Chapter 458: Bond Phenomenon
The instant the dazzling white light appeared, everyone's first thought was: evolution! But that was immediately followed by a barrage of questions.
"What's with that light? Isn't Greninja already in its final form?"
"According to all known data, Greninja doesn't have a Mega Evolution, right?"
"And he's not holding a Mega Stone! Is this even legal?"
Even the referee at the side of the stage was in a state of utter confusion. Is this legal? I have no idea!
The light dissipated as quickly as it had appeared, lasting only a second.
Greninja's appearance hadn't changed much. The diamond-shaped crest in the middle of its head was now star-shaped and red. It had grown slightly taller, its physique more streamlined. But other than that… there seemed to be no other changes.
"Is that really an evolution? It doesn't look that special."
"Did the evolution fail and get bugged? Haha, bugs are everywhere, a constant companion."
The audience's imagination was running wild. People turned to look at the person who had just spoken, their expressions filled with a mix of pity and understanding. The reason no one flamed him was because the man was sporting the classic hairstyle of a true master—his hairline was receding so far back it was nearing the crown of his head.
Even Arthur's fans, who had turned to glare at the comment, immediately softened their expressions when they saw the man's shining, reflective forehead. The hairstyle of a master had a strangely calming effect. One could only imagine how many bugs he must have fixed to achieve such a look. No wonder he saw bugs everywhere.
However, what was happening to Greninja was no bug.
A sudden flash of insight struck Arthur, as if he had received some kind of divine guidance. His brainwaves instantly synchronized with his Pokémon.
"Greninja, assume Battle Forme!"
Though no one had taught him this, the command came out of his mouth as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"Kouga!" came a low croak.
Greninja stood its ground, lowered its head, and closed its eyes.
Then, in the next instant—with a "whoosh!"—a torrent of water erupted from the ground beneath it, completely enveloping its body.
"What is that?!"
"Is that a move? Whirlpool? Or Aqua Ring?"
It was neither.
The pillar of water shifted from a raging torrent to a smooth, flowing current, which then clung tightly to Greninja's body. It was as if it had been outfitted in a suit of water armor, or perhaps was undergoing a Super Saiyan transformation with water-based special effects.
A fan in the crowd unconsciously muttered, "Holy crap, this battle comes with special effects?"
The more pressing question on most people's minds was: "What is this? Is it legal? Is he breaking the rules?"
The commentators were just as clueless. Fortunately, the panel of referees on the sidelines had some experienced veterans.
"After consultation, the referee panel has confirmed: this form is a rare phenomenon known as Bond Phenomenon. It does not involve the use of any items and does not violate any competitive rules. It is deemed legal and permitted for use on the battlefield! If there are no objections, the match will continue!"
Because the scene had been so astonishing, Forrest had graciously paused Lucario's attacks, allowing Greninja to complete its transformation. Even he was amazed by what Arthur had just pulled off.
"You are truly a surprising opponent," he said with a nod. "No wonder they call you the miracle boy."
Arthur himself was still trying to figure things out. Bond Phenomenon… this was the first time he had ever heard of it.
"It was just a fluke," he replied modestly. "It's all thanks to my Pokémon's hard work. I just provided a little bit of help."
Both trainers signaled to the referee that they had no objections.
The match resumed!
The commentators' voices rose with excitement. "The battle is back on! Bond Phenomenon, a never-before-seen battle form! What kind of changes will we see from Trainer Arthur's Greninja? Let's wait and see—"
Before the commentator could even finish his sentence, Arthur had already shown everyone the answer.
"Greninja, Water Shuriken!"
Shink!
Greninja crossed its hands, but no shuriken were thrown. Instead, three meter-long, light-blue, crystalline energy blades materialized in its hands!
The stadium erupted in gasps once more.
"Holy—?! That's Water Shuriken?!"
"That's freaking Psycho Cut! I didn't get top marks in class, but you can't fool me!"
"Why does a Greninja know Psycho Cut? Referee, I want to report a violation! That move is illegal!"
Despite the commotion, the referee panel, after another brief discussion, did not blow the whistle to interrupt the match. Nor did they record a new move on the official roster. In other words, the referees had accepted it: these illegally long, crystalline, light-blue energy blades were, in fact, "Water Shuriken"!
In the Blaze Team's lounge, the players were stunned. "That's allowed?!"
Only Arthur wasn't particularly surprised. From the moment he had inexplicably shouted the command "Assume Battle Forme," it was as if he had formed a deeper, more profound connection with Greninja. This connection allowed him to understand, in comprehensive detail, every change that had occurred.
This included the enhancements the new form provided:
A significant boost to all basic physical stats, including strength, agility, dynamic vision, and reaction speed.
An increase in energy output, strengthening all Water-type moves.
And most importantly: a massive enhancement to its signature move, Water Shuriken!
Each use of the move now consistently created three water weapons, but their size, mass, hardness, and energy content had all undergone a qualitative leap. Before, it could only create palm-sized shuriken and kunai. Now, it could freely create meter-long energy swords!
Greninja deftly wrapped the end of one blade with its long tongue, slinging it over its back as a spare, and dual-wielded the other two.
"Go, Greninja!"
This time, upon receiving Arthur's command, Greninja's steps were filled with an unprecedented level of confidence. The water clinging to its body moved with it as it charged, like a true suit of battle armor.
Faced with this new challenge, Forrest and Lucario remained fearless.
"Lucario, meet it head-on! Use Brick Break!"
Forrest chose the same response as he had at the start of the match. But no one expected that this time, the result would be completely different.
Lucario's jet-black hand, looking as if it were coated in Armament Haki, chopped down like a blade. The first time, it had shattered Greninja's water kunai without any issue.
But this time, as Greninja swung its own blade to meet the attack, the edge of Lucario's hand met the sword—
SHIING!
Greninja's blade paused for a microsecond before continuing its swing, carving a perfect arc through the air.
Lucario's hand-chop was knocked aside, the black Fighting-type energy coating its palm instantly shattering and dissipating. Mixed in with the powdered energy fragments were specks of blood. The blade had actually cut Lucario's hand!
"What?!"
No one had expected this. It was the exact same clash of moves as the opening exchange, yet the outcome was completely different!
Greninja's enhanced Water Shuriken had completely overwhelmed Brick Break!
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