"I lost."
Ash Ketchum accepted his failure quite calmly.
However, Natsuhiko indeed saw a very profound bond between Ash and Pikachu.
The fact that a Trainer can influence their Pokémon, Natsuhiko had witnessed that before.
It was during a battle with Da Ye.
It's just that Da Ye's Fire-type Pokémon were more easily influenced.
It's indeed rare to see it with Electric-type Pokémon.
And Natsuhiko also admitted that Ash and Pikachu have considerable strength.
At this time, Ash did indeed win the Alola League Pokemon Tournament afterward.
However, the competition Ash participated in wasn't the Master Tournament, so being Champion was just being Champion, it didn't mean becoming the Champion of the entire Alola Alliance, which are two different meanings.
At that tournament, to be honest, aside from Guzma, who carried some weight, most of the other competitors were kids around Ash's age.
And Guzma... Golisopod's trait was indeed tricky.
Directly having Scizor, which has a fourfold weakness to fire, face Torracat's "Big Character Burst Flame."
Plus, with Pikachu in Seed Burst mode fighting a half-health Golisopod with a type advantage, it was hard not to win.
Thinking of the previous tournament with Charizard... the difference was obvious.
Natsuhiko walked up to Ash.
"Can I take Pikachu for a bit?"
"Hmm?"
Ash was momentarily stunned.
Natsuhiko didn't explain much, he directly took out the Healing Spray, combined with his special massage technique and the supplement of Energy Blocks, Pikachu soon recovered.
"Mr. Natsuhiko, are you a Breeder? I also know some excellent Breeders," Ash said.
"Sort of." Natsuhiko didn't lift his head.
After treating Pikachu's injuries, he patted its head, "All set."
"Pika!"
Pikachu moved its limbs, finding that it was indeed fully recovered.
Even in better condition than before.
It affectionately embraced and rubbed against Natsuhiko, looking very fond of him.
Then it jumped directly from Natsuhiko's shoulder onto Ash's shoulder.
"Thank you, Mr. Natsuhiko, I won't hold you back, I'll keep my word."
After losing, Ash was somewhat disheartened.
But he quickly regained his spirit, "But I'll still keep trying!"
"Actually, you don't need to mind about these things, Ash. I actually think you won't hold us back. If there's a way to deal with Guzzlord, I'll invite you to join us," Natsuhiko said.
"Eh?"
With Ash looking puzzled, Natsuhiko didn't explain further.
Nonsense.
With Ash's character, even if you keep him out, would he really do nothing?
Rather than letting things get out of control, it's better to let him participate directly.
And with Ash's physique, there's no need to worry too much about him.
Actually, during his previous interactions, Natsuhiko had confirmed something.
The Ash standing before him now wasn't the Ash he knew from the original world.
Because during the "Lily Youth Competition," Natsuhiko had some interaction with Ash, and through Professor Oak, there was some exchange.
He was sure that the Ash from his world didn't have such an extraordinary physique.
Unusual compared to ordinary people, but not to this exaggerated extent.
Of course,
it's not impossible that Ash, after obtaining Pikachu, was zapped dozens of times daily, gradually strengthening his physique.
After all, electric current stimulating muscles can indeed have a strengthening effect if one can endure it.
But it wouldn't be enough to the extent of being unaffected by Guzzlord's "Burp."
If he had to say,
Natsuhiko felt that the Ash before him came from the animated world.
The world he's in now is more like a mix of the Special World and the game world.
Because neither the Rainbow Rocket Team nor the Ultimate Megacity appeared in the animation.
Also, in a world like the Special World, Divine Beasts and Phantom Beasts have been captured by many people.
Even though Diya did not capture Zeraora, it was almost like capturing it.
And its strength wasn't weak. Yet being thrown in such a rundown place without any attention from the Alliance was hard to justify.
As for the world he's in,
it's a product of the fusion of the animated world, the Special World, and the game world.
Neither as utopian as the animated world nor as entirely dark as the Special World.
It's more real and realistic.
But this is merely his speculation.
Besides Ash being from the animated world, there's no substantial evidence.
Perhaps there are many such worlds as well.
"Mr. Natsuhiko, is this okay?" Diya stepped forward and said.
Though he appears cold on the outside, he is quite kind-hearted inside.
Denying Ash was merely out of concern for him getting hurt, not truly believing he'd be a hindrance.
"Diya, don't underestimate a Trainer who can form such a profound bond with their Pokémon," Natsuhiko said, placing his palm on Ash's shoulder.
"Is that so..." Diya lowered his head.
But the next second,
he suddenly lifted his head to look directly into Natsuhiko's eyes, and said seriously, "Mr. Natsuhiko, I still hold my own view."
Diya is a stubborn person. Otherwise, he wouldn't remain here while all the members of the Ultimate Patrol Team had left.
Wanting to change his thoughts and views requires more than just words.
However, he quickly provided a solution.