Natsume stood frozen for a long moment.
The final boss of the Kanto Region… was actually Ash!?
But this was Ash, who had conquered the Frontier.
Several of his main team Pokémon even possessed strength rivaling Masters.
Sure, Pikachu would get "reset" in the next region.
But the Pikachu who had mastered Volt Tackle had even achieved god-slaying feats during the battle against Brandon.
More importantly, since Ash addressed him as "sensei," Natsume had to shoulder the responsibility that came with it.
Natsume looked at Ash and Pikachu before him.
The reckless red-capped young man's eyes burned with a desire for victory, a love for Pokémon, and the dream of becoming a Master…
A faint smile tugged at Natsume's lips.
This moment—this was where the young man's future would truly begin.
"Just so you know, this isn't some rookie match!"
"I know!"
Ash grinned back. "This is guidance from Natsume-sensei!"
Natsume checked his watch, confirmed he still had time before his flight, and said:
"Rotom, navigate to the nearest battle arena!"
"Roger that, Rotom~!"
In this world where Pokémon battles were a universal passion, even the Pokémon Center at the Airport had a professional battle arena.
Though it wasn't very large—just enough for two Trainers to face off.
By the time Natsume and Ash arrived at the Pokémon Center…
The stands around the battlefield were already packed.
"Wow, so many people came to watch," Ash muttered, scanning the crowd.
Natsume glanced toward the center of the arena.
Two Trainers were locked in a fierce battle, surrounded by cheering spectators.
"Let's fight here," Natsume said to Ash.
"But there are so many people…"
Natsume raised an eyebrow.
The more people, the better!
As the match concluded and applause erupted…
A strikingly handsome Trainer, flanked by a levitating, sinisterly grinning Gengar, stepped forward and called out:
"Mind if we join in? We're not too good at Pokémon battles!"
The crowd turned in curiosity, two girls whispering among themselves.
"He's so handsome…"
"Go ask for his number later—and don't say I told you to!"
Then, someone suddenly shouted:
"Kanto League Champion, Natsume-sensei!!"
"He's here to stomp noobs again!?"
"This is what you call 'not too good' at battling!?"
Natsume-sensei scratched his cheek.
A friendly match… could that really be called stomping?
Ash was a Frontier Brain challenger, after all…
This wasn't the Baby Cup—at the very least, it was a Youth Tournament!
The two Trainers on the field froze for a second before one yelled:
"Holy crap, Natsume-sensei, I've got a verified badge on my livestream!"
Natsume: ???
Are all my fans everywhere now?
The two Trainers exchanged a glance and stepped aside. "Go ahead, you two."
Watching a League Champion battle live? That was easily worth thousands in ticket prices.
This was like stumbling upon a pro athlete at a pickup game—the crowd was ecstatic.
"That kid looks familiar too…"
"Wait, isn't that the guy who challenged the Frontier yesterday?!"
Thanks to Scott's broadcast strategy, many had watched the Frontier challenge matches.
While making a profit, he'd also boosted the reputation of Pallet Town's Ash.
"A high-level duel… and it's free? This is a steal!"
"Is the Airport running some promo? They even got Natsume-sensei to show up!"
The prospect of a battle between star Trainers had the audience buzzing.
Ash, experiencing this kind of attention for the first time, couldn't help but feel a little proud.
But when he looked at Natsume-sensei…
Ash immediately schooled his expression and took a deep breath.
Remember what Master Blue Oak and Natsume-sensei said… No arrogance, Ash!
The ever-graceful Natsume-sensei asked, slightly nervous:
"What format?"
If this was truly an unrestricted battle, he'd have to rely on Gengar's Hypnosis…
Wait, would that even work!?
"Let's go with the Frontier's Singles format, Natsume-sensei."
Natsume exhaled in relief.
The Frontier used a 6-pick-4 Single Battle format—the most official ruleset, closest to the Master League's challenge regulations.
But in the Sinnoh region, strategies had evolved even further. Trainers like Paul and Ash were among the elite battlers.
Gazing at the once "Master of Reverse-Type Matchups," now a rapidly growing young man before him...
Natsume gave a slight nod.
"Let's settle this and find a new goal, Ash!"
Ash adjusted his cap backward.
At the Frontier, he had experienced both the brutality and allure of battle.
And this was also the phase where he, as a trainer, leveled up significantly.
"Go, Charizard!" Ash suddenly hurled his Poké Ball.
"Charizard!!" Charizard flapped its wings, stirring fierce gusts, its gaze imperious.
Gasps erupted from the surrounding spectators.
Just from its aura alone, anyone could tell—this Charizard was no ordinary foe!
The unruly "Old Flame" folded its wings and landed, locking eyes with Natsume, its expression flickering.
