Korrina looked at Lucario, who was filled with respect, with a puzzled expression on her face.
Although her Lucario wasn't the unruly type of Pokemon, it also had its own pride. Normally, it would only give a nod when greeting people, and it showed true respect only in front of her grandfather's Lucario. This was not just because her grandfather's Lucario was powerful, but also because her Lucario had been personally trained by her grandfather's Lucario.
This was the first time Lucario was so respectful in front of a stranger.
"Lucario, you..." Korrina looked at her partner, her face full of confusion.
Her Lucario was not one to easily bow down. Even when facing her grandfather's incredibly powerful Lucario, her Lucario only showed due respect and had never bowed at a ninety-degree angle like it did now.
What on earth is going on?
Ash was also taken aback, instinctively wanting to reach out to help Lucario, but it didn't seem appropriate. He could only scratch his head and awkwardly say, "Well... there's no need to be so polite. This should be the first time we've met, right?"
Lucario slowly straightened up, its crimson vertical pupils still fixated on Ash, the awe in its eyes unmistakable.
It raised its hand, pointed at Ash, and then at its own chest, letting out a low growl.
Among those present, only Ash understood Lucario's meaning, which made Ash realize why Lucario was behaving this way.
"Ah, so you sensed my Aura, did you? Miss Korrina, your Lucario is pretty impressive!" His Aura Power usually stayed hidden deep within his body. Even a Pokemon like Lucario, adept at using Aura, couldn't easily sense it.
The fact that Korrina's Lucario could perceive it only indicated that her Lucario's proficiency in Aura was quite outstanding. Even though Lucario's current level was only Gym Intermediate Level, if it were to battle other Pokemon of the same level, its excellent mastery of Aura should allow it to win the fight with relative ease.
"Aura? Isn't that a power only Lucario can wield?" Korrina blinked her azure eyes and looked at Ash with curiosity.
"Maybe I'm just special. I can also use Aura Power," Ash explained simply, and with a thought, the vast Aura Power within him revealed itself. He directly manifested the Aura Power!
In an instant, the air in the entire Gym seemed to freeze.
An invisible pressure spread from Ash's body like a tide. It wasn't malicious but sheer energy waves, making everyone's hearts skip a beat.
Misty and Brock had felt Ash's Aura Power before, but Ash usually merged his Aura Power with Pokemon. It was rare for him to release it purely like this. The last time they recalled was during a confrontation with Mewtwo.
After several months, it seemed Ash's Aura had grown even stronger!
Serena widened her beautiful eyes. It was her first time experiencing Ash's internal power so viscerally. It felt like facing a slumbering giant beast; even a whiff of its aura invoked involuntary awe.
Is this a power humans can possess? So inside Ash lies such a terrifying force!
No wonder Ash could stand alongside Mewtwo and fight against the Tier One Divine Level Lugia.
But perhaps the most astonished was Korrina's Lucario.
Initially, Lucario had only vaguely sensed the terrifying Aura within Ash. Now that Ash released his Aura Power, that terrifying same-origin power made Lucario go from bending over to kneeling on the ground, bowing deeply.
In Lucario's perception, the purity and level of this Aura surpassed everything it knew. Even Gurkinn's long-time partner would be like a stream before an ocean in front of this power.
A thought flashed through his mind like lightning—
This is the power of the legendary Aura Guardian!
Among the Lucario tribe, there was an ancient legend passed down through generations. Long ago, there was a human who mastered Aura Power beyond all Pokemon, earning the willing allegiance of their ancestor, fighting side by side as partners. That human was later revered as the Aura Guardian.
And now, this legendary power appeared before Lucario unexpectedly. Lucario could also sense that Ash bore the same presence on him, as if he were the reincarnation of the hero from the past.
"Lucario, what's wrong with you?" Korrina exclaimed, never having seen Lucario so out of composure. Even possessing Aura Power, if it were just slightly stronger than its own, shouldn't cause such a reaction!
At this moment, a voice, aged yet full of vigor, came from the depths of the Gym: "Because that young man's Aura Power has reached the legendary realm."
Everyone turned towards the voice, only to see a robust, white-haired elder casually walking out from the inner room. He wore a fighting uniform similar in style to Korrina's. Despite his age, his steps were steady, dragon-like, exuding a vigorous aura all over.