And so Kubfu thought:
If only he could use abilities like [swordsmanship], [Mind's Eye], or [all-purpose transformation] too!
Everyone had their own signature skill, and every one of them was stunning.
Lilligant had Victory Dance and Axe Kick. Iron Valiant had its chaotic blade, otherwise known as Combat Torque. The Children of Rome had their Beat Up-style mob tactics.
By comparison, his sure-hit fist had far too heavy a drawback. Dynamic Punch's low accuracy and power were also completely outclassed by Combat Torque.
Combat Torque would one-shot Dynamic Punch. It would absolutely one-shot it.
So how exactly was he supposed to raise his own power to the limit, then release it all at once?
He had to successfully appear in the upcoming martial arts tournament—and not become a stepping stone or an appetizer!
"Ahem."
As Hikaru listened to Kubfu muttering to himself, he could not help thinking:
How is Dynamic Punch not an Explosive Hammer?
Still, it was not as if Kubfu had no friends. The reason his strength was not high enough was purely because his evolved form was both a stat monster and a mechanic monster. When one force could break ten thousand methods, no other extra strengthening was needed. Was Unseen Fist not buggy enough already?
As for releasing one's own power…
There was indeed a move like that. Hikaru had even seen it more than once.
Wasn't that just [Belly Drum]?
But it seemed Kubfu could not learn it yet.
Speaking of which, bear Pokémon from the earlier generations basically all had this move. But later-generation bear Pokémon were too strong, so the move was confiscated from them.
However, Pokémon like Ursaluna could still learn it through breeding and chain inheritance. But the Zigzagoon family, as the "parent" line, had been kicked out of its Egg Group compatibility in Generation IX. One could say its family tree had been erased.
But as the saying went, if you could not learn it, that only meant you had not worked hard enough!
Maybe after training on the Isle of Armor for a few days, Kubfu would be able to master it after evolving.
Of course, the risks of that move were still too great. In actual combat, sometimes it was not as practical as [Swords Dance] or [Bulk Up].
"So you already have a plan! A Fighting-type Pokémon… In that case, you're a Fighting-type specialist, huh?"
Peony suddenly revealed a mischievous grin. "Do you know what Fighting-type is super effective against? That's right, [Steel]! Hey, doesn't it feel kind of absurd that the hardest steel can be beaten by Fighting-type?"
"Before you go to the dojo, how about having a quick battle with me first? Anyway, my investigation and collecting on this island are almost over."
Hikaru said, "You just don't want to battle Elder Mustard. But battling ordinary students would be too boring, right?"
Peony burst into laughter. "You saw right through me! That old man counters me way too hard!"
"And I think you're strong. I don't want to fight the old man, but my hands are itching and I'm dying for a battle. That's all there is to it!"
Hikaru said, "That's fine. A short battle is no problem. It counts as special training. But there is one point I should correct."
Peony's eyes sharpened slightly. "Correct?"
Hikaru said, "Although I am indeed quite skilled with Fighting types, when it comes to my public typing—I mean my official specialty…"
"In the Paldea region, I serve as one of the Elite Four. My specialty type is the same as yours: [Steel]!"
The moment those words left his mouth, Peony immediately understood why he and Hikaru had gotten so engrossed in conversation, and why the two of them had such similar interests.
Peony said, "I see! So you're the same type of Stand as me!"
Hikaru said, "Exactly. Speaking of which, do you know where I can find Fossilized Fish and Fossilized Drake stones? In order to bring a lost, ultra-ancient move back into the world… a move called [Fishious Rend]!"
Peony only laughed loudly. "Those stones? Never heard of them! But I've heard another interesting thing, so I'll write it down!"
"Come on out, Copperajah!"
A large, deep-green Pokémon like an ancient bronze elephant appeared. Its trunk had incredibly powerful gripping strength, enough to crush large boulders. It was a powerhouse capable of easily dragging an airplane.
Incidentally, it had come from another region long ago and had worked alongside humans ever since.
Although the Pokédex described it as coming from another region, that region was not Paldea. Even the Scarlet and Violet Pokédex described it as a Pokémon from another region, so its true place of origin remained a mystery.
