Seeing Kamado seemingly caught in a highly awkward situation, with his face turning a bit red, Cynthia decided not to continue teasing and suppressing him.
If this went on any further, this conversation might really become impossible to conclude.
So, Cynthia said with a smile, "Just a little joke, I hope you don't mind, Captain Kamado?"
"Heh… Hehe." Kamado forced a smile, pulling at the corners of his mouth, "I don't mind, of course I don't mind."
Ash and Pikachu quietly watched the scene.
They felt that Kamado's words sounded rather strained.
But regardless, this Captain of Team Galactic finally managed to suppress his feelings.
Cynthia acted as if nothing had happened earlier and brought the topic back.
"So, Captain Kamado, what would you like to ask of us?"
Kamado paused and his gaze fell upon Ash.
"Before asking, I want to test whether this young man has the ability to handle the matter."
"Test?"
Cynthia raised an eyebrow, her eyes filled with some doubt.
Right after being bested verbally, now that he finally got the chance to make his request, how dare he talk about any test?
Is what he wants to say truly important, or does he just want to regain a bit of face?
"Yes, a test." Kamado became serious again, "For the sake of your safety, I can't recklessly entrust this matter to you."
"This is also what I mentioned earlier as a difficult request, I want to verify your physical condition."
Saying this, Kamado looked at Ash: "Mainly this young man."
"Because the matter I want to entrust is extremely dangerous, and only this young man might be able to solve it."
"But this matter could possibly put him in danger, so I must first confirm whether the young man's constitution is adequate."
This is a lie—
The matter Kamado wishes to entrust is actually for Ash to quell a Noble.
Upon learning about Ash's ability to communicate with Pokemon, not only Irida and Adaman but Kamado as well immediately thought of this matter.
Ash's abilities are simply too suitable for quelling a Noble.
As long as the rampaging Noble is first subdued, then Ash can use that special ability to communicate, perhaps returning the Noble to normal.
Thus, if this matter involves one's constitution, the premise should be not attacking the Noble at all, but letting Ash approach the Noble for quelling.
Only under such conditions does Ash's own physical fitness become particularly important.
However, if powerful Pokemon first defeat the Noble or at least render it unable to continue attacking, then Ash's constitution is not the most critical issue.
Of course, as a Beast Tamer, one needs to embark on battles alongside Pokemon.
From this perspective, Kamado's words are not completely wrong either.
Yet his true intentions at this moment are more about teaching Ash a lesson and giving Ash and Cynthia a show of strength.
Honestly, upon learning that Cynthia turned out to be the Champion of the Sinnoh Region, Kamado had no confidence in surpassing her in Pokemon battles.
Thus, he could only regain his composure through a different method.
The people of the Hisui Region seem to be influenced by some special force, so their physical abilities far exceed those of ordinary people.
Kamado, when overseas, was already a wrestling master.
But after arriving in the Hisui Region, he realized his former self was nothing.
Even without deliberate extreme training, his physical abilities kept improving.
Up to now, even some weaker Pokemon might not be his match.
This is also why he proposed testing Ash's body like this.
On the surface, it's for Ash's benefit.
At the very least, confirm Ash has some capability to protect himself when communicating with Pokemon and quelling a Noble.
As for the real reason… it's to reclaim the face lost earlier.
"Testing the body?" Ash pondered for a moment, then looked up at Kamado, "How do we test?"
Kamado crossed his arms, speaking calmly, "It's simple, as long as you can last three rounds with me, you've passed."
"Brother Kamado, this isn't right, is it?"
Adaman's face changed slightly upon hearing this.
Don't be fooled by him being much younger than Kamado, as the leader of the Diamond Clan, he naturally understands that human interactions do not solely rely on strength.
If words press you down, it's not fitting to use physical ability to gain face again.
Moreover, Ash seems to be just a young man.
If Kamado truly injures him, then this conversation will completely sour.
But facing Kamado's words, Ash and Cynthia instead revealed extremely strange expressions.
Uncle, are you serious? Competing with Ash in physical strength?
Since Ash gained Aura Power, he hasn't met anyone with greater human physical power than himself.
Even Ash himself is unsure to what extent his physical fitness has now increased.
The only confirmation is that without using Aura Power, ordinary Pokemon below Champion level are entirely not his match.
Even Champion-level Pokemon may not be able to overpower him in close quarters.
If Aura Power is activated… that's beyond the comprehension of ordinary humans.
At his current level of Aura Power, as long as the opponent isn't Divine Domain Level Peak, he can fight!