"This is a disc I just received from the Pokémon Center via transfer."
Bruno reached into his karate pants and pulled out a thin disc case, handing it to Natsume.
"Consider this my thanks for that Onix rage strategy you shared last time."
That Onix faith battle strategy video?
A chill ran down Natsume's spine.
That was ages ago—why are you thanking me now?
Natsume hesitated.
"Forget whether it's appropriate or not. First, tell me what's on this disc."
"Battle footage, some written notes, and personal manuscripts," Bruno said.
It looked like an outdated VD recording—not surprising, given Bruno's indifference to modern tech.
Natsume sighed in relief as he took the case, thinking:
"Doesn't sound dangerous at all..."
Bruno: "It's called Hard Style."
Natsume: "?"
Why did the threat level instantly double the moment that name was dropped?
No—more than double. A giant "DANGER" sign might as well have materialized above his head!
"It's a Fighting-type secret art passed down to me by Master Chuck during my training at Cianwood Gym," Bruno explained, reminiscing. "It embodies an all-out offensive mindset, the conviction to cut through anything… though that conviction sometimes leads to setbacks."
He continued: "This disc contains my reflections on past failures, refined techniques, and the core principles of Hard Style."
"Natsume-sensei, I believe it will benefit you as well!" Bruno declared solemnly.
Benefit him?!
Natsume was already hallucinating his house collapsing around him!
His lips pressed into a thin line as he glanced at the park bench beneath him, cold sweat forming.
Wait a second—
Why is there a bench here? Why did I even sit down?!
"Natsume-sensei," Bruno observed, "you look… unwell."
Natsume stared blankly at the sky.
Who could've guessed you'd be this generous—willing to share your signature technique?!
Even if this "Hard Style" manual wasn't as legendary as Giovanni's Techniques, it was still the secret art of an Elite Four Fighting specialist.
"This is too valuable. I can't accept it," Natsume said.
"No."
Bruno was firm. "I've moved beyond Hard Style. My focus now is surpassing my limits, not clinging to the past."
Noticing Natsume's conflicted expression, Bruno frowned.
"Are you… worried I deliberately left errors in the disc?"
Before Natsume could respond, Bruno scoffed. "I, Bruno, am no underhanded schemer who relies on cheap tricks!"
Natsume: "…"
Who was it again that helped Lance ambush Red?
Your words hold zero credibility, pal!
Natsume lowered his gaze, studying the disc case again.
Bruno, like Ash, was a straightforward guy. Having been inspired by the Onix Rage Strategy, he naturally chose to repay Natsume-sensei with his own prized technique.
Even if Natsume demanded money, Bruno would likely insist the value wasn't equivalent—and shove Hard Style at him anyway.
(Though Natsume suspected Bruno was just as broke. Those tattered karate pants looked three years unwashed, as ancient as Lance's cape.)
(Lance: "I have an entire wardrobe of identical capes! Stop slandering me!")
Suddenly, an idea struck Natsume.
"I trust your integrity, Bruno."
He nodded. "This technique suits Fighting-types, correct?"
Bruno gave a slow, confirming nod. "Indeed."
"After mastering it, could one… say, split Kurt in half?" Natsume asked.
Bruno narrowed his eyes. "The essence of Hard Style lies in the conviction to sever all obstacles."
Bruno had honed this art through Machamp's karate chops; Blue Oak's Scyther had later applied it after evolving into Scizor.
Natsume felt slightly better.
At worst, if Sirfetch'd learned this, it might cleave through a Metal Coat—not summon the Renovation Team.
More importantly—
Hard Style aligned perfectly with Sirfetch'd's Fighting-type spirit: relentless training, an unyielding drive to grow stronger.
As its Trainer, Natsume had to shoulder this burden for Sirfetch'd's sake!
"Sirfetch'd! (′︿‵)"
Inside its Premier Ball, Sirfetch'd was moved nearly to tears.
Natsume smiled faintly, patting the ball at his waist.
This day, Sirfetch'd reentered the realm of iron-cutting!
Turning to Bruno, Natsume-sensei said:
"Thanks!"
"Mmph." Bruno chewed on a steamed bun, eyes half-lidded. "No trouble."
He then offered Natsume a box of buns. "Want one?"
Natsume shook his head, eyeing the mountain of empty wrappers piled behind Bruno.
"Did you clear out the entire plaza's stock of Rage Candy Bars?"
"Mmph… just one vendor," Bruno replied. "The one that takes Meowth coins. Mmm… tasty."
