Upon seeing Ash's Heracross, Genzo's eyes lit up instantly. As an expert in Fighting-type Pokémon, he could tell at a glance that this Heracross was exceptionally powerful and had been meticulously trained by Ash.
The atmosphere grew tense as a battle seemed imminent, but before either side could take their positions, a loud shout came from the dojo entrance.
"Is anyone there?"
A tall, muscular young man walked in. "I am Shiro, a traveling martial artist. I've come to challenge the master of the renowned Genzo Style Dojo to a duel."
Genzo looked startled at the mention of the name Shiro.
"Wait a minute," Chigusa stepped forward. "Are you the one who's been going around challenging Fighting-type dojos lately?"
"I defeat the dojo masters and take their signboards as trophies instead of badges. I've collected nine so far, and this place will be my tenth!" Shiro was clearly brimming with confidence, and his track record back up his arrogance.
"Why would you do such a thing?"
Dojo challenges weren't uncommon among Fighting-type practitioners, but Shiro's singular focus on collecting signboards suggested a specific motive.
"I plan to open my own Fighting-type dojo soon. Doing this has great promotional value!" Shiro explained. Proving his strength by toppling established schools was indeed an efficient way to build a reputation—and perhaps even poach a few students along the way.
"I see. It seems you've only picked on weak dojos in the past. We won't be so easy to topple. I'll let my chosen successor handle this!" Genzo declared.
Successor? Ash looked at Genzo. Weren't we just putting on an act to teach your granddaughter a lesson? Why am I being used as a shield now?
Before Ash could speak, Genzo clapped him on the shoulder again. "Ash, if you inherit the Genzo Style, I'm willing to betroth my granddaughter to you!"
"Grandpa!" Chigusa cried out, her face a mix of anger and embarrassment.
"What!" Misty stomped her foot and stepped in front of Ash. "Ash isn't going to inherit your dojo! He's the man who's going to become a Pokémon Master!"
"That's right, that's right!" Molly added, looking displeased from her seat on Bayleef, while Bayleef itself let out an indignant cry.
"I don't care who you send, just fight me!" Shiro barked impatiently.
Chigusa insisted on fighting first, and Genzo couldn't stop her. However, Shiro easily predicted Hitmontop's movements, and she was defeated in less than two rounds.
"So, you're the successor they mentioned? If you're willing to wager your signboard, I don't mind going another round!" Shiro said arrogantly.
Ash turned to face him. "I never refuse a battle."
"The match between Ash, representing the Genzo Style, and the challenger Shiro will now begin!"
"Go, Hitmonlee!" Shiro shouted.
"Heracross, I choose you!"
Hitmonlee was even more specialized in kicking than Hitmontop, and it had effortlessly countered Chigusa's Triple Kick earlier.
"Chigusa, watch Ash's battle closely," Genzo whispered, hoping she would finally learn what she was missing.
"Yes!" Chigusa replied, her eyes fixed on Ash and Heracross.
"Hitmonlee, use Rolling Kick!"
"Dodge it!"
The kick looked standard in terms of power and angle, but Ash didn't underestimate it, having seen Shiro's previous match. Heracross sidestepped the attack with ease.
"Hitmonlee, use Jump Kick!"
Hitmonlee leaped high and came down with a powerful strike.
"Catch it and use Brick Break!"
A sharp glint appeared in Heracross's eyes. It caught Hitmonlee's leg mid-air and slammed it into the ground with a devastating palm strike!
"What incredible power!" Shiro muttered. In a contest of pure strength, ten Hitmonlee wouldn't be a match for Heracross.
"Hitmonlee, hang in there! Use Double Kick!"
"Chigusa, look closely!" Genzo called out.
Chigusa noticed something startling: the expressions of Ash and Heracross were almost identical.
"It's coming! Dodge to the left!"
Heracross stepped back with its left leg and tilted its body just enough to let the attack slide past.
"Now, from above! Catch it!"
Heracross used its massive horn to block Hitmonlee's follow-up kick before Ash launched the counter-offensive.
With a sudden burst of energy, Heracross slammed its fists into the ground and used its great horn to toss Hitmonlee high into the air.
"Oh no!" Shiro gasped.
"Close Combat!"
Heracross beat its wings and pursued the airborne Hitmonlee. A flurry of punches and horn strikes rained down from three directions, ending with a final blow that sent Hitmonlee crashing into the dirt, kicking up a massive cloud of dust.
"Hitmonlee is unable to battle! The winner is Ash!"
Shiro proved to be a graceful loser. He simply vowed to train harder and challenge Ash again in the future before departing. Ash didn't even notice that Chigusa was now looking at him with literal stars in her eyes.
"I knew I picked the right person! You're amazing, Ash!" Genzo admitted. He thought he had a high opinion of Ash, but the boy's actual strength far exceeded his expectations.
"Your name is Ash, right? Please, give me some special training!" Chigusa said, realization finally dawning on her.
"Then you'd better call me Master!" Ash patted Heracross. He intended to "sweep" this dojo for exchange points while raising Heracross's bond level even further.
"Master?"
Ash turned away from the stunned Chigusa and spoke to Genzo. "Old man, you owe me one favor for the battle, and another for training your granddaughter—that makes two!"
"Are you really not interested in the dojo or my granddaughter?" Genzo asked, though he quickly understood. "So, Ash, what is it you want?"
"I want Heracross to battle all your Pokémon. I also have some newly caught Pokémon that I'd like to pit against your students."
By the end of the day, Chigusa had learned the true meaning of combat, and her attitude toward Ash became deeply respectful. She vowed to train under Genzo and eventually challenge Ash again when she was stronger.
Ash walked away with over 1,000 exchange points, and Heracross's Bond Level reached 200/253.
All in all, he was very satisfied!