"Give it your all," Natsume said with a faint smile. "Charizard!"
"Charizard—!!"
In an instant, Charizard's tail flame surged several meters high.
Returning to its usual state, its eyes burned with intense battle lust.
A Charizard that obeyed commands—its strength was worthy of a tournament champion.
Even Ash had earned Charizard's respect now.
A thought struck Natsume, and he silently asked himself:
Have I grown during my time in Kanto?
Maybe… I've gotten stronger without realizing it.
That's the magic of a trainer and Pokémon meeting each other.
"Go, Arcanine!"
"Arcanine~! (｀0´)"
The power of Moltres coated Arcanine's mane in a radiant sheen.
The majestic Arcanine, brimming with power and grace, left the crowd in awed silence.
Then, a young girl's voice piped up from the spectators.
"Daddy, our flight's gonna be late..."
"Don't worry! After this battle, we'll just buy new tickets!"
"Intimidate might weaken Charizard's fighting spirit, but its flames will only burn fiercer!"
Ash clenched his fist and shouted, "Charizard, Flamethrower!"
Since when did battles start with trash talk?
Natsume blinked, then coolly commanded:
"Arcanine, bathe in those flames—use Flare Blitz!"
Fire resistance didn't matter. In a heated battle like this, a clash of flames was inevitable.
"ARCANINE!!"
Engulfed in fire, Arcanine charged forth with Extreme Speed, like a blazing armored vehicle.
BOOM!!
The Flamethrower exploded against Arcanine, flames painting the audience's vision red and scattering against the Light Screen barrier at the field's edge.
"Arcanine!"
Arcanine pushed through the Flamethrower, parting the inferno around it.
Then, it leaped high—slamming straight into Charizard's open maw!
"Charizard, dodge! Use Wing Attack!"
"CHARIZARD!!" With a furious roar, Charizard flapped its wings, lifting itself just as Arcanine collided.
Arcanine landed hard, cracking the battlefield underfoot.
It whirled around, facing Charizard as it dove with wing blades gleaming.
"Crunch!"
Natsume even predicted Ash's next move.
"Drag it down!"
Arcanine mercilessly clamped its jaws around Charizard's wings, yanking it to the ground.
"CHARIZARD!" Charizard's eyes burned crimson, its fighting spirit flaring—its tail flame suddenly surging.
Amid the crowd's gasps, Ash bellowed:
"Now—Seismic Toss!"
A classic Ash tactic: using a Fighting-type move in "Blaze" condition.
"Too naive, Ash!"
Natsume's order cut in simultaneously:
"Wild Charge!!"
Just as Charizard reached out to grapple Arcanine—
The dragon's eyes bulged, straining with all its might, even snorting smoke in fury.
Then—CRACKLE!
A burst of lightning erupted from the battlefield, vanishing as quickly as it came.
THUD!!
"Charizard is unable to battle! Rotom!"
The crowd swallowed hard, even the flight announcements forgotten.
"So strong..."
"Perfect counters, perfect predictions!"
Charizard, scorched and battered, stubbornly held on—before collapsing.
Ash returned Charizard to its Poké Ball, his gaze resolute, as if he'd found a new direction.
"You've grown, Ash," Natsume remarked.
"Don't celebrate yet, Natsume-sensei!"
Ash flashed a grin—one he only wore in battle.
"I won't let you shut me out that easily!"
"Give it your best shot," Natsume chuckled.
"Go, Pikachu!"
Ash pointed forward, and the Pikachu on his shoulder darted onto the field.
"Pikachu~!!"
Ash's ace—Pikachu.
Natsume crossed his arms, glancing at the Rotom serving as temporary referee.
"Beep! System overload, Rotom! Σ(°△°|||)︴"
"Go on, Rotom," Natsume coaxed.
Who knew this battle… would even save me some electricity bills?
An unexpected bonus. He pointed.
"Gengar, bring out the microwave!"
"Gengar!" Gengar grinned, pulling a microwave from its bottomless bag—to the crowd's shock.
"Pikachu?" Pikachu stood upright, tilting its head in confusion.
"Rotom—Microwave Forme, transform!"
"System overload, Rotom! o(TヘTo)"
Despite its protests, Rotom flew from the Pokédex into the microwave.
"Gengar?"
Gengar caught the falling Pokédex, patting the humming appliance in bewilderment.
Then—the microwave's eyes blinked to life.
"Feeling good, Rotom!"
Ash froze, pulling out his Pokédex to scan it:
[Rotom, an Electric/Ghost Pokémon with multiple Formes. Heating is one of its battle forms.]
"I see!"
Ash pumped his fist. "When it comes to electricity, we won't lose! Pikachu!"
