Chapter 18: Awakening of Aura Power
As a Pokémon of the Fighting type, Riolu's main attack method is close combat.
Therefore, since this is a test of the training results during this period, Yue Yan, as the trainer, won't use ninjutsu to bully Xiaolan.
After the two sides stood facing each other, Yue Yan waved his hand, signaling Xiaolan to launch an attack.
Seeing this, Xiaolan didn't hesitate. After letting out an angry shout, it used High-Speed Movement to rush towards Yue Yan.
"Damn!"
However, upon hearing this, Yue Yan twitched the corner of his mouth. No matter how many times he heard it, he still couldn't quite get used to it.
Although he was complaining in his heart like this, he didn't forget about Xiaolan's approaching attack.
When Xiaolan got close, it raised its arm and slashed diagonally at Yue Yan with a hand - chop.
Sensing the power far stronger than an ordinary hand - chop, Yue Yan didn't dare to be careless and raised his arm to block.
As expected, Xiaolan's first strike was blocked. After all, it had trained with Yue Yan for so long and was well aware that its trainer had a body as tough as an animal's. While training like crazy, Yue Yan also had an incredibly fast recovery ability. It would be strange if he wasn't strong.
Therefore, knowing that it couldn't compete with Yue Yan in a war of attrition, Xiaolan immediately launched a series of stormy attacks.
Skills like Bullet Punch, Knock Down, Low Kick, and Brick Break were smoothly linked, leaving Yue Yan no chance to catch his breath.
Although Xiaolan kept increasing the combat tempo, Yue Yan remained as steady as a rock in the storm.
Seizing the opportunity, Yue Yan intercepted Xiaolan's punching fist with his left hand. While deflecting the force, he took advantage of the momentum to turn around and deliver a roundhouse kick.
Caught off guard, Xiaolan was hit head - on and flew sideways, crashing heavily to the ground.
The super - fast attacks had already consumed a lot of Xiaolan's physical strength. After taking this solid hit, it couldn't get up for a while, propping on the ground with both hands and gasping.
Seeing this, Yue Yan quickly rushed over and asked with concern, "Xiaolan, are you okay?"
As he spoke, a faint green light glowed in Yue Yan's palm. He intended to heal Xiaolan, but was stopped by Xiaolan.
"Damn!"
"You're saying you can still fight? But your injuries..."
Yue Yan was a bit hesitant. He cared deeply about Xiaolan. When going out of the village on missions before, he was afraid that Xiaolan would get hurt, so he didn't bring it along.
Xiaolan, who also clearly knew that it was still very weak at present, didn't want to be a burden to Yue Yan. It wanted to fight side by side with Yue Yan. Therefore, during this period, it had redoubled its efforts to become stronger and couldn't back down because of a little injury.
Moreover, in the previous battle, it had vaguely felt a certain power hidden within its body.
Watching Xiaolan slowly stand up and looking into the determination in its red eyes, Yue Yan finally didn't say anything.
"Okay, Xiaolan, let's start the second round."
"Damn!"
After responding with a grunt, Xiaolan stood in front of Yue Yan again. Compared with its initial active attacks, this time, it didn't make a move. Instead, it stood there with a relaxed body, eyes closed, as if feeling something.
Seeing this, although Yue Yan was a bit puzzled, he still reminded Xiaolan.
"Xiaolan, here I come."
The moment he finished speaking, Yue Yan stepped forward and launched an attack.
This time, when facing Yue Yan's attack, Xiaolan no longer chose to fight head - on. Instead, it dodged while blocking. However, its dodging posture was very strange, as if there was some kind of pattern.
This is... Sword Dance.
Realizing something, Yue Yan didn't rush to attack. Instead, he maintained this rhythm to help Xiaolan grasp something.
This ability is called Aura Power. In terms of perception, Aura Power allows one to sense people's emotions and see through objects. In terms of attack, it can create barriers, be attached to attacks, and even condense into a tangible form to launch Wave Missile.
As time passed slowly, it became easier and easier for Xiaolan to dodge Yue Yan's attacks. Gradually, it began to close its eyes and use perception to avoid the attacks.
Not only could it sense the attacks, but it could even sense Yue Yan's emotions.
At a certain moment, with its eyes completely closed, Xiaolan found that even though it couldn't see, the trajectory of Yue Yan's attacks appeared in its mind, and it became clearer and clearer.
Xiaolan opened its eyes instantly. At the moment when Yue Yan punched, it dodged. Then, with a fist that had stacked the Sword Dance several times, it hit Yue Yan's chest head - on, knocking him back.
Although the attack landed, Xiaolan, whose physical strength was nearly exhausted, didn't inflict much damage with this punch. It only made Yue Yan rub his chest and wince in pain.
Sensing Yue Yan's mixed emotions of pain and pride for it, Xiaolan showed a big smile on its face.
Great! I can finally keep up with you!
Thinking like this, Xiaolan's body went limp and it was about to collapse. Yue Yan quickly caught it in his arms.
Lying in Yue Yan's arms, Xiaolan showed a happy smile and imitated the Green Jumpsuit Clan by giving Yue Yan a thumbs - up.
After checking that Xiaolan was fine except for being extremely exhausted, Yue Yan couldn't help but put his hand on his forehead helplessly.
"Xiaolan, don't imitate everything."
"Damn it!"
Hearing this, Yue Yan's eyes widened. Although he could more or less understand what Xiaolan was saying before, now that Xiaolan had awakened Aura Power, Yue Yan could understand Xiaolan's meaning more precisely.
This feeling was truly amazing. It was like having a psychic connection. Even with just a glance, Yue Yan and Xiaolan could understand each other perfectly.
"Maybe this is the bond."
Although Yue Yan complained verbally, he couldn't hide his excitement. He picked up Xiaolan and walked towards home.
"Xiaolan, what do you want to eat? I'll cook it for you myself right away."
"Damn!"
"Roast chicken? Mondai, no problem."
After that, life got back on track. Yue Yan joined Hizashi Hyuga's team and took on various tasks.
After experiencing bloodshed and witnessing the harshness of the ninja world, Asuma and Hong had grown up a lot and made rapid progress.
Although Asuma had become more composed than before, his silly and crazy nature couldn't be changed. It didn't take long for him to be back to his old self.
If there was any other change, it was that a new member had joined Hizashi's team. Ever since Xiaolan awakened its Aura Power, Yue Yan had taken it along on missions.
One day, Hizashi Hyuga's team received a D - rank task of milking cows on a farm.
Yue Yan, who had never done this before, had a great time. It was really fun as each squeeze made the milk spurt out. Beside him, Xiaolan imitated Yue Yan's actions and concentrated on milking the cows.
Asuma, watching Yue Yan and Xiaolan move almost in sync, couldn't hold back his curiosity and spoke up.
"Yue Yan, I didn't expect you to have a ninja dog. And where did you buy this kind of dog that can walk upright? I've been to the Inuzuka clan before, and I've never seen this breed."
Hearing Asuma's words, Hong also leaned in with her little head. As a young girl, she found it hard to resist the cute and well - behaved Xiaolan and also wanted to know the answer.
"Xiaolan wasn't bought from the Inuzuka clan. It's my family, the only one in my heart."
Yue Yan didn't want to reveal the system, so he just fudged it with a vague answer.
Hearing this, Xiaolan proudly lifted its head.
Seeing Xiaolan's action, Hong covered her mouth. She felt like her young girl's heart was about to melt. This is really a young girl's pure heart!