"Leon, send out your Pokémon," Allen said flatly.
Leon blinked, caught off guard. "You want me to—?"
After a moment of hesitation, he nodded. He pulled a Poké Ball from his belt and gently tossed it forward.
A brilliant flash of light erupted as his ace partner, Charizard, emerged. It roared triumphantly, flames flickering on its tail, wings flexing as it took in its surroundings. The fire in its eyes showed it was ready for battle.
Allen's expression shifted as he looked over his shoulder. Something flickered in his gaze.
Charizard. That was a name with weight. It brought back memories. Back when he was a kid watching the anime, Ash's Charizard had captured his imagination. The stubbornness, the power, the comeback stories—it was iconic.
But Allen's love for the show had faded long ago. The day he saw a Greninja being defeated by Alain's Mega Charizard X, he had slammed the remote down and quit watching altogether.
"Charizard," Allen said, turning away from the dragon, "attack me. Use whatever you've got."
Charizard's head tilted. "Raar?"
It looked back at Leon, confused. This wasn't a request it heard every day.
Leon gave a reluctant nod. "Do it. Just don't hold back."
Bea and Leon had already seen glimpses of Allen's terrifying strength. But Nessa, watching from the side, looked incredulous. This guy wanted to take on a champion-level Charizard *bare-handed*?
Charizard stepped forward, the flames on its tail flaring with anticipation. It glanced at Allen's back with something that almost resembled a smug grin.
*This is for that punch earlier,* it thought gleefully.
A glow of green energy surged around its tail as it twisted its body. It swept the flame-cloaked appendage toward Allen's neck with bone-breaking force.
Nessa gasped and covered her mouth. Bea's eyes widened in alarm.
"Master, look out!"
But Allen didn't move. His voice stayed calm.
"There are two primary forms of Haki…"
The Charizard's tail cut through the air, closing in. The wind howled past Allen's ear.
"…for example," Allen said, "I don't need to turn around to know that Charizard is about to strike the right side of my neck."
His head dipped by mere centimeters.
*Whoosh!*
Charizard's tail missed by a hair, slicing through empty air. The wind it stirred brushed the tips of Allen's hair.
In stunned silence, everyone watched as Allen straightened his neck again.
"This," he said, "is Observation Haki. The ability to sense an opponent's presence, movements, and even intent without needing to see them. Your attacks are too direct. Predictable."
He turned toward his audience. Bea's jaw hung open. Kubfu's eyes sparkled. Even Leon looked taken aback.
"Charizard," Allen said over his shoulder. "Again."
With a growl, Charizard's claws ignited with draconic energy. It surged forward, using Dragon Claw, aiming to strike him down from above.
Allen didn't flinch.
"And now… Armament Haki."
The air rippled.
Charizard's claws descended with explosive force—claws that could rip through steel.
But Allen raised his right hand at the last instant.
*BANG!*
A thunderous shockwave burst out as claws met fist. The force sent Charizard tumbling backward, flipping head over tail before landing hard in the sand.
Nessa's gasp this time was involuntary. "That… that's impossible!"
Leon's brow furrowed. For a moment, when Allen raised his hand, he had seen something flash—dark, like an invisible armor.
Allen walked toward the stunned Charizard and spoke evenly.
"This form of Haki reinforces the body. Defense and offense. It can block a champion-level strike and deliver a finishing blow."
Charizard stared up, eyes wide.
Allen raised his index finger. A slick, black sheen coated the surface of his skin, shimmering faintly like metal under moonlight.
*Flick!*
He tapped Charizard gently on the forehead.
*BOOM!*
Charizard let out a yelp and rolled away in the sand, clutching its head like it had been hit by a Wailord
"Owwwowowow!!"
Leon rushed over, panicked. "Charizard! You okay?"
The orange Pokémon rolled on the ground like a kicked Growlithe, whining and groaning.
Bea and Nessa stared, dumbfounded.
That was *Leon's* Charizard. The undefeated juggernaut. And it was reduced to... this?
Allen looked back at them.
"Armament Haki can also bypass defense. It's capable of targeting the essence beneath the surface."
Nessa touched her chin thoughtfully. "You mean it can strike through intangible barriers? Like ghost-type Pokémon or Substitute users?"
"Exactly," Allen said, nodding. "That's what makes it essential."
Bea made a small fist and punched her palm in understanding. "So that's why my Machamp's attacks always miss those tricky Pokémon!"
Allen gave a rare smile. "You're getting it."
Nessa nodded slightly, though a subtle crease formed in her brow. Her instincts told her she had only scratched the surface of this technique's depth.
Leon was still cradling Charizard, who sulked like a scolded child.
Allen turned back. "There's one last form. You probably won't need it, but I'll show it."
His pupils blurred briefly. The world seemed to stand still.
*BOOM—WHOOSH!*
A pulse of invisible energy surged outward, radiating from Allen like a shockwave. The air itself seemed to distort.
Charizard froze. A cold sweat broke across its scaled forehead.
Then, with a soft groan, its eyes rolled back. It collapsed, unconscious.
"Charizard!" Leon cried out, dropping to one knee.
"Relax," Allen said. "He only fainted."
He looked at Bea and Kubfu, both of whom stood frozen, mouths agape.
"This is Conqueror's Haki. Only one in a million can awaken it. It can't be trained through normal means. It's an expression of the will to dominate. To command respect without a word."
He paused.
"You don't need to learn this now. Just understand it."
Bea finally exhaled. Sweat dripped from her temple. She forced a nervous smile.
"Master… you're terrifying. You took down Leon's Charizard without even... even trying…"
Allen said nothing.
The waves crashed softly behind them.
And the awe hung heavy in the air.
***
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