Watching Mienshao rush toward him, Aaron's expression did not change.
He said calmly to the Super Saiyan Infernape,
"Infernape... Fire Punch."
"Infer..."
A golden light suddenly flashed in Infernape's pale green eyes.
The golden aura around its body erupted violently, and blazing flames surged out, wrapping tightly around Infernape's fist.
The scorching heat burned the nearby dust away.
Even the air around it distorted from the heat.
"Infer-NAPE!"
Infernape roared, raising its flame-wreathed fist to meet Mienshao's incoming punch head-on.
CRACK!
A sharp sound rang out.
BANG!
Immediately after, a violent collision erupted.
"Mien!"
Mienshao's arm went limp, and it let out a pained cry.
It felt as if its fist had slammed into burning-hot steel. Its bones nearly shattered from the impact.
Its body was sent flying several meters back.
Its fist was already swollen and red, and its arm trembled slightly. Pain filled its eyes.
Clearly, Mienshao had lost that clash.
And the injury was not minor.
It panted heavily.
...
Rocco's eyes opened slightly.
A trace of shock flashed through them.
What exactly had happened to that Infernape just now?
How had the power of its move changed so drastically?
It had actually injured his Mienshao in a head-on clash.
The unease in Rocco's heart grew stronger.
What happened?
Rocco's eyes flickered with unreadable emotion, revealing the turmoil deep within him.
This young man...
This Infernape...
The calm in Rocco's heart had long since vanished.
He opened his eyes fully and stared intently at the boy and Pokémon across from him.
...
"What?"
"What's going on?"
"Master Rocco's Mienshao is actually injured?"
"Aaron's Infernape actually hurt Contestant Rocco's Mienshao?"
"And in a head-on clash!"
"That's unbelievable... Infernape was clearly at a disadvantage before. How did the situation suddenly turn around?"
At the announcer's platform, Kenny clutched his suspenders and ran a hand through his center-parted hair.
No matter how hard he racked his brain, he could not understand it.
Infernape had suddenly become so powerful that it had injured Mienshao.
...
On the arena, a faint smile appeared on Aaron's face.
Attack and Special Attack increased by 3 stages.
Move power increased by 50%.
On top of that, the Super Saiyan Monkey Ability increased the power of punch-type moves after taking damage.
That added at least another 50%.
Perfect-level proficiency increased power by 50%.
Same-type attack bonus added another 50%.
Altogether, the power had doubled.
75 + (75 × 2) = 225.
Have you ever seen a Fire Punch with 225 power?
And that was after Attack had been boosted by 3 stages.
If Mienshao had not been at Gym Peak, it would have already been knocked out by Infernape's attack.
"Infernape... one more punch!"
"Fire Punch!"
Aaron pressed the advantage and continued giving orders.
Infernape did not need any flashy moves.
If one punch was not enough, then two.
If two were not enough, then three.
It all depended on whether the opponent could withstand Infernape's fists.
If they could, they would last a little longer.
If they could not, then it was over.
"Mienshao... use Protect!"
Rocco's expression turned a little tense, and he immediately called out.
"Mien!"
Mienshao's right hand had already been disabled and was temporarily unusable.
Enduring the pain, it let out a low growl and used its remaining hand to raise a transparent energy shield.
BOOM!
Infernape's powerful punch came down hard.
The blazing Fire Punch, carrying scorching heat, smashed fiercely into Mienshao's energy shield.
CRACK!
The sound of shattering glass rang out.
Mienshao's pupils shrank.
The energy shield formed by Protect had actually cracked, and the fractures spread across it in a shocking web.
Through the cracks, Mienshao saw Infernape's pale green eyes, burning with battle intent.
For a split second, fear cut through Mienshao's focus.
This Infernape was born to fight.
That thought flashed through Mienshao's mind.
"Mienshao... use High Jump Kick!"
At that moment, Rocco's slightly anxious voice rang out again.
Mienshao's heart tightened.
You're strong, but I'm not done yet!
A firm light flashed in Mienshao's eyes.
"Mien!"
A red glow lit up around Mienshao, and a powerful force instantly gathered in its right leg.
If its hands were no good, then it would use its legs.
A piercing red light wrapped around Mienshao's right leg as it kicked fiercely at Infernape.
POP! POP! POP!
The terrifying force made the air burst with sharp cracks.
With unwavering resolve, Mienshao kicked hard toward Infernape.
"Infernape... Mach Punch!"
"Knock it off course."
Aaron's expression did not change as he gave the order coldly.
Perfect-level proficiency.
A same-type High Jump Kick with 130 power.
Its strength was still formidable.
But only if it landed.
If it missed, the recoil would punish the user instead.
"Infer..."
Infernape let out a low growl as it watched Mienshao's terrifying flying kick approach.
A dazzling white light shone from Infernape's right fist.
Its fist moved like a blur.
Light as a butterfly.
Sharp as a bee.
Infernape's speed was terrifying. Right now, its Speed had been boosted by 3 stages.
Its fist, glowing white, smashed toward Mienshao's leg.
BANG!
A heavy impact rang out.
Infernape's Mach Punch struck with frightening speed, landing directly on Mienshao's leg.
It forcibly knocked Mienshao's High Jump Kick off course.
Mienshao's High Jump Kick struck only empty air beside Infernape.
In short, it hit absolutely nothing.