Copperajah was also known as the designated target dummy for Raichu and Gastly, because early Pokédex entries for Raichu and Gastly mentioned "knocking out an elephant." But in the early days, the only elephant-like Pokémon was Donphan.
As a Ground-type, Donphan naturally could not be subjected to Raichu's ultimate humiliation. In fact, one Earthquake would leave Raichu without even ten lives to survive. So in Generation VIII, Copperajah was created.
And it had deliberately been designed as a pure Steel-type. Because Steel's resistances were weakened in Generation V, Steel no longer resisted Ghost. Therefore—
Copperajah resisted neither Electric nor Ghost!
Of course, it was not weak to them either. But its Special Defense had been deliberately set at 69, clearly showing its fragility on the special side!
Peony said, "Since you're a Steel-type Elite Four member, then! Galar doesn't have Elite Four members, those leader-class figures second only to the Champion. This is my first time battling an Elite Four member from another region. You understand Steel types, right? Let me see how you'll deal with this!"
"Copperajah, use [Heavy Slam]!"
Hikaru said, "Copperajah's average weight is 650 kilograms. Kubfu weighs 12 kilograms. Therefore, Heavy Slam's base power will reach 120."
Peony said, "Exactly! I'm glad you understand just how heavy Copperajah is!"
Hikaru said, "No. What I'm saying is that for a Pokémon with such a massive body, three meters tall and entirely made of copper, weighing only 650 kilograms is far too light."
Kubfu's eyes flashed. It blocked Copperajah's charge!
Boom! Its legs drove hard into the ground, and it slid back more than ten steps. But Copperajah's charge had indeed been stopped!
Peony shouted in amazement, "How is that possible?! It took the hit head-on despite a weight difference of more than fifty times?!"
Hikaru said, "Kubfu [Detected] your attack!"
Even so, Peony's Copperajah was his ace Pokémon. Its level represented an insurmountable gap for Kubfu. Although Kubfu briefly blocked the impact thanks to the results of its past training, the next strike would be—
"[Low Kick]!"
The user kicked the target's legs hard, tripping it and attacking. The heavier the target, the greater the power!
Kubfu kicked Copperajah in the leg!
Using its own sturdy strength, it took a deep breath and gathered all the power in its body into one point!
At 200.0 kilograms or more, Low Kick's power became 120!
Hikaru said, "For small Pokémon, a weight difference can indeed be an impassable wall. But sometimes, being heavier doesn't mean being stronger!"
Peony raised a hand. "Copperajah, wrap it up with your trunk!"
"That huge trunk is like an excavator. It can extend and contract freely. It's not just for show!"
Copperajah swung its trunk, trying to grab Kubfu while blocking Kubfu from attacking its legs. But a Fighting-type impact pierced through the trunk and then drove straight through its leg!
Copperajah crashed to the ground with a boom!
Peony said, "What… It hit?!"
Hikaru said, "My Kubfu's Ability is [No Guard]. No matter what kind of attack it is, it will always hit. Therefore, your attacks will hit Kubfu as well."
Just as Hikaru said, Copperajah's trunk suddenly wrapped around Kubfu!
Peony said, "So that's how it works! A rare Ability! But No Guard doesn't seem like much of a good thing for such a frail little guy!"
"Keep it wrapped up and use [Strength]!"
Copperajah's trunk suddenly exerted force. Although it was half-lying on the ground, its long trunk tightened continuously. Its gaze was exceptionally sharp. But the little bear before it—
That little bear suddenly grabbed its trunk and was even dragging it backward. Wait, what was happening?
Copperajah's expression turned deeply panicked.
What incredible strength!
"650 kilograms is still too light, isn't it?"
Hikaru said, "If the opponent uses [Strength], then we'll use [Superpower]!"
"Use even greater strength and throw it!"
While Kubfu and Copperajah were competing in raw power, an astonishing old man arrived nearby and watched the battle from afar.
"Two people who didn't come from [Fields of Honor], but appeared directly near [Potbottom Desert]… Isn't that kid Peony?"