Machamp swallowed a bun, then thrust out all four thumbs with a rugged, triumphant grin. "Machamp!"
"Gengar~!" Gengar stretched its mouth wide, sticking out its tongue in greeting.
"Machamp!" Machamp roared with laughter, handing Gengar a box of buns.
Gengar didn't refuse, levitating midair as it munched away. "Gengar~(￣～￣)"
Bruno chewed thoughtfully before offering again:
"Seriously, they're delicious… Natsume-sensei, sure you won't have one?"
Natsume: "…"
No wonder Team Rocket's profits surpass Green's—you guys are practically their sales team!
...
[Group Notification: Owner 'Natsume-sensei' has invited 'Rage Spirit' to join the chat.]
"Yo." Red greeted. "Bruno, long time no see."
"Mhm." Bruno's reply was cool—mostly because he was busy devouring buns.
Lance crossed his arms, smirking. "Told you not to challenge Natsume-sensei. You never listen."
"Wins and losses happen. It's normal." Bruno said.
"Next time, come to Mt. Silver. We'll spar." Red invited.
"Oh—" Bruno's eyes sharpened. "You're on!"
"Battle junkies, the lot of you." Lorelei sighed, then added: "Of the old Kanto Elite Four, only Grandma Agatha hasn't joined the group yet, right?"
"Grandma Agatha… isn't big on socializing." Lance scratched his head. "A chat group? Way too out of character for her."
"True." Lorelei nodded, then went back to lurking and reading shoujo manga.
That scene from last chapter… mmm— Lorelei's cheeks flushed as she rolled on her bed. So sweet! So embarrassing!
Blue Oak interjected: "No need to drag her in."
Natsume assumed Blue held a grudge against Grandma Agatha—until Blue added:
"She and the old man probably have their own private chat."
"Ohhh, that makes sense!" Crystal nodded vigorously. "I've seen Professor Oak grinning at his phone like an idiot before."
"Pfft—bet the geezer's chatting up some young hottie!" Gold laughed.
[Group Notice: Member 'Gold' has been muted for 24 hours by Admin 'Blue Oak'.]
Ash shuddered.
Incredible, Senior Gold! You're the only one who gets muted for over 12 hours!
Whitney: "Hahahaha!"
Silver fought back a smirk: "…"
"Serves you right~" Green covered her mouth, giggling. "Oh, I'm closing shop early today. Going to watch Jasmine's match."
Natsume blinked. "Business was good, wasn't it?"
Green slumped. "It was… until Bruno's star power sucked all the customers to the stall next door."
Seriously, why does that Meowth-coin vendor keep appearing everywhere?!
Green tapped her chin, suddenly struck by realization—
It's a global chain! A corporate rival!
Her fists clenched, her sunhat practically smoking with determination.
I, the beautiful Green, refuse to lose!!
In the chat, Whitney messaged: "@Green, match starts at 2 PM. Wanna go together?"
Eh, tomorrow's another day. Green replied: "Sure~ On my way!"
...
After parting with Bruno, Natsume returned to the Contestant Village to rest.
He casually tossed the disc case into the air—only for Gengar to zip out and snatch it midair with a spectral hand.
Natsume: "Once we're back, you're in charge of guiding Sirfetch'd's training."
Gengar grinned toothily. "Gengar~!"
If the purple gremlin could self-study Koga's manuals, teaching Hard Style would be child's play.
Time for Sirfetch'd to cleave through that Metal Coat and move to the next phase—
Egg hatching.
Natsume rubbed his chin.
Now that I think about it, most of the team's gotten upgrades. But I still owe Arcanine that "new toy."
"Maybe weave the Rainbow Wing into a yarn ball?"
His thoughts spiraled. "Ho-Oh's whole body's a treasure… Feather-stuffed pillows would be heavenly. And Sacred Ash—wait, no. Blasphemy."
The Rainbow Wing in his pocket pulsed ominously, as if offended.
How did this guy become an aura wielder?! Recognition? Hah! In your dreams!
Natsume hurriedly cast Aura of Ripple to pacify it.
The wing's colors brightened, shimmering once more.
"I'll look into items for Arcanine after this."
He grabbed a quick buffet lunch at the hotel before arriving at the arena by 2 PM.
Endurance Event: Jasmine vs. Ash.
Gold lounged nearby, blissfully unaware as he watched the match beside Natsume.
Whitney whispered: "Hey! Did you forfeit 'cause you're scared of Natsume-sensei?"
