Just as Jiraiya was lost in his own emotions, Yahiko gazed at Charmeleon and made up his mind.
Yahiko's expression turned stern, completely different from the sunny boy he usually was.
"Charmeleon."
His voice wasn't loud, but carried an undeniable authority.
Charmeleon paused, tilting its head as it looked at Yahiko with its burning eyes.
In those eyes were confusion, defiance, and that familiar arrogance.
Yahiko's eyes darkened.
"Come with me."
He turned and stepped onto the lake surface.
Chakra spread beneath his feet, creating ripples across the water.
Charmeleon glanced at him, hesitated for a moment, then followed.
On the other side of the lake, Shiroishi, Eevee, Konan, Nagato, Jiraiya and others arrived one after another.
Squirtle nestled in Konan's arms while Ivysaur's leaves trembled, seemingly sensing the tension in the air.
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes and murmured: "What is this kid planning?"
Shiroishi simply watched quietly, his eyes flickering with an unreadable light.
Yahiko stopped and turned to face Charmeleon.
"Right now, you don't respect me, do you?"
Charmeleon froze for a moment, a low growl escaping its throat.
No answer.
But the intensity of its flames was the clearest response.
A cold smile tugged at the corner of Yahiko's mouth.
"Then let me make you submit with my own hands!"
As the words fell!
Boom!
Flames erupted suddenly.
The lake water instantly evaporated from the intense heat, the air trembling like thunder.
Yahiko's hand seals were almost too fast to see as two fire vortices simultaneously rose around him!
The firelight illuminated his determined profile.
"Fire Release: Twin Flame Vortex!"
The heat waves from the spiraling flames rushed forward, enveloping Charmeleon in scorching hot air.
"Roar!"
Charmeleon roared angrily, its tail flame surging as it released its own fire vortex in retaliation!
Its power was more violent, directly creating a fierce wind that shattered Yahiko's vortex!
But Yahiko didn't retreat.
His eyes cold, his figure flashed as he leaped into the flames.
Boom!
A dazzling crimson light exploded.
"Nagato, stop them quickly!"
Konan cried out anxiously.
But Nagato didn't move, only watching the two figures clashing within the flames.
In the firelight, Yahiko's figure flickered in and out of view.
Instead of avoiding Charmeleon's attacks, he charged straight into the fire vortex, crossing his palms sharply!
Metal Hardening!
A silver sheen covered his arms, his claws gleaming with white-hot light within the flames.
"Hah!"
He twisted his body sharply, his claws cutting through the air like blades, splitting Charmeleon's vortex in two!
As the flames recoiled, Yahiko manipulated his chakra to merge that fire back into the flame vortices around his arms.
Fire merged with fire, erupting with even more violent energy waves.
At that moment, the lake surface was torn in half, water vapor shooting skyward.
Shiroishi murmured quietly: "Absorbing the enemy's technique and reversing it for his own use..."
Jiraiya nodded with a smile: "This is the role of humans - to thoroughly understand technique principles and improve upon them."
Yahiko's cold voice pierced through the wind and fire: "Even with the same technique, the difference in skill between you and me is like heaven and earth!"
Before the words faded, Yahiko stomped his foot, his figure closing in like lightning.
His claws ignited with blue flames.
That was the power of Dragon Breath.
Dragon Release!
The blue-flamed claws came crashing down!
The sound of tearing air nearly shattered eardrums.
BOOM!!!
Hundred-foot waves surged across the lake surface.
Charmeleon's figure was sent flying, crashing heavily into the center of the lake and stirring colossal waves.
It struggled to stand, its scales scorched, the flame on its chest flickering weakly.
But its eyes still burned with defiance.
"Roar!"
Charmeleon roared again, flames erupting around it like tidal waves.
Yet Yahiko neither dodged nor retreated, his fingers forming seals once more.
Twin fire vortices expanded again.
The two whirlpools instantly spread, their fiery currents forming a massive ring that completely trapped Charmeleon.
The flames illuminated the night, casting light on Yahiko's stern yet resolute face.
He stepped forward steadily, blue flames igniting around his claws, his eyes devoid of mercy.
"Now, will you submit?"
Charmeleon snarled and lunged, claws flashing.
Yahiko met it head-on, striking its chest once more with his claw!
The Dragon Release condensed from blue flames detonated.
Charmeleon was blasted backward, tumbling heavily into the lake.
After a few ripples on the water's surface, it finally didn't rise again, merely hanging its head low, its tail flame still burning faintly.
Yahiko stood in place, his breathing steady.
Raindrops fell from the sky, sizzling as they touched his scorching skin.
He retracted his stance and slowly approached.
Charmeleon lifted its head to glance at him, the pride and unyielding fire in its eyes gradually extinguishing, as if it no longer wished to fight for now.
"That's better."
Yahiko said softly, reaching out to place his hand on Charmeleon's head.
Charmeleon offered no resistance, letting out a low growl in response.
The air by the lakeside grew still.
The residual heat from Yahiko and Charmeleon's battle lingered, the lake surface still trembling slightly, the dying embers of flame reflected in everyone's eyes.
With the fight concluded, Yahiko resumed his usual smile, while Charmander followed him back with a resigned expression.
Approaching Shiroishi, Yahiko grinned unexpectedly. "Thank you, Shiroishi."
Shiroishi adjusted his glasses. "Don't thank me. This was your own choice."
Yahiko chuckled.
"Regardless, the four of us will work together to change the future of the Land of Rain."
Just then, a soft voice broke the silence.
"Squirtle~"
The Squirtle in Konan's arms blinked, its eyes gleaming as it stared at the distant figures of Yahiko and Charmeleon.
It was a gaze filled with both envy and longing.
Carefully, it reached out a forelimb and tugged at the hem of Konan's clothes.
Konan paused, looking down at the little one in her arms.
Squirtle lifted its head, its eyes filled with determination.
"You... want to grow stronger too?"
Squirtle nodded.
That small yet resolute gesture made Konan shiver slightly.
She lifted her gaze, looking past the rain curtain to Shiroishi in the distance.
Shiroishi was watching Yahiko and Charmeleon, as if he had already seen through everything.
Noticing Konan's hesitant gaze, Shiroishi turned and offered a faint smile.
Konan's cheeks flushed instantly.
He walked over, crouched down, and gently stroked Squirtle's head.
"You want to grow stronger too?"
"Squirtle~"
Squirtle nodded vigorously, its small body almost glowing with excitement.
Shiroishi watched it, his eyes softening for a moment.
"To grow stronger... you want to protect Konan too, don't you?"
"Squirtle~"
He murmured softly, his fingers brushing over Squirtle's sturdy shell, sensing the still-unrefined power within.
Shiroishi straightened up, thought for a moment, then turned to look at Jiraiya beside him.
Raindrops slid from his hair, and his voice cut clearly through the rainy night: "Jiraiya-sensei, could you lend me Marshtomp tomorrow?"
Jiraiya narrowed his eyes, looking at him with some surprise.
"Borrow Marshtomp?" He scratched his head, then noticed Squirtle's sparkling eyes and suddenly understood.
"Alright."
Squirtle let out a happy cry, wagging its tail and splashing a string of tiny water droplets.
Watching these children working so hard to grow stronger, Jiraiya felt something was odd.
Something seemed off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
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