"Could it be... Asher?!" Max stared at the flaming figure in front of them, and as unbelievable as it seemed, he had to ask.
"Yes, Grandpa," Heatblast nodded slowly, his voice deeper but unmistakably Asher's. "I just pressed the dial on this watch, and it turned me into this."
The Pyronite's expression remained focused and alert. If he had transformed even one second later, the searing laser blast would have killed him instantly.
"This is so cool! You can actually become an alien!" Ben exclaimed excitedly, his eyes sparkling with admiration.
"Thank God you're all right," Gwen breathed a sigh of relief, her hand pressed to her chest.
"You all need to hide," Heatblast ordered, his flame-crowned head turning toward the massive attack robot. He clenched his rock-covered fists, instantly igniting two brilliant fires in his palms. "I'll take care of this oversized piece of junk."
Max, Gwen, and Ben quickly retreated behind the tree line, watching the impending battle from a safe distance.
Ding!
"Login target detected: Vilgax's attack robot!"
"Use it in battle to complete the registration!"
A registration reward?! Heatblast thought with satisfaction. This robot is basically here to give me an experience boost!
Joy flashed in the Pyronite's eyes as he hurled his flaming fists at the mechanical giant. The two fireballs erupted like crimson shockwaves through the night air.
"Destroy the alien this creature has turned into!" Vilgax's voice boomed through the robot's communication system, his command echoing across the room.
The attack robot raised its massive alloy arms in defense. The two fireballs struck its metal armor with tremendous force, causing a massive explosion that sent up huge clouds of smoke and debris.
However, as the wind cleared the smoke, the robot's undamaged arms emerged from the haze, completely undamaged.
This was exactly what Heatblast had expected. After all, this was just a test shot; his real goal had been to complete the login task.
Ding! Congratulations to the host on a successful registration!
Reward received: Rare Blue - Complete mastery of all Fire Fist Ace's techniques from One Piece!
The reward this time is actually all of Fire Fist Ace's abilities!
A surge of new memories and muscle memory flooded Heatblast's transformed body. His eyes closed briefly, then reopened with razor-sharp focus. His entire aura had changed, he carried himself like a completely different person, radiating the confidence and skill of a seasoned fire-wielder.
All of Ace's fire techniques were now perfectly mastered!
For some unknown reason, the Attack Robot suddenly sensed an overwhelming danger from the flame-covered alien.
"Let's try these new techniques!" Heatblast declared as he raised his right arm. A massive flame condensed around his fist, taking the form of a blazing punch with terrifying heat radiating from it.
"Hiken!" (Fire Fist!)
He thrust his fire-filled fist forward and hurled it at the giant robot. Wherever the attack passed, the air itself seemed to catch fire, creating a trail of destruction through the forest.
Watching this display of power, Max was stunned. "How did Asher's abilities suddenly become so much stronger?"
The Attack Robot responded without hesitation, clenching its massive alloy fist. The huge mechanical hand, matching the size of the incoming Fire Fist, swung forward to meet the attack head on.
It was a direct clash of two mighty forces!
BOOM!
The moment the Fire Fist made contact with the alloy, a massive explosion lit up the entire night sky!
The blazing attack proved to be like an unstoppable force, instantly shattering the robot's fist as if it were made of tofu. The Fire Fist completely destroyed the robot's entire arm, then soared high into the sky before exploding like a magnificent fireworks display.
This terrifying display of power left everyone completely shocked!
"This... this Earth child has only just received the Omnitrix, yet he's already so powerful?" Vilgax, who had been remotely controlling the robot, stared in disbelief at the images on his ship's screens.
To shatter a massive robot arm with a single blow, how devastating was that destructive power?!
"Incredible..."
"This power is absolutely terrifying!"
Max, Gwen, and Ben stood speechless, staring at the flame-covered figure in the distance.
Even Heatblast himself was astonished by this incredible power.
Have I really become that strong?
His confidence soared instantly!
"Alright, let's try another technique!"
Heatblast's eyes narrowed in determination as he raised both palms toward the attack robot. From his hands, he released small wisps of flame that floated like tiny stars, drifting harmlessly around the mechanical giant's massive frame.
"Are these little flames supposed to be a threat?"
Neither the attack robot's AI nor Vilgax, watching from space, took those little flames seriously.
Until the next moment.
"Hotarubi!" (Firefly Light!)
With Heatblast's commanding shout, the floating flames suddenly erupted!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A series of devastating explosions rang out like a concentrated artillery bombardment!
The small flames around the Attack Robot's body began to explode with violent force. In an instant, its entire frame was engulfed in a series of terrifying explosions. Each tiny flame had the destructive power of a cannonball!
The Attack Robot that had seemed almost indestructible moments before was now covered in damaged and broken parts after the Firefly Light Technique. Almost none of its components remained intact, and half of its head had been completely destroyed!
"One last technique should finish you off!"
Heatblast raised his palms to the sky, and all the flames that covered his body began to gather rapidly above him, condensing into a massive ring of fire that pulsed with incredible heat.
"Enjomo: Hibashira!" (Fire Ring: Pillar of Fire!)
Meanwhile, aboard Vilgax's warship...
"Impossible!" Vilgax roared, his tentacled face contorted with rage and disbelief. "How can a mere human child wield such power?"
The Galactic Conqueror watched as his Attack Robot, a machine capable of destroying entire city blocks, was systematically dismantled by what appeared to be a simple fire-based alien transformation.
"Lord Vilgax," one of his Mechadroids reported with mechanical precision, "the Attack Robot's power levels are dropping rapidly. Should we send additional units?"
"Not yet," Vilgax growled, his red eyes gleaming with malevolent calculation. "I want to see the full extent of this Omnitrix wielder's abilities. If he can destroy my attack robot so easily, then the device is even more powerful than I expected."
His massive fists clenched the armrests of his command throne. "Soon this power will be mine."