Although Dawn had thoroughly explained before the battle that Gamenio had most likely copied the Phoenix ability, and had especially emphasized its nearly immortal healing power, witnessing the miraculous sight of severed limbs regenerating with her own eyes still shook Stella to the core, leaving her dazed for an instant.
And for an opponent like Gamenio, that instant of distraction was enough!
"You damned fox! You're asking for death!"
Gamenio's face twisted viciously as rage completely devoured his reason. He instantly returned to his original form. Seizing the opening while Stella was distracted, he condensed a violently trembling white sphere around his left fist, pouring all his fury and killing intent into it before smashing it down!
Crack—!
The sphere slammed solidly into White Fox's soft abdomen, and the surrounding air let out a cracking shriek under the unbearable strain!
White Fox, transformed from Stella, let out a pained cry. Blood sprayed from her mouth, tracing a bleak arc through the air as her massive body was sent flying by the irresistible force. After smashing through several thick trees in succession, she finally crashed heavily into a pile of rubble from the ruined buildings.
Almost at the exact moment Gamenio's attack landed, the combined Rankyaku slashes came sweeping in again.
At the same time, pale arms bloomed from thin air around Gamenio's joints once more, trying to restrain his movements.
"The same move won't work on me twice!"
Gamenio roared as he instantly shifted into his Glitter-Glitter Fruit form again. His indestructible diamond body took all the Rankyaku slashes and joint locks head-on.
Without pausing, he returned to his original form again and threw both fists forward, unleashing Air Quake blasts with a wider range and even greater power at the people who had just attacked him!
Boom—!
The earth