Although the astonishing old man liked giving other people nicknames, Peony was one of the rare people he did not address with one.
Maybe because something like "Little Peo-Peo" sounded too awful.
"Oh my, that Kubfu is extraordinary. It's not a Pokémon from here. I never expected the [Secret Armor] to exist in other regions too."
Beside the astonishing old man appeared a Fighting-type girl with gray hair and wheat-colored skin.
"That's… Teacher! He came to Galar! But why is he on the Isle of Armor? Shouldn't he be going to Spikemuth?"
The old man said, "So that's how it is… That person is… the one connected to that old man Steel. Little Bea, the [fighting techniques] you learned came from him, didn't they?"
Bea said, "Yes. He was once the boss of Unova's Black Tower. He is also one of Paldea's Elite Four, and… the current [Unova Champion]!"
The astonishing old man stroked his eyebrows. "Two Champions battling? No wonder, no wonder. Their overall strength feels nearly equal, but…"
Mustard folded his hands behind his back, wisdom showing in his eyes.
"When a top-class horse and a lower-class horse fight to this extent, it already shows the gap in their latent potential. After that kid Peony stopped being a Gym Leader, it feels like his strength has declined a little…?"
"Still, if he's the person who defeated Alder, then of course he's stronger than Peony."
When Bea came to the Isle of Armor, she would train against the sandstorms in Potbottom Desert. This echoed her special training in the Wild Area in Twilight Wings.
Although she occasionally visited the Isle of Armor, Bea came from a famous family and had inherited fighting techniques from her household. In the past, she had not trained under Mustard.
"One after another, young martial artists keep appearing on this island, preparing for the upcoming worldwide [World Martial Arts Tournament]. Experts from even farther regions will come here too."
Bea said, "Master Mustard, that isn't the World Martial Arts Tournament. It's the Fighting League."
Mustard said, "It's the same kind of thing. Very interesting, isn't it? When I was young, I went to the Ferrum region too. Little Bea, you didn't come here just to train for the Champion Cup either, did you? Still, you have a very high chance of winning this year. Just fight according to the methods your teacher taught you."
"Oh my, that kid Raihan… He suffered here for quite a while before. Said something about being reborn like a dragon's [Molting]. But maybe you'll be the one to take him down."
"Look. The battle has been decided. In other words, Kubfu won."
"This is the victory of martial arts!"
"Now then, shall we have a little [consecutive battle]? The Secret Armor seeking an answer must evolve into a new form. I can feel that Kubfu's desire. Let's take a small look at this martial artist's strength."
Mustard snapped his fingers. A sturdy figure leaped out from the sandstorm and landed in the battlefield with a heavy boom!
At that moment, Copperajah had already been defeated by Kubfu. Before Peony could react, sand and wind surged before him. The divine messenger who dispelled evil energy had arrived!
"Oh?! That's… Urshi—!"
"Aa!"
The martial bear that appeared there, black and white in color, looked down from above at Kubfu, who was badly injured but whose presence had not weakened at all.
It clenched its fist, trying to make its opponent remember this feeling. This was a [test] conducted to further improve its strength.
Kubfu looked at the "enemy" that had suddenly appeared before it. The Urshifu's fist stirred up a fierce wind, as if it would completely destroy Kubfu's will in the next instant.
Wicked Blow!
Smack!
Urshifu's wrist was caught by a human hand!
"Aa?!"
The martial bear's eyes widened in anger as it stared in disbelief at the human who had grabbed its fist.
Wait. Although the order was to "test the martial artist's strength," that meant having a Pokémon battle with you. It did not mean fighting you personally!
Besides, a human martial artist could fight a Pokémon in close combat? Were you on the same level as Master? Like that young lady over there, were you also someone who could exchange blows with Pokémon using your own flesh and blood?!
Hikaru said, "The roar of the [A-form], the guardians Heng and Ha, the Niō, the Dharma-protecting divine generals…"
"It's the [Single Strike Style]!"
Urshifu failed to land its strike and retreated in shock. Then it sensed something.
The type that countered Dark was—
Of course, [Fighting]!
