Gary knew this well.
His grandfather was Professor Oak, giving him access to the best Pokémon resources.
According to Professor Elm, Gary had raised over 200 Pokémon.
This meant Gary possessed most Pokémon available on the market.
But that didn't make him powerful.
Each Trainer could only use six Pokémon in a battle.
So, there was no real difference between a Trainer with six and Gary with 200.
The final battle unfolded as everyone expected.
Ash used only Pikachu, defeating Gary's Pokémon one after another.
The battle lasted less than half an hour—not because Gary's Pokémon held out that long, but because summoning each one took time.
When it ended, Gary's eyes grew despondent.
This outcome was hard for him to accept, but it was reality.
Nothing had changed, nor would it.
Watching Gary leave, Ash smiled—not mockingly, arrogantly, or boastfully.
It was a calm, friendly smile.
Gary saw it and wanted to smile back, but ultimately left without a word.
Yet he wasn't completely broken. He knew he had time and resources.
As long as he kept striving, he'd catch up to Ash someday.
At least, that's what he believed.
[Caitlin]: Black Ash is truly too powerful. He's stronger than anyone else.
[Cynthia]: I feel his current team could compete at the Champion level.
[Steven Stone]: What were we doing at his age? Playing in the mud?
[Flint]: Anyway, at his age, I definitely didn't have his achievements.
[Cynthia]: Though I'm called the youngest Champion, I think Ash might become Champion earlier than I did.
White World Ash also watched the sky screen, surprise in his eyes.
Though he'd also defeated Gary at the Silver Conference, the scene was different.
He and Gary had battled back and forth before winning.
But Black Ash was a complete crush.
His Pikachu was even stronger than White Ash's Pikachu with a Light Ball.
Yet their Pikachus started from the same point.
"I'll work hard. I'll definitely catch up."
"One day, people will compare him to me, not me to him."
White Ash slowly clenched his fists, a different light in his eyes.
Those nearby heard him and watched curiously, sensing a change in him.
In the Black World —
At the start of the second round,
Ash stood on the battlefield. Opposite him, Harrison arrived belatedly.
Harrison looked at Ash, excitement and surging fighting spirit in his eyes.
He'd seen Ash crush Gary yesterday and understood his strength.
"No need for words. Let's begin."
Harrison spoke softly, then released his first Pokémon: Dragonite.
Seeing Dragonite, a smile flashed in Ash's eyes.
With a wave, Pikachu appeared.
"Pikachu, this is a battle. Don't be too slow."
Hearing Ash, Pikachu cried out.
The next instant, yellow lightning erupted from its body.
In a flash, Pikachu became a bolt of living lightning.
"Dragonite, use Double Team!"
Harrison shouted. He might not win, but he wouldn't lose easily.
As he spoke, Dragonite multiplied into afterimages, charging toward Pikachu at high speed.
"Dragonite, use Lick!"
Harrison used his usual tactics.
[Caitlin]: Harrison doesn't seem much different from his White World counterpart. Same tactics.
[Cynthia]: True. Besides Ash, other people haven't changed much between worlds.
[Steven Stone]: I wonder if this will be another crush or an even match like White Ash's battle.
[Lance]: Who knows? But with Ash's current strength, an even match seems unlikely.
[Elesa]: Ash will win. He'll definitely win.
[Lorelei]: Let's wait and see. Ash will show his true power.
In the Black World —
On the battlefield, Pikachu stood still, ignoring the opposing Dragonite.
Ash's eyes held only an amused smile.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt straight ahead."
As Ash spoke, Pikachu stimulated its power, and a massive current surged forward.
A sizzling sound echoed as the electricity struck the center of the charging Dragonite illusions.
When the current dissipated, everyone saw a Dragonite lying on the ground, electrocuted and smoking.
Another one-hit KO.
[Misty]: How did Black Ash know Dragonite's location?
[Brock]: If I guess right, it's his Aura power.
[Professor Oak]: An Aura wielder can sense Pokémon. Ash used that power.
Seeing the barrage, everyone was surprised.
Ash clenched his fists. He hadn't expected an opponent he'd once struggled against to fall so easily before Black Ash.
It was shocking, and more than that—helpless.
He also wanted Aura power, but that wasn't something one could just obtain.
Not everyone could easily become an Aura guardian.
In the Black World — The battle wasn't over.
Harrison took out his second Poké Ball.
With a red flash, Houndoom appeared.
"Houndoom, use Hyper Beam!"
Harrison shouted. Powerful energy gathered in Houndoom's mouth, and a massive destructive beam shot out the next instant.
Harrison wanted a quick fight. He knew prolonging it wouldn't beat Pikachu.
So he had Houndoom use its high-power move.
Seeing this, a slight smile touched Ash's eyes.
Often, opponents tried to outlast his regular Pokémon, only to be completely defeated.
Now, Harrison using his ultimate move could test his Pokémon's endurance.
Thinking this, Black Ash didn't have Pikachu dodge.
"Pikachu, stand there. Take it."
Pikachu, still crackling with lightning, dispersed the electricity upon hearing Ash.
Then, to everyone's shock, the Hyper Beam struck Pikachu directly.
A booming sound echoed as the energy flow enveloped Pikachu.
[Caitlin]: Is he serious? Using Hyper Beam to train a Pokémon's endurance?
[Lance]: Hyper Beam is an immensely powerful move. What is Black Ash thinking?
[Lorelei]: No Pokémon, no matter how strong, trains by taking Hyper Beams, right?
[Professor Oak]: But Ash really did it. Perhaps only he can do such a thing.
Everyone looked on, shocked. They knew Ash wasn't abusing Pikachu—he was genuinely training it.
This was how Black Ash trained daily.
Three seconds passed as the Hyper Beam's energy faded.
Everyone looked curiously, then gasped.
Pikachu stood there, showing some fatigue but not defeated. It even looked energetic.
Harrison stared in astonishment. He'd thought such an attack would at least severely injure Pikachu.
Even if Houndoom couldn't win, another Pokémon might finish the job.
But seeing Ash have Pikachu tank the move… though shocked, he felt more excitement.
Any Trainer knew Hyper Beam's power. Even Snorlax wouldn't willingly take one head-on.
Now his worldview was overturned. Pikachu had actively withstood the move and didn't suffer major damage.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789