The moment Shi Heng reached that conclusion, his eyes burned.
What Fighting-type specialist wouldn't covet a Pokémon like this?
If Kubfu hadn't already been Oliver's, he might have seriously considered dragging it home by force.
Affection? Bonding?
Those could be cultivated later.
At that moment, Shi Heng's thoughts were exactly the same as Dragon-type Heavenly King Yi Yunfei's had once been.
What a waste!
How did such a potential-filled Pokémon end up with a researcher?!
Oliver Arrives
By the time Oliver finished storing the Mega Stones and walked into the backyard, Kubfu and Pangoro were still sparring.
But calling it a "battle" wasn't quite accurate.
Pangoro couldn't land clean hits.
Kubfu wasn't trading blows either.
It was more like—
Dodging relentlessly, then countering at perfect moments.
Oliver activated his system scan.
Pangoro – Heavenly King, Early Stage.
Yet its movements were barely keeping up with Kubfu.
Strange.
Shi Heng noticed Oliver's arrival and signaled for the Pokémon to stop.
The test had served its purpose.
Oliver walked closer.
"Stone Heavenly King, how's Kubfu's foundation? If there's anything lacking, please guide him properly."
He was sincere.
As a Fighting-type Heavenly King, Shi Heng's expertise far surpassed his own.
Although Oliver trained Kubfu according to Urshifu's racial inheritance, real-world training differed from wild tradition.
For example:
Wild Urshifu clans didn't have adjustable gravity training suits.
Human technology changed everything.
Training methods had to evolve.
But—
Shi Heng felt awkward.
What could he possibly teach?
Kubfu's physical base was flawless.
Its technique was seamless.
There was no flaw to correct.
No—
He could not allow himself to be overshadowed.
He was a Heavenly King.
He had to demonstrate something worthy of that title.
Then an idea surfaced.
Yes.
At Kubfu's aptitude—
It should be possible.
Shi Heng straightened his posture, adopting the air of a grandmaster.
"Talent is good. Foundation is solid."
"But 'Fighting' is not that simple."
"Since fate allows me to meet this Pokémon, I will explain the true essence of the Fighting type."
"I'll only explain it once. How much you comprehend depends on your own understanding."
The Essence of Fighting
Oliver muttered softly, "The essence of Fighting-type…?"
Shi Heng began.
"Since ancient times, Xia has valued martial virtue. Countless masters pursued the martial path."
"As they advanced, they realized that combat was not just body against body, skill against skill."
"It was will against will."
"In ancient times, it was called 'Qi.'"
"Some say it is breath control. Some say it is mystical force."
"But true martial artists know—"
"It is the power of will."
"The strength of the spirit."
"When Pokémon descended upon this world, martial masters discovered Fighting-type Pokémon were exceptionally compatible with this concept."
"So they integrated the guidance of 'Qi' into Pokémon training."
"To awaken—"
"The Power of Will."
He turned to Pangoro.
"Demonstrate."
Demonstration
Pangoro removed its gravity suit.
It closed its eyes.
Silence.
Then—
Its eyes snapped open.
Its presence transformed instantly.
Before, it felt rebellious and rough.
Now—
It radiated righteous authority.
Oliver quietly activated Aura.
He could clearly perceive—
A force emerging from Pangoro's heart.
It flowed outward.
Then adhered to its body like a second layer of energy.
It was a form of mental power—
Inferior in grade to Aura—
But undeniably powerful.
Pangoro's combat presence skyrocketed.
Kubfu saw it too.
Shi Heng explained,
"Pangoro appears fierce, but its heart is righteous."
"When it uses Will Power, that righteousness manifests."
"To awaken this strength, a Pokémon's inner heart must be powerful enough to resonate with its own spirit."
"And when used in battle—"
"Will Power reveals a Pokémon's true nature."
Oliver nodded slowly.
Kubfu's gaze grew sharper.
Shi Heng continued.
"The method of awakening—"
He began explaining breathing control.
Mental focus.
Belief reinforcement.
The alignment of spirit and motion.
To Oliver, it sounded like structured application of mental force amplification.
A way to channel inner conviction into external combat enhancement.
In this world, techniques like the Bear Martial Fist already existed.
Five thousand years of Xia civilization developing will-based martial amplification?
Not impossible.
Finally—
Shi Heng exhaled.
"There. That's everything."
"Don't rush. Awakening Will Power is extremely difficult."
"Many Heavenly King–level Fighting Pokémon never succeed."
"It's not about strength."
"It's about heart."
Instant Awakening
The moment he finished—
Kubfu's presence shifted.
A sudden surge erupted from its body.
Its small frame radiated a new aura.
Before, it looked cute and compact.
Now—
Only one impression remained.
Unyielding.
Steadfast.
Shi Heng's expression shattered.
"That… that's impossible?!"
He had never seen a Pokémon awaken Will Power this quickly.
Yet the energy fluctuation was unmistakable.
It was real.
Even Pangoro stared in disbelief.
It had taken years to grasp this.
Kubfu—
Heard it once.
Awakened instantly.
Unheard of.
And then—
Another fluctuation stirred nearby.
A second figure—
Faintly emitting the resonance of Will Power.
Shi Heng turned sharply.
There was no way—
Was someone else awakening too?
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