After leaving the grassland that had been ravaged by the tornado, Ash and his group continued toward the location of the next Gym.
They traveled through a dense forest, where sunlight filtered through the overlapping leaves above, casting mottled shadows across the ground.
Suddenly, a red figure shot out from the treetops to the side like a phantom! It moved so fast that only an afterimage remained behind. A pair of massive steel-like pincers gleaming with a cold light slashed directly toward Ash!
"Pikachu, look out!" Ash reacted instantly, shouting almost on instinct.
"Pika!"
Pikachu leaped from Ash's shoulder. Faced with the sudden ambush, it did not choose to meet the attack head-on. Electricity exploded around its body as a fierce Thunderbolt lashed out like a golden whip toward the red figure!
Boom!
The electric blast struck its target, causing the red figure to freeze for a moment before revealing its true form. It was a sharp-eyed, imposing Scizor!
Clearly, it had not expected its target to react so quickly or counter so fiercely. Forced back, it performed a backward flip and landed steadily on the ground nearby, staring warily at Pikachu.
"Who's there?" Misty asked cautiously, looking toward the direction the Scizor had come from.
A deep and powerful voice echoed from the depths of the forest.
"Excellent reflexes, young man."
A middle-aged man slowly emerged from the trees. He wore a traditional martial arts uniform, his expression stern and resolute. At his waist hung an unsheathed wooden sword.
He looked at Ash with scrutiny and a trace of approval in his eyes.
"I am Muramasa, master of this dojo."
He pointed toward the Scizor.
"That ambush just now was to test your strength. It seems the title of Indigo League Champion is no empty honor."
Ash's heart stirred slightly.
Muramasa... Scizor...
He vaguely remembered something.
Relaxing his guard, he replied politely, "I'm Ash from Pallet Town. Mr. Muramasa, did you need something from me?"
Muramasa sighed, a hint of helplessness appearing between his brows.
"To be honest, I have an unreasonable request."
"My son, Shingo, is also a Pokémon Trainer. But he relies too heavily on computer data. He believes that as long as he thoroughly analyzes an opponent's information, he can never lose. He completely ignores adaptability in real battles, the will of Pokémon, and the bond between Trainer and Pokémon."
"I was hoping... that you could battle him and let him personally understand that battles are not just cold numbers and calculations."
So that's what it was.
Ash immediately understood. It was exactly what he had guessed.
With a serious expression, he said, "I understand. If a battle can help him realize that, then I'll do my best."
Muramasa's dojo was located deep within the forest, ancient and solemn in appearance.
Beside the battle field inside the dojo, they finally met Shingo.
He was a bespectacled teenager with a scholarly appearance. At the moment, he was completely focused on the laptop in his hands, his fingers rapidly tapping away at the keyboard.
"Shingo, this is Ash from Pallet Town, the Indigo League Champion. He has agreed to battle you."
Shingo raised his head and adjusted his glasses. His gaze swept over Ash briefly before returning to the computer screen. His tone was flat, like he was reading from a report.
"Ash. From Pallet Town. Indigo League Champion. Primary Pokémon used include Pikachu, Charizard, ..." He quickly skimmed through the data before looking at Ash again. "Battle analysis indicates a preference for fast offensive tactics and exploiting type advantages..."
He continued scrolling through the information.
"Your data is impressive. I accept your challenge. According to my analysis, there is a high probability you'll use Pikachu or a Pokémon with a type advantage against Bug-types."
Ash looked at Shingo, who was completely immersed in his world of statistics and calculations, and smiled faintly.
"Battles can't be decided by data analysis alone."
Without saying anything else, he walked directly to one side of the battlefield.
"The rules are one-on-one. The match ends when one Pokémon loses the ability to battle!" Muramasa personally acted as the referee.
"Go, Scizor!" Shingo sent out his Pokémon. It was the same species as his father's, though slightly inferior in size and presence.
"Heracross, you're up!"
"Heracross!"
Heracross rubbed its massive horn together, letting out a spirited cry filled with fighting intent.
When Shingo saw that Ash had chosen Heracross, he frowned slightly and rapidly typed on his laptop again.
"Heracross. Bug/Fighting-type... Shares Bug typing with my Scizor. No type advantage exists. According to data, Heracross possesses high strength but relatively low speed... The optimal strategy is to exploit Scizor's speed advantage through hit-and-run tactics..."
He looked up confidently and gave his command.
"Scizor, Quick Attack!"
Scizor transformed into a streak of red lightning, instantly closing the distance to Heracross!
However, Ash's command completely exceeded Shingo's expectations.
"Heracross, Bulk Up!"
