That gives Takato a moment of pause.

"Well, we never figured out another way to reach that level. But some digimon are able to reach through other ways, so maybe?"

He shakes his head. "I don't think it makes you a bad tamer at all. For me and Guilmon... I guess it kind of felt natural?" They'd already been sharing their energy and pain from injuries during a fight. Dukemon had felt like the final step.

Guilmon nods. "Guilmon and Takato have always been strongest together. But Guilmon likes fighting together as Duke,on the best."