Pokemon: Rising From The Dark

Greninja possesses two potential abilities. One is the ability currently observed, known as Torrent.

The other type is known as Protean.

If Aoki were to choose, he would undoubtedly value the ability to change types freely.

However, it cannot be said that the Torrent ability is inferior.

After all, the Torrent ability triggers when the Water-type Pokemon's health falls below a certain threshold, increasing the power of its Water-type moves by fifty percent.

This can be considered a very significant boost.

The Torrent ability is exclusively possessed by the Water-type starters among the Three Royal Starters.

It could even be said that when the Pokemon League selects these three starter Pokemon, a key factor in choosing the Water-type is to determine whether the Pokemon has the Torrent ability.

When Aoki first witnessed the transformation in Greninja, he initially thought it was undergoing Mega Evolution, but after commanding his Blaziken to retreat, he remembered that Mega Evolution requires, at the very least, the presence of a Trainer.

Ultimately, he realized it was not Mega Evolution, but merely a similar phenomenon.

This was Greninja's Torrent ability being activated.

For some reason, however, this Greninja seemed to have a degree of control over its Torrent ability, and the effect was remarkably potent.

It was more than twice as strong as the Torrent ability triggered by ordinary Water-type Pokemon, perhaps due to some form of specialized training.

"Greninja——"

A roar emerged from the water, and with the sound, the water scattered in every direction.

This revealed the Greninja that had been hidden within.

"Indeed, its appearance hasn't changed, but the effect after Torrent is triggered cannot be underestimated." Aoki felt a twinge of disappointment upon seeing Greninja's unchanged form.

But he also took it for granted.

If a Bond Phenomenon Greninja were that easily obtained, then Ash's Greninja would likely not be such a unique existence.

"Blaziken, keep fighting! Be cautious of the opponent's attacks. It won't be easy to deal with now." Aoki reminded telepathically.

"Blaziiken——"

Blaziken also roared loudly, a fierce fighting spirit burning in its eyes.

This was how it should be! An opponent like this was far more interesting!

Its legs began to bounce on the ground, carrying a special, practiced rhythm.

The boost of a Swords Dance!

When it came to offensive power, Blaziken had never been afraid.

So what if it was a Water-type!

"Greninja--Greninja--Greninja--"

Greninja employed the same tactic again, utilizing the Double Team skill.

But this skill was no longer effective against Blaziken.

Blaziken directly identified the real one and charged towards it.

A overwhelming number of Water Shuriken appeared once more.

However, these Water Shuriken looked distinctly different in appearance.

Aoki had almost synced his senses perfectly with Blaziken again.

This time, facing the Water Shuriken, Blaziken felt a tangible pressure.

It could not confront them head-on.

Several small flames shot out from Blaziken's mouth, an involuntary reaction to the intense focus.

Confronted with the overwhelming Water Shuriken, Blaziken unleashed the flames building within its mouth directly at the incoming projectiles.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The contact of Flamethrower and Water Shuriken created explosive reactions.

This time, Greninja did not remain passive; it canceled its Double Team clones. Two Water Shuriken materialized in its hands again, but instead of throwing them, it held them, using them as close-quarter weapons to engage Blaziken directly.

The mist scattered from the collisions, and within it, Blaziken and Greninja clashed once again.

Wielding the Water Shuriken, Greninja's effective attack range increased significantly.

Blaziken found it difficult to close the distance and could only use its powerful legs to parry and clash against Greninja's watery blades.

The mist grew thicker.

Continuing like this was not a viable strategy.

A shared thought flashed through both Aoki and Blaziken's minds simultaneously.

They acted on it immediately.

After a Blaze Kick collided with a Water Shuriken, Blaziken did not retreat as before but instead surged forward aggressively.

Greninja sensed the danger and frantically tried to retreat.

But it was too late; the superfast Blaziken was quicker.

It closed the distance instantly. Greninja formed two more Water Shuriken and swung them desperately at Blaziken.

Now was the moment!

Bounce back!

Utilizing the flexibility and redirection of the Bounce skill, Blaziken contorted its body, pressing close to Greninja's, spinning forward to appear behind it in an instant.

As it turned, the flames wreathing Blaziken came into contact with the water covering Greninja, producing a sharp hissing sound of steam.

Success!

Blaziken and Aoki thought in unison.

Greninja was equally shocked. It hadn't anticipated its opponent could control its movement and positioning to such an exquisite degree. Was this truly the result of relentless, incremental training?

This was a technique Blaziken had learned and adapted from observing Vigoroth.

The Vigoroth had managed to seize an opportunity mid-air, weaving through the dense Stone Edge attacks from Tyranitar by utilizing the rotational momentum of a similar redirection move to get behind its opponent.

Sky Uppercut!

The ribbon-like flame on Blaziken's right wrist instantly wrapped tightly around its fist as it appeared behind Greninja, already in a powerful half-crouch.

BANG!!!

A solid, devastating punch connected squarely with Greninja's back.

The force of the Sky Uppercut was tremendous, especially against an opponent whose guard was completely down and defenses wide open.

Greninja was sent rocketing into the air by the punch.

But this was not the end; it was merely the beginning.

Blaziken kicked off the ground with its powerful legs, propelling itself upward at a speed that surpassed Greninja's uncontrolled ascent.

A combination technique: Sky Uppercut into Blaze Kick!

Greninja, blasted into the air, was a defenseless target with no leverage, still reeling from the impact of the Sky Uppercut.

Blaziken ascended to meet it.

The horror in Greninja's eyes had not yet subsided.

Bang——

A fierce Blaze Kick, empowered by the descent, struck Greninja with immense force.

Whoosh——

It returned to the ground the same way it had come up!

Only much, much faster!

boom!!!

Greninja crashed directly into the earth.

A sizable crater was smashed into the grassy turf by the lake, and Greninja lay motionless within it.

It had lost the ability to battle!

Blaziken landed gracefully on the ground, the energy of its Mega Evolution flickering and fading as it returned to its original form.

It let out a long, slow exhale.

Steadying its panting breath.

Aoki controlled his sofa chair, moving slowly towards the prone Greninja.

Now, Greninja had completely lost its combat capability and posed little threat.

A hint of pity flashed within Aoki's eyes.

"It's a pity. This one has already fully formed its own fighting style, and judging by its arrogant demeanor earlier, it won't be easily subdued," Aoki thought to himself silently.

He wouldn't waste time on it as he might have with a less formed Pokemon like Vigoroth.

The Vigoroth's style was not yet fully cemented, whereas this Greninja's combat abilities and level were already completely developed.

Nevertheless, he still retrieved several healing sprays from his storage space.

He administered treatment to both Blaziken and the defeated Greninja.

Tyranitar and Aggron watched with deep regret.

Such a powerful opponent.

Why had they believed Blaziken's claim?

Just because it declared the opponent was its match, did that mean they had to concede the battle?

Who could truly prove that Greninja's challenging gesture earlier had been aimed solely at Blaziken?

Blaziken crossed its arms, looking down at Greninja on the ground with a gaze of profound respect.

This opponent had been exceptionally strong!

It had not neglected its own training, especially after its Torrent ability activated; the ensuing relentless and fierce assault had been genuinely difficult to withstand, even for Blaziken.