"Forfeiting doesn't mean losing!" Gold argued. "Conserving strength for other gold-medal events—"
He trailed off into jargon like "saving Johto" and "The Hatcher."
Green sweetly suggested: "How about Gold treats us to dinner, and we'll stop teasing you?"
Natsume blinked. "You can just scam free meals like that?"
"What's the harm~?" Green winked, then muttered: "The unsold lunch boxes'll go bad by tonight anyway… Can't finish them all myself…"
Gold wiped his nose and reluctantly agreed.
Natsume didn't mind. The diary had plenty of pages left…
"Ladies and gentlemen, the endurance event semifinals!" the announcer boomed. "From Pallet Town—Ash! Versus Olivine City's Jasmine!"
The crowd's energy paled compared to the morning's match. Most spectators had left after Bruno and Natsume-sensei's battle.
Like Olympic soccer—after the powerhouse teams play, who cares about the underdogs?
Except for Jasmine's fan club.
"Miss Jasmine—!" A bespectacled superfan waved Magnemite flags. "You can do it!!"
"Jasmine, fight on! Clang clang, go!"
Natsume's eye twitched. "They brought cheer sticks? Jasmine's that popular?"
"Cute girls get all the love," Whitney said, patting her chest.
"It's because Miss Jasmine treats challengers with kindness," Green added, closing a search tab. "Sigh… I like gentle girls too!"
Gold: "I like big boobs."
Natsume stayed silent before finally admitting: "Same."
Green & Whitney: "…"
Jasmine, in a white dress, cheeks faintly pink, stood with rare competitive focus.
Ash, cap backward, pitched his Poké Ball like a fastball: "Snorlax, I choose you!"
"Go, Steelix!" Jasmine whispered, releasing her towering Steelix.
Natsume frowned. "Ash said he'd use Pikachu?"
Gold shrugged. "Mr. Brock suggested Snorlax instead."
Natsume paused.
Brock—eternal "tactical advisor" and "team mom."
Thanks to Brock's advice, Ash fought surprisingly well.
Snorlax initially wrestled Steelix evenly, but as it neared the ring's edge, Ash ordered: "Sleep!"
Steelix couldn't budge the snoozing Snorlax. Finally roused by noise, Snorlax—eyes bloodshot—grabbed Steelix's tail and Seismic Tossed it.
BOOM!
The battlefield cratered, making the organizers' eyes twitch violently.
But the moment Steelix landed, it used Dig to tunnel into the hole.
In a flash, it launched Snorlax skyward. Snorlax retaliated with one final Mega Punch, leaving Steelix severely wounded.
"Beeeeep—!" The referee's whistle shrieked. "Winner: Jasmine of Olivine City!"
Jasmine stepped forward, gently stroking Steelix's lowered head with a tender smile.
The crowd erupted in applause—
Natsume and the others clapped along. Gold blinked in surprise.
"Damn, kid's Snorlax is no joke!"
"Red has one too," Green mused. "Maybe Ash got advice from him?"
Ash's Snorlax was already broken—swimming, using eight-plus moves—but Red's Snorlax was worse. That monster once stopped a speeding bullet train. Natsume suspected it could now punch a shinkansen in half.
"Guess I'm fighting Jasmine next?"
But then Jasmine whispered something to the referee... and walked off the field.
"Unbelievable! Jasmine withdraws, citing Steelix's health! The endurance event gold medal goes to... Natsume!"
Natsume: "???"
I fought one match and won gold?!
Ash hopped down, rushing over. "Miss Jasmine, why'd you quit?"
"Steelix told me it was exhausted," she said softly. "I got my little moment of glory... But a Pokémon's feelings matter more than rankings."
Ash nodded thoughtfully.
Steelix basked in Jasmine's affection, then glanced at the bewildered Natsume.
Could I fight? Sure. But I'm not stupid—
It side-eyed Ash before dramatically fainting, pretending its HP was critical.
"Should've fought Natsume-sensei," Gold muttered. "Could've scored silver."
"Still can," Natsume offered cheerfully.
Gold's spine turned to ice. "L-Let's eat! My treat!"
"Snorlax's share too!" Ash's eyes lit up.
Gold: "..."
"And Steelix's meal," Whitney added sweetly.
Green's eyes sparkled with hidden glee.
Perfect! Those unsold lunch boxes won't go to waste now!
Gold checked his phone—most of his funds had gone to Crystal's Trainer School. Guess I'm borrowing from her again...
"Let's go." He forced a grin. "Dinner's on me!"
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