Chapter 89: Bond Evolution VS Super Evolution!

"Lucario! Lucario!"

Breathing heavily, with blood-red eyes, it climbed up from the ground; Super Lucario's arms hung limp, yet it seemed to be constantly gathering power, exuding an aura that was not to be provoked.

Its eyes locked firmly on Bond Greninja.

Suddenly,

Super Lucario planted its limbs on the ground and let out a deafening roar toward the front, like a rabid dog struck with sudden illness,

A piercing sound!

Under this sound wave, Bond Greninja's body instantly flashed a blue light, lowering its defense by one level.

The next moment,

Super Lucario's legs stomped the ground at lightning speed, its body darting left and right, advancing like a ghost.

A silver light flashed on its claws, tearing through the air as it fiercely grabbed at Bond Greninja.

"Stop him!" Ash said,

Having stood still in place, unmoving, as if frightened into stupor, Bond Greninja,

at this moment finally moved,

drawing the Giant Water Hand Sword from behind at greater speed, like wielding a shield, it perfectly blocked Super Lucario's claw attack!

Clang!

The claw collided with the Giant Water Hand Sword, producing a huge metallic clashing noise.

It blocked it!

In the astonished gaze of Kekebu'er and others, Bond Greninja effortlessly blocked Super Lucario's attack.

Compared to everyone's shock, Ash's reaction was much calmer.

After all, after Bond Evolution, Greninja's base stats likewise surged.

Even more so,

Compared to Super Evolution's increase of 100 base stats, Bond Evolution increased 110.

Not to mention, Greninja's special attack directly reached the terrifying height of 153.

Even Greninja's physical attack base stat instantly reached 145, matching Super Lucario exactly!

Furthermore, both were at level 36,

Although Super Lucario had Adaptability boosting its same-type bonus from 1.5× to 2×, it only used Swords Dance once, whereas Bond Greninja used Swords Dance twice!

Bond Greninja blocking Super Lucario's attack was thus natural and effortless!

The attack blocked, Super Lucario showed no hesitation; its fierce battle instinct drove it to open its mouth, sharp white fangs, a mouth shrouded in black energy, and bite straight down.

"Gukga!"

Greninja, still gripping the Giant Water Hand Sword, thrust it forward, placing it directly in front of Super Lucario's mouth.

Creak creak!

The Giant Water Hand Sword was shoved into Super Lucario's mouth; its sharp teeth clenched the sword's solid surface, unable to budge it in the slightest.

As Greninja exerted force, Super Lucario couldn't help but stumble backward,

Destroyed with ease!

Greninja unleashed a strike, hitting Super Lucario squarely in the chest and sending it flying,

and, taking advantage of the momentum, flung the Giant Water Hand Sword with mighty vigor, using its angle to pin Super Lucario to the ground,

With just a little more force, the Giant Water Hand Sword could pierce straight through Super Lucario's neck.

"Stay calm, Lucario!"

Finally, recovering from the shock of Super Lucario losing control and then being easily subdued by Bond Greninja's Evolution,

Keerni quickly stepped forward with concern,

"Lucario Lucario!"

Still berserk and bereft of reason, Lucario still wanted to attack,

but above her, Bond Greninja firmly held her in place, rendering her unable to move!

This situation did not last long,

As Lucario's stamina was greatly depleted, it exited the Super Evolution state,

After returning to normal, Lucario's consciousness also returned, a hint of bewilderment flashing in its eyes.

Keenly noticing this,

Greninja then withdrew, ending its Bond Evolution state.

The Giant Water Hand Sword in its hand, as the Bond form faded, turned directly from an indestructible weapon into a stream of icy water.

It splashed straight onto Lucario's face, making Lucario fully awake.

"Lucario, are you alright!"

Keerni sat beside Lucario in a duck‑sit posture, gripping one of Lucario's hands, looking at Lucario's dazed eyes, her own eyes full of concern.

