To me I think 8 episodes is possible.
DP183: Openning ceremony/rival meeting/1rst prelim battle
DP184: 2nd prelim battle (double battle) beginning of the Conway match
DP185: end of the Ash v Conway full battle/scene of Ash and Dawn discussing fighting Nando/Shot of Nando and Ash sending their first pokémon
DP186: Ash v Nando/Nando leaves
DP187: Ash v Barry
DP188: end of Ash v Barry (first 7 minutes) and beginning of Ash v Paul
DP189: Ash v Paul (12-15 minutes)/Ash-Paul closure
DP190: Ash v Legendary trainer/ League ends
It's possible. If we think about the previous Ash v Paul full battle, it took about half the episode to start and there was a lot of dialogue from the peanut gallery, so they can definitely fit a full battle in 15-25 minutes and do it well.
- - - - - - - -
Why are we assuming that Ash goes back to Pallet town ? I mean Delia'll probably show and Oak is gonna be there with his old pokémon... couldn't he just bring back his Sinnoh pokes ? I still think there's a chance Ash'll leave Infernape with Paul anyway. I think Ash'll leave from Sinnoh to Isshu.
DP183: Openning ceremony/rival meeting/1rst prelim battle
DP184: 2nd prelim battle (double battle) beginning of the Conway match
DP185: end of the Ash v Conway full battle/scene of Ash and Dawn discussing fighting Nando/Shot of Nando and Ash sending their first pokémon
DP186: Ash v Nando/Nando leaves
DP187: Ash v Barry
DP188: end of Ash v Barry (first 7 minutes) and beginning of Ash v Paul
DP189: Ash v Paul (12-15 minutes)/Ash-Paul closure
DP190: Ash v Legendary trainer/ League ends
It's possible. If we think about the previous Ash v Paul full battle, it took about half the episode to start and there was a lot of dialogue from the peanut gallery, so they can definitely fit a full battle in 15-25 minutes and do it well.
- - - - - - - -
Why are we assuming that Ash goes back to Pallet town ? I mean Delia'll probably show and Oak is gonna be there with his old pokémon... couldn't he just bring back his Sinnoh pokes ? I still think there's a chance Ash'll leave Infernape with Paul anyway. I think Ash'll leave from Sinnoh to Isshu.