Chapter 517: The Saiyan Monkey Activates

"Not bad," Braveon called across the field. "You can still dodge with your eyes shut."

He sounded amused, but inside he was disappointed. That Razor Shell had been meant to end the match cleanly. Instead, Infernape had erupted in golden light and suddenly become much faster.

The rest of this battle had just gotten harder.

Aaron looked at the deep slash carved into the field.

"Braveon, you bastard. You're actually going all out now?"

He grinned.

"Fine. Then so am I."

Braveon answered with an innocent smile.

"Infernape, Fire Punch!"

"Infer!"

With Super Saiyan Level 1 active, Infernape crossed the distance almost instantly. Fire blazed around its fist as it drove a punch toward Golisopod.

"Take it, Golisopod!"

Braveon had little choice. Golisopod was too slow and too heavy to evade an attack moving that fast, and its Defense had already been raised by four stages. Fire was also neutral against its Bug/Water typing—super effective against Bug, resisted by Water.

It should have been able to take the hit.

Braveon regretted that thought the instant the punch landed.

BOOM!

Golisopod's reinforced armor caved inward.

The impact launched it several meters across the field before it crashed down in a spray of dirt and shattered stone.

"What...?" Braveon's eyes widened. "How did its attacks get this much stronger?"

Cheers immediately surged from Aaron's side of the crowd.

"INFERNAPE IS UNSTOPPABLE!"

"AARON! LET'S GO!"

"That's why he's number one on the Hidden Dragon Rankings!"

"Aaron, you've got this!"

...

Aaron's fans were celebrating as though they had won the battle themselves. Braveon's supporters were noticeably quieter.

At the referee's position, Champion Edmund studied the golden aura around Infernape.

"That light..." he murmured. "Its Speed, raw power, and the power of its moves all increased the moment it appeared."

It reminded him of the secret techniques passed down by a handful of old Trainer clans—techniques outsiders rarely got to see.

Could Aaron be connected to one of them?

That made no sense. Edmund had looked into Aaron's background. There was nothing suspicious there at all.

He frowned, unable to fit the pieces together.

...

Aaron looked across the field with a grin.

"Braveon, your Golisopod's looking a little soft. Has it been skipping protein?"

Braveon gave him an annoyed look.

"How about we finish this with one move?"

Aaron laughed. "Oh, I see the trap. Your Golisopod can't keep up with Infernape anymore, so now you want me to stand still and trade finishers?"

"Since when did you get this crafty?"

A few more Fire Punches would probably end the fight without much trouble. Golisopod simply could not answer Infernape's speed.

Then Aaron's grin widened.

"But since you asked so nicely, I'll be generous and say yes."

Braveon immediately perked up.

"You said it yourself."

"One move. Winner takes all."

The joking atmosphere vanished.

Both Trainers turned toward their Pokémon.

"Golisopod—Razor Shell!"

"Infernape—Super Kaio-ken!"

Power erupted from both sides of the field.

"Goliso!"

A huge shell-shaped blade of blue energy condensed over Golisopod's claw. Golisopod kicked off the ground and charged forward, the blade humming with terrifying force.

"Infer!"

Red light flashed in Infernape's eyes.

Its fist drew back.

Now it was Infernape's turn to throw everything into one punch.

...