Manalo Stadium.
After recalling the fainted Rowlet,
Ash's gaze grew resolute.
"Go, Torracat!"
"Meow!!!" Torracat returned to the field in a surge of scorching heat, slamming a paw against the ground.
Torracat had fully absorbed Blast Burn!
"Beep! Torracat's fire energy readings are rising sharply! Far beyond normal training data, roto!"
A string of astonishing figures flashed across Ash's Pokédex Rotom's screen as it let out a startled electronic cry.
At the commentary desk, Li Wei leaned forward slightly.
"As expected, forcibly absorbing Incineroar's Blast Burn and trying to control it
was painful and dangerous, but once successful, it was like undergoing a process of tempering and compressing its flames."
It reminded Li Wei of another of Ash's Pokémon-not Infernape.
Turtwig.
The future Sacrificial Turtle.
Ash's Turtwig had once swallowed an Energy Ball, then entered a state resembling Overgrow-one even stronger than Overgrow itself.
And Torracat, having swallowed Blast Burn,
had now entered an unconventional Blaze state of its own.
The temperature of Torracat's flames had now reached a new level.
Cynthia watched Torracat and nodded slightly.
"It's not just an increase in power. That presence comes from the confidence of overcoming pain and pushing past its own limits."
"Professor Kukui's Venusaur is facing an entirely different opponent now."
Professor Kukui's expression grew serious as well.
He could clearly feel the threat coming from across the field.
"You absorbed my Incineroar's flames and made them your own?"
"Ash, Torracat, you keep surprising me!"
This was what battling Ash felt like.
Professor Kukui had been looking forward to this day for a long time.
More precisely, he had been looking forward to battling Torracat.
After all, Ash had already battled Professor Kukui in his Masked Royal persona during the Master League.
But Ash had used other Pokémon then.
"Torracat!"
Ash's voice