A barrage of fierce punches struck Urshifu at an unimaginable speed and forced it back. Four consecutive attacks landed in an instant!
"Aa!"
Urshifu retreated several steps in a row, feeling the world spin around it. It stared in shock at the blue-furred big dog before it.
Lucario?! When had it appeared?
And what was that punching style just now?! Its power had increased!
"[Power-Up Punch]!"
Mustard's expression also became serious. "Little Bea, is that the combat method you once saw, the one that strikes four times in an instant? It can raise its own stats by four stages in an instant, or if using Rock Smash, lower the opponent's Defense by four stages. But…"
"I've never seen such high-speed consecutive strikes before."
"Aa!"
Urshifu unleashed rolling currents of aura, raising its true energy to the limit, then charged straight at Lucario in one burst.
Mustard quietly watched the sudden battle, his expression growing increasingly grave.
"And yet, this old man's [Unseen Fist] should be able to ignore the opponent's [Protect] state. Even [King's Shield] and [Spiky Shield] can be broken through in one go, and their special effects won't trigger either."
"The only thing that can block Unseen Fist is [Max Guard]."
"Why can that Lucario completely evade Urshifu's attacks?!"
Bea's expression was also filled with surprise. "No… I've never seen this either. Back then, this Lucario should still have been a Riolu…"
"Its Ability. Its Ability is… I don't know!"
Mustard said, "It's not Mind Reader, and it's not Foresight."
"Contact moves. One strike. Not a single hit landed!"
"Redirection of force… extremely high-level force redirection? No, that's not it. It's something else…"
Urshifu was also encountering such an astonishing Pokémon for the first time. It glared at Lucario, but its own breathing gradually grew ragged from the consumption of stamina and the speed of its punches.
This was simply impossible! Unseen Fist was a fist art that could not be read through or blocked. After more than a thousand years of accumulation, our clan fused this fist art into our very Ability and evolved into this form!
How could it be… Could it really be force redirection?
"Aa! Swords Dance!"
Urshifu used Swords Dance! Its Attack rose sharply!
Lucario said, [What powerful aura. However, the history of aura is even older. If one thousand years of evolution has been compressed into Unseen Fist, then the history of aura spans more than three thousand years.]
[That transformation is useless. If you blindly increase your strength but your speed cannot keep up, that muscular form will never hit me.]
[Unseen Fist. Focus Energy… That truly is impressive. Your combat power—your base Attack stat—has probably reached more than 260. Although I don't really understand that number either. My Trainer told me.]
[Let me give you a reference number. Although my innate base talent is only 110, because of long-term training, plus the power increase from Power-Up Punch, my base Attack is… 330!]
Lucario's calm gaze made the Single Strike Style Urshifu suddenly take a step back. Only in that instant did it realize what had happened.
It had actually been… frightened back by the opponent!
Only for a split second, but such a thing had never happened before.
"A rising Champion, unstoppable in momentum. It seems that Lucario is one of your ace Pokémon, yes?"
Mustard and Bea walked out of the sandstorm. Bea immediately greeted Hikaru.
"It's been a long time, Teacher!"
Hikaru said, "Bea, I didn't expect you to be on the Isle of Armor… and to appear together with Mr. Mustard. Although I had already sensed you earlier."
Bea looked a little embarrassed, but she immediately took a deep breath. "Teacher's strength has improved again. As your training partner, I cannot stand still. That's why I came to visit Mr. Mustard."
"He is Galar's—"
"That introduction was already given!" Peony interrupted Bea. "Hey! I didn't expect you to show up here, old man! I thought you were at the dojo! Urshifu… Hey, that's one of your ace Pokémon, right?"
"You just about made my jaw drop! That Steel-type Lucario's dodging movements and battle techniques just now—I never thought I'd see such an incredible Steel-type Pokémon! You really are a Steel-type specialist! Hahaha, good, good!"
"Hmph! You've grown wings now, haven't you, kid…"
Mustard said the line he would one day say to Peony in the Galarian Star Tournament, blurting it out ahead of time.
