The soul penetrates Xiaozhi and destroys Gou Hao at the beginning

“Yeah, do you really think I would say that? I’m not congratulating you at all,” Saiboli chimed in.

Xiao Zhi just smiled and didn't say anything.

“But I feel so much better now,” Clara said suddenly, relieved.

“That’s right, I can finally vent my anger. After all, you can even beat your master when he’s at full power, so there’s no way I can defeat you,” Sai Baoli said.

"That's right. You can even beat your master when he's at full power, so how could anyone else possibly beat you?"

"But next time we fight, I'll definitely fight you fair and square. I absolutely won't lose to you," Clara said firmly.

"Me too. When we face off next time, let's settle this score fairly and squarely. I will definitely avenge this defeat," Saiboli said, determined.

"Okay, but I'll still win next time," Ash said with a smile.

"I'm so angry! You're really awful. Your personality is so bad, you're second only to hers!" Clara said through gritted teeth.

"That's right, you, you're a really terrible person, although you're still a bit worse than me, right?" Sai Baoli was also so angry that he was in a helpless rage.

"So Clara and Saiboli, you two are aware of your own limitations after all," Miye said with a smile.

"Alright, that concludes the private training at Master Ma's Martial Arts School," Ma Shide said with a smile.

"Master has returned to his usual self," Clara exclaimed in surprise.

She suddenly realized that if she wasn't paying attention, her master would revert to his usual attire without her noticing.

"Xiao Zhi, you must come back and visit this old man from time to time from now on, okay?"

I learn from the old man and we improve together.

"You know, you are my most prized disciple," Ma Shide said with a smile.

"I definitely will, thank you for your high regard, Master," Xiao Zhi said.

"Alright, let's all go back now. Little Ye, could you please cook a nice meal for Xiao Zhi tonight to celebrate?" Ma Shide said.

"Okay!" xn

The disciples cheered in unison.

“Leave it to me,” Honey Leaf replied with a smile.

"Thank you, Master and Mistress," Xiao Zhi said.

That evening, everyone at the martial arts gym gathered together to celebrate Xiaozhi's victory.

Silent all night.

The next morning, Ash got up early and went for a walk. He ended up in the Cave of Fighting Spirits.

The Cave of Defiance is a cave located in the southern part of the Isle of Armor, connecting the Irene Field, Challenge Beach, and Circular Bay.

A river flows through the cave, and a large number of Pokémon live in the cave and along the river.

I've been on Armor Island for a week now, and I've basically completed all my training. I've also successfully tamed the Martial Arts Bear Master, so it's about time to leave and embark on the next leg of my journey.

After making up his mind, Ash returned to the dojo.

Xiao Zhi intended to go directly to Ma Shide, but when he pushed open the dojo door, he found Ma Shide chatting happily with a boy in the lobby.

The boy wearing a blue denim jacket with fluffy beige wool trim at the collar, cuffs, and hem, over a maroon T-shirt, black trousers, and purplish-black sneakers, with purple hair, brownish skin, golden eyes, thick eyebrows, and a pointed head...

Ash was also very familiar with him. This boy was none other than Ash's future rival in the Galar region, Hop.

Hop is not only Ash's former classmate at Indigo Academy, but also the younger brother of Leon, the regional champion of the Galar region, and a Pokémon trainer himself.

He claimed to have watched all of Dan's matches, leading some to speculate that his strength might be unfathomable.

Dante once commented that although he was talented, his impulsive personality made it difficult for him to perform at his normal level in competitions.

His braided sheep is a great helper for him when doing housework.

With his open-mindedness, which is very different from his brother Leon, and his unique style of letting Pokémon grow freely by combining battle with fun, he is widely praised in the Galar region.

Hopp greatly admires her older brother D'Antoni and aspires to become a champion like him.

From a young age, he diligently studied Pokémon knowledge, eagerly anticipating his adventures with Pokémon, his challenge to his older brother Leon, and his ambition to become the strongest Pokémon Trainer in the Galar region.

In the Sword and Shield game, Hop is a formidable nemesis of the protagonist.

Unfortunately, he was portrayed very negatively in the animated series "Journey to the West".

First, his role was completely stolen by a dog. For example, the main storyline of him holding a sword and shield and summoning Zacian and Zamazenta to help him fight Eterna was played by Ash and Hop in the game. Logically, it should be Ash and Hop in the anime.

Hop is such a good person. If the journey is going to portray two main characters, why can't it be Ash and Hop?

Furthermore, Hop appeared quite late, making his first appearance when the journey was almost over and Ash was preparing to compete in the Masters Tournament.

Moreover, he was very weak; he only had one Wooloo, and his Wooloo was instantly defeated by Ash's Pikachu with a single Iron Tail.

Back to the present.

"Ash, it's been a long time! It seems you've been training very hard at the gym," Hop said with a smile.

"Happ! My good brother! It's been so long! What are you doing here?"

Ash immediately stepped forward, gave Hop a high five, and asked...

"Hehehe! I was just waiting to see your reaction. You're truly worthy of being called Ash!"

Since graduating from Indigo Academy, I've been helping my older brother investigate the phenomenon of Dynamax and wild Pokémon in the Galar region.

I'm so envious of your ability to travel everywhere and achieve such an amazing seven-time champion title!

Even my older brother raves about you. Now that you've come to the Galar region, of course I have to come and see you," Hop said with a look of envy.

"So this is ah."

"By the way, I just received permission from my older brother a few days ago to start a trip in the Galar region with my Woolbraided sheep."

Catch other Pokémon to become your partners, grow stronger, challenge various gyms, and earn eight gym badges.

Then I challenged the Galar League, defeated my older brother, and finally became the Galar Champion.

"That's such a coincidence! I'm planning a trip to the Galar region, and I also want to challenge the Gyms and the Galar League like you," Ash said with a smile.

"I see. It seems we're rivals from now on. I won't lose to you, Ash," Hop said with great enthusiasm.

"I'll return those words to you verbatim."

After saying that, the two looked at each other and smiled.