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Swampert and Infernape's fists collided head-on. In an instant, a formless shockwave erupted from the point of contact between the two Pokémon's fists.
The next second, a gust of wind suddenly swept up and quickly spread out around them.
In an instant, the sudden gale bent the trees surrounding the battlefield. Ash and the other kids had to shut their eyes to avoid being hit directly by the wind.
At the same time, a series of loud booms sounded as the ground within a ten-meter radius around the two Pokémon shook violently, rapidly caving in to form a large crater.
This intense clash lasted for about five or six seconds before a chilling crack—the sound of bones breaking—rang out across the now-rowdy battlefield.
Infernape's left arm suddenly went limp, no longer able to withstand Swampert's punch. Taking advantage of the opening, Swampert's massive, sandbag-sized fist smashed into Infernape's face.
The next second, Infernape was sent flying backwards with a mouthful of spit spewing from his mouth.
He flew clean out of the battlefield and only came to a stop after crashing through nine thick trees, each one snapped clean in half.
By then, Infernape's body was covered in bruises and wounds, and his face was swollen like a pig's.
Yet despite such serious injuries, Infernape still hadn't fallen.
He slowly stood up from the ground and began walking back onto the battlefield, step by step, emerging from the woods.
At that moment, Infernape's battle-hungry eyes turned a blood-red color.
A crimson energy slowly began to emanate from his body.
"GAAAH!!"
With a roar, Infernape suddenly erupted in a towering blue flame, streaked with hints of white.
The low rain-clouds overhead, which had been continuously pouring down, were blown away in an instant. The previously drenched battlefield became engulfed in steam, and the ground quickly dried.
"He actually activated Blaze…"
"Infernape's Blaze ability has been triggered!"
"Incredible… What is this form?!"
At that moment, everyone who understood at least a little of what had just happened couldn't help but think of one thing—Blaze.
"Infernape, use Flare Blitz!"
Seeing her Infernape explode with power at the edge of defeat, Daisy, just as desperate for victory, knew this was their last chance. She immediately gave the command for his strongest attack.
"GAAAH!!"
Still barely conscious, Infernape roared in response. He stomped down hard on the ground, leaving two deep footprints, and then his entire body transformed into a blazing sun, charging toward Swampert.
"Interesting. Swampert, go! Use Earth Ice Hammer to counter!"
Watching the terrifying charge from Infernape, Sato had initially considered telling Swampert to dodge. But upon seeing the fire in Swampert's eyes, he immediately changed course, commanding Swampert to counter with a fusion move he had recently mastered.
"Swamp!!"
Swampert roared in response. His right arm, glowing with a blinding white light, slammed violently into the ground.
In an instant, pure Ground-type energy surged up from the earth and wrapped around his arm like flowing water.
Then, a chilling blue energy burst forth from Swampert's right arm. Moisture from the air gathered rapidly around it, forming a frosty gauntlet mixed with mud and ice that covered his entire arm.
The next moment, a devastating aura radiated from Swampert's bulging right arm.
This move—Earth Ice Hammer—was a fusion of Hammer Arm, Earth Power, and Ice Punch, making it Swampert's most powerful attack yet.
It was a technique Sato devised after Swampert took a Mew Gene Enhancement Serum—capitalizing on his natural affinity for Hammer Arm, Ice Punch, and Earth Power to create a triple-move fusion.
With perfect IVs and extraordinary talent, Swampert had already fused Hammer Arm and Ice Punch into Ice Hammer before this.
Earth Ice Hammer was the next step, merging Earth Power into the already fearsome Ice Hammer.
Thanks to Swampert's exceptional command over Ground-type energy, he succeeded after just a few attempts.
Since mastering this move, Sato had never allowed Swampert to use it in battle—because it consumed too much energy and was far too destructive. It was a trump card, reserved for the direst moments.
Now, facing a Blaze-enhanced Infernape using Flare Blitz with suicidal ferocity, and with Swampert refusing to back down, Sato had no choice but to let Swampert unleash this move.
As for the consequences… even Sato wasn't sure what would happen.
"This is… bad."
The moment Swampert fully executed Earth Ice Hammer, Professor Oak, who had been calmly watching from outside the battlefield, suddenly turned pale and gasped inwardly.
Without hesitation, a special PokéBall appeared in his hand. He pressed the button at its center.
The next moment, a beam of white light shot out from the PokéBall.
As Swampert swung his Earth Ice Hammer at the approaching Infernape—who was mere meters away, enveloped in blazing flames—
"Dragonite, stop them now! Use Protect!" Professor Oak shouted, his eyes sharp as blades.
A piercing whoosh tore through the air.
In an instant, a yellow figure appeared between Swampert and Infernape. Its green-glowing hands simultaneously blocked Swampert's punch and pressed against Infernape's forehead.
The horrifying collision that was just about to occur was cleanly stopped by Professor Oak's Dragonite.
Judging by Dragonite's calm demeanor, stopping the two attacks hadn't even been difficult.
"What?! Swampert's Earth Ice Hammer was caught single-handedly by Professor Oak's Dragonite?!"
Seeing the most powerful move in Swampert's arsenal stopped with a single hand, Sato's eyes widened in disbelief, his expression stunned.
Sato knew full well the destructive power of Earth Ice Hammer—in the Viridian Forest, Swampert once used a single punch to rupture a river, sending water blasting hundreds of meters into the sky.
And yet, Dragonite had just caught that same move with one hand, neutralizing it with Protect while maintaining full strength behind the blow.
It was a clear testament to Dragonite's terrifying power.
On the other side, Daisy finally relaxed when she saw her grandfather intervene. Her pale face regained a hint of color.
Daisy had sharp eyes—she instantly recognized the move Swampert had just used.
It was a triple-move fusion with terrifying power. She knew clearly: had Infernape, in his reckless Blaze state, collided head-on with that attack, he likely would have perished.
Thankfully, her grandfather understood the risks and sent Dragonite in time to prevent the impact. Otherwise, she dared not imagine what could've happened.
"I was too impulsive... Infernape was already in that state, and I still made him take that risk."
Daisy now deeply regretted her decision, shaken by how close she had come to losing Infernape due to her own competitiveness.
With Professor Oak's Dragonite stepping in, the battle had clearly been interrupted.
At that point, Infernape had completely lost consciousness after his final outburst and collapsed, while Swampert stood firmly in place, locking eyes with Dragonite, his gaze burning with fighting spirit.
However, Dragonite didn't seem the least bit interested. He merely glanced at Swampert and, in the blink of an eye, flew back to Professor Oak's side.