By now, the sky had darkened.
A round full moon hung high above, half-hidden behind thick clouds, as if trying to conceal something.
…
The final match of the Fighting Tournament had officially begun.
On the massive battlefield, Aaron and the hooded man stood facing each other.
The hooded man made the first move.
"Buzzwole, use Earthquake."
"Take out that monkey."
"Buzzzwole!"
Buzzwole's black eyes widened, and it let out a roar.
Earth-yellow energy suddenly lit up around its body, releasing powerful waves of force.
Then its four powerful legs slammed fiercely into the ground.
Boom, boom, boom!
A series of thunderous impacts rang out. The battlefield floor burst apart as the entire arena shook violently, as if even the mountains were trembling.
Violent waves of energy swept straight toward Infernape.
"Infernape, Super Saiyan Level 1."
"Activate."
Aaron's expression did not change as he spoke calmly to Infernape.
He knew that with Infernape's current strength at the early Gym stage, it would be very difficult to face Buzzwole at the peak of the Gym stage head-on.
So Aaron decisively had Infernape activate Super Saiyan mode.
"Infernape!"
Golden light flashed through Infernape's eyes, and it let out a roar.
Golden flames of energy instantly surged from its entire body, grinding the shattered stones and dust around it into powder.
The flames on top of its head had completely turned golden, standing upright as they burned fiercely in the air.
Its eyes shone with pale green light, and astonishing pressure erupted from its body.
Super Saiyan Level 1.
Activated.
Super Saiyan Level 1: Infernape's Attack, Special Attack, and Speed increase by 3 stages. The power of all moves increases by 50%.
"It's here! Contestant Aaron's Infernape has activated Berserk Mode!"
"Facing the Muscle Mosquito's wide-range Earthquake, how will Contestant Aaron respond?"
At the commentary desk, Kenny saw Infernape activate Super Saiyan Mode and immediately shouted into the microphone.
At that moment, the violent tremors had already swept toward Infernape.
Earthquake was a 100-power Ground-type move.
It was super effective against Infernape.
Its power was enormous, and as a Ground-type move, it struck a wide area.
With Infernape's current move pool, dodging it would be extremely difficult.
However, there was still one method.
A glint flashed through Aaron's eyes, and he immediately said to Infernape,
"Infernape, use Flame Wheel! Run!"
"Infernape!"
Shrouded in golden energy flames, Infernape let out a fierce roar. Scorching golden fire instantly surged from its body.
It quickly curled up.
Then it became a blazing wheel of fire and shot toward the edge of the battlefield.
Boom, boom, boom!
The ground shook violently. The energy beneath the floor chased after Infernape.
But after activating Super Saiyan Level 1, Infernape's Speed had risen by three stages.
On top of that, Flame Wheel itself gave it forward momentum.
So Buzzwole's Earthquake waves could not catch Infernape's Flame Wheel at all.
As the saying goes, if you run fast enough, even your problems can't catch you.
In the end, Earthquake's energy ran out. The ground stopped shaking, leaving behind only the shattered floor.
(Machamp: Waaah…You can fight all you want, but could you please stop taking it out on the floor!?)
"Infernape, that's it! Charge straight into Buzzwole!"
Aaron's voice rang out once more.
Infernape's Flame Wheel spun faster and faster.
Its power also continued to rise.
Wrapped in scorching flames and moving at extreme speed, Infernape slammed toward Buzzwole like a blazing wheel.
"Buzzzwole!"
Buzzwole let out a furious roar, and yellow light shone from its body.
Immediately after, huge rocks rose from the ground, trying to block Infernape's path.
But the hooded man was still too confident.
At this point, after accelerating for so long, Flame Wheel's power was tremendous.
One huge rock after another shattered under the rapidly spinning wheel, fragments scattering through the air with a series of violent crashes.
Infernape's Flame Wheel still carried terrifying force as it slammed hard into Buzzwole.
Boom!
"Buzzzwole!"
A massive impact exploded across the battlefield.
Buzzwole let out a furious cry as Infernape's Flame Wheel sent it flying.
Its four mosquito-like legs skidded several meters across the ground, leaving four deep scratches in the floor.
A charred wound appeared where Flame Wheel had struck.
With STAB and a double super-effective hit, the move dealt Buzzwole a solid amount of damage.
"I really underestimated you…"
The hooded man's expression darkened slightly.
Being injured by a monkey only at the early Gym stage was truly humiliating.
"Kid… now you've pissed me off."
"Time to put you in your place."
"Buzzwole, use Double Dynamic Punch!"
The hooded man gave Aaron a cold smile and immediately shouted to Buzzwole.
"Buzzzwole!"
Buzzwole's eyes turned cold, and it let out an angry roar.
A powerful pale-red light suddenly surged from its body, and dense red energy gathered around its strong fists.
"Buzzzwole!"
Buzzwole used Dynamic Punch with both fists at the same time, radiating terrifying power.
"It's here! The Muscle Mosquito has unleashed Double Dynamic Punch!"
"Can Contestant Aaron's Infernape withstand this ferocious assault?"
At the commentary desk, Kenny stared excitedly at Buzzwole as it gathered power and shouted into the microphone.
The spectators in the stands also held their breath, eyes wide as they watched the scene unfold.