"Fighting-type counters Steel-type. So now that my Pokémon was suppressed by a Steel-type Pokémon, you're this happy? But then again, the one that defeated Urshifu wasn't [Steel]. It was [Fighting]!"
"In the end, martial arts prevailed. That's how it is!"
Sea King Mustard delivered his judgment, then waved at Urshifu. "Come back. You're no match for that Lucario."
"Aa…"
The Single Strike Style Urshifu looked extremely dejected, but cold sweat would not stop flowing down its face.
[I see. Single Strike Style can't hit it. Does that mean the other one, the Rapid Strike Style, is needed?]
Urshifu looked toward Mustard with that thought, but immediately heard Lucario's voice from across the field.
[Even in a contest of consecutive strikes, I would not lose.]
[We have already crossed the highest mountain. After that, we continued refining ourselves. "Consecutive attacks" are the combat style I am best at. And I still have new transformations I have yet to use.]
[Once I transform, my power will increase dramatically and reach a level beyond yours. Transformations like that…]
[I still have two!]
Terastallization and Mega Evolution!
Urshifu's mouth opened slightly as it stared at Lucario with a frightened gaze.
Mustard said, "It seems they said something extraordinary. Urshifu has never shown such a grave expression before… Hmm. Could that Lucario perhaps [Mega Evolve]?"
"If so, it truly still has a great deal of latent power left unreleased."
"Hoho! This old man is truly happy. To be able to exchange moves with such a martial arts expert… Although we haven't truly fought yet, my blood is already boiling! I haven't felt this way in at least thirty years!"
"I feel thirty years younger… no, I should say fifty!"
Hikaru said, "It is an honor to meet you, senior! However, let's leave the true all-out battle for the martial arts tournament. Mr. Mustard, when that time comes, you can completely release your own strength. As for Mega Evolution, although we can indeed do it, in reality, we have not tried it yet."
"And Lucario is not the main target of this training."
"Thank you as well for looking after Bea."
Mustard stroked his beard and laughed loudly. "Not at all! Little Bea is already a famous genius of Galar. Teaching her is only natural. After all, I'm also looking forward to seeing her defeat little Leon in this tournament!"
"That… I'll do my best!" Although Bea felt uncertain, no matter what, she had already done everything she could.
She would give it her all, then leave no regrets behind.
Mustard said, "Kubfu, hm… Come to think of it, that attack just now was on a whim. This old man didn't expect that you, a kid connected to that old man Steel, would also be a hidden master like me."
"The Secret Armor appearing in another region… It has a different Ability. But if it wants to learn Unseen Fist, it must abandon its specialty technique."
"No Guard's [sure-hit fist], correct? Little Bea's Machamp now follows the No Guard school as well."
Kubfu took a deep breath. It looked at Lucario, appearing somewhat downcast.
It had been saved by its senior brother and Teacher. Otherwise, even if that attack had only been a test, it would not have been able to dodge it. When facing Unseen Fist, No Guard had instead become a massive weakness.
"That is exactly what it means for every foot to have its shortcoming and every inch to have its strength," Hikaru comforted Kubfu, letting the latter gather its spirit again. "Special training begins now. Isn't this what you hoped for?"
[Do your best, junior brother!]
[Powerful auras are appearing one after another!]
Lucario nodded to Kubfu and encouraged it. [As training partners, one day, we will stand side by side on the stage of the martial arts tournament. There is no need to worry about fist arts. You have one too, don't you? The only Sky Uppercut that can hit Flying-type Pokémon…!]
Meanwhile, Hikaru was thinking:
Since they had just gone through a certain plan, the team name…
"If you participate in a martial arts tournament, teams usually have names, right? For example, ours is [Master Mustard's Dojo]."
Mustard looked at Hikaru with an inquiring expression. "What is the name of your competition team?"
Hikaru said, "Calling it the [Z Fighters] would not be unacceptable."
"A is the beginning. Z is the end."
Mustard said, "You want to end every martial arts expert? That's quite the boast. But if it's you, perhaps you can do it."
The astonishing old man clasped his hands behind his back.
