Chapter 0604: Blaze VS Torrent(Two-in-One)

Ash stood resolute in his blue vest and shorts, the flame-armored Infernape burning bright before him.

Opposite them, Blastoise advanced with measured steps as Natsume kept his hands casually pocketed, white dress shirt fluttering.

A breeze swept across the battlefield. Their eyes met—and for once, even Natsume felt his blood ignite.

Very well... Let me show Ash the breadth of the path ahead.

Then he'll carve his own legend as Champion!

The arena fell deathly silent. The referee's flag descended like a guillotine.

"Battle... BEGIN!"

"Infernape—MACH PUNCH!"

Ash's cap shadowed his eyes as he snapped forward, fist blazing with conviction.

"Infernape!"

Infernape's war cry shook the stands. Its foot slammed down—BOOM!—kicking up a shockwave as it blitzed toward Blastoise, iron fist gleaming white-hot!

CRACK!!!

The impact sent visible ripples through the air—

—only for Blastoise to catch the supersonic punch mid-strike, its expression glacial.

"It... caught Mach Punch?!" Paul's pupils shrank.

"Aura tracking," Riley murmured. "It predicted the trajectory."

Fist and palm hung suspended. Infernape's arm trembled; Blastoise's grip didn't budge.

"Infernape...?"

Infernape's wide eyes darted from its trapped fist to Blastoise's stoic face—

—then grinned, flames flaring as its left hook rocketed toward Blastoise's jaw!

SMACK!!!

The punch cratered Blastoise's cheekbone. The echo alone made the crowd flinch.

Blastoise lifted its impassive gaze, studying Infernape with calm detachment.

"Blastoise?"

Is this all you've got?

"Infernape.." Infernape monkey faltered.

Blastoise's right arm shot forward like a piston, fist clenched with crushing force—

THWUMP!!!

The impact sent Infernape rocketing backward, skidding across the arena before slamming into the barrier with enough force to crack it!

CRUNCH!!

The entire stadium shook from the collision.

"Infernape..."

Embedded in the shattered wall, Infernape hung limply before sliding down to its knees, head bowed.

The crowd collectively gulped.

"What...just happened?"

"Blastoise one-punched Infernape?!"

"That's...Champion-level power!!"

The arena erupted. For the first time in Lily of the Valley history—

—a reigning Champion had deployed his ace in a conference match.

"Not just Elite Four... His main team is here?!"

"No wonder they call this the Baby Cup!"

"Natsume-sensei's dropping the act?" Gold gaped.

"He wants Ash to remember this battle," Lt. Surge said, stowing his shades. "Passion alone won't make you Champion."

"Whoa, deep thoughts from you, old man!" Gold elbowed him.

Lt. Surge's smirk went nuclear. "Veteran's wisdom, kid."

Bruno studied the kneeling Infernape.

If Natsume wanted to crush Ash, one Hydro Pump would've ended it.

This fistfight...

Was a lesson. A challenge to rise higher.

Natsume stood unwavering, coat flaring from Blastoise's aftershock winds.

Here, he wasn't just the gentle mentor.

He was the Champion who'd faced Arceus.

The strategist who forged legends.

Natsume stood behind Blastoise, his piercing gaze fixed on the dazed Ash.

"Is this all you've got?"

"INFERNAPE!!!"

The response came not from Ash, but from Infernape—its body trembling as it forced itself upright, flames flickering weakly before erupting anew.

Slowly, agonizingly, the fire monkey rose to its feet. Its golden eyes burned with twin infernos, fists clenched so tightly its claws drew blood. This wasn't just fighting spirit—this was an unbreakable will, a fire that refused to be extinguished even in death!

"We're not done yet, Natsume-sensei!" Ash's voice rang clear across the field, his eyes blazing with the same determination. "Infernape and I will keep getting stronger! We'll battle as long as it takes!"

From the stands, Cynthia's lips curved into a knowing smile.

She could feel it—that rare, electric bond between trainer and Pokémon, forged in the heat of battle.

Giovanni stroked his Persian thoughtfully, elbow resting on his knee.

"Pallet Town trainers... always full of surprises."

Yet this wasn't mere talent. What he witnessed was something far more precious—

A mentor pouring his very soul into nurturing the next generation.

