Chapter 866: Gigantamax

Empty passage.

The long-haired man wearing a baseball cap strode forward.

Beside him, a light orange Rotom Phone hovered and followed, the screen displaying a quite intense Pokémon battle.

The man had a faint smile on his face, and in the far distance was a dazzling white light.

And as he continued to move forward, the cheering sounds that only existed in the external speakers of the mobile phone squeezed into his ears one after another, and the blurry white light "swished

The packed four-sided stands were surging with people, their expressions mostly filled with excitement and fanaticism.

Above the arena.

A shining orb of light and dark, gloomy clouds occupied half the sky each, revealing a sense of harmony amidst the eeriness. And inside the arena, a colorful flame dragon, swirled and roared by a deep azure hurricane, struck the Turtonator on the left head-on with breathtakingly powerful might!

*Boom!! *

The massive Turtonator flew backward under the man's gaze, the spikes on its back shell crashing into the perimeter wall, triggering a terrifying explosion that activated the protective barrier.

Hearing the Rotom Phone announce that Turtonator was unable to battle, Raihan had one Pokémon remaining.

He said as if in relief: "Finally made it in time."

"Champion! Champion!"

Urgent calls came from behind.

A person ran up to him, panting, and piled on a smile: "Why didn't you say anything when you arrived? We could have gone to pick you up!"

"No need for such trouble, I just came to watch the battle."

The man known as the Champion—Leon, the strongest king of the Galar region—pushed down the brim of his cap.

In reality, he had gotten lost on his way here, wandering around in the wild for a long time before finally finding Hammerlocke and this Hammerlocke Stadium, which he had clearly visited many times before.

Of course.

Just a small matter, not worth mentioning.

Leon refused the suggestion to go to the VIP room with the organizers, feeling that the current viewing angle was quite good.

As for the reason he couldn't participate in the Battle Festival, the Galar League's explanation was that the Champion was in special training.

This wasn't baseless.

He had indeed just arrived in Hammerlocke from the Wild Area.

And what attracted him, besides his old friend Raihan, was the cold young man opposite who seemed like a bystander during the battle, only issuing orders at critical moments, yet each command was perfectly timed.

'All Baimu'.

The first time he heard this name was from Chairman Rose.

The Chairman pointed to the top trending topic on the blog at the time, telling him that the person in the video who defeated the Hoenn Elite Four member Drake had been favored by him, with hopes of recruiting him to take over for Ms. Opal.

Who knew he would be rejected.

The other party claimed to have already reserved the Champion throne of a certain region and didn't look down on a Galar Gym Leader position.

This was where Leon started to become interested in this person, All Baimu.

And the more he learned afterward.

The more delighted he felt.

If Rose's wish was to make the people of Galar prosperous, then Leon's wish was to make Trainers in Galar and even the entire world stronger!

After all, perhaps there was a marketing component to his fame, but his undefeated record in public battle competitions since his debut was the real deal.

Leon didn't want to be lonely at the top; he wanted to battle all the strong people in the world and find that opponent who could defeat him.

The Pokémon World Coronation Series was born for this!

Facts proved.

It didn't let Leon down, successfully attracting many Trainers he had always been interested in.

And when he heard Raihan was going to battle All Baimu, he ended his special training without hesitation and drove straight toward—

Hmm.

He wanted to drive straight to Hammerlocke, but ended up getting lost halfway.

Fortunately.

"It's the critical moment!"

Leon looked into the arena with great interest; Raihan held a Poké Ball to his chest, head bowed and eyes closed, his expression pious as if in prayer.

The orb of light above the arena dimmed and the dark clouds gradually dispersed; the Sunny Day and Rain had reached their end.

The timing was perfect.

Raihan threw the Poké Ball forward.

"Go! Duraludon!"

*Bang! *

White light hit the ground.

Duraludon, with its bright silver body looking like a combination of a mechanical dinosaur and some kind of building, made a grand entrance!