"Now then, since the probing is over… regardless of whether you fight me later, and regardless of whether you stumbled here by accident or came with some other purpose, as long as someone wishes to learn at the dojo, this old man will teach them everything he knows and pass on all his martial insight!"
"That being said, if a [Champion] comes to train, then with the level this Kubfu has shown, no one in the towers except this old man could stop it. In that case, the so-called trial would be practically meaningless."
"So although the all-out battle will be saved for the martial arts tournament, right now… this old man must still teach you the secrets of Dark and Water. Therefore, a first battle is unavoidable. This time, that Lucario cannot interfere."
"[One who masters the path of evil must also master the path of good. Utmost evil is the power of utmost good.]"
"[When entering all four directions, become all four directions. Rain falls from heaven, rainwater becomes rivers, and in the end, all returns to the sea.]"
"So choose directly. If you wish to become sturdy armor that can destroy any spear, which will it be: the [Tower of Darkness] or the [Tower of Waters]? Choose one!"
Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist… using pure fist techniques to destroy the enemy.
Compared to the fist of darkness, the fist of water was more useful, Kubfu thought. The team's four great Dark beasts were already enough to serve as the benchmark for Dark-type combat power.
[The ultimate essence of martial arts…]
Hikaru said, "Speaking of which, there really is something like that. A sturdy armor that defends against everything, stronger than [Protect] and [Wide Guard], capable of blocking even one-hit KO moves… It can be learned by Water-, Fighting-, and Dark-type Pokémon, but only two Pokémon possess the move."
It was also a deleted move that could no longer be learned starting in Generation VIII.
Kubfu's eyes gradually lit up.
Then the answer was already simple and clear! It would be the [Tower of Waters]!
Bea said, "The ultimate tower of the Water style… Master Mustard, I would also like to watch this battle."
Peony said, "Haha, this sounds interesting! Hey, old man, can I come watch too? This is the moment the [Secret Armor] evolves!"
Mustard said, "Honestly. Little Bea needs to gain experience, and you, Peony, really are idle. Fine. Then come along!"
Potbottom Desert was closer to the Tower of Darkness and a little farther from the Tower of Waters. However, everyone present was either a martial artist or an explorer, so crossing the mountains and wilderness in a short period of time was not particularly difficult. In Mustard's words, that was the beginning of training!
Although, when climbing the tower, the game restricted accompanying Pokémon. But as for that rule in reality… Teacher Mustard felt that whether it was restricted or not no longer mattered.
"Aa…"
In the game, Mustard sent out a level 30 or level 70 Kubfu inside the tower. But now, in order to put on a proper showing, the one entering battle was still the same Urshifu from before.
The Single Strike Style Urshifu gazed solemnly at the Kubfu before it.
A different Ability. No wonder when it struck earlier, it had felt as though its attack would definitely hit, had it not been stopped by the opponent's Trainer and that Lucario.
It had not realized it earlier, but now it understood.
You little bear, you came from a distant region, and you are no easy opponent either!
Mustard said, "Heh. Let this old man personally teach you the essence of Water. If you grow careless, the battle will be decided in one strike!"
"[Aerial Ace]!"
He called it the essence of Water.
Yet not only did he send out a Dark-type Urshifu, his first move was the Flying-type Aerial Ace!
Hikaru said, "The move that's announced and the move that's actually used are two completely different things."
"But usually speaking, that is also normal."
A sure-hit flying fist, combined with No Guard, could not be dodged. That applied to both sides!
And with the strength of Single Strike Style Urshifu, even without same-type attack bonus, under a double-effectiveness matchup, as long as this punch landed, victory would basically be decided.
Protect was useless! Even [Endure] was useless!
"Charge straight at the opponent like that… Use [Acrobatics]!"
"Fu!"
As the saying went, if you use Flying, I will use Flying too. If you charge, I will charge too! When facing Unseen Fist, this was the true meaning of [no defense]!
Flying-type energy surged over Kubfu's fist. The aura of a god… dispelling the evil energy of the world!
Urshifu and Kubfu punched each other head-on!
Power surged from Kubfu's fist and forced Urshifu's fist back!
Little by little, it pushed through!