For a fleeting moment, the Rocket leader saw echoes of himself... and that boy from years past.

A breeze swept across the battlefield.

Blastoise stood immovable as a mountain, its shell unmarred by the onslaught.

"Blastoise."

Blastoise crooked a single finger at its battered opponent.

"Infernape..." Infernape wiped blood from its mouth, baring fangs.

"NOW! FLARE BLITZ!!!"

Ash's shout ignited the arena as Infernape's body erupted—cobalt and amber flames twisting together into a swirling inferno that shattered the ground beneath its feet!

"INFERNAPE!!!"

Rocks hovered midair as shockwaves radiated outward, the Infernape becoming a living meteor streaking toward Blastoise!

"Infernape unleashes its full-power FLARE BLITZ!" The commentator's voice cracked with excitement. "Is this a last stand?!"

"Too reckless!" Blue Oak frowned.

Professor Oak chuckled. "But that's so very Ash!"

Not good enough.

Natsume's brow furrowed.

Even accounting for Infernape's resilience, this reckless assault would leave lasting damage.

Just like that Greninja in Kalos—all raw power, zero strategy.

Is this really the best you can do, Ash?

The fireball closed in, heat distorting the air.

Time to face reality.

"LIQUIDATION."

"BLASTOISE!"

Water coiled around Blastoise's fist like a living thing, pulsing with barely-contained power. As Infernape's flames licked its face, the turtle's arm shot forward—

—and the world exploded.

BOOOOOOM!!!!

The collision of fire and water birthed a superheated storm, obscuring the battlefield in thick steam.

"Who won?!"

"The Champion's serious strike—it's over!!"

THUD!!!

From the mist, Infernape's broken form catapulted backward, carving trenches in the earth before finally skidding to a stop.

As the steam rose, the first raindrops began to fall—

—kissing Blastoise's stoic face and rain-beaded shell.

"Blastoise." It brushed soot from its chest, wincing slightly.

That'll need some Revival Herb later...

The crowd sat in stunned silence, staring at the motionless Infernape.

"Incredible..."

"That Blastoise is monstrous!"

"Was this... a demonstration from the Champion?"

Cynthia studied Natsume through the rain.

You're disappointed, aren't you?

He'd hoped for a true test—for Ash to match his Pokémon's strength with strategy.

But battles were cruel. Victory even more so.

To stop now would mean staying forever in place.

This pain? This defeat?

Necessary steps.

Just as Red had risen against Team Rocket.

As Steven had stood against Hoenn's rampaging legends.

As Natsume himself had faced Arceus.

Raindrops pattered against Infernape's motionless form as Ash tugged his cap lower.

"Infernape is unable to—"

The referee began raising his flag—then froze.

"Wait!" The commentator's voice cracked. "Infernape's still fighting!"

"In...fer..."

Arm trembling, Infernape dragged itself up from the mud, every muscle screaming in protest.

Natsume and Blastoise exchanged glances.

Huff... Huff...

Infernape raised its head—eyes burning through the rain—and locked onto Blastoise with terrifying focus.

The arena held its breath...

Then erupted.

This cheer wasn't just for a battle—it was for the unbreakable spirit of a true warrior.

Team Rocket's trio gaped from their stand.

"The twerp's monkey got up again?!" Meowth's jaw dropped.

"Go for it, twerp!" James pumped his fist.

"Show the Executive what you've got!!" Jessie added.

Cynthia tilted her head, studying Natsume through the downpour.

Is this your goal? To burn away his hesitation?

Ash extended his arm—as if connected to Infernape by an invisible thread.

No matter what... We'll keep fighting.

Stronger. Tougher. Beyond all limits!

"INFERNAPE!!"

Ash's roar shook the stadium:

"BLAZE!!!"

"INFERNAPE!!!!"

Infernape screamed at the stormclouds—

—and its crest erupted in a pillar of white-hot flames that vaporized the rain in a hissing explosion!

The ground shattered. Rocks levitated. A shockwave flattened the battlefield.

The livestream imploded:

"[HOLY @#$% I'M ON FIRE JUST WATCHING THIS!!]"

"[THIS IS WHY WE STAN INFERNAPE!!]"