*Whoosh! *

Countless spectators cheered and jumped, their shouts piercing the clouds, clearly having awaited Duraludon for a long time.

Because everyone knew.

The big one was coming!

Dynamax!

As if hearing the shouts from all directions, Raihan, gazing at the Shiny Milotic and All Baimu, smiled brightly.

"That's the only way it's challenging! The stronger the opponent, the more it makes one's blood boil! Leon, and you too. The one who wins in the end will definitely be me!"

He suddenly recalled the Duraludon that hadn't appeared for long, purple light emerging from the Dynamax Band on his wrist; countless streams of light flew out and merged into the Poké Ball in his palm, causing it to hum and become shrouded in a pinkish-purple halo.

In an instant.

The Poké Ball expanded several times over.

Then it hummed again and expanded further, until it became larger than a human head!

Raihan leaned back slightly, then threw it forward with all his might, shouting: "Go wild, my partner! Blow this arena up along with it!"

"Gigantamax!"

The moment the giant Poké Ball opened, countless pinkish-purple lightning bolts shot everywhere!

Gigantamax Duraludon expanded its size three times over amidst the bursting purple light, growing from a small building into a skyscraper that required one to look up at it, letting out a terrifying roar like a ship's whistle, crashing to the ground with a *boom* and kicking up clouds of dust, directly engulfing the Milotic on the opposite side!

"Duralu!!"

Deafening roars echoed continuously in the arena.

What a majestic existence!

It occupied nearly a third of the battle arena, and the three red clouds swirling around its towering neck gave it a sense of grandeur that seemed to pierce the clouds.

The commentator shouted excitedly: "Gigantamax Duraludon! Trainer Raihan's ace Pokémon!"

*Hum! *

Almost all the spectators were attracted by the Gigantamax Duraludon, which looked like a real building; they waved their arms frantically, fanatically feeling the terrifying pressure from the behemoth.

In the Galar region.

The charm of Dynamaxing was something no one who loved battling could resist, and it had also made countless foreign Trainers and onlookers fall in love with this place.

Even Leon, as Champion, was no exception as he looked toward the Gigantamax Duraludon.

But he was ultimately more professional, his peripheral vision simultaneously focused on the Milotic and All Baimu, who were covered by the hazy smoke and dust on the opposite side.

"Hmm."

He noticed something.

He saw a stunning colorful light suddenly shine within the misty smoke, and then an invisible air wave whistled, dispersing the flying dust in the air, making the entire arena clear!

"Grawr—!!"

A heaven-shaking roar, not at all inferior to Gigantamax Duraludon, rang out; many spectators looked over and discovered that the Pokémon in the arena had been replaced by Aggron at some point.

And.

Its appearance at this moment was vastly different from an ordinary Aggron.

Indestructible, heavy silver-white armor covered its entire body, a blade-like horn extended straight up from the tip of its nose, and two sharp long horns slanted out from its forehead, like a knight's raised spear.

Three thick steel rings locked its silver-gray giant tail, leaving terrifyingly deep marks on the ground as it dragged it casually. White mist puffed out with every breath, and ripples of excitement stirred in its lake-blue eyes.

It continued!

The battle that hadn't finished against the Dynamax Regigigas phantom had successfully continued!

Mega Aggron felt its heart pounding; it was infinitely grateful to its perfect partner, with whom it shared a single mind, for giving it this opportunity.

This also made its emotions soar even higher.

The surging energy brought by Mega Evolution was almost about to burst out!

Come!

Let's battle!

Mega Aggron's eyes burned, fully revealing the desire for battle it usually deliberately suppressed.

Everyone suddenly discovered that although its size was a world of difference compared to Gigantamax Duraludon, it was like a small residential house next to a skyscraper.

But inexplicably, there was a heart-shaking momentum continuously leaking from its body.

Even when facing Gigantamax Duraludon from afar, it didn't make the audience feel any contempt at all, only feeling that this Pokémon was extraordinary!