There was a world of difference between a base Attack stat of 90 and a base Attack stat of 130 when using the power of moves!
Hikaru said, "Aerial Ace, super effective, 60 power, equivalent to 120."
"However, Acrobatics also doubles in power when no item is being held."
"Oh my. Stats and numbers sound so quantified, though they do have presence." Teacher Mustard laughed loudly, but a sly look suddenly appeared in his smile.
"However, to say that move power matters more than Attack strength, and that Attack strength itself does not matter, would be incorrect!"
"Whether it is the Dark style or the Water style, once trained to completion, the fierce strike they unleash will always land a critical hit. When paired with Unseen Fist, it becomes a secret technique."
"But after long years of training… even ordinary moves can be trained into blows that strike vital points. That is the training method of seeing weaknesses."
"If one uses [Focus Energy] in this state…"
"The power will suddenly surge!"
A super effective Aerial Ace with 120 power would rise to 180!
As he watched Urshifu's fist push Kubfu's fist back, Mustard's eyes suddenly flashed.
"No?!"
"Yes." Hikaru exhaled. The breath flowed like wind.
"110 power, super effective."
"220!"
"And with the special effect of Acrobatics, this is one of my secret teachings. However, so-called secret teachings are merely things predecessors never discovered."
"By using the ancient [Flying Gem], the move's power increases by 50%, and at the same time, Acrobatics' effect still activates as normal!"
55 power → Strong Style +20 → gem boost ×1.5 → no item ×2 → super effective ×2.
And on top of that—
"[Strong Style]!"
Hikaru said, "So, I apologize, Teacher Mustard. The true power is not 220. It is 450! When the power reaches a certain level, and the matchup is favorable, it can overwhelm the limits of innate species talent!"
Kubfu raised all the energy in its body to the limit. With one fierce punch, it blasted Urshifu's fist aside and struck at Urshifu's face!
If it landed a critical hit under a twofold modifier rather than a 1.5x modifier, this punch's power could even reach 900!
But even with the normal 1.5x modifier, its power would exceed 600!
Kubfu's fist knocked the shocked Urshifu away!
There was nothing surprising about it. This was simply striking back with a faster, stronger motion. This was martial arts. This was evolution.
There was still some distance between it and Lucario. But… its purity had risen!
Heaven-and-Earth-Piercing Fist!
Bea said, "It defeated him with one punch?!"
Peony said, "Although both sides used one punch, if the opponent's punch had broken through Kubfu, the result would have been the same. In other words, whoever had the stronger punch would win this battle. In the contest between power and stats, [power] won in the end? But power is also part of stats."
"Speaking of which, it's really rare to see this kind of passionate mutual one-shot situation! Did this side land a critical hit too?"
When one side was weaker in strength, it would often choose to win through technique—no, that Kubfu was not weak in strength either!
"Oh my, oh my. This is truly something. Losing twice in one day?"
Mustard's expression became wonderfully complicated.
"The Tower of Waters cleared. A fastest-clear legend?!"
"With this level of strength, perhaps it could even face little Leon?! But this combat style of one-shotting the opponent with a single punch looks like it should have chosen the Dark style no matter how you look at it."
"What a contrary little fellow. But what kind of battle style is [Strong Style]?"
Hikaru said, "Compared to the perfected single punch of the Dark style, the power of Strong Style, when combined with Surging Strikes, will produce even more terrifying combat ability. This so-called Strong Style is a battle technique passed down from Hisui!"
The final power of Surging Strikes and Wicked Blow was actually the same. But if Strong Style's 20-point power increase was added, there would be a heaven-and-earth difference!
Under Strong Style, every hit of Surging Strikes would become 45 power. Therefore, since the three-hit combo was not counted as a [multi-strike move], its final power would reach 135!
And every strike was a guaranteed critical hit!
So under rain, with same-type attack bonus added, why not just fight in Strong Style from the start?
Hikaru nodded to Kubfu.
"I think this is what you longed for, and what Palafin meant by [buffs]!"
"The stage where you can truly show what you can do is about to arrive!"
(End of Chapter)
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