"Roar!"
The emerald radiance gradually bloomed, eventually merging into Rayquaza's body, while Rayquaza's speed also reached its peak. The Precipice Blades grazed past it on both sides, and no matter how furious Groudon was at that moment, its attacks all missed.
The Precipice Blades could knock down any Pidgey or unidentified flying object that dared to provoke it, vindicating the Ground Type, but it had no means against the high-speed flying Rayquaza.
Faced with Kyogre's Root Fluctuation, Rayquaza danced playfully, weaving up and down, spiraling forward around the Root Fluctuation.
Green light flashed across the sky, and in the blink of an eye, Rayquaza had already arrived in front of Kyogre. The power of its Finishing Touch exploded completely, hurling Kyogre's massive body straight out, and then Rayquaza charged toward Groudon with undiminished might.
Kyogre sank into the sea, and Groudon's body also fell onto the scorching magma terrain behind it.
The surging waves rushed towards Kaidou's location, and the magma splattered by Groudon's body flew towards him as if joining in the fun. Yet Kaidou showed no intention of dodging; instead, he transformed into his Cyan Dragon Form and, with the Defend Barrier, charged into the sky.
He needed a better vantage point to watch this battle.
As Kaidou flew higher, Kyogre had already reemerged from the depths, and Groudon was struggling to stand again on the magma scorched earth. However, the primal power symbolizing their return had vanished from their bodies.
Under Rayquaza's Finishing Touch, both Kyogre and Groudon were forced back to their original forms, their previous fighting spirit completely dissipated.
Their conflicts hadn't resolved, but due to Rayquaza's power, they were compelled to cease fighting.
"Roar!" (Keep fighting! Come on, you two, fight again and let me see! If you've had enough, then get lost!)
Kyogre and Groudon exchanged glances, seemingly setting a time for their next battle. Then, in a manner of provocation, Kyogre flew a half-circle in the sky before heading back to the depths of the ocean.
Groudon, on the other hand, turned around angrily, taking one step at a time towards the distance. As the conflict ended, Rayquaza also released its Mega Form, planning to return to the sky.
"The Sky Dragon, Rayquaza, maintains the balance of the Hoenn Region, and Lord Arceus wants..."
It was at this moment that Kaidou directly pursued, without even hearing Hilona's words.
"Heh heh heh, you understand me, right? Come, let's battle! This is the kind of battle I want!"
The battle between Groudon and Kyogre was already shocking; from the moment they appeared, the weather had drastically changed, and their every move was devastating enough to alter landscapes. If these two colossal beasts continued to fight, the disasters they would unleash would be beyond imagination.
Without Rayquaza's mediation, Kyogre and Groudon would have fought until Hoenn was destroyed, the continental shelf entirely reshaped.
But these two apocalyptic creatures were overpowered by Rayquaza alone. Although it wasn't a fight to the death, it was impossible for a weaker force to halt such a battle. Only the stronger could cease the combat.
It's truly a pity to let such an opponent leave without a fight.
However, before Kaidou could catch up, the surroundings suddenly shattered. When he appeared again, he was already beside Arceus on the Holy Mountain.
...
As Rayquaza's silhouette disappeared, the live broadcast in front of Yamato also shattered, ice crystals like dust reflecting sunlight, creating a magnificent scene, but she couldn't appreciate it at all.
Her eyes were vacant, as if a spirit body hovered above her.
The ominous premonition inevitably became a harsh reality. She had seen Kaidou chasing Rayquaza and heard Kaidou's proclamation. If Kaidou were to gain such power...
[Finishing Touch: Apocalypse Hakke!]
The fantasy of a swift strike brought Yamato back to reality. She even mentally crafted a move name for Kaidou.
"No, absolutely not! If I fall behind that bastard father, it'll be like it was over ten years ago."
Right now, Kaidou is a nuisance for Yamato, but no longer an insurmountable nuisance. She is capable of standing her ground. If Kaidou were careless and let her get in a strike, it wouldn't be pleasant for him.
That wasn't the case over ten years ago. Back then, she was utterly overwhelmed by Kaidou, and the nature of the battle depended entirely on his whim.
She had finally completed her studies, but the immense family business was not yet hers to inherit, so her task became helping her family during her adventures, while also preparing to pursue higher education.
Turning back, she noticed Arceus had suddenly set up evening classes for Kaidou, readying him for a major breakthrough.
At that moment, a curious Blissey poked half its body through the door, looking on at the strange Yamato.
"Happy?"
It was late autumn, and the temperature in Wano Kuni was comfortably mild. Golden sunlight streamed through the windows, making the room appear quite cozy.
But this sunlight seemed to offer Yamato no warmth; under its glow, she seemed to be wrestling with her life choices, kneeling on the ground with a mix of despair.
After a while, Yamato stood again, determination written in her eyes.
"I must be faster than that damned father! Zekrom, Reshiram, get ready, I'm back at it again!"
Momentarily reignited with resolve, she decided to master this power first, gracefully slipping through the window, spreading her wings of thunder, heading toward the Holy Mountain—her trial was to continue.
As for why she doesn't flee... she needs to try her best first. If she can't deal with Kaidou, she could think about fleeing later.
...
Arceus's decision had reinvigorated the slightly lackadaisical Yamato, as she hurried in that direction, the preparations for Kaidou continued.
"Ready?"
"Heh heh heh, of course, I'm ready. So what do I need to do?"
Kaidou was no mere brute; before undertaking something, he needed to know the general method.
"Earn its recognition, or have it recognize you."
"Isn't that the same thing?"
"Not quite. You saw the battle; describing it as a divine battle is no exaggeration.
Pokemon of this caliber all have their own will. Groudon wouldn't favor someone who idolizes The Sea, and Kyogre wouldn't accept someone who advocates the land.
If they don't recognize you, if the personalities clash, they won't lend you their power.
Finding what they value and gaining their recognition—that is earning their approval."
This is also the most common way for Divine Beasts and humans to bond—through connections.
Noland's Darkrai in Baiyang Town, Articuno in the Battle Frontier, are examples of such bonds.
The method is not singular; however, the other approach is something hardly anyone could achieve.