Leon laughed happily: "Interesting! This Pokémon is too interesting!"

The commentator also said repeatedly: "Mega Evolution! Aggron has achieved an evolution beyond evolution with the help of Trainer All Baimu! It will face Gigantamax in its current state!"

Gigantamax VS Mega Evolution!

What blood-boiling words!

On this land where Dynamaxing ran rampant, it was difficult for foreign power to gain a foothold, which made the scene before them infinitely precious!

"Hey! Finally out! The reliance that refused the Dynamax Band!"

Raihan revealed his signature arrogant smile, his white canine teeth shining under the lights, and shouted: "Then I won't be polite! Max Knuckle!"

"Duralu!!"

Gigantamax Duraludon took a giant stride, its left claw condensing a massive golden fist mark, white air currents gathering with its movements, and it smashed toward the Mega Aggron diagonally below with the force of a landslide!

【Max Knuckle】

A Fighting-type Dynamax move that raises the user's Attack after use.

In the game, it was represented by shining light fists descending from the sky, but in the anime, it was a very practical punch; both had their own merits in terms of visual impact!

"Protect!"

*Boom!! *

The massive fist mark suddenly smashed into the top of Mega Aggron, and the unimaginable, exaggerated force caused the entire arena to tremble violently, with countless spectators screaming in excitement!

But.

This punch was blocked!

The Rotom Phone recorded with perfect clarity the Max Knuckle slamming into the honeycomb-shaped light shield, shattering it like glass with a *bang*, but the remaining power failed to shake Mega Aggron in the slightest.

It still stood in place, not retreating even half a step.

Orange-yellow light waves symbolizing an increase in ability rose from the base of Gigantamax Duraludon.

The commentator exclaimed: "A timely Protect! The move blocked most of the power of Max Knuckle, and the rest was easily endured by Aggron!"

"..."

Gigantamax Duraludon looked down at the opponent that hadn't moved an inch under its fist, and that lake-blue gaze was filled with a sense of contempt that made it burn with rage.

Provocation!

Undoubted provocation!

Raihan also noticed the attitude of Mega Aggron and All Baimu, and laughed coldly: "Nice defense! But how many times can you defend? Again! Max Knuckle!"

"Duralu!!"

Gigantamax Duraludon's roar could almost pierce the clouds, even reaching outside the arena.

Its right claw condensed a giant fist mark even more dazzling than the previous one, the color shifting from pure golden to as scorching as the sun, like a meteor streaking across the sky, swirling air currents to form a terrifying ring of smoke, whistling as it descended from the sky!

"Iron Defense!"

*Boom—!! *

Silver light and scorching light burst!

The deafening explosion seemed capable of tearing one's eardrums, as the terrifying shockwave permeated the entire arena!

The earth shattered amidst the violent shaking, splitting into countless irregular plates of protrusions and depressions, clearly failing to withstand the Max Knuckle after Gigantamax Duraludon's attack boost.

Countless fragments of rock smashed toward the audience along with the rising clouds of smoke.

Fortunately.

Whether it was the sound, the shockwave, or the rock fragments and smoke, all were blocked by the pinkish-purple light shield.

And from this blow, it wasn't hard to see how much power Mega Aggron's Protect had blocked from the first Max Knuckle.

Orange-yellow light rose again.

A Dragon Tamer who specializes in using various weather conditions, appeared in front of All Baimu before the match, most likely specifically coming to see him.

"Hello."

All Baimu responded casually, but his attention was largely placed on the orange small square frame beside Raihan's shoulder.

Phone!

Rotom Phone!

He widened his eyes; had this thing already been released? How come he hadn't heard any news at all!?

Raihan also discovered him staring at the Rotom Phone, smiled: "Are you curious about this? This is a Rotom Phone, a special electrical appliance that uses Rotom. Chairman Rose gave it to me. If you want one, I can help you ask him for one."

