Since the person who rented Sawk didn't know where they had been taken, Ash decided to return Sawk later. Sawk expressed gratitude for Ash's help and handed him two business cards. After reading them, Ash realized that the company Sawk was partnered with was actually his own.
"Hahaha, what a surprise. I never expected it to be a fighting-type Pokémon that signed a contract with our company!
"Sawa Mountain." (I didn't expect it to be like this. Thank you so much for providing us with a training platform.)
Actually, this Hitmonlee is a wild Pokémon, and the reason it signed a contract with Ash's company was to participate in some fighting tournaments to improve its strength. Since Ash has a group of Machoke, Machop, and Machamp in the mountains behind Pallet Town, the Fighting-type Pokémon can help advertise for each other. For training-obsessed Fighting Pokémon, signing a contract with Ash's company to participate in fighting tournaments is simply too good to pass up.
On the other side, the Hitmonchan of the fan-wielding uncle lost. It was defeated by the Machamp of the cloaked man.
"As expected, our training wasn't enough, Hitmonchan."
"Hitmonchan!"
Supporting Hitmonchan, Sento sighed. However, the burly man in the cloak came over and said, 'You're too fixated on training. It's only making both you and Hitmonchan tense.'
'This state... You won't be able to make any progress like this.'
Rebecca also ran over at this moment and looked at Sento.
"Dad!"
Looking at his daughter, Shroud pondered the cloaked man's words and then sighed, recalling what Ash had said earlier.
"Indeed, I was obsessed. So fixated on training that I forgot about family."
"Dad." Hearing Hibiki say this, Rebecca smiled, while Hibiki laughed and apologized, "Sorry, Rebecca."
"It's okay, as long as Dad can figure things out." She nodded, while Ash went on his way.
"Is my King-level Psyduck really that overpowered in battles, Master Bruno?"
Upon hearing Ash's words, the entire crowd erupted in an uproar. Because Bruno—? had just thrown off his cloak.
"Hahahaha! As expected, someone of your caliber would see through it. By the way, with Pikachu and Meowth by your side, you must be Ash?"
"Ah. That's right—time for a fight." Ash patted the Primeape beside him, and Primeape was already fired up and ready to go.
"Hahaha!"
Watching Ash's Primeape, Bruno laughed.
"Then let's have a showdown in the finals!"
The 21-divider line—? Once again, that Machamp is at the Champion level, and you're currently at the Elite peak. Under normal circumstances, there really isn't a chance to fight. Upsets where the weak defeat the strong have happened before.
'Roar Mountain' (Master, tell me how to do it!)
'We'll do it like this... like this.'
The match is about to begin! So, who will take home the championship belt? Will it be the mighty Machamp of the Elite Four's Bruno, or the dark horse Ash's fiery Primeape?
As the match starts, Primeape and Machamp stare each other down, neither in a hurry to make the first move. Between masters, a single misstep could mean the end. Following Ash's pre-battle instructions, Bruno's Machamp begins to 'take deep breaths'.
"Huh? That Primeape's condition isn't right—it's using Fake Out!"
Seeing Bruno observe Primeape's deep breath, Ash wasn't surprised and directly said:
"Go, Primeape! Let the battle begin!"
"Mute!"
Then Primeape immediately used Fury Swipes. Facing an Elite-level Pokémon, it was better to let Primeape act on its own rather than have Ash give commands. Because by the time the move's name was called out, the opponent would likely already have countermeasures prepared. Although Primeape's Fury Swipes surprised Machamp for a moment, it quickly adapted and retaliated with Fire Punch.
"Farmer's Three Punches? Primeape's ORA ORA; he's going all out!"
"ORA ORA ORA!"
Watching Primeape's ultra-fast punches, Bruno shouted to Machamp, 'Use Protect!'
"Machamp!"
As a green film enveloped Machamp's body, the divine technique used by countless people appeared. However, upon seeing the protection, Ash showed a faint smile.
"Not good!"
Seeing Ash's smile, Bruno also sensed something was wrong, but it was too late. Primeape's frenzied attacks relentlessly struck Machamp's Protect barrier. And when Primeape's attacks failed to break through, it didn't stop—instead, it launched an even more violent assault. Under the endless ORA ORA barrage, the Protect shattered.
"Using Protect against my Primeape's ORA ORA was your biggest mistake! Primeape, ORA him!"
"Roaring Mountain!"
Without Ash saying a word. The moment the shield shattered, Primeape's ORA never stopped, and Ash and Primeape simultaneously chanted the depth level E.
