Chapter 306: Charizard Didn’t Learn Flowing Force
Chapter 306: Charizard Didn't Learn Flowing Force
It was awe-inspiring.
This strange phenomenon lasted until the sun dipped below the horizon.
The mountain's great height offered a stunning view—the golden-red sky dyed the clouds orange, while the October wind rustled the trees of Jingwu Mountain, scattering leaves in all directions.
It was already autumn.
A few gusts of wind were enough to strip the branches bare.
The ground was soon carpeted in brilliant red-orange leaves.
But... Fighting-type guys were still Fighting-type guys.
Most just pointed at the sky and muttered things like:
"Damn, that cloud's really red."
Some strained to express themselves—
Only to come up with:
"Damn, that's pretty!"
Sure, the scene was beautiful.
But this was a place for training, not poetic inspiration.
The fallen leaves were nothing more than training hazards to these people.
Dojo staff had already begun sweeping.
Charizard stood unmoving all this time.
The others were growing restless, and people began drifting away.
The only ones still around were those curious to see when Charizard would open its eyes.
Hikaru had been monitoring him with Aura Sense the whole time.
Charizard's inner energy was as calm as a still lake.
The flame on his tail, once wild and flickering, now burned steady and subdued.
His presence had become so refined that, without Aura, you wouldn't even feel it.
He could've been mistaken for a sleeping Charmander.
"This... isn't Flowing Force..."
Hikaru, eyes fixed on Charizard, suddenly furrowed his brow.
The next moment—
Charizard's eyes snapped open.
With a powerful flap of his orange wings, he soared into the clouds.
White flames twisted from his body.
Soon, the orange clouds above began swirling, moving in rhythmic patterns.
These clouds were, fundamentally, water vapor.
By all logic, fire and water should cancel each other out.
Yet now, the clouds didn't dissipate at all.
This impossible scene stunned the remaining Trainers below.
They didn't understand what they were seeing—
But Hikaru did.
At first, he'd thought Charizard had simply improved his control over energy.
A decent gain, but not a breakthrough.
Then he extended his Aura into the clouds—
And felt it burn.
The heat "scorched" even his Aura.
Hikaru quickly withdrew and looked up with wide eyes.
That burning sensation…
Charizard's fire had reached a new realm.
The pale-white flame streaked with golden light curled within the clouds—
Sealed behind a layer of condensed energy, its heat completely contained.
Even its ambient temperature didn't escape.
Charizard had mastered thermal suppression.
In battle, that was huge.
Most Pokémon gauged strength by reading an opponent's energy signature.
Fire-types, in particular, broadcast power through heat.
Now—
Charizard could conceal that entirely.
He could feint weakness, only to strike with terrifying force.
And more than that—
Concentrating the heat would make his flames even hotter.
"Come on down."
Hikaru raised a hand.
This wasn't the place to experiment further.
Too many eyes. Too many people recording on their phones.
Charizard, satisfied with his test flight, retracted his flames and returned to Hikaru with a happy cry.
Hikaru patted his head.
Then he turned to Hu Ba, who had stayed the entire time—
Whether out of curiosity or to ensure Charizard wasn't disturbed.
Either way, Hikaru owed him thanks.
"Thank you, Master Hu, and Urshifu, for your guidance today."
He tugged on Charizard's wing, signaling him to bow as well.
Hu Ba shook his head, a complicated look on his face.
"Your Charizard didn't learn Flowing Force. This... is something he discovered on his own."
"There are similarities, sure, but it's something else entirely."
Seeing the pride on Hikaru's face, Hu Ba couldn't help but sigh.
That Charizard's talent... was exceptional.
He thought back to his youth—
Traveling with Urshifu, filled with ambition.
They'd created Flowing Force after years of training and challenges.
And now—
Looking at Hikaru, he saw a glimpse of his younger self.
As the sky dimmed, Hikaru knew it was time to go.
He clasped his hands together in a final respectful gesture.
This time—it was a farewell.
"Take care." Hu Ba waved.
"Bring Lucario next time. I'd love to see him in action."
He clearly valued that Lucario.
Whether it was the explosive Aura or the midair maneuvering,
it had left a deep impression.
Hikaru gave a nod, recalled Charizard, bowed one last time, and looked around.
His earlier companion, Ryō, was nowhere to be seen.
He had likely left already.
Hikaru quickened his pace.
After all, the Pokémon League Office closed at 8 PM.
He still had to officially register his Master Trainer certificate.
Once registered, he'd be eligible to carry a 9th and even a 10th Pokémon.
On the way down the mountain, he happened to see Korrina and her Lucario again.
He nodded politely at Lucario—an Aura user, just like him.
Lucario nodded back, offering a cool, confident smile.
It seemed like this Trainer wasn't bad either.
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