Growlithe's barking suddenly stopped.
Ash thought he was angered by the remark, but in the next moment, an unusually scorching airflow suddenly rose from beneath Growlithe's feet.
Whoosh——!
The overly active fire-type energy around seemed attracted, beginning to converge continuously on Growlithe's position.
Large streams of burning air spun rapidly around the petite body, quickly forming a massive whirlwind that completely enveloped Growlithe.
"What's happening?"
Coin instinctively stepped back, initially thinking Growlithe was finally losing patience and preparing to attack, but soon realized that things were completely different from what she imagined.
Growlithe, enveloped by the whirlwind, did not rush out; instead, his body contour quickly changed amidst increasingly dazzling white light.
His limbs gradually became long and powerful, his previously small frame kept growing larger, and the fur around his head and neck started extending rapidly.
Coin's expression gradually froze.
"This… this can't be…"
Just as Coin's bad premonition began to surface, the swirling airflow around Growlithe suddenly exploded outward!
Boom!!
The scorching wind swept past everyone, Ash raised his hand to shield against the gusting heat, and as the evolutionary light began to dissipate, a silhouette entirely different from before appeared before everyone.
The previously petite Growlithe was nowhere to be seen.
In its place was an Arcanine, majestic like an ancient stone lion, with a gray-black mane covering its body, heavy fur on the head forming upward spikes, and a ring of petal-like neck fur spreading outwards, intermixed with striking dark red.
The large tail proudly raised high, thick mane surrounding the limbs, and with a body size several times larger than before evolution, it no longer resembled the timid figure always hiding beside Palina.
This is the Arcanine living in the Hisui Region!
"How… how is it possible!"
Coin was completely stunned.
"That timid fellow who didn't even dare approach the shore, actually evolved?!"
Face-slapping came as quick as a tornado.
Just after having said it was impossible for him to become king, Growlithe completed the evolution right before her eyes; this payback just came too fast.
Not only Coin but even Ash and Cynthia were momentarily surprised.
After all, Arcanine had just swum across the sea on his own strength and ran all the way from the island's outskirts to the volcano center, who would have thought he could evolve at such exhaustion?
Ash stared at Arcanine for a few seconds, suddenly realizing another issue.
"Hey sis, don't Growlithe from our region need a Fire Stone to evolve into Arcanine?"
"Normally, yes."
Cynthia did not immediately refute but raised her head to feel the constantly surging heat waves around, then looked at the flowing lava nearby.
"However, Firespit Island is a volcano itself, especially here, the activity level of fire-type energy far surpasses outside."
"I suspect Growlithe just absorbed enough energy from the surroundings to complete the evolution, thus causing this situation."
"So, does the environment temporarily substitute the Fire Stone?"
"From the earlier phenomenon, it's a possibility. The Fire Stone accelerates Growlithe's evolution, essentially providing the required condition for transformation."
"But this method of directly absorbing energy from the volcanic environment, we haven't witnessed it before, whether it's entirely the same, we can't conclude right now."
Ash knowingly nodded.
With this, it does make sense.
The place is full of lava; the temperature in the air makes Samurott noticeably uncomfortable over a prolonged stay.
If there were any corner in the Hisui Region where Growlithe could receive ample fire-type energy without a Fire Stone, Firespit Island is undoubtedly one of the likely places.
On the other side, Palina wasn't part of their analysis, but after seeing Arcanine finish evolving, her eyes gradually reddened.
Having cared for this child for such a long time, naturally, she'd have her understanding of the sayings passed down by the Pearl Clan.
"Folklore states, only Growlithe truly possessing the courage to face the sea has the qualification to inherit the king's power."
"I used to think he must completely overcome his fear of the ocean to truly have courage, but now I seem to understand."
"Bravery was never about 'being fearless,' rather, even when scared and trembling, still willingly stepping into the sea for important companions."
Ash couldn't help but look at Arcanine anew as he heard this.
Palina's view and Cynthia's evolution condition analysis seemed unrelated, yet they aren't conflicting upon deeper thoughts.
Firespit Island provided ample fire-type energy, while Arcanine himself genuinely developed the courage to take that step after surpassing his greatest fear.
If he wasn't mentally prepared for change, no matter how abundant the surrounding fire-type energy, it may never have led to the sudden evolution we witnessed.
Moreover, the transformation in Arcanine seems far from over.
A blue glow gradually emerged in Ash's eyes; Divine Domain Level Aura Power swiftly enveloped Arcanine's location.
In his perception, Arcanine's Life Aura, already rapidly strengthened due to evolution, hadn't yet ceased its enhancement.
A source of ancient power distinct from the surrounding fire-type energy steadily flowed into Arcanine's body.
The sensation was familiar.
Ash had previously sensed a similar aura from Kleavor and Lilligant, dubbed kings and queens among Pokemon.
"The power of the king..."
Ash's expression subtly changed.
If his guess was correct, this should be the king's legacy Palina mentioned.
With the continuous infusion of this power, Arcanine's aura visibly strengthened with each breath.
The rapid enhancement within such a short time even made Ash involuntarily gasp.
At this pace of growth, Arcanine might soon approach Lilligant's previous tier.
Ash: "...."
Truly a new era brings new protagonists, and each era thrives on legacy!
Ash couldn't help but express his admiration.
"How remarkable, gaining such strong power immediately post-evolution. I had to battle numerous times with my companions before gradually getting here."
Cynthia detected jealousy hidden in Ash's marvel.
"This growth is indeed swift; however, the more unexpected the gain of power far exceeding the original tier, the harder it becomes to truly master."
"The king's legacy may shorten Arcanine's long road, but once this legacy's enhancements conclude, he still must undergo no less training and battles if he aims to surpass the previous king."
"Faced with such sudden substantial power, merely learning control might already require much time."
Ash nodded in agreement.
The body can instantly strengthen, but battle experience and power control don't necessarily align concurrently. This sudden enormous boost is undeniably beneficial for Arcanine, yet not without responsibilities post-acquisition.
"Screech!!"
A sharp, tearing noise suddenly echoed across the sky.
Ash's relaxed demeanor vanished in an instant; he shot his gaze upward as soon as the sound emerged.
"What's happening?"
Cynthia had just inquired when the sky, originally shrouded in volcanic ash, began twisting intensely overhead!
Rumble!!
A massive dark rift abruptly unfurled at the center of the sky, with white streaks endlessly spreading inside.
A riot of colors frantically intertwined at the edges, making it seem like some force violently tore a colossal hole in the sky.
Ash's pupils slightly contracted.
This phenomenon resembled the Space-Time Rift above Mount Coronet.
"Space-Time Rift!"
The thought had barely crossed Ash's mind when a dazzling golden thunderbolt thunderously descended from the rift's center!
The target was the newly evolved Arcanine!
"Watch out!"
Boom——!!!
The golden thunderbolt struck Arcanine directly the moment the sound surfaced, explosive energy erupted instantly, and a shockwave, visibly rippling with scorching air, swept in all directions!