January 15, 2025.
Volcano Island, a remote stretch of international waters in the Pacific Ocean.
Including the seven-day Lunar New Year break, Su Hao had spent a full month alone cultivating here in this isolated sea with his Pokémon.
During this time, everyone had gained quite a lot.
Having let go of its regrets and overcome its past Nightmare, Leafeon had progressed rapidly. Its strength had broken through to the mid-Champion Level, it had successfully made the power of the sun its own, and its Sword Intent had become even purer.
Su Hao planned to set off for the North Bear Alliance after a while.
First, he wanted to search for clues about Kyurem there. Second, he intended to take Leafeon to challenge the three Swords of Justice and seek an opportunity for its subsequent breakthrough to Master Level.
Although Ogerpon and Incineroar had not improved as dramatically as Leafeon, their strength had still risen considerably from its original foundation.
On the bare crimson earth, the two sides were engaged in a fierce clash.
Ogerpon's petite body erupted with extraordinary speed as it nimbly darted and weaved across the ground, evading the savage assaults of Incineroar, which resembled a land battle tank with red light swirling around its flying fur and bulging muscles.
Incineroar had already entered Magnetic Field Manipulation: Lava Overload Mode. Every breath released scorching heat, while the Flame Belt around its waist seemed to have magma flowing within it, continuously generating energy to support its movements.
Its muscles had become incredibly resilient and would no longer repeatedly tear apart only to be licked by Sacred Fire and healed, which actually left Incineroar feeling somewhat uncomfortable.
It suspected it might have developed a bit of an M tendency.
Seeing Ogerpon condense another Thorn Whip Stick after the previous