"Allow me to briefly explain the rules of this tournament!"
The referee stood on a levitator, gripping the handle, his voice somehow amplified to fill the entire arena.
"This tournament will follow the arena and team event format, with a 6-pick-2 singles rule, and no restrictions on move usage…"
"The banned moves are as follows: Explosion, Z-Moves, Mega Evolution…"
Even though it was a 6-pick-2 format, Natsume-sensei had only brought two Pokémon.
Not to mention, Key Stones, Z-Crystals, and the like…
He didn't have any! He couldn't afford them!
But for a Youth Tournament, banning such uncontrollable moves was reasonable.
In the Master League, the sight of Z-Moves clashing with Mega Evolutions was truly a spectacle…
Natsume shook his head, sitting on the sidelines, focusing his mind.
He was scheduled to go second, as Coach Takashi wanted him to observe the opponent first.
Who knows, maybe the opponent's Sandstorm Team would unexpectedly throw in a Venusaur. It wasn't impossible.
"The first members from both teams have taken the field!" the commentator announced loudly. "It's Torkoal versus Hippowdon!"
"They're sending out their captain right away."
Hiroshi stroked his beard, glancing at Kenji beside him.
"Can't handle losing, huh?"
Kenji said calmly, "If they can sweep in the individual event, there's no need for a team event."
"Hah, wishful thinking!" Hiroshi's eyes widened.
The battle began!
Hippowdon opened its mouth, and a wave of sand swept across the field, crackling against the protective barrier.
Torkoal steadied itself, a white halo slowly rising into the air, but the sky showed no signs of clearing.
"Isn't Torkoal slower than Hippowdon? Why did Drought fail?"
"Is it a difference in strength?"
The audience buzzed with speculation.
"Off to a bad start," Akira on the guest panel frowned.
Shiori nodded. "If the weather persists, the sandstorm will be hard to counter."
After a few rounds, Torkoal, with its HP critically low, was still making a last-ditch effort.
But the boulders crashing down buried the battered Torkoal, leaving it unconscious.
"Please send out your second Pokémon!"
Tomoya reluctantly recalled Torkoal.
Sosuke also recalled Hippowdon, nodding. "I'll give it my all. Be careful."
Tomoya was slightly taken aback.
But when Sosuke's second Pokémon took the field.
All the Tokyo Metropolitan University supporters' faces turned to despair.
The absolute powerhouse of the Sandstorm Team.
Excadrill, its arms gleaming with a cold light under the power of the sand.
Excadrill's Swords Dance activated, its aura rising steadily, with the potential to sweep the entire team!
Only then did the Tokyo Metropolitan University team understand Kyoto University's strategy.
Kyoto University intended to end the battle in the individual event!
Takashi's heart sank as he looked at Kyoto's Coach Kiichi.
Kiichi smiled and gave Takashi a slight nod.
Takashi's cold sweat dripped silently.
No one could have predicted Kyoto's strategy would be so bold.
And now, half of that strategy had already been executed!
"It's over. Kyoto's really going for the four-peat."
"Our strategy's completely outmatched…"
Cheers erupted from the crowd, but the Tokyo Metropolitan University section was eerily silent.
Tomoya knew he couldn't give the opponent any more time and promptly chose to forfeit.
"Kids these days are getting bolder and bolder," Hiroshi sighed.
Kenji snorted. "I told you, there's no need for a team event."
Hiroshi scratched his head, then his eyes lit up as he looked toward the Tokyo Metropolitan University team—
A handsome young man slowly stood up and walked to the front of the team.
All eyes turned to this ridiculously good-looking contestant.
"Is Natsume-sensei going up?"
"Even so… he's got a baby team. Even a Gym Leader would struggle!"
Doubts and cheers echoed through the arena.
Coach Takashi frowned. "It's my fault… I overlooked the strategy…"
"Winning isn't everything. Just be careful!"
The school team hung their heads, morale at an all-time low.
If… even Natsume-sensei loses…
This match might really end here…
Clap!
Everyone looked up, surprised, as Natsume clapped his hands.
"Alright, enough moping."
Natsume smiled.
"It's just like guessing heads or tails. It happens."
The team was stunned.
"But…" Reina's eyes reddened, her voice trembling. "If the strategy's against us…"
Natsume cut her off.
The camera focused on the dazzlingly handsome young man.
"Strategy?"
Natsume grinned, his sharp eyes gleaming like a drawn blade.
"I am the strategy."
...
"Tokyo Metropolitan University's second contestant has taken the field!" the commentator roared.
"Can Contestant Natsume turn the tide? Let's wait and see!"
Natsume looked at Squirtle, still wrapped in bandages, and chuckled. "Alright, let's sweep them. I'll buy you ten more Potions when we get back!"
A glint flashed in Squirtle's eyes.
Squirtle quickly unwrapped the ribbon and leaped onto the battlefield.
The battle began.
Sosuke looked at Natsume, a hint of unease in his frown.
This pressure… it's no less than that of a seasoned veteran…
"Excadrill, Iron Head!" Sosuke commanded cautiously.
Excadrill's armored head gleamed with a cold light as it charged through the sandstorm toward Squirtle.
But as it broke through the swirling sand, Squirtle was nowhere to be seen!
"Baby Cup players are so predictable…"
Natsume looked up at the sky. "Squirtle, Rain Dance!"
Boom!!
"Wait, was that thunder?"
"Uh… I think it's Rain Dance?"
"Rain Dance can be this intense?!"
Dark clouds gathered instantly, pressing low over the arena.
The wind howled.
And then, rain poured down, sweeping away the sandstorm!
"Rain Dance… succeeded!!" the commentator shouted.
"To have such sensitivity even while underground?" Shiori said in surprise.
"It's a unique talent," Akira remarked. "But… this kind of training must've cost a fortune."
The rain poured relentlessly, but Squirtle's location remained a mystery.
Sosuke gritted his teeth.
"Excadrill, Bulldoze!"
Excadrill roared, and with Bulldoze, the ground shattered, sending violent tremors in all directions.
But Squirtle burst out of the ground, slamming Excadrill back with a Headbutt.
Boom!!
Excadrill staggered, its Metal Claw swinging wildly, only to be blasted back by a powerful stream of water.
The audience was stunned.
What kind of command skills were these?
How could he predict every one of Sosuke's moves?!
The rain poured down, and Squirtle's attacks came like a storm.
"High Horsepower!" Sosuke commanded.
Excadrill crossed its arms, a surge of red energy enveloping it as it charged forward with High Horsepower.
Crack!
The ground shattered, unstoppable!
"Withdraw," Natsume said calmly.
Boom!!
Squirtle was sent flying, a faint pain surging through its nerves.
A glint flashed in Squirtle's eyes.
Torrent, activate!!
Lightning seemed to flicker within the dark clouds.
The rain poured down, completely overpowering Yokohama National University's rain system.
"Who's the real weather controller here?!"
"Damn, so Tokyo Metropolitan University was the Rain Team all along!"
In mid-air, Squirtle suddenly poked its head out, its cheeks puffing up.
"Squirtle, Water Gun!"
Boom!!
The audience was too exhausted to complain about Natsume-sensei calling a Hydro Pump a "Water Gun."
But the sheer force of the water column shattered the ground.
Rocks flew everywhere as Excadrill was swept away by the torrent!
The