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"Competitions are different from regular training!" Ash explained. "You need to control your emotions, carefully observe your opponent, and patiently wait for them to reveal their flaws before striking.
"The more impatient you are, the harder it is to notice those weaknesses. Stay calm when observing your rival. It's okay to unleash your emotions when attacking, but observation demands a steady mind."
Ash spoke to the Primeape with patience instead of scolding. The Pokémon lowered its head, frowning as it tried to grasp the trainer's advice.
"Your strength is impressive, but you need to control it. You must learn to channel your power without relying on raw force. Let's test it—attack me!" Ash gestured for the Primeape to come at him.
The Primeape tilted its head in confusion, uncertain of how to respond. Though initially aggressive, it had developed respect for Ash through their bond. Hearing the command, it froze, unsure whether to proceed.
"Ash, are you serious?" Misty exclaimed, her concern evident. "Getting hit by the Primeape is no laughing matter!"
"Don't worry, Misty," Ash replied with a confident grin. "I need to demonstrate something. Come on, Primeape!"
After some hesitation, the Pokémon nodded, steeling its resolve. It took a stance before dashing toward Ash, its fists clenched tightly. The punches were slower than Hitmonchan's, but the power behind each strike was undeniable. The sound of air being sliced accompanied every swing.
Misty shielded her eyes, too nervous to watch. As the Primeape's fist neared Ash, the Pokémon hesitated, unsure whether to pull back. But by then, it was too late to stop. Yet, in the blink of an eye, Ash had vanished from its line of sight. Momentum carried the Pokémon forward as it stumbled.
Startled, the Primeape growled in confusion before spotting Ash standing calmly to the side. "Keep going!" Ash encouraged. Fired up, the Primeape attacked again, unleashing punch after punch. Ash dodged each move with increasing ease, his agility putting him ahead of the tiring Pokémon.
Sweat poured down the Primeape's face as its breathing grew heavier. Its attacks became sluggish, while Ash's movements only seemed more fluid and precise.
"That's incredible!" Rebecca exclaimed, her awe evident. "My father trains with Hitmonchan all the time, and he's always winded by the end. Ash is unbelievable!"
But Ash seemed to be testing the Primeape rather than outright challenging it. He remained unscathed, which left Misty amazed.
"Alright, that's enough!" Ash called out as the Primeape's punches slowed significantly. By this point, even Misty, let alone Ash, could dodge the attacks. Ash gestured for the Pokémon to stop.
The Primeape, mid-swing, hesitated at Ash's words. Driven by its competitive spirit, it almost continued, but Ash's earlier evasions lingered in its mind. Gritting its teeth, the Primeape started to calm itself, trying to follow Ash's advice.
"Prim!" The Primeape let out a confused growl, glancing at Ash with sweat dripping down its fur, seemingly asking, Why aren't my attacks working?
"It's strange, isn't it?" Ash began, his tone calm and instructive. "You have more speed and strength than me, no doubt about that.
"But the problem lies in your movements. They're too predictable. Every swing you make can be read like a book. If you were up against a truly skilled rival, they'd anticipate your attacks and counter effectively.
"You're wasting energy with unnecessary movement. The more you flail around, the more energy you lose, and the more openings you create for your opponent. What you need is control. Harness your energy and let it build. Wait for the perfect moment to strike, then deliver a decisive blow."
Ash paused to let the lesson sink in. "At the same time, observe your opponent. Watch their movements like I watched yours. That way, you can dodge their attacks just as I avoided yours earlier."
He crouched slightly to meet the Primeape's eyes. "Remember, rivals aren't stationary like rocks or trees. They're calculating, waiting for you to make a mistake. You need to outthink them, not just outpunch them."
Some lessons can only be learned through experience. Ash knew this, so rather than overwhelm the Primeape with instructions, he decided to guide it gradually, ensuring it truly understood through practice.
After hearing the sound, the Primeape slowly lowered its hands and closed its eyes, as though replaying Ash's words and the recent events in its mind. Ash noticed and chose not to disturb its focus.
A moment later, Ash crouched down and picked up a fist-sized stone lying nearby, one that the Primeape had broken earlier. He tested its weight in his hand, and then, with a sudden shift in expression, hurled the stone directly toward the Primeape.
!!!
Sensing the sound and the movement, the Primeape's eyes snapped open. The stone was already in mid-air, flying straight at it. Without hesitation, the Primeape threw a punch.
At that moment, its punch was so incredibly fast that Misty and the others watching could barely follow it with their eyes. It matched the speed of Anthony's Hitmonchan from before.
Boom!
The stone shattered into fragments just inches from the Primeape's face, scattering harmlessly in all directions. But the most impressive part was that the Primeape's fist seemed to have never moved from its original position.
In truth, after it struck the stone with blinding speed, it had instantly returned its hand to its starting point. The motion was so swift and fluid that it appeared as if the Primeape hadn't moved at all.
"That... was incredible!" Misty exclaimed, wide-eyed. The Primeape's power and precision had reached a new level, far surpassing what they had witnessed earlier.
"That's it! Remember this feeling!" Ash encouraged, his voice filled with excitement as he clenched his fists. The Primeape was truly a natural boxing prodigy, and its progress had been astonishing.
"Prim!!!" The Primeape cried out triumphantly, its eyes burning with determination.