The restrictions and oaths activated, automatically pushing Lucario's power to its full potential within the arena.
***
Species: Lucario
Type: Fighting, Steel
Ability: Unyielding Heart
Strength Rank: A
Known Moves: Aura Sphere, Detect, Bone Rush, Extreme Speed, Mind's Eye…
Description: Lucario harnesses its mastery over aura to read opponents' movements and anticipate attacks with near-perfect precision. Its relentless combat style, enhanced by rapid strikes and powerful energy-based techniques, makes it a formidable frontline warrior.
***
Larry nodded in satisfaction. With Lucario's strength fully realized, it was time to put it to the test. Larry's win streak had reached its climax. He had defeated nearly every high-floor opponent in the Sky Arena. And now Only two people remained in his way. "Iron Man" Jim, Floor Master of the 248th Floor. After that The top-ranked champion of the Sky Arena.
Larry had noticed something. Many of the other Floor Masters had simply refused to return. It was obvious why. Fear.
From the moment Larry started demolishing Floor Masters, the others quickly saw the writing on the wall. They knew they couldn't win. So they vanished.
By refusing to return, they could avoid defeat entirely. And when Larry finally left, they could simply come back and pretend nothing happened.
"Oh, I was in seclusion training."
"I had no idea Larry was even here!"
Excuses would be easy to fabricate. Larry didn't care. His main goal had never been to climb the Sky Arena rankings. His priority was breeding Pokémon. The fame, the status all of that was just an afterthought. But now that Lucario had been born, and the top Floor Masters had fled the battlefield, there was only one thing left to do.
Crush the final two. Then—Move on to the next destination.
The audience was at full capacity once again. As always, the Sky Arena was overflowing with people eager to see Larry fight. "Welcome, everyone, to the next stage of the Host Challenge!" The commentator's voice was as lively as ever. "This match is a critical one for our rising Invincible—Larry! If he wins this, he'll finally face our reigning martial arts champion!"
The energy in the air was electric. But unlike previous matches, there was one major difference. The battlefield had changed.
The original arena where Larry fought Lina?
Still completely destroyed. Massive trees and vines from Frenzy Plant still covered the entire stage. Despite all efforts to clear them, the trees were aura manifestations, making them far harder to remove than regular plant life.
So instead The fight was moved to a different arena entirely. "Iron Man" Jim was already waiting. And standing opposite him Was Larry This time With Lucario at his side.
With Larry's battles bringing in unprecedented levels of attention and profit, the higher-ups of Sky Arena were practically ready to worship him.
Ever since his arrival, every fight he participated in shattered expectations, drew in massive audiences, and most importantly—generated a ridiculous amount of money. To them, Larry was no longer just a challenger He was a phenomenon. And with the upcoming showdown against the reigning champion, the Sky Arena officials were eager for one thing For Larry to win it all.
A newbie rising through the ranks, challenging and defeating the previous champion within a short time span?
It was a once-in-a-lifetime event.
A legendary feat that would cement Sky Arena's place in history. They would do whatever it took to accommodate Larry, ensuring he had everything he needed.
Meanwhile, as Larry's winning streak continued, his odds shifted dramatically. Now, the betting scene had flipped— Even Jim, the 248th Floor Master, had lower odds than Larry. The reason was obvious. Every opponent Larry faced had been crushed in one move. At this point, no one doubted that Larry could be as strong as the highest-ranked Floor Masters. Or maybe… even stronger.
At a betting counter, a certain purple-haired woman quietly counted her money. Machi of the Phantom Troupe. Her gaze flickered toward the arena, her sharp instincts warning her once again. She had felt that terrifying aura before. The kind of aura that made her body scream at her to stay away.
Yet, despite that instinctive fear, she couldn't help but feel uneasy. "There's no reason for Larry to cross paths with the Troupe… right?" That was what she told herself. But deep down, her sixth sense whispered, "Things won't be that simple."
***
Back to the arena, unlike many Floor Masters who fought for fame and fortune, Jim was different. He was an ascetic, one of the few who came to Sky Arena solely for martial arts. A warrior who dedicated his life to perfecting his technique.
Larry carefully studied his opponent, noting the difference in demeanor. Jim was a middle-aged fighter, with bronzed skin and muscles hardened from years of training.
A large, bowl-sized scar on his forehead made him look even more formidable. And his hands Thick calluses lined his palms, proof of countless hours of brutal training. A true fighter.
When the referee signaled the start, Jim immediately assumed a stance— His hands flowed through the air, forming a structured, disciplined guard. His eyes burned with determination. Larry immediately analyzed his Nen ability.
***
Name: Jim
Strength: A-Rank
Nen Type: Enhancement
Abilities: Iron Body – Jim can harden any part of his body, reinforcing it beyond the strength of steel. The more of his body he enhances at once, the greater the Nen consumption, requiring precise control to balance offense and defense effectively. His mastery over this ability allows him to withstand devastating blows and deliver powerful strikes capable of crushing even the toughest opponents.
***
The ability was simple But in Nen battles, simplicity wasn't a weakness. Larry understood exactly what Jim had done. Rather than focusing on a unique Nen ability, Jim had poured everything into efficiency. His ability was raw Enhancer strength, maximizing his ability to reinforce attacks and defenses without waste.
Against most opponents, this brute-force approach would be devastating. But today… Jim wasn't fighting a normal opponent.
As Jim steadied himself, Larry made his move. A brilliant white light flashed before him And then, Lucario appeared.
A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd. Even Jim's aura shifted slightly, his muscles tensing further. The air around Lucario crackled with intensity. Standing tall, its blue-and-black fur gleamed under the lights, exuding an undeniable presence of a warrior. Its sharp, steel-like spikes gleamed with a cold edge. And its fierce red eyes locked onto Jim, burning with determination.
From the stands, Biscuit narrowed her eyes. She had already seen multiple Nen Beasts from Larry—But this one? This was new. "How many of these things does he have?" She had heard from Pyon about some of Larry's abilities. But now, a new question loomed in her mind. "Has anyone actually seen all of Larry's Nen Beasts?"
The answer was clear—No one had.
Before Jim could move, Lucario took the first step. Suddenly Several translucent swords materialized around it, rotating in a slow, deliberate orbit.
Jim's eyes sharpened. 'Were those Materialized swords?!'