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"Bayleef?"
Stepping out of the forest, Bayleef, carrying Mei, suddenly let out a happy cry. It turned out that on the grassland before Ash and his companions, a large number of Grass-type Pokémon appeared: Oddish, Gloom, Sunflora, Bellsprout, Weepinbell... There seemed to be many Grass-type Pokémon in this vicinity, and the environment here was indeed suitable for their growth.
"Oh my, it's a Bayleef! Amazing, I actually saw a Bayleef!" A boy's surprised voice came from not far behind them. The boy held a Jumpluff in his arms, the evolved form of Hoppip that they had seen before. After evolving, it had a green body with yellow flowers blooming on its head.
"Hello, my name is Shishi!"
"Shishi," meaning "fruit," was a good name. "Excuse me, are you heading to Ecruteak City?"
"My name is Ash, this is Misty, Brock, Mei, and these are my Pikachu and Bayleef!" Ash introduced them. "Yes, we're heading to Ecruteak City for a Gym challenge."
"Ash, you must be a really strong trainer!" Shishi's eyes held eagerness and pleading. "Please, I beg you, will you have a battle between your Bayleef and my Jumpluff?"
"Of course, I never refuse a battle request!"
For a friendly match, there was no need for a referee, and both Pokémon were already out of their Poké Balls.
"Go, Bayleef!" Mei's cheer marked the beginning of the battle!
"Jumpluff, use Tackle!" Shishi's command was decisive, and Jumpluff reacted quickly. But when Jumpluff crashed into Bayleef, it bounced itself backward.
"Shishi, Jumpluff's weight is too light; Tackle won't be effective! Observe your opponent's condition carefully, compare your advantages and disadvantages, and then make a judgment!" Ash instructed Shishi from the opposing side. Seeing this, Brock and Misty exchanged a smile. "Ash now has rich battle experience; he's no longer that brash, impulsive kid!"
Shishi quickly understood Ash's words. "Ash, thank you! Jumpluff, use Shadow Clone!" Dozens of Jumpluff surrounded Bayleef, indicating this move was frequently trained. But Ash had already experienced such situations too many times! Even Bayleef showed no panic, merely lowering its stance slightly, ready to attack at any moment!
"Do you know there's a move that always hits?" Ash smiled confidently, and Bayleef made its move!
"Magical Leaf!" Grass-type energy transformed into emerald leaves, sweeping through all the Shadow Clones and striking the real Jumpluff, sending it flying!
"Now! Body Slam!"
Bayleef, with its comparatively massive body, charged towards Jumpluff, then lifted itself up and stomped down hard on Jumpluff.
"That's enough!"
With a thud, Bayleef's foot landed on empty ground, and the outcome was decided.
"Ash's battling is becoming more and more refined. Just as he said, he fully utilized Bayleef's advantages, and the use and seamless transitions between its various moves were perfect!" Brock gave Ash's battle extremely high praise. He was growing stronger and stronger!
After the battle, they were simply fellow Pokémon Trainers and friends. Ash and his companions followed Shishi home. It was a warm home nestled in the middle of a sea of flowers.
"I see, Shishi and Jumpluff have worked very hard!" Hearing about the battle, Shishi's father immediately affirmed Shishi's efforts first. Shishi wasn't as dejected then. "I battled with all my might, but Ash's Bayleef is truly strong!" "And thank you, Ash, I learned a lot!"
Shishi's father also thanked Ash. "Thank you all. For an excellent trainer like Ash to practice with Shishi, it truly gave Shishi a valuable lesson! Please rest well at my home tonight." Being able to stay indoors was, of course, much better than camping outdoors. Unable to refuse their warm hospitality, Ash and his companions gratefully accepted.
"Ash big brother, the flowers here are so pretty!" Mei absolutely adored the sea of flowers here.
"Those flowers were cultivated by our family and our Grass-type Pokémon!" Shishi's family believed that Grass-type Pokémon understood the feelings of flowers and plants best.
"Not only that, but Grass-type Pokémon are also very powerful in battle!" Shishi said this enthusiastically. He was eagerly anticipating participating in the local Grass Pokémon Tournament! This was a small, local competition, similar to the Bug-Catching Contest, where the champion would receive generous prizes.
The competition was scheduled for the next day. Since they had stumbled upon it, there was no reason not to participate. Moreover, it was just the right time for Bayleef to evolve! After evolving, it would bloom with incredibly beautiful flowers!
"Thank you for waiting, everyone! The town's annual Grass Pokémon Tournament is finally about to begin!" Ash stood in the waiting area, looking at the Grass-type Pokémon around him—Victreebel, Parasect, Vileplume, and more—all seemingly well-trained. Since this small town hosted such a tournament, they likely specialized in Grass-type Pokémon.
"Big brother, that Sunflora looks so weird!" Mei, who loved to stick close to Ash, pointed to a Sunflora not far away, puzzled. It did indeed look strange. Ash swept it with his Aura. Sigh, it was those three again. They actually had Meowth disguise itself as a Sunflora to participate. Quite resourceful! Noticing Ash watching them, Jessie and Meowth quickly turned their heads. The "twerps" were getting stronger and stronger now; there was simply no opportunity to act. Ash was too lazy to bother with them; they would be disqualified anyway.
"Contestant Ash, it's almost your turn!" A staff member came to find Ash.
"Go, big brother Ash! Go, Bayleef!"
"Next up to battle, the last-minute contestant, Ash!"
"Contestant Ash has achieved good results in past competitions. This time, we wonder what kind of performance he will bring us!" This tournament even had an announcer. With such an introduction, Ash quickly became the center of attention, with everyone watching his battle.
"Go, Gloom, use Petal Dance!" After the opponent's command, Gloom began to spin and dance in place, with petals falling from its body.
"Sweet Scent!"
As the petals danced, a sweet scent also wafted down, and Gloom's movements visibly slowed.
"Body Slam!"
Bayleef seized the opportunity and stomped down on Gloom.
"Gloom is unable to battle! Contestant Ash is truly amazing!" Even the announcer seemed momentarily stunned, taking several seconds to react before loudly praising him. Instantly, the atmosphere of the entire tournament became lively.