"[BOSS MUSIC ACTIVATED!!!]"

Natsume chuckled.

"Type Wild really would fit now..."

But—

His eyes sharpened.

The future may be yours... But today?

I'm still the master here.

"BLASTOISE—"

Natsume's command cut through the inferno:

"TORRENT!!!"

"BLASTOISE!!"

Blastoise's aura detonated—a geyser of water rocketing skyward before cascading down in a protective vortex.

"[WTF MANUAL TORRENT ACTIVATION?!]"

"[EVERYONE'S CHEATING TODAY!!]"

"[BLAZE VS TORRENT—POKÉMON'S GREATEST SHOWDOWN!!]"

Blastoise nodded solemnly at its flaming opponent. No taunts. No arrogance.

Blastoise nodded solemnly at its flaming opponent. No taunts. No arrogance.

Just respect.

"GO, INFERNAPE!!"

Ash's voice merged with the roaring flames:

"FLARE BLITZ!!!"

"INFERNAPE!!!!"

Cobalt and gold fire twisted together, encasing Infernape in a meteor of destruction as it launched forward—

BOOM!!!

Natsume rarely felt this fired up, a grin spreading across his face.

“Blastoise, Liquidation!”

"BLASTOISE!"

Blastoise took a deep breath, its eyes flashing with sudden intensity. It thrust its fist forward, piercing through the air with a devastating blow!

BOOM!!

Liquidation collided head-on with Infernape’s airborne strike, sending up a massive cloud of steam.

The deafening impact shook the arena, the ground beneath their feet cracking instantly!

Blastoise’s fist tore through the flames, its right arm still holding back as it drove forward. Meanwhile, Infernape’s left fist sank deep into Blastoise’s cheek.

A cloud of dust rose as the two stood locked in their clash, neither yielding.

The arena fell dead silent. Bruno felt his chest burn with adrenaline.

Flint gulped.

“T-This… Blastoise wasn’t even going all out, was it?!”

“More like,” Cynthia crossed her arms, smiling faintly, “Infernape proved itself—to Blastoise and Natsume.”

As the dust settled, Blastoise withdrew its fist, taking a step back and rolling its neck slightly.

“Blastoise…”

Gonna need some extra recovery tea after this…

“Infernape…” Infernape remained frozen in its punching stance, eyes glazed over.

Even after losing battle capability, it refused to fall—such was Infernape’s unbreakable spirit.

“Infernape is unable to battle!” The referee confirmed before raising his flag.

“Blastoise…” Unfazed, Blastoise shook off its fist and calmly turned away.

The crowd stayed silent until the referee announced the result, snapping them out of their daze.

“Holy crap, that Blastoise is insane!”

“Total boss energy.”

“It just pulled its punch back like it was nothing… unreal!”

Ash let out a slow breath, recalling Infernape into its Poké Ball.

“Right now… my skill as a Trainer isn’t enough.”

He stared down at the Poké Ball, murmuring, “But I promise you… we will get stronger. No matter what.”

“You’ve grown, Ash,” Natsume said with a smile.

Ash looked up, grinning fiercely. “No holding back now, Natsume-sensei! Bring it on!”

“Blastoise…” Blastoise remained expressionless, the cannons on its back gleaming ominously.

Still with his hands in his pockets, Natsume didn’t recall Blastoise, instead asking eagerly, “Who’s next?”

“I Choose You—Pikachu!!”

Ash flung his arm out, and Pikachu—now nearly at full HP—leaped onto the field, electricity crackling across its cheeks.

“Pikachu!!” Pikachu crouched low, its fighting spirit completely different from before—its gaze razor-sharp.

This was Pikachu at its absolute best!!

“It was practically down for the count earlier… and now it’s back in top condition?!” Natsume’s expression twisted.

If the ref won’t call this out, I’m gonna have to cheat too!

The 「Aura of Ripple」began surging toward Blastoise, amplifying its own aura.

Natsume hesitated.

If I don’t hold back… the Potion bill after this is gonna be insane.

But against Pikachu? He couldn’t afford to be careless.

“Let’s go, Blastoise!” Natsume called. “Use Dragon Pulse!”

Ash: “Pikachu—Thunderbolt!”