308. Equal Speed

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Seeing this scene, Ash's eyes widened, seizing the opportunity. Anthony and the others thought Ash might counterattack, but to their surprise, Ash instructed his Primeape to retreat.

This decision was surprising, as the Primeape was already at the edge of the ring. However, without hesitation, the Pokémon followed Ash's command, retreating under the fierce blows of Hitmonchan.

As the Primeape jumped back, it almost fell out of bounds. However, its back collided with the elastic ropes, and understanding Ash's strategy, it used the ropes for momentum. Though not as forceful as its clash with Machop earlier, the elastic ropes rebounded enough to launch the Pokémon back into action.

"Now, use Rock Smash!" Ash commanded.

Utilizing the momentum, the Primeape launched itself forward. While Hitmonchan was still recovering from its interrupted attack, the Primeape clenched its fist and delivered a powerful Rock Smash. The attack landed with an uppercut straight to Hitmonchan's face, forcing the opponent to stagger backward. Hitmonchan rubbed its reddened cheeks warily, its eyes locked onto its opponent.

The Primeape landed smoothly, its stance reflecting its resilience. Despite taking some hits, it had strategically guarded its vital areas and managed to resolve the earlier crisis with a single blow.

"Ash really knows how to turn the tables. Let's see whose punch is stronger!" Anthony remarked enthusiastically. "Hitmonchan, use Mach Punch, continuously!"

"Rock Smash!" Ash countered.

Both sides charged simultaneously, fists clenched. Their powerful blows collided mid-air, creating a shockwave that swept across the arena. Spectators, including Ash and Anthony, felt the gust of wind against their faces as an explosive sound filled the air.

"What incredible strength! Both Pokémon are giving it their all!" the commentator exclaimed as Hitmonchan continued its relentless Mach Punch attacks. The speed of its punches intensified, surpassing its previous pace in close combat.

The Primeape's fists radiated the power of Rock Smash as it faced Hitmonchan head-on. Golden and silver lights danced wildly in the air, their fists moving so fast that they became a blur.

"This is incredible! Both sides' fists are moving too fast to see clearly. They're attacking and defending simultaneously, leaving no opening for either to take the advantage!" the commentator shouted, his voice brimming with excitement.

The two Pokémon bobbed and weaved, their punches either landing or being blocked with precision. Each tried to find an opportunity amidst the rapid exchanges, but neither could gain the upper hand.

"It's neck and neck! But can you keep up at this speed? Hitmonchan, go even faster!" Anthony called out, urging his Pokémon onward. In response, Hitmonchan's punching speed surged to new heights.

The Primeape was caught off guard. What had been a balanced clash quickly tipped in Hitmonchan's favor as the barrage of punches overwhelmed it. Forced onto the defensive, the Primeape struggled to keep up.

"Incredible! Hitmonchan has increased its punching speed yet again, and the Primeape is slowly losing ground!" the commentator exclaimed, the tension in his voice reflecting the escalating battle.

"How is this happening?" Misty and Brock, who had been relieved moments earlier by Ash's counterattack, now looked visibly concerned.

"Was Hitmonchan always this strong? Has it improved even more during this time?" Rebecca muttered, her fists unconsciously tightening. She recalled how powerful Hitmonchan had been before it left the gym but realized it had grown even stronger with recent training. The intense battle before her confirmed the results of Anthony's meticulous preparation.

Ash frowned as he observed the battle. Hitmonchan had reached a new level of power, pushing the Primeape to its limits. Now, the Primeape could only defend itself, unable to counterattack effectively.

Ash's mind raced. The tactic we used earlier won't work again. This situation calls for a new approach. He clenched his fists as he called out to his Pokémon.

"Primeape, your potential goes beyond this. It's true your punching speed can't match Hitmonchan's, but we have our own strategy! Even Hitmonchan has its flaws!" Ash declared confidently, his eyes focused on the battlefield.

"Primeape, stay calm. If you can't dodge, use your body to memorize Hitmonchan's attack rhythm!" he shouted. It was a bold and risky move, but Ash believed in his partner. With no way to keep up with Hitmonchan's speed, they needed to focus on learning its patterns instead.

Ash knew that Fighting-type Pokémon possessed sharp senses. By using its muscle memory, the Primeape could anticipate where Hitmonchan's punches would land. If the Primeape could master the rhythm, it could eventually react quickly enough to dodge.

"Primeape, you can do this!"

Listening to Ash's command, the Primeape gradually steadied itself, standing firm against Hitmonchan's relentless punches. Its arms throbbed with pain from the heavy impacts, but it remained composed. Slowly, it closed its eyes, tuning out the chaos and focusing entirely on the rhythm of the attacks.

In the darkness of its mind, the Primeape visualized the shockwaves of Hitmonchan's punches. Every blow resonated through its body, and it began to sense the subtle patterns hidden in the barrage of attacks.

Anthony watched intently. "Is Ash really trying to have the Primeape memorize Hitmonchan's attack rhythm?" he murmured. "That's no easy feat. Even with all my time training Hitmonchan, I could never achieve that. Hitmonchan's flaw lies in its weak defense and limited endurance. Typically, a Hitmonchan can throw thousands of punches in three minutes at this speed, but it always needs a rest afterward. I've trained mine to extend that time significantly, but it still hasn't overcome its defensive weaknesses."

As the battle raged on, Anthony couldn't help but admire Ash's daring strategy. It was a gamble, but it just might turn the tide.