Confirming the battle's end,

everyone also gathered around,

Kekebu'er wore a complex expression, his gaze toward Keerni and Lucario holding both disappointment and a sense of 'as expected'.

"With you like this, I cannot rest easy handing over the Sara Gym."

But at the same time…

Kekebu'er's eyes, looking at Greninja, flashed a hint of stark astonishment.

"That evolution just now… could it be Super Evolution?"

Clemont also excitedly stepped forward, curiously circling Greninja for a close look.

Greninja's mega evolution—this is a huge discovery never seen before!

The old mountaineer said, "But I didn't see a mega evolution stone on the Greninja, eh!"

Serena said, "I remember Mewtwo also didn't have a mega evolution stone; could it be the same for Greninja?"

Yurie curiously tilted her head, looking at the equally bewildered Greninja, then finally turned her gaze toward Ash.

What on earth is going on…

Ash, who had been prepared, showed no panic at all.

Facing everyone, even the doubtful gaze from the Greninja, Ash calmly said, "You… have you heard of the Hero Greninja?"

Hero Greninja!?

What is that?

…

Seeing that even Kokobuer and everyone else didn't know this legend.

Ash then gave a rough explanation.

It's a legend from a ninja village that has been passed down from ancient times to the present!

Simply put, Hero Greninja is a new form transcending the normal state of Greninja, and also a super form achieved by only one in many Greninja.

Just now, I felt a strong bond resonance between myself and Greninja, and by a fortunate coincidence I achieved this form.

Really?

Everyone eyed Ash dubiously, feeling that he had seemed quite certain back then—where was the mishap?

However,

Thinking about it, such a thing is already bizarre enough, so everyone quickly gave up their suspicions.

In any case… I will contact Dr. Bulatano and ask him to insert the data into the Pokédex.

As for why doing this, naturally it's to prepare for the upcoming Lumiose Conference,

Official competition does not allow unknown Pokemon that haven't been reported, so to use them in later matches they must be added to the Pokédex.

Afterwards everyone went to the Pokemon Center in Shalin Town, where Lucario received treatment from Nurse Joy and quickly recovered.

Kokobuer looked at his dejected granddaughter, his face showing disappointment.

You like this still can't inherit the Gym Leader's responsibility—go to Mt. Mourne.

Huh? Grandpa, why are you sending me there?!

The cheerful and lively Keerni gained a new goal, breaking free from disappointment in an instant, her pretty face full of curiosity.

A flicker of memory flashed in Kokobuer's eyes.

When he was young, he and his Lucario had also encountered a similar predicament to what Keerni is facing now.

At that time, he was on Mt. Mourne and managed to break out of the predicament.

There is a trainer there who has mastered mega evolution, named Meprulu; going there she can teach you and Lucario how to control the out-of-control aura after mega evolution!

I understand!

Having received the new mission, Keerni regained her fighting spirit, excitedly waving her arms like an electric fan's blades.

After giving Keerni her task, Kokobuer turned his gaze toward Ash.

If it's Ash, Duke, you can come with me to the Salon Gym for a gym battle.

Please allow me to refuse!

Kuga!

Lucario!

Kokobuer was about to ask why, but seeing the two Pokemon opposed to each other, he suddenly understood.

Well, okay, it looks like Keerni's trip won't be lonely, so I'll ask you to help take care of Ash, Keerni.

Upon hearing that Ash would travel with her, Keerni instantly became excited.

Alright, decided—we'll rest here tonight and set out for Mt. Mourne tomorrow!

Nana watched silently the whole process, especially noticing that Greninja had become stronger again, while she herself remained stuck in place.

In the depths of her red eyes, a hint of gloom flashed first, then a hint of resolve.

…

Late at night, all was quiet.

After the dry wood and fire blazed, as Serena fell asleep, a figure with a pair of ruby-like eyes suddenly appeared in Ash's room.