When Bruno's Machamp was engulfed by the crimson energy beam.
Trainers watching the match reacted differently, yet all exhaled in unison.
"Grandpa," Korrina whispered, "Will Lucario and I… ever reach that level with Mega Evolution?"
Gurkinn froze momentarily before bursting into laughter. "Silly girl, of course! Strengthen your bond, and it's absolutely possible!"
"Got it~" Korrina's eyes sparkled. "I'll train harder to surpass that guy someday!"
Then I'll prove to Master… I'm no weaker than my fellow disciple, Bea!
In Galar, Bea let out a long breath, forcing her numb legs to stand.
"Gah?" Her Sirfetch'd stared as Bea strode out of the gym.
"Continue," came Bea's monotone reply. "Training."
Pallet Town, Oak Research Institute.
Professor Oak sipped tea, nodding approvingly at Natsume on screen. "Reminds me of my younger days!"
"Grandpa," Blue Oak spoke up.
"What?" Professor Oak glanced at him.
"Nothing." Blue stood, hands in pockets. "I'm heading to Viridian Gym."
"I'm leaving too," Red said, rising.
"Ah? Why the rush?" Professor Oak asked.
"Mt. Silver training." Red tilted his cap, smirking.
"After watching that battle… can't just sit still."
Professor Oak paused, then nodded. "Very well…"
Alone in the empty lab, he sipped tea before suddenly exclaiming:
"Ah! Perfect timing… Let's compose a senryu for Blastoise!"
Setting his cup down, he pondered before clapping cheerfully.
"Snug inside its sturdy shell, Blastoise naps without a care—cozy beyond compare!"
...
As prelims concluded, deafening cheers swept the arena.
The brutal, last-second clash had electrified the crowd.
"Wait… this doesn't match Natsume-sensei's usual scheming style!"
"Eureka! Bruno must be a Natsume-sensei fanboy—that's why he joined this fan tournament!"
"Right! No wonder Bruno shared that 'Furious Onix' strategy last time!"
On the battlefield, Natsume recalled his battered Blastoise, expression flickering.
We share the pain… its wounds are mine to bear!
"Tch…" Natsume winced at a sudden toothache.
Bruno's fierce aura faded. Eyes crinkling warmly, his mountainous frame still radiated latent power.
Amid roaring applause, the two met at center stage. Bruno extended a spiked-ringed hand.
"Learned much," Bruno rumbled.
Natsume shook it, forcing a smile. "Likewise."
With a nod, Bruno turned, his thoughtful profile soon disappearing down the tunnel.
That "Rampaging Onix" tactic? Inspired by Natsume-sensei's teachings.
Bruno's philosophy was straightforward.
He resolved to gift Natsume-sensei his master's "Hard Style" manuals in return.
But now wasn't the time.
Pausing, Bruno glanced back at Natsume-sensei's retreating figure, respect and battle-lust burning in his gaze.
So this was the strategic Champion Lance spoke of…
Grrrroowl—
A thunderous stomach growl echoed. Bruno clutched his abs inside the tunnel, licking his lips.
"Right!" He clenched a fist. "New mission: buy out that shop's steamed buns!"
"Temper the body, surpass limits. Machamp, move out!"
"Machamp!!"
Bruno and his wounded Machamp marched off eagerly.
The roaring crowd still felt the battle's aftershocks.
"Quarterfinal results: Trainer Natsume advances!" announced the commentator.
On screen, Natsume waved cheerfully at the stands.
Ash's eyes blazed. "So cool, Natsume-sensei!"
"He actually beat Elite Four Bruno?!" Whitney gaped at her "idol's" defeat.
"Obviously~" Gold wiped his nose. "He's the only Trainer stronger than me!"
"Then—" Ash brightened. "Senior Gold, you must be crazy strong too?"
"Ahaha, w-well, obviously! Hahaha!"
"Gold." Whitney patted his shoulder. "Guess who you're facing next round?"
"Who?" Gold's voice cracked.
Grinning, Whitney showed her phone's bracket. "Natsume-sensei!"
Gold: "…"
"Senior Gold? Where you going?" Ash called.
"Stomachache. Bathroom break!"
"Ash." Jasmine turned solemnly. "Our match is next. Give it… everything you've got. I won't hold back!"
Perhaps Natsume and Bruno's clash had ignited her fighting spirit.
Ash grinned, adjusting his cap. "Don't worry, Leader Jasmine! Pikachu and I are all in!"
"Pika-chu!"
Natsume emerged from the tunnel, Gengar floating behind, massaging his shoulders. "Gan~gar!"
Hearing Ash's declaration, he froze.
Using Pikachu against a Ground-type Steelix?
If he wins… oh right, it's Ash. Never mind.
"Where's Gold?" Natsume scanned the area. "Aren't we up after intermission?"
"Bathroom emergency," Whitney said.
