At this moment, the abnormal golden light shrouding Arcanine's body is noticeably more intense than before entering the magma.
And from Ash's Aura Perception, some of the energy that Arcanine used during the confrontation just now has also been greatly restored within the magma.
Ash: "..."
Has the magma truly become a rejuvenating hot spring?
"It really can use the environment here to strengthen itself."
After Ash sighed, the smile on his face gradually became more pronounced.
The opponent had indeed grown stronger, but at the same time, the biggest issue that had been restricting him and Pikachu was now gone.
"Pikachu, you don't have to hold back because of the magma nearby anymore, focus a bit more!"
"Pika!"
Arcs of electricity instantly shot out from Pikachu's cheeks. After lowering its body slightly, its gaze was firmly locked onto the reappearing Arcanine.
Arcanine jumping into the magma to strengthen itself, from a battle perspective, certainly wasn't wrong; it was even the most suitable choice for the current environment instinctively made.
But for Ash and Pikachu, this choice also meant that the restraints that had been holding them back were lifted.
Before, Pikachu had to consider whether Arcanine would be directly knocked into the magma with each attack.
Now that it's confirmed the magma not only doesn't harm the New King but also helps restore and enhance him, at least the concern about the field has completely vanished.
"Let's go again, Quick Attack!"
"Pika!"
A golden flash passed by!
Almost at the same moment Ash issued the command, Pikachu had already crossed the distance between them, appearing in front of Arcanine in an instant!
Amazingly fast!
Cynthia blinked her gemstone-like silvery-gray eyes, her mouth slightly open, Pikachu's speed almost approached Champion Peak levels!
Moreover, its force had grown stronger!
How long has it been? How has it reached another level already?
Although it was still somewhat behind Garchomp, what if the opponent continues to improve?
She could feel that this was definitely not Pikachu's final form!
'Looks like... if I encounter Ash in the Eight Great Masters Tournament, I'll need to find some way to defeat Pikachu first!'
Ash and Pikachu would never have thought that as they battled ahead, Cynthia was thinking about the Eight Great Masters Competition upon returning...
Boom!!
Quick Attack hits head-on!
Arcanine didn't even manage to adjust its body in time; all four paws simultaneously left the ground, and the massive body directly flew backward under this frontal impact!
"It's not over yet, Iron Tail!"
"Pika!"
Pikachu didn't wait for Arcanine to truly fly away. Using the reactive force from the previous collision, it flipped upward. Its lightning-shaped tail instantly shone with a cold metallic luster!
Bam!!
An Iron Tail struck hard under Arcanine's chin!
The trajectory of Arcanine, originally flying backward, changed instantly. Despite its size being countless times bigger than Pikachu, this tail shot it skyward!
"Well done, Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"
"Pika—chu!!"
Rumble—!!!
An extremely dazzling golden thunderbolt erupted violently from Pikachu's small body once more!
The thick current shot straight into the sky, almost instantly catching up with the still airborne Arcanine.
And the abnormal golden light on Arcanine's surface instinctively surged upon sensing danger, attempting to shield against the terrifying thunderbolt rushing toward it!
The next moment, Thunderbolt hit head-on!
Boom—!!!
The glaring golden light exploded completely in mid-air, dense arcs crazily spreading in all directions. The massive energy impact even briefly illuminated the continually churning volcanic smoke around it!
Arcanine's enormous body was completely engulfed by the thunderbolt, and after several intense flickers of the abnormal golden light, it finally fell from mid-air together with its body!
Bang!!
The black rocky ground shook violently, a large rock pile scattering around, and Arcanine heavily crashed into the ground, leaving a noticeable indentation at its original location.
Pikachu returned to the nearby rocky ground, lowering its body slightly, with small electric arcs still jumping between its cheeks, not relaxing its vigilance despite the consecutive attacks just now.
Ash similarly didn't rush to approach.
Under the Divine Domain Level Aura Power's detection, Arcanine's Life Aura had noticeably fluctuated, yet it was still very vibrant, and that unusual golden power inside it hadn't vanished at all.
The battle was clearly not over.
...
Meanwhile, at Ginkgo Landing.
As soon as Growlithe suddenly rushed into the sea, the nearby stationed Pearl Clan members had sent out the news, and upon hearing the news, Irida had already reached the shoreline.
She hadn't been here long when incredibly dazzling golden thunder light erupted once more above Firespit Island in the distance!
Rumble!!
Even through the wide sea, the huge thunderbolt shooting up from within the volcano was still clearly visible.
Irida stopped in her tracks, and beside her, Espeon raised its head to look toward Firespit Island.
"Bui..."
"The golden thunderbolt that just descended from the sky isn't the same as this one."
Irida stared at the gradually spreading golden electric light in the distance and quickly made a judgment.
"This one should be Pikachu's Thunderbolt."
A Pearl Clan member beside her obviously paused for a moment.
"Pikachu?"
"Yes, the one beside Ash."
Irida had long known that the little guy who always stayed on Ash's shoulder, seeming harmless enough, was absolutely not comparable to a regular Pikachu.