The azure flames ignited once again on Infernape's body. This time, not just Paul, but even the Elite Four and Champion Steven couldn't make sense of the battle at all.
Infernape's physical strength was undoubtedly down to a sliver, barely enough to stand on its own. Even if it barely regained consciousness through sheer willpower from a state of incapacitation, that didn't necessarily mean Infernape could continue fighting.
To remain conscious was already a significant achievement.
Yet Infernape proved with actions—it could not only stand but even unleash one more Fire Type ultimate move, Flare Blitz!
Incomprehensible, utterly incomprehensible.jpg!
With flames burning, Infernape's feet stomped the ground as its body shot forward, trailing a long streak of ghostly blue flames that set the battlefield ablaze.
At that moment, Paul snapped back to reality and coldly said, "Don't be afraid, they're just putting on a facade. Use Fire Blast!"
Paul didn't believe that the opponent, while using Flare Blitz, could muster the energy to dodge Fire Blast. Maybe a normal Infernape could do it, but the current Infernape couldn't possibly manage.
Magmortar aimed its dual cannons at Infernape. Yet, before it could gather its flames, Infernape's figure mysteriously vanished from its sight. The next second, Magmortar felt an intense heat pressing down from above!
"Boom!!" Infernape materialized above Magmortar, violently tackling it. The power of Flare Blitz was unleashed without restraint into Magmortar's body. Even as a fellow Fire Type Pokemon, Magmortar couldn't withstand such temperatures.
The situation had completely reversed from just a few minutes before.
Before evolving into Infernape, Monferno, also a Fire Type Pokemon, suffered under Magmortar's flame attacks. That's because the temperature of Magmortar's fire was overwhelmingly powerful, exceeding Monferno's fire resistance, inflicting massive damage on it.
The situation now was similar. After Infernape used Flare Blitz with the added power of Super Blaze, the temperature soared to an incomprehensible level. Even a high-temperature-resistant Magmortar felt unbearably hot, with a burning sensation on its skin.
For a Fire Type Pokemon to feel this way, one can only imagine the strength and temperature of Infernape's Flare Blitz.
"Boom!!"
A massive explosion echoed through the arena. A blue silhouette flew out from the smoke, somersaulted several times mid-air, and landed steadily on the ground.
This was Infernape using the recoil from Flare Blitz to catapult out, avoiding Magmortar's direct grasp.
Simultaneously, the moment Infernape landed, a visible electric current flickered across Infernape's body, indicating the recoil from Flare Blitz had triggered.
Paul ignored the smoke-clouded Magmortar, focusing intently on Infernape. Though his opponent's speed took him by surprise, preventing Fire Blast from hitting and allowing Infernape's Flare Blitz to land, Infernape was destined to suffer from the self-inflicted damage.
Given Infernape's physical strength, taking such powerful recoil from Flare Blitz should have made it collapse, right?
Yet, even as electric currents buzzed through its body, Infernape merely knelt slightly before slowly standing up again under the astonished eyes of everyone.
Even the audience cheering for Infernape were bewildered, with some knowledgeable about Pokemon battles cursing in bewilderment.
No way, this thing must be hacked!
After being beaten like that, using Flare Blitz twice, and still able to stand?!
Does this thing have infinite stamina or what?
In the special seating area, Lance rubbed his temples, confused and pained, saying, "Ash's Infernape, what kind of monster is this? Could it be immune to Flare Blitz's recoil? But that can't be; the pain on Infernape's face earlier proves the recoil was real."
Lorelei shook her head, also puzzled, "No idea, I play with ice."
Bruno shook his head, too, "No idea, I play with fists."
Steven rolled his eyes, thinking not knowing is one thing, but why emphasize the reason? Do I have to say I play with steel, hence I don't know why Infernape can still stand?
"Ash's Infernape differs from a typical Infernape. I think the issue traces back to its pre-evolution state with Blazing Flame. Although it looks like that flame disappeared after evolving, I can feel its power during Flare Blitz," Steven analyzed seriously.
Unlike those jesting fellows, he was genuinely trying to understand why Infernape could use so many Flare Blitzes without collapsing.
After pondering for some time, he could only guess it might relate to Infernape's Fierce Fire. With the support of Infernape's Fierce Fire and its extraordinary willpower, Infernape achieved something akin to holding on.
Though it seemed like Infernape was always on the verge of collapse, it had unleashed countless attacks in this state, and with the self-damaging move like Flare Blitz, it's genuinely an incredible feat.