Natsume "ah"-ed, then realized—
Wait. The legendary "tactical retreat"?!
"Breaking news: Quarterfinalist Gold forfeits due to health reasons," blared the speakers. "Natsume-sensei advances to finals against the remaining semifinalist!"
Natsume: "…"
Classic Gold move.
"Natsume-sensei? Where are you going?" Jasmine blinked.
"Stomachache. Bathroom break."
...
During the intermission of the endurance event.
The battle footage between Natsume and Bruno, broadcasted via livestream, had an even greater impact than expected.
Someone uploaded a screen recording to the Battle Section of Nico Dou, where it surpassed 200K views in just one hour.
The title read:
"Natsume VS Bruno! A Master Tournament-Level Showdown!"
"Clicked because of the title."
"New video from Natsume-sensei?"
"Holy crap, Natsume-sensei and Bruno in a real fight?!"
The top comment in the trending section:
"The moment I saw the Battle Section, I knew something was off. Clicked in—good grief, Natsume-sensei is now smurfing in the Master Division!"
The clash between Mega Blastoise and Machamp nearly demolished the entire arena, leaving fans wide-eyed.
"The destruction is terrifying!"
"Natsume-sensei always sticks to game livestreams… guess he's afraid of being blacklisted by the organizers?"
"He hides his real battles to avoid bankrupting the event budget. Makes sense."
"Natsume-sensei: No more hiding. I'm coming clean!"
Some fans privately messaged Natsume-sensei, suggesting he compile his practical battle footage into a new program under the Battle Section.
Others argued it wasn't necessary.
After all, if Natsume was already letting Rotom livestream… maybe next time he'd be seen battling the Sinnoh Elite Four live?
"Fast-forward to Wyndon Stadium, Natsume-sensei blasting Leon's Charizard with Mega Blastoise!"
"Dream bigger—what about a 31-cannon Gigantamax Blastoise?"
"No way. As everyone knows, Natsume-sensei only joins Fan Tournaments and Baby Cups!"
Later, a new top comment rose to the top:
"With the World Tournament approaching, the organizers split events into Youth and Master divisions.
Organizers: 'Youth Division to the left, Master Division to the right.'
Only one trainer remained standing. When questioned, he said:
'I'm in the Master Division, but I signed up for the Youth Tournament.'
The organizers gasped: 'You must be Natsume-sensei! Straight to the Champion's seat with you!'"
...
Using the restroom was just an excuse—no way he'd actually run into Gold here.
Right now, Natsume walked through the empty arena corridor, heading toward the Pokémon Center.
"Gengar~ o(≧▽≦)ツ" Gengar leaned in, staring at the phone screen, laughing uncontrollably.
Natsume: "...You're laughing way too loud, Gengar!"
Gengar's cackling didn't stop, clutching its stomach in glee.
Natsume rubbed his temples.
Sure, he'd told Rotom to start the livestream—but the goal was just to get a better camera angle.
Even if nobody reposted it to Nico Dou, the official broadcast would've had the same effect.
"Not a big deal." Natsume nodded slightly. "Just keep streaming games as usual… Next time, have Rotom livestream again. Double the gift revenue—"
His eyes lit up. "Brilliant!"
...
Near the merchant zone, inside the Pokémon Center.
After a full check-up confirmed Blastoise's cracks would heal over time, Natsume sighed in relief.
Nurse Joy smiled. "Taurine supplements can speed up recovery. They're available at our Poké Mart!"
Natsume: "...I'll take them!"
Joy clasped her hands, blushing slightly. "Actually… I have a small favor to ask…"
After signing an autograph and thanking Joy, Natsume stepped out of the Pokémon Center, lugging a heavy bag of supplements.
"Who was the genius who decided to merge Poké Marts with Pokémon Centers?" He gritted his teeth. "Damn capitalists!"
Just then, distant gasps caught his attention.
Turning, he saw a crowd gathered around Bruno and Machamp, who were carrying towering stacks of steamed buns.
Bruno frowned. "Is this all you have?"
A Meowth trembled, rubbing its paws. "Th-this is our entire stock, meow~"
Bruno and Machamp sighed.
Such a small amount of Rage Candy… nowhere near enough.
After swiping his card, Bruno and Machamp sat on a nearby park bench, cracking open a large water bottle from the vending machine.
They began devouring the buns, completely unfazed by the onlookers.
Most tourists, realizing Bruno wasn't interested in photos, eventually dispersed.
Team Rocket Trio also sighed in relief.
So scary… thought they were here to rob our hard-earned buns!
Natsume walked over, greeting them before sitting on the fateful bench.
Casually pulling out a prepared QR code, he grinned.
"Hey, friend. Wanna join a chat group?"
Bruno paused mid-chew, swallowed, then flashed a sharp look.
"Actually," Bruno said, "I have something to thank you for, Natsume-sensei."
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