directly blown away by Charmeleon's claw, and the other claw landed firmly on Mankey.
In just one encounter, Mankey was sent flying, suffering significant damage.
In a direct confrontation, Mankey was no match for Charmeleon, even with Charmeleon still carrying a burden.
But in terms of level and Ability Value, he was overwhelmingly superior to Mankey; even in a burdened state, Mankey was no match.
"Roar!" Charmeleon snorted lightly, with two puffs of smoke from his nostrils, displaying a contemptuous expression.
This is it?
The taunt from Charmeleon did not go unnoticed by Mankey, and instantly, a raging fire ignited within him!
He was one of the elite among the Mankey species, with only a handful capable of battling him!
And now, to have fallen to the point of being scorned—intolerable!
Suddenly, brilliant light emanated from his body!
Ash and Charmeleon paused—this is... an evolution???
After a moment, the light faded, and a much more robust Mankey appeared before everyone!
Compared to Mankey, his evolved form, Primeape, had become sturdier in limbs and body, his long tail had disappeared, and both wrists and ankles bore a set of black iron rings,
"It actually evolved; as expected, this Mankey is extraordinary! Charmeleon, be careful!" Ash commented with a sigh, his expression turning serious as well,
Though the evolved Primeape had only reached the Advanced Peak level, evolution itself represented an increase in Species Value, and with Charmeleon still burdened, this was no easy matchup.
"Roar!!"
Charmeleon roared to the sky, spewing flames, brimming with fighting spirit!
If it were that easy to solve, it wouldn't be fun at all!
After evolution, Charmeleon also sensed the threat posed by the opponent, and thus wasn't rash in his movements. The evolved Primeape was the same.
Primeape is a temperamental Pokemon, but now he controlled his anger from the heart, seriously observing Charmeleon's weaknesses without impulsively attacking.
"Charmeleon, Dragon Claw!" Finally, it was Ash who couldn't hold back anymore, commanding Charmeleon to initiate the attack!
Charmeleon roared, approached swiftly, with verdant Dragon Claws forming on his paws once more.
Seeing this, Primeape immediately countered, blocking Charmeleon's Dragon Claw.
He threw punches, forming countless shadows in the air, even producing bursts of cutting air sounds!
The whirling fist shadows surged towards Charmeleon, who swung his Dragon Claw horizontally. The previously unstoppable Dragon Claw was repelled by the opponent's fists!!
Off-guard, Charmeleon took several heavy punches from the opponent, resulting in several bruises!
The evolved Primeape was on a completely different level compared to before; Charmeleon vaguely struggled to withstand him in direct confrontation.
"Is this... Close Combat? Charmeleon, create distance!" Ash recognized Primeape's skill—a major Fighting Type move, Close Combat!
Previously, Primeape hadn't learned this skill; who would've thought he'd grasp it right after evolving!
This Primeape indeed had exceptional Talent, but now wasn't the time to admire it.
Pitting Dragon Claw against Close Combat was too much; it was vital to avoid its edge now.
But Charmeleon's eyes showed reluctance; the opponent he easily launched just now requires him to dodge? How could he accept that?
However, Ash's position in his heart was extremely important, so he obediently listened to Ash, starting to evade, and quickly creating distance from Primeape with a few leaps.
"You want to trade blows with him, eh Charmeleon?"
"Roar!" Charmeleon nodded.
"Then take off your burden and show him your true strength!" Ash knew Charmeleon wanted to go toe-to-toe, but in his current state, it was impossible to beat the opponent directly.
The Assault Vest imposed restrictions on Charmeleon in all aspects; it forced him to exert more effort during training and battle, but the improvement it brought was substantial.
Moreover, when facing weaker opponents, it provided a balanced combat experience.
However, against an equal and freshly evolved Primeape, Charmeleon had to remove his burden.
Upon hearing this, a flash of excitement crossed Charmeleon's face, and he slashed his shoulders with his claws, removing the Assault Vest, which landed with a thud!
Primeape, about to attack again, was startled by that thud.
He glanced at Charmeleon and then at the vest under Charmeleon's feet with a perplexed expression, seemingly saying—were you just fighting me with that thing on?