Instead of attacking or dodging, Heracross planted itself firmly on the ground. Its muscles bulged as a crimson glow spread across its body, simultaneously increasing both its Attack and Defense!
Scizor's Quick Attack slammed into the Heracross that had used Bulk Up, but the effect was minimal!
"What?" Shingo froze for a moment. This was completely different from the reaction he had predicted. "Then use Metal Claw!"
Scizor's giant pincers glowed with a metallic sheen as it fiercely slashed toward Heracross.
"Protect!"
A green barrier instantly unfolded in front of Heracross, perfectly blocking the Metal Claw!
Two consecutive attacks had been effortlessly neutralized, and Shingo's rhythm was beginning to fall apart.
Just as he was about to continue analyzing the situation, Ash's command had already arrived.
"Now, Heracross, Aerial Ace!"
Heracross became shrouded in white light, its speed suddenly erupting as it moved in a bizarre arc, instantly circling around to Scizor's side before crashing into it fiercely!
The strike was unbelievably fast, and Scizor had no time to react at all!
"You think you still have time to look at your computer? Heracross, Horn Attack!"
The moment the words fell, Heracross charged forward again and sent Scizor flying with a powerful strike from its horn.
At that moment, Shingo's computer displayed another warning. This time, it was new battle data being recorded.
"How is it this fast?" He had only been distracted for a moment, yet Scizor had already been hit repeatedly.
"Scizor, get up and use Agility!"
Fortunately, Shingo reacted quickly enough, taking advantage of Scizor's speed to confuse Heracross.
"Heracross, don't panic. Calm down and carefully listen to the sounds of the wind around you," Ash commanded.
And Heracross did not disappoint him.
It stood completely still and closed its eyes, sensing everything around it through the movement of the air. Even if it could not match Scizor's speed, as long as Scizor dared to approach, Heracross's enhanced reaction speed would instantly turn the tide.
This was Ash's straightforward strategy.
But Shingo seemed completely unaware of it. Thinking Heracross was too afraid to move, he believed he had found an opportunity.
"Scizor, use Metal Claw!"
"Heracross, Focus Punch!"
Just as Scizor prepared to launch a sneak attack from behind Heracross, Heracross suddenly spun around. The concentrated sphere of fighting energy in its hand collided directly against Scizor's metallic claw.
Boom!
After the explosion, both Pokémon were blasted backward simultaneously.
"How is this possible? Heracross actually sensed my sneak attack?!"
"You still have time to look at your computer? Heracross, Brick Break!"
Thanks to its sturdy body, Heracross quickly recovered and charged directly in front of Scizor, smashing a claw into its head.
"Scizor, dodge! Hurry and dodge!" Shingo was already panicking.
"It's too late to dodge now. Heracross, Night Slash!"
At Ash's command, Heracross's claw slashed directly across Scizor's waist, striking precisely at its weak point.
"Scizor!"
Shingo no longer cared about the computer and stared directly at the battlefield.
"Finish it with Megahorn!"
Heracross lowered its horn, glowing with brilliant white light, and slammed into Scizor.
The battle was over.
"Scizor is unable to battle! Ash wins!"
Hearing the result, Shingo stood there completely at a loss. As for the computer he relied on so heavily, its screen was now filled with question marks.
"I... I was completely overwhelmed..."
That was the only thought echoing in his mind.
"Shingo, what about the computer you always depended on?" Muramasa walked over and asked.
"I kept staring at the computer, and I underestimated him too. I never imagined Heracross's reactions would be that fast. I completely ignored Scizor's actual condition..." Shingo muttered as he reflected on himself.
Then suddenly, realization dawned on him.
"I understand now. Ash kept his eyes on Heracross the entire time, so he was able to control the rhythm of the battle. So this... this is what battling really is?"
"It seems you finally understand." Muramasa smiled faintly. "You've rediscovered the passion you once had."
"Yes, Dad!"
Shingo answered loudly before walking over to Scizor.
"Scizor, you worked hard in this battle."
Scizor nodded lightly at him.
Muramasa patted his son on the shoulder.
"After this, you should go out and see the world for yourself."
"Okay. I've decided. I'm going on a journey too, together with my Scizor. Ash, someday I'll challenge you to another battle!"
Ash smiled slightly.
"Of course. I'll be waiting anytime."
Seeing the two shake hands, Muramasa nodded in satisfaction before turning to Ash.
"Thank you for this. I truly don't know how to repay you."
"It was nothing. Sorry for troubling you all," Ash replied politely.
"To show my gratitude, take this."
Muramasa pulled out an item and handed it to Ash.
Ash took a look and discovered it was a Metal Coat!
Perfect.
He happened to own a Scyther himself. All he needed now was the right opportunity to evolve it into Scizor.
....