The Jhoto Alliance originally didn't want to rebroadcast the battle, but once Kanto did, they had no choice. If they didn't follow suit, the public would question them afterward—and that was already happening.
Even though Jhoto agreed to the rebroadcast, their footage showed only parts of the battlefield. Their Champion hadn't appeared at all, which raised even more doubts about the region's leadership.
"Trying to hide underwater? Not happening."
Ash saw Lugia dive beneath the waves. In an instant, he used Shave, appearing atop the water's surface. His hands formed seals before pressing down onto the sea.
Mewtwo moved beside him, prepared to intercept Ho-Oh at any moment. The outcome of this battle would affect the future of both Kanto and Jhoto. Neither Ash nor Mewtwo could afford to give ground.
"Mewtwo—get down here. Sage Art: Water Style — Hard Vortex Water Blade."
Responding instantly, Mewtwo descended beside Ash. The sea before them began to twist violently, forming a massive vortex. A high-pressure water blade tore upward from its center, shooting toward Ho-Oh in the sky.
At the same time, the swirling vortex churned the ocean violently, forcing Lugia out of stealth. Unable to maintain his submerged advantage, Lugia burst from the sea and took to the air again.
A heavy impact exploded above.
The water blade struck Ho-Oh mid-flight, its edge carving several deep marks across the Legendary's body.
"Recover."
The injuries interfered with Ho-Oh's movement, so he instantly activated his regenerative ability. His cells multiplied at high speed, sealing his wounds completely—though his stamina dropped to roughly half.
Ho-Oh's breath came harsh and uneven as he steadied himself in the air.
"Ash, are you alright?"
Mewtwo spoke without turning, eyes fixed on Ho-Oh and Lugia circling overhead.
"I'm fine… just overusing it a bit."
Ash exhaled slowly. Forcing Lugia back into the air had relieved him immensely.
I knew it. Maintaining that much Sage Chakra output is pushing it. Even with accelerated absorption, the consumption is too high.
A faint purple light flickered across his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, unnoticed even by Ash himself.
"There's no end to this. Mewtwo—we're using the technique we prepared."
This battle was dragging on. Ash could endure, but Mewtwo would suffer more in a prolonged fight. And if Ash and Ho-Oh became locked in a deadlock while Mewtwo fell, he would be surrounded by two Legendary Pokémon. Not even his resilience could withstand that.
"I understand. It's our only option now."
Mewtwo nodded and stepped forward, positioning his back toward Ash.
Ash raised his right hand and pressed it against Mewtwo's back. His Eternal Mangekyō spun rapidly, and crimson energy ignited over Mewtwo's body, forming a full set of imposing armor—an ethereal construct of power.
This technique was Ash's own creation, derived from Susanoo, designed to clad a Pokémon in Susanoo armor and drastically enhance physical attack and defense. It consumed Ash's ocular power heavily, but with the Eternal Mangekyō, he could withstand it.
"Impressive… This technique of yours—this Susanoo Armor—its defensive force is incredible. And the physical power boost is overwhelming."
Mewtwo flexed his arms, feeling the surge of strength enveloping him through the crimson plating.
The air trembled. The real fight was about to begin.
"But the speed boost is impressive. Even so, this form only lasts thirty minutes. Victory or defeat will be decided within that window."
Mewtwo's words made Ash look up solemnly at Ho-Oh and Lugia circling in the air.
"Then what about you? Are you going to use your own Susanoo as well?" Mewtwo asked.
"No. If I activate my Susanoo, it'll restrict the abilities I can use afterward. Especially Kamui. I can still activate it, but moving a full Susanoo with Kamui drains my eyes too quickly—and it slows me down."
"I see. Then let's move."
Without another word, Mewtwo shot forward like a cannonball, charging straight toward Lugia. With the Susanoo armor covering him, Mewtwo ignored almost all of Lugia's physical attacks—a monumental advantage.
"Dragon Rush!"
Lugia didn't understand the source of the crimson armor on Mewtwo, but she didn't hesitate. Purple draconic energy wrapped around her whole body as she dived directly toward him.
Mewtwo snorted.
The collision exploded in mid-air.
Lugia was thrown backward violently, repelled by the Susanoo armor.
Mewtwo only staggered a step, then hurled a Dark Pulse straight at Lugia's exposed side.
Ho-Oh watched, stunned.
A first-tier Legendary's Dragon Rush couldn't even crack Mewtwo's defense—despite him not using Protect or any defensive technique. It shattered Ho-Oh's understanding of how these battles were supposed to work.
"You really have time to look away?"
Ash's voice suddenly came from above Ho-Oh.
A brutal axe-kick slammed onto Ho-Oh's back, forcing a cry of pain from the Legendary bird.
"It's not over. Rankyaku: Air Blade."
A razor-sharp air slash fired from Ash's descending kick, striking exactly where his heel had landed—stacking the damage and tearing through Ho-Oh's defensive feathers.
Boom!
At the same time, Lugia—still recovering from the rebound—was struck directly by Mewtwo's Dark Pulse, leaving a deep wound across her side.
The momentum of the battle shifted completely, reversing the suppression Ash and Mewtwo had endured earlier.