"... Thanks for the kindness, no need, I already have a phone."

All Baimu quickly regained his senses, firmly drawing a line with the Rotom Phone.

Otherwise, the toy duck in his pocket wouldn't let it go; the hostility toward Rotom was engraved into the bones of every Porygon by Dr. Akihabara.

Raihan said in surprise: "You are really serious and upright; I thought someone like you who could reject Chairman Rose's invitation would have a more radical personality. By the way, this battle was proposed by me to Secretary Oleana, I hope you don't mind."

"You proposed to Oleana—"

He felt quite puzzled, and thought that the vote online was really useless.

Raihan nodded and smiled: "Because I am very curious about you! I was curious when I saw Gengar's match."

Rose was a bit too sacred in their hearts.

But All Baimu could actually understand; this person's personal charm was indeed extremely high.

How many Trainers in the whole Galar region could resist the temptation of Rose's invitation? Regardless of whether it was a step to the sky or not, the appreciation itself was worth being excited about.

"Save your curiosity for the battle, you will have a chance to understand me."

He threw Raihan's open and secret provocations back.

Raihan's eyes brightened when he heard this, smiled: "That's right, as a Trainer, one should always have some sharpness; here, this is for you."

Something white was thrown over.

All Baimu caught it, and looked carefully to find it was actually a Dynamax Band!

Raihan said: "I don't want to take advantage of you either; since we are battling in the stadium, we have to experience Dynamaxing. This is lent to you; remember to return it after the match."

After saying that, the dark-skinned young man turned to leave.

Who knew the Dynamax Band was thrown back.

"No need, I have my own strength." All Baimu shook his head slightly.

Lend it to him?

Useless.

If he were to conduct a Dynamax battle, with his personality, he would inevitably have practiced it before applying it to actual combat; for him, temporary decision-making is a quite unreliable behavior.

——Ash likes temporary decision-making very much, and his flashes of inspiration are often praised by others.

Raihan didn't force it either, waved his hand casually: "Fine~"

So.

The time for the official appearance had arrived.

All Baimu walked slowly out of the familiar passage, and in front of him was a huge venue extremely similar to the game.

Tens of thousands of people cheered and jumped, and the camera flashes were dazzling.

The only difference was the ground.

In the game, it was covered with grass; in the anime, it might be that Rose felt the grass cost was too high, so it was changed to a relatively simple reinforced plastic ground.

A huge Poké Ball pattern was in the center of the field.

He looked at Raihan standing opposite, feeling the distance between the two was almost a hundred meters.

If the Pokémon were to go to the opposite side, they might not be able to give instructions normally without shouting, but there was no way.

It was a field designed for Dynamax Pokémon, after all.

Where would there be room to display if it were too small? Who wants to watch an elephant dance in a refrigerator. ===== CHAPTER 865 =====

A huge, irrepressible roar erupted from the purple-red energy storm vortex.

The next second, the Gigantamax move Raihan had placed high hopes on seemed to be pulled by some force, all converging toward a center point!

Under everyone's gaze.

Mega Aggron revealed its metallic body covered in mottled energy, while the Gigantamax degradation formed a super-giant energy light bomb in front of its ferocious mouthparts that was even larger than itself, transforming from purple-red to silver!

*Hum hum! *

The world changed color!

The light released by the super-giant energy light bomb easily surpassed the dense incandescent lights at the top of the arena!

The surrounding air throbbed continuously, ripples of heart-shaking unease spreading out!

It looked up at the Gigantamax Duraludon, which hadn't yet returned to its original form, the playfulness in its lake-blue eyes transforming into soaring fighting spirit.

You've used up all three of your Dynamax moves, right?

Very good.

Now it's my turn!

"Metal Burst!"

"Grawr!!"

The super-giant silver energy light bomb, accumulated to the extreme, broke through the air toward the Gigantamax Duraludon, which was too massive to dodge!

This moment.

Felt like eternity!