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Hitmonchan entered the ring to a thunderous cheer from the crowd. Anthony, known for his formidable battling skills, was the clear favorite to win this match.
From the start of the tournament, they had been consistently outmaneuvering their opponents, earning admiration and popularity with their strategic victories.
However, Hitmonchan wasn't one to let his guard down. He kept Anthony's advice in mind, staying focused and blocking out the noise of the excited crowd.
"You've got your persistence, but we're not about to give up either! It's all on you now, Primeape!"
Ash released Primeape, who let out a mighty roar and raised his fists triumphantly. The crowd cheered just as loudly for him as they had for Hitmonchan.
As the biggest underdog in the competition, Primeape's exceptional performance had earned him a growing fanbase. While Hitmonchan was calm and collected, Primeape appeared to be relishing the excitement. Ash didn't mind; after all, there was no harm in enjoying the battle.
"Alright, both Trainers have chosen their Pokémon! The ultimate showdown is about to begin!" the commentator announced.
Ding!!!
The bell rang, signaling the start of the battle. Primeape, who had been waving to the crowd moments earlier, instantly shifted into a fighting stance, his fists clenched tightly.
From the outset, Hitmonchan exemplified speed. He darted side to side, quickly closing the gap between him and Primeape, showcasing agility in both his footwork and punches.
Ash instructed Primeape to observe Hitmonchan's movements, but Hitmonchan was faster than expected. Primeape, having dominated his previous matches with relative ease, was caught off guard.
Unexpectedly, Hitmonchan darted forward with lightning speed, landing a Mach Punch before Primeape could react.
"Ouch!" Primeape growled, stumbling backward under the force of the blow.
Anthony, ever vigilant, wasted no time. "Hitmonchan, press the advantage! Use Close Combat!"
Obeying the command, Hitmonchan lunged forward as Primeape steadied himself, ready to unleash his next attack.
Then Hitmonchan launched an offensive like a raging storm, his fists striking like a relentless machine gun. Each punch landed squarely on Primeape's body, one after another.
Primeape gritted his teeth and held his ground, crossing his arms tightly in front of him to shield himself. Hitmonchan's fists pounded against his forearms with relentless precision.
The sound of bone-on-bone impact echoed through the arena, each strike a testament to their sheer power. Though Hitmonchan's attack was ferocious, Primeape managed to hold firm, enduring the onslaught for the time being.
"Oh my goodness! Look at Hitmonchan's speed! His punches are a blur—I can only see them clearly in slow motion!" the commentator exclaimed in amazement. "But Primeape isn't backing down! His defense is holding, but how will Ash counter this overwhelming offensive?"
The crowd was on edge, the tension palpable as Hitmonchan continued to dominate the exchange. Misty leapt to her feet, her voice ringing out over the crowd. "Come on, Ash! You can't lose! If you do, I won't forgive you!"
Brock, sitting calmly beside her, frowned slightly. "The current situation doesn't look great for Ash," he remarked, concern evident in his tone.
"What are you talking about?" Misty shot back. "Primeape's defense is solid! He's handling it just fine!"
Brock shook his head. "No, Misty, you don't understand. Defense alone isn't enough. Even if Hitmonchan isn't landing decisive blows, take a look at where Primeape is on the field."
Misty blinked and turned her gaze to the battlefield. She finally noticed that while Primeape was defending well, the force of Hitmonchan's relentless attacks was pushing him closer and closer to the edge of the arena.
Anthony's strategy was clear, and the commentator captured the sentiment perfectly. "Anthony's experience is shining here! He knows Ash's Primeape won't go down easily, so he's keeping up this continuous assault, giving Primeape no room to counter. If Primeape gets forced out of bounds, the match could end right there!"
Misty's eyes widened as she realized the danger. "No way! Ash, do something!"
Brock nodded grimly. "Anthony's a veteran. He knows that once Primeape's pushed to the edge, Hitmonchan will go all out for a decisive blow. If Primeape is knocked out of bounds… this battle will be over."
"Even if Primeape hasn't lost his ability to fight, Hitmonchan could easily defend himself for ten seconds to prevent Primeape from re-entering the ring!" Brock noted, his expression tight with worry. His experience as a Gym Leader allowed him to quickly deduce Anthony's strategy.
Rebecca and Misty exchanged concerned glances, their confidence shaken by Brock's insight. While Brock remained silent, his thoughts were racing.
"Ash, Anthony's strategy is clear as day. I hope you've noticed it too," he thought, his eyes fixed on Ash's tense posture.
On the field, Primeape was oblivious to the precariousness of his situation. The relentless assault had pushed him perilously close to the edge of the arena. Still stuck on the defensive, Primeape's unease grew, his fighting instincts clamoring for a chance to strike back.
"Calm down, Primeape. Trust me!" Ash's firm voice cut through the tension, reaching Primeape's ears.
Hearing his Trainer's words, Primeape paused, the raging emotions within him subsiding as he regained focus. Their bond of trust was palpable, something even Anthony seemed to sense.
"I'll admit, you and your Pokémon are impressive," Anthony called out, a smile tugging at his lips. "But it's time to end this! Hitmonchan, step up the offensive!"
Responding instantly, Hitmonchan increased the ferocity of his attacks, hammering away at Primeape with even more intensity. The pressure was immense, and Primeape was now just steps away from the side ropes. One more retreat, and he'd be cornered with no escape, risking a knockout from the ring.
The crowd held its breath, the tension mounting as the decisive moment drew near.