"Pikachu—!" Sparks danced across Pikachu's cheeks.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
Ash's dual-strike Pikachu became a white blur, lunging at blinding speed.
Quick Attack's weak power… but coming from Pikachu?
Even Natsume-sensei felt a flicker of unease.
"Rotom, Protect!"
A green barrier materialized—SMACK!—sending Pikachu flying back.
"Now, Thunderbolt!"
"Pikachu—!" Midair, Pikachu flipped, cheeks sparking:
"CHUUUU!!!"
Lightning engulfed the field. The audience stared, stunned.
How is this Thunderbolt so strong?!
Rotom trembled under the volts, its own electricity surging weakly in response.
"No effect?!"
Ash gaped at the unharmed, grinning Rotom.
"How?!"
"That's Rotom's 'Charge' move," Natsume explained. "Boosts power and Special Defense."
Double electric resistance, Rotom's base 107 Sp. Def, plus a Sp. Def boost—
If Pikachu could still hurt it now, that'd be straight-up hax!
Ash gritted his teeth.
"Tch… such a dirty strategy!"
Natsume sighed. "…You're just too reckless."
Ash, making optimal split-second calls, now felt the sting of a true strategist's mind games.
"Don't back down, Pikachu! Volt Tackle!"
"Pikachu…" Pikachu crouched—but winced.
Burns from Rotom's Will-O-Wisp seared its body.
While chatting with Ash, Natsume had secretly used Aura to command…
To wake Ash up, Natsume-sensei was going all out!
"Dig deep, Pikachu!"
Ash clenched his fists. "Trust in us—Volt Tackle!!"
"Pikachu—CHUU!!!"
Blue lightning lit up the stadium.
The audience held their breath as Pikachu crashed into Rotom—
"System overload, Rotom! o(TヘTo)"
Rotom was down to half health.
Natsume's heart skipped.
That move's illegal, Ash!
Since when did Pikachu have Guts as its ability?!
"Quick Attack, Pikachu!"
"Volt Switch!"
Pikachu's follow-up strike met a thunderous counterbolt.
Natsume's fans murmured in awe.
"Sensei's rotations in singles are a thing of beauty."
"He said it on stream—battling is all about switching, defense, and mind games!"
Rotom vanished into its Poké Ball.
"Togepi doo-ee~! ヾ"
Togepi popped out like a gift, landing with a plop.
Ash stayed cautious. "Pikachu, Iron Tail!"
Natsume wiped a proud tear.
He's learning! Using Steel moves against Fairies!
"Togepi, Metronome!"
Let's roll the dice. If it's bad, we'll just 'dodge' it.
Then—Natsume froze.
The crowd gasped.
"Doo-ee! (`皿´)" Togepi's eyes gleamed as it stomped—
CRACK!
"Pikachu?!"
The ground split beneath Pikachu.
Then—EARTHQUAKE!!
"Holy—it actually got Earthquake?!"
"Isn't this basically Fissure?!"
Ash grimaced.
So close to avoiding a shutout!
"Good work, Pikachu."
He scooped up the fainted mouse.
"Pikachu…" It breathed evenly in his arms.
Natsume rubbed his chin.
Pikachu's not KO'd—it's asleep.
Did it see Togepi and just decide to act?
With a 6-pick-4 format, Ash's next pick was Bulbasaur.
Natsume tossed a Premier Ball.
"Sirfetch'd!" The leek-wielding knight stood poised, exuding grace.
"Bulbasaur…" Bulbasaur shrank back.
"Leech Seed!"
"First Impression!"
Priority +2 made Sirfetch'd faster than even Quick Attack.
"Sirfetch'd!" In a flash, the Sirfetch'd's leek-spear stabbed Bulbasaur's flower—
CRIT! Instant KO.
Natsume muttered, "Well, that's Bulbasaur in a nutshell—totally nuts!"
Cheers erupted.
Ash adjusted his cap, frustration flashing—before he looked up, eyes blazing.
"I'm not done yet, Natsume-sensei!"
"Give it your all, Bound Person," Natsume teased.
"Go, Squirtle!" Ash sent out his battle-hardened Squirtle Squad leader.
"Squirtle!" It struck a pose.
Ash's gaze burned.
At least take down one of his Pokémon!
As silence fell, Natsume heard the flight announcement.
"Rotom… aren't we boarding?"
"Last call, Rotom!"
"Natsume-sensei?" Ash called warily.
His mentor seemed… off.
"Nothing."
Natsume smiled warmly.
"Ash, I'm in a hurry."
"Eh?"
He threw a Dive Ball.
"Last one—I choose you, Blastoise!"
"Blastoise! ヾ(■_■)"
A crushing aura erupted—a hurricane of raw power!
--------------------------------------
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