"'G Depth 4'*2__"
"We can't let him keep attacking!" Machamp strikes Primeape with Karate Chop!
"Can't dodge—block it!"
"Machamp!"
The Champion-level force on Primeape's arm made him take a step back, but it only fueled his ferocity.
"Go, Primeape! Attack with everything you've got!"
"You too, Machamp! Hold nothing back!"
"Roar!"
"Machamp!"
Then Machamp and Primeape engaged in the most primitive of battles. Primeape's scratch. Fury Swipes... even charging recklessly. The injuries on Primeape and Machamp were increasing. It was clear that the Primeape couldn't hold on much longer—after all, it was only at the elite peak level, while Machamp was at the champion level. The Primeape had managed to last this long by relying on deep breaths to continuously recover.
Bruno watched Ash's Primeape, amazed it could fight against a champion-level opponent until now. 'Ash, your Primeape is incredibly strong. But it's over—Machamp, Seismic Toss!'
'Machamp Mountain!'
Upon hearing Bruno's command, Machamp instantly charged at Primeape, grabbed it, and then unleashed its signature move, the Seismic Toss. The sight made Brock, who was watching the match, shiver. Misty and Suzy also looked at Primeape with concern.
'Machamp!'
With Machamp's final throw, Primeape crashed heavily onto the arena floor. Yet, Primeape still managed to stand up, relying on the deep breathing technique Ash had taught him. Watching Primeape, Ash couldn't help but say, 'That's enough, Primeape.'
Hearing Ash's words, Bruno nodded in agreement.
'Giving up? But your choice to surrender is indeed the right one.'
'Not going up is our ultimate move—It's enough for the final, final moment of Primeape! G-Depth 9! Ultimate Eruption!'
'Roar!'
With a furious roar from Primeape, he swiftly charged towards Machamp. Seeing this, Bruno shouted, 'Use Protect!'
'Mach...!'
Just as Machamp was about to use Protect, he found his body no longer under his control.
'It's at a level that can seal the enemy's movements! Primeape strikes!'
'Roar!'
As Primeape punches Machamp's body, Machamp's eyes gradually widened.
"Machamp!!"
With a scream from Machamp, the Ripple energy previously forced into its body erupted, followed by a violent tremor that shook Machamp's entire frame. Its eyes rolled back as it collapsed to its knees, unable to rise. Meanwhile, Primeape stood panting heavily, glaring fiercely as it awaited the referee's decision.
"The champion is Primeape!!"
'Wow wow wow wow wow!!'
Upon hearing that he was the champion, Primeape could no longer hold on and slowly began to collapse. But just as he was about to hit the ground, someone caught him.
'Roar?'
When Primeape looked at the person beside him, he realized. Ash was leaning on his arm, smiling at him.
"How can the champion fall at a time like this? I still have to put the championship belt on you."
"Mingshan" (Master)
Primeape felt his eyes grow moist, while Pikachu and Meowth also supported Primeape from the other side—even Ash's Psyduck hugged Primeape's leg.
Watching Ash and the others, Bruno smiled slightly.
"Hah, not bad at all."
Meanwhile, on the stands, Misty couldn't help but cheer excitedly when she saw Primeape actually defeating the Elite Four member. "That's amazing! Primeape won!" Suzy watched as Ash and the others supported the exhausted Pokémon. "Still as kind-hearted as ever, Ash."
The championship belt was personally fastened onto Primeape by Ash, who smiled proudly as he watched his Primeape wearing the champion's belt, praising it with a 'Very good, Primeape. This championship belt suits you perfectly.'
Bruno walked over and said to Ash:
"Not bad at all. So that's your original move?"
"That's right. Primeape did a great job this time."
"Interesting, really interesting. I'm looking forward to your match at the Indigo Plateau even more now," he said as he walked over. "Your Primeape has real talent—it might be a natural at fighting. How about it? Want me to help train it into a professional martial artist?"
After glancing at Sento, Ash pulled Primeape behind him and said, 'Forget it. Your so-called training method is completely ineffective. I'll take care of training Primeape myself.'
'That's the ultimate training method!'
'The guy who doesn't know how to balance work and rest, shut up! The champion is my Primeape, not your Hitmonchan.'
'Let's go home.' Glancing at his daughter, Sento silently tossed Brock, who was trying to flirt, aside.
'After all, I can't be wrong again.'
"Dad."
With a Primeape strike defeated the Elite Four to advance to the semi-Elite level and won the championship.