Chapter 109: Champion Belt, Ash's Choice

"You really love to challenge limits, don't you?" Red said, shaking his head helplessly.

The reason Primeape could trigger its Anger Point ability was also intentionally caused by Hitmonchan. To challenge the limits of fighting, Hitmonchan directly struck Primeape in the waist, accurately hitting Primeape's vital spot.

"Ash, the next few rounds will be crucial for victory," Red reminded him.

"Got it, big brother," Ash nodded in response.

Through the effect of Drain Punch, Hitmonchan's stamina was much more abundant than Primeape's. Ash also noticed Hitmonchan's unusual state and decided to finish the battle with Primeape quickly.

"Primeape, use Cross Chop!"

"Detect, Power-Up Punch!"

Hitmonchan used Detect, analyzed Primeape's attack trajectory, sidestepped Primeape's attack, and then landed a Power-Up Punch on Primeape's body. Through the effect of Power-Up Punch, Hitmonchan's attack was boosted, and its fists gradually hardened.

"Press the advantage, use Comet Punch!"

Hitmonchan's fists became afterimages, continuously striking the Primeape in front of it.

Seeing this, Primeape could only give up on attacking and turn to endure Hitmonchan's assault.

"Primeape, find an opportunity to attack!" Ash shouted, stomping his feet in frustration as he saw his Primeape unable to break free from Hitmonchan's assault.

"Remember to stop before it's too late. Primeape's attacks when its ability is triggered are not easily withstood," Red cautioned.

Hitmonchan nodded after hearing this. Seeing that Primeape showed faint signs of breaking free, it actively pulled back to create distance.

Seeing Hitmonchan voluntarily leave, the enraged Primeape also stomped its feet, just like Ash. Not only had it taken so many hits, but just when it finally had a chance to counterattack, Hitmonchan stopped fighting.

'Do you dare to fight me head-on!' Primeape challenged.

'Looks like you have quite a fiery temper,' Hitmonchan shook its head and chuckled, looking at its incredibly hard fists, its eyes filled with confidence. During the Comet Punch assault just now, Hitmonchan also took the opportunity to use Power-Up Punch twice, further boosting its attack.

"Hitmonchan, use Bulk Up!"

Upon hearing this, Hitmonchan quickly struck a pose, flexing its muscles, and further increased its attack power. Seeing that its attack power was now roughly on par with Primeape's, Hitmonchan's fighting spirit also ignited, eager to face Primeape head-on.

Hitmonchan's little thought naturally couldn't escape Red's eyes, but Red didn't speak to stop it. The protagonist of this match was Hitmonchan, after all. As long as Hitmonchan could enjoy the battle, Red naturally wouldn't spoil its fun.

"Primeape, use Mega Punch!"

Seeing that Red wasn't attacking, an impatient Ash had no choice but to actively order an attack.

"Hitmonchan, we'll use Mega Punch too!" Red commanded.

This time, Hitmonchan fulfilled Primeape's wish and engaged in a direct confrontation with Primeape. Their right fists collided fiercely, stirring up a powerful airflow. Their right fists continuously tested each other's strength, but neither could suppress the other.

"How can this be? Primeape's strength is clearly greater." Ash asked in confusion.

"Power-Up Punch and Bulk Up can both increase attack power, plus Hitmonchan itself has the Iron Fist ability, which further strengthens the power of punching moves," Red explained upon seeing this.

"I see, but my and Primeape's fighting spirit won't be extinguished so easily!" Ash said with high spirits, cheering on Primeape in the ring.

Through repeated sparring, Hitmonchan also figured out Primeape's weakness: once it got carried away, it was difficult for it to maintain a defensive state.

"Let's end this. Hitmonchan, use the final Close Combat!"

Hitmonchan actively gave up on defense, enduring one of Primeape's Mega Punches head-on, then landed a heavy punch on Primeape's face. Before Primeape could react, countless heavy punches struck Primeape's body again, with such bone-jarring force that even the audience outside the ring felt the pain.

"Primeape!" Ash exclaimed anxiously.

When Hitmonchan's attack ended, Primeape still stood in the ring, refusing to fall, but Hitmonchan didn't take the opportunity to attack, because it knew its opponent had already lost, only stubbornly refusing to fall.

"The winner has been decided! The Champion of this P1 Grand Prix is Red and Hitmonchan! Let's give them our warmest applause!"

After the announcer spoke, the applause from the audience surged like a tide and did not cease for a long time. This was not only admiration for Hitmonchan's strength but also recognition for Primeape's perseverance.

"This is one of the few truly moving moments in the history of the P1 Grand Prix! Let us forever remember the two brothers, Red and Ash, as well as the outstanding performances of Hitmonchan and Primeape in the ring!"

The victorious Red received the Champion belt from the organizers and tied it around Hitmonchan's waist. Hitmonchan joyfully stroked the Champion belt around its waist; this was proof of its strength. It couldn't wait to show off the Champion belt to its companions, especially to that kid Abra. Hitmonchan could already imagine Abra's jealous face, and a simple, honest smile involuntarily appeared on its face.

After a brief rest, Red decided to continue his journey. Before leaving, he unexpectedly witnessed a scene between Ash and Anthony.

As expected, to achieve his ambition, Anthony set his sights on Primeape. His rhetoric to Ash was old-fashioned, nothing more than promising that Primeape, after training, could defeat Hitmonchan and similar words.

"Ash, don't you want Primeape to become stronger?" Anthony questioned, his tone sounding even more concerned about Primeape than Ash's.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Anthony, but I also have confidence in making Primeape stronger, so I won't trouble you with it!" Ash rejected Anthony's plea. Since his brief farewell with Butterfree, Ash had grown a lot. Unless it was voluntary, Ash would never abandon any Pokémon.

"You can let Primeape choose for himself!" Anthony said anxiously, not wanting to give up so easily.

Seeing that Anthony was persistent, Ash sent out Primeape, allowing Primeape to make its own choice. If Primeape chose to stay with Anthony, Ash would understand Primeape's decision. This was Ash's gentleness towards Pokémon.

Just as Red had expected, Primeape didn't even look at Anthony, standing affectionately by Ash's side. Primeape didn't want to be separated from Ash now, and even without winning the Champion belt, it showed no discouragement or sadness.

Primeape's actions truly embarrassed the confident Anthony. Anthony still tried to verbally entice Primeape to make a choice, almost getting caught and beaten up by Primeape. Fortunately, the kind-hearted Ash timely stopped Primeape's actions.

Seeing this, Anthony could only 'regretfully' leave, planning to continue training his own Hitmonlee, or perhaps…

After witnessing Ash's choice, Red also turned and left. In Red's opinion, if Anthony kept obsessing over the Champion belt, he would never succeed, because Anthony's vision was too narrow. Abandoning his own life for the championship of an ordinary competition was, in Red's eyes, purely foolish.

[Chapter Complete]

***

Want more? Check out my Patreon for:

✓ Advanced chapters of all my stories

✓ Exclusive novels & fanfics

✓ Early access content www.p@treon.com/meowthtl

💪 Community Goal: 500 Power Stones unlocks a bonus chapter!

Thanks for reading and supporting the story