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"Huh... You guys! I won't let you off next time we meet!" The giant exhaled deeply as he glanced at the three people who had been blown away, then turned his gaze to Ash before surveying the field.
"I didn't anticipate this, but the match will go on. Will the real giant competitor be able to face off against Ash?" The commentator was equally unprepared for such an outcome.
Typically, the match should have been suspended, with the Giant's previous matches being played by others instead. Although it wasn't his intention, the question of whether he was still eligible to compete lingered.
However, with the crowd's enthusiasm palpable, canceling the match outright seemed almost impossible.
After standing silently for a moment, the giant walked toward the ring. He picked up a towel hanging nearby, gave the field one last, lingering look, and then threw the towel aside.
"What! The giant player has returned to the field, only to concede defeat. What an unexpected conclusion!" The commentator's astonishment mirrored the audience's reaction, as the game ended not through battle, but the giant's own decision.
Ash looked surprised too. He had asked Brock to act in order to foil Team Rocket's scheme and face the real giant, yet he hadn't expected the giant to forfeit so easily.
The giant then approached Ash. Standing before him, the sheer difference in size made Ash seem much shorter. The giant looked down at him.
"Your name is Ash, right? Your companion told me you were the one who uncovered the plot. Thank you for saving me!"
"You're not giving up just because I saved you, are you?" Ash frowned slightly at the thought. This wasn't the outcome he wanted.
"Not at all. Thank you, but this has nothing to do with that. I would have said this regardless of the game!" The giant smiled faintly.
"I conceded because being ambushed like that is humiliating. It shows me that my Hitmonlee and I haven't trained enough to deserve to continue competing."
The giant shook his head as he spoke. Though he had been confident about reaching the finals and ultimately winning the championship, the earlier matches had been played by imposters.
Continuing to compete under their efforts felt wrong. Moreover, he felt embarrassed to have been taken by surprise so easily. Such carelessness, he believed, rendered him unfit to claim the championship.
After hearing the giant's words, Ash could relate a little more. If it had been him, it might not have mattered under normal circumstances. However, in a formal competition, letting someone else take your place in the earlier rounds, only to rejoin later, would dampen any enthusiasm for continuing—even if you had made it to the finals.
"So, the rest of the competition is yours. I hope you win!" the giant said calmly, extending his hand.
"Thank you," Ash replied, keeping it brief. He knew Brock's Geodude had been easily defeated by Hitmonchan, leaving the opponent with plenty of energy. Now, with the giant's direct forfeit, Ash's Primeape retained much of its stamina, allowing both fighters to start the final on equal footing.
"You're welcome. I look forward to your performance," the giant said with a smile. He then waved, turned to his Hitmonlee, and left the arena.
As Ash watched the giant leave, a sense of realism struck him. Even those minor characters who had barely any screen time in the anime felt like real people in this world—each with their own stories and depth.
"I didn't expect such a dramatic turn of events!" the commentator exclaimed. "The Giant player has graciously conceded defeat, propelling Ash into the finals! Now, the ultimate battle between Ash and Mr. Anthony is about to begin!"
The unexpected scene captivated the audience. The giant's calm acceptance of defeat and dignified exit were met with resounding applause and cheers. Winning is winning, and losing is losing. "This is what a true competitor looks like," someone in the crowd murmured.
Nearby, Anthony observed the scene with a slight frown. Witnessing the giant's composure and humility left him feeling a pang of shame. He had always seen the giant as his toughest rival, yet when the giant faced defeat, he handled it with grace.
By contrast, Anthony remembered how he had reacted when he lost to Ash before. He hadn't even been able to admit defeat properly. Compared to the giant, Anthony felt he still had a long way to go.
Ash returned Primeape to its Poké Ball and headed to the sidelines for a brief rest. With ten minutes left before the finals, the championship bout loomed closer. The title of King of Fighting would soon be decided.
"Focus!" Anthony whispered to himself, shaking off his doubts. He had made it this far and couldn't afford to falter now. He was determined to give it everything he had in the final match.
Ash, too, sat silently, deep in thought. Events were unfolding differently from how they had in the anime. In that version, Anthony—who had seemed destined to win—had been eliminated by Team Rocket's interference.
Now that Ash had advanced to the finals, he was about to face his true rival—the strongest player in the competition. Having come this far, there was no question that Ash was aiming for the championship.
"Brock, do you think Ash can beat his father?" Rebecca asked anxiously.
"Well..." Brock paused thoughtfully. "The Pokémon on both sides are about evenly matched in terms of stamina. But Mr. Anthony and Hitmonchan likely have more battle experience."
He added with a slight grin, "Still, Ash has a way of pulling off unexpected moves. It might just catch them off guard. Honestly, it's hard to predict who will win."
Anthony clearly held the advantage in experience, but Ash's unpredictable nature made the outcome uncertain. Even after all this time, Brock hadn't fully gauged Ash's abilities, making it impossible to confidently declare a winner.
Rebecca fell silent, visibly conflicted. At first, she had hoped someone might defeat her father. Yet now that Anthony had reached the finals, she found herself unwilling to see him lose. Her emotions were tangled, torn between supporting her father and hoping for Ash's success.
"Alright! Rest time is over. Let's welcome both competitors to the stage!" the commentator announced enthusiastically.
As the ten-minute intermission concluded, both Ash and Anthony rose from their seats simultaneously. They walked toward the ring, their eyes locking in a silent, intense stare. The determination in their gazes was palpable, as if embers flickered within them.
"Come on, Ash," Anthony declared firmly. "I've held onto my resolve for years. I won't let you defeat me!"
Ash met Anthony's fiery determination with his own unwavering confidence. The crowd erupted in cheers, eager to witness the final showdown.
The stage was set—the ultimate battle to decide the Champion was about to begin.