"System, scan Machamp's information."
The moment Club Manager Yashaku sent out his Machamp, Ash immediately activated the Ascension Trainer System to analyze his opponent.
Scanning... Please wait...
[Pokémon: Machamp]
Level: LV.35
Type: Fighting
Nature: Diligent
Ability: Guts
Potential: Red
Moves:
[Proficient] (1/1000): Low Kick, Revenge, Low Sweep, Knock Off, Storm Throw, Strength, Dual Chop, Bulk Up, Thunder Punch
[Skilled] (1/500): Leer, Focus Energy, Wide Guard, Scary Face
[Novice] (1/100): Mega Punch
Machamp's level wasn't low at all.
It had already reached the late stage of the Advanced Tier and was only a short distance away from the Elite Tier.
Had Ash chosen to send out his newly evolved Milotic at the start of the battle, this match would have been genuinely difficult.
But today, the Pokémon standing on the field was Greninja—
One of Ash's first-echelon ace Pokémon, already at LV.43 Elite Tier.
Under such circumstances, there was practically no suspense regarding the outcome.
"Wow! So this is Ash's Greninja?"
"This is the first time I've seen it up close! It's so cool!"
"Seriously! I've only ever seen it during livestreams from city arena tournaments."
"It looks even cooler in person!"
"I first saw Greninja through short videos online."
"The real thing is way more impressive than on screen!"
"Who do you think is stronger—Ash's Greninja or Manager Yashaku's Machamp?"
"Do you even need to ask?"
"Obviously Greninja!"
"Manager Yashaku's Machamp is only Advanced Tier."
"Ash's Greninja is already Elite Tier!"
"Exactly!"
The spectators around the battlefield erupted into animated discussion.
Once both Pokémon had entered the field and both trainers were ready, Misty, acting as the temporary referee, raised her hand.
"Both sides ready?"
"Battle—Begin!"
Ash smiled and nodded toward Yashaku.
"You can have the first move."
Knowing full well how strong Ash was, Yashaku didn't waste the opportunity.
"Machamp!"
"Charge in and use Low Kick!"
With a powerful wave of his arm, Yashaku issued the attack command.
"ROOOAAAR!!"
Machamp slammed its four muscular fists against its chest.
BOOM!
The massive Fighting-type let out a thunderous roar before launching itself forward in a head-on charge.
Since Ash had voluntarily surrendered first move advantage, Machamp immediately seized the initiative.
Only then did Ash begin issuing commands.
"Machamp is a close-combat Pokémon."
"It has poor Special Attack and lacks meaningful long-range offensive moves."
"So..."
"Greninja."
"Keep your distance and attack with Water Shuriken."
"Grren!"
Greninja acknowledged calmly.
The moment Ash gave the order, it moved.
Its body flashed backward with incredible agility while simultaneously forming Water Shuriken between its fingers.
Then it began firing.
Water Shuriken was originally a move with relatively low single-hit power.
However, it was also one of Greninja's core techniques—a move whose strength grew tremendously with mastery and development.
Now that Greninja had trained it to the Mastered level, the move was finally beginning to reveal its true power.
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
One Water Shuriken after another streaked through the air.
No matter how Machamp dodged, Greninja's aim remained frighteningly precise.
Every projectile found its mark.
The barrage was relentless.
Continuous.
Overwhelming.
Machamp couldn't even get close.
Its greatest strength—close-range combat—had no opportunity to come into play.
The moment Yashaku witnessed this, his expression became serious.
This wasn't the first time an opponent had attempted to exploit Machamp's lack of range.
Many trainers had tried to keep Machamp at a distance before.
The strategy itself wasn't unusual.
The problem was that very few people could actually pull it off.
Either their ranged attacks lacked sufficient firepower...
Or Machamp simply powered through and closed the distance.
But Greninja was different.
Its Water Shuriken barrage was so dense and powerful that it looked less like a move and more like a machine gun firing endlessly.
Machamp was being forced backward step by step.
It couldn't advance.
Couldn't get close.
Couldn't fight.
This was something Yashaku had never anticipated.
And through this single exchange, he finally understood firsthand why Ash's reputation had reached such terrifying heights.
Still—
The battle had only just begun.
Yashaku wasn't about to surrender after one failed attack.
His mind immediately searched for a solution.
"Machamp!"
"Use Wide Guard!"
"Then keep advancing!"
Yashaku roared.
"ROOOAAAR!!"
Machamp hammered its fists against its chest again.
A powerful aura erupted from its body.
Steady as a mountain.
Wild and indomitable.
The energy rapidly condensed into a protective barrier that enveloped Machamp like a shield.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Greninja's Water Shuriken continued striking.
Every hit caused the barrier to tremble violently, as though it might collapse at any moment.
But compared to being blasted backward helplessly, Machamp was finally able to hold its ground.
"ROOOAAAR!!"
Letting out another furious roar, Machamp charged forward once more.
Its four arms pumped like pistons as it launched a second assault.
Watching this, Ash showed no signs of concern.
Everything unfolding on the battlefield remained entirely within his expectations.
"Greninja."
"Keep attacking."
"Focus all Water Shuriken on a single point."
Ash's command was calm and precise.
"Gren!"
Greninja nodded.
Maintaining a safe distance through constant movement, it continued retreating while firing.
This time, every single Water Shuriken struck the exact same location on Wide Guard.
The effect was immediate.
The protective barrier began shaking more violently than before.
Cracks started spreading across its surface.
Its collapse seemed inevitable.
Crack... Crack...
Then—
SHATTER!
The barrier exploded into fragments of light.
"Machamp!"
"Keep charging!"
"Use Dual Chop!"
Yashaku's expression became increasingly grim.
The moment Wide Guard shattered, he immediately ordered Machamp to continue its advance while preparing another attack.
At this point, he finally understood the biggest problem.
Against opponents slower than Machamp, everything was simple.
Machamp only needed to get close once.
Just once.
But against someone like Greninja—
A Pokémon faster than Machamp.
A Pokémon with overwhelming ranged firepower.
If Machamp couldn't even close the distance...
How was it supposed to fight?
Meanwhile, Ash's strategy of endlessly kiting his opponent might seem somewhat underhanded to certain trainers.
Especially to the original Ash from the anime.
It lacked that straightforward, passionate spirit many people admired.
But Ash didn't care.
Using your strengths to attack an opponent's weaknesses was the essence of battle.
Doing the opposite—
Using your weaknesses against an opponent's strengths—
Was something only a fool would do.
And Ash had never been a fool.