At that moment, Ninetales had already fallen into a deadly vicious cycle.
If it stopped using the Flash Fire ability, it would have to directly endure the damage from the flames. But if it did not stop using it, that fire would continue to grow stronger and stronger, until it surpassed the limit that its body could withstand.
"Ninetales, stop and then use Fire Spin!"
At that very instant, Naira Cross's voice suddenly rang out, leaving all the spectators stunned.
Next, they saw Ninetales lift its head, stomp the ground hard, and suddenly its entire body became covered in red flames.
Boom!
In an instant, the purple flames and the red flames on the field collided violently with each other, triggering a brutal explosion. A wave of fire directly swept across the entire stage.
"What is that Ninetales doing?"
"If it just kept absorbing the fire, it would keep getting stronger and stronger!"
In the stands, the spectators supporting Naira could not help but shout. At first, they had thought Litwick was crazy for launching fire at Ninetales; now, it seemed that even Ninetales had lost its head!
"Ah... so she realized it."
Seeing this scene, Ethan gently shook his head.
Just as he had expected, there were many intelligent people present. Naira, being a disciple of Champion Leo Cross, realizing this was nothing surprising.
On the field, the smoke slowly began to dissipate, revealing the figure of Ninetales in a rather miserable state. As a Fire-type Pokémon with the Flash Fire ability, its body unexpectedly showed scorched areas.
"It's injured—Ninetales has been damaged by fire!"
"Then... why did it suddenly use the move Fire Spin? That's just asking for trouble!"
The crowd once again erupted; they truly could not understand it.
Fortunately, at that moment, President Morgan of the Pokémon Researchers' Guild stepped forward to explain what was happening on the field, and only then did the spectators show expressions of sudden understanding.
"Damn it, this Ethan is way too twisted!"
"Good thing Goddess Naira was smart—she almost fell into the trap!"
The spectators quickly changed their attitude and began praising her nonstop.
"Ninetales, use Fire Spin once more!"
Just then, Naira gave the order again.
"Niinnettaslss!"
Although Ninetales's current condition was not good, the real boost that the Flash Fire ability granted to Fire-type moves was still undeniable.
They saw Ninetales's tails rise high and then sweep forcefully; powerful flames immediately spread in all directions.
This time, Litwick finally could no longer keep dodging. Its real body was forced out by the Fire Spin move.
After repeatedly using the move Substitute, Litwick's stamina was already nearly exhausted. Under a single attack from Ninetales's Psychic move, it directly lost the ability to continue fighting.
"You did very well, Litwick."
Ethan took out the Poké Ball and recalled Litwick, speaking to it gently.
The truth was that, for a Litwick that had mastered the moves Substitute and Inferno, its performance had been practically perfect.
On this point, all the spectators agreed. If Naira had not reacted so quickly, Ninetales truly might have suffered an unexpected defeat.
Even so, Ninetales's current condition was already quite poor, and it seemed difficult for it to continue fighting in the next match.
"It truly is a Litwick with exceptional breeding potential. Even though it only used the move Substitute throughout the entire battle, it used it absolutely perfectly!"
The president of the Pokémon Trainers' Guild of Solaris City could not help but express his admiration.
"That's right. Now I'm even starting to look forward to Charizard's performance."
Even Champion Leo nodded slightly, with a look of approval in his eyes.
"Now it's your turn."
"Are you ready, Charizard?"
Ethan smiled faintly and threw the Poké Ball in his hand. Charizard's figure appeared suspended in midair.
"Charrzz!"
The moment it appeared, Charizard let out a powerful roar, exuding an imposing presence.
This caused the eyes of all the spectators and guests to shine slightly. Judging by its physical development, that Charizard was truly outstanding.
"Ninetales, this time it was my oversight. Come back and rest well."
Naira sighed softly, took out her Poké Ball, and recalled Ninetales.
Then she raised her head to look at the Charizard in the sky, smiled faintly, and took out another Poké Ball.
"You've also been waiting for this day for a long time, haven't you?"
"Then... go, Charizard!"
As Naira's voice fell, another Charizard, equally robust and powerful, appeared on the field.
"Charrzz!"
That Charizard also let out a furious roar the moment it appeared.
Compared to Ethan's Charizard, this one's roar was even more resounding, and its gaze much sharper and fiercer.
"Charrzz!"
Upon seeing that Charizard, Ethan's Charizard immediately focused its gaze, becoming extremely serious.
"What a powerful aura..."
"As expected of the champion Leo's disciple. Charizard is Champion Leo's signature Pokémon; it's clear that Naira has inherited his true teachings."
Ethan took a deep breath. He knew this would be a tough battle, but he had to help his Charizard win.
"Then... the first move is still mine."
"Charizard, use Sunny Day!"
Ethan inhaled deeply and gave the order swiftly.
"Charrzz!"
A flame of fighting spirit burned in Charizard's eyes.
Next, they saw Charizard rapidly rise into the sky. Its body burst into flames and, in the blink of an eye, transformed into a gigantic fireball. Waves of heat began to spread endlessly.
"What the hell did I just see?!"
"Hey, hey, hey, no way...! Could that be that move?"
"It's... it's that! The special method of Champion Leo for releasing the Sunny Day weather!"
Upon witnessing this scene, all the spectators jumped to their feet at once.
As fervent admirers of Champion Leo, they were far too familiar with that move!
It could be said that this move was practically Champion Leo's signature attack. What exactly was the relationship between Ethan and Champion Leo?
"How is this possible?!"
"That's the master's technique! Why does this Charizard know how to use it?"
Even Naira's eyes were filled with disbelief.
Her own Charizard had received direct guidance from Master Leo, and yet it still had not managed to master that special method of the Sunny Day move. Why could that Charizard do it?
In fact, not only Naira—even Champion Leo himself slightly widened his eyes, with an expression of astonishment on his face.
He was the one who best understood the difficulty of training the technique of the "Sunny Day Dragon." Even his own Charizard had had to work extremely hard to master it.
Moreover, since "Sunny Day Dragon" was his secret technique that was not passed on casually, he had only taught it to his student Naira.
Then... how on earth had Ethan taught that technique to his Charizard?
(End of chapter)