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The raging water tornado raged violently around Greninja. After shredding the branches above its head, countless streams of water gathered behind it, merging into a water sphere compressed from who knows how much water.
The orb twisted and warped, pulling in four directions before finally stabilizing—condensing into a massive Water Shuriken, gleaming with a sharp, dangerous light!
"Ninja!!"
At the same time, Greninja's appearance began to change. Most notably, a bright red cross-shaped mark appeared between its eyes, and its tightly shut gaze radiated an even more imposing aura!
"Nice work, Greninja! Now, let them see your true strength! Go—Water Shuriken!"
With the bond evolution complete, the fire of confidence blazed in Ash's eyes brighter than ever. His smile shone brilliantly as he shouted the command.
"Ninja!!"
Greninja's eyes snapped open. Its upright body vanished in an instant, reappearing a moment later in front of Garchomp!
In its left hand, Greninja had already gripped the giant Water Shuriken and yanked it out like a melee weapon, slashing down at Garchomp with full force!
"Rooaar!!"
Greninja's burst of speed after bond evolution caught even Garchomp off guard. Without waiting for Liam's command, Garchomp instinctively raised its forefins to block, bracing against the incoming strike.
Boom!!
"Rooaaar!!"
At the moment of impact, the Water Shuriken suddenly exploded! A violent torrent of water surged outward, washing Garchomp away completely unprepared. With a roar, it crashed into a massive tree, sending leaves cascading down.
"Garchomp! Are you alright?"
"Rooar!!"
In that brief clash, Garchomp was actually pushed back. Liam was slightly surprised, glancing at his partner climbing back up from the tree before hearing its powerful, spirited roar in response.
"Haha! Got you! Well, what do you think? Isn't my Greninja amazing?"
Ash grinned ear to ear, looking proudly at Greninja, who had leapt back to his side.
"Mhm. Speed, power—after evolving, Greninja's attributes have greatly improved. Very impressive. This strength deserves praise."
Hearing Ash's words, Liam gave an unreserved compliment, clearly acknowledging Greninja's power.
"Hehe, of course! My Greninja is the strongest! So, how about now? I'll return your earlier words to you! The battle's direction is obvious already. Are you going to give up?"
Ash basked in the praise without shame, scratching his nose smugly, as though victory was already his.
"Hehe! Garchomp! They're underestimating us! We can't accept that! Show them real power—Dragon Rush!"
Liam's eyes sharpened as he clenched his fist and commanded loudly.
"Rooaar!!"
With a thunderous roar, Garchomp broke into a sprint, then launched itself high into the air. Intense dragon energy erupted around it, forming a blue-violet dragon totem roaring with fury. The dragon avatar dived downward—straight at Greninja!
"Greninja! Use Double Team!"
Ash called confidently.
"Ninja!!"
Greninja's form flickered, instantly splitting into countless clones. In a heartbeat, the entire field and even the trees surrounding it were filled with Greninja's silhouettes.
Boom!
The impact shook the ground, dirt exploding upward in a thick cloud of dust that obscured everything from view.
"Now's our chance, Greninja! Charge in with Quick Attack!"
"Ninja!!"
Recognizing the opportunity, Ash quickly ordered. Every Greninja clone glowed with pure white light and rushed forward into the dust cloud. Yet strangely, there was no sound of combat that followed.
"Huh? What's going on?"
Ash frowned in confusion, staring at the strangely quiet cloud.
"Greninja! Blow the dust away!"
"Ninja!!"
Greninja responded, spinning its massive Water Shuriken like a propeller. A gale roared outward, scattering the dust to reveal the scene—several Greninja stood alert, and at their center, one Greninja held its Water Shuriken high, spinning it rapidly.
"Where did Garchomp go?!"
Ash's eyes darted around. The field was filled only with Greninja, no trace of Garchomp. He turned to Liam—only to see the faint, victorious smile at the corner of his lips.
"No! Greninja—below you!"
Ash's face paled as he realized the truth, shouting desperately.
"Too late! Garchomp, Dragon Rush!"
Liam's command rang out at the same time.
"Ninja!!"
"Rooaar!!"
Greninja tried to retreat, but in that split second the ground shattered beneath it. With a fearsome roar, Garchomp burst from below, cloaked in ferocious dragon energy, and snapped its jaws shut on the startled Greninja. Launching skyward with its prey in tow, Garchomp's power instantly shattered all the Greninja clones into smoke.
BOOM!!
The dragon avatar wrapped around Garchomp clamped down hard, Greninja struggling in vain. Then, with unstoppable force, Garchomp dived down and slammed Greninja into the ground headfirst.
"Greninja!! Aaaahhh!!!"
Because of the bond evolution, the damage was shared—Ash's body was wracked with searing pain the moment Greninja was struck. He cried out uncontrollably, feeling every ounce of his partner's suffering.
"Rooar!!"
From within the rising dust, Garchomp roared as it flung Greninja aside. To its credit, even after taking the full brunt of Dragon Rush, Greninja still had the strength to stand. Its evolved state hadn't faded.
"Greninja!!"
Ash gritted his teeth against the pain, rushing forward to help his partner up.
"Ash! The outcome should be clear now, shouldn't it?"
Though Liam's heart ached seeing Ash in such pain, he kept his expression stern as he spoke firmly.
"No! Not yet! My Greninja hasn't fallen! We won't give up—we can still fight!"
"Ninja!!"
Ash and Greninja's voices rang out together, stubborn and unyielding.
"…You really are something else. Very well. Then I'll make you completely convinced!"
Liam frowned, but his face soon softened into a helpless smile tinged with pride.
"Garchomp!"
"Rooaaar!!"
"Show them our true strength!"
"Rooaar!!"
"Shine forth—Mega Bond Evolution!!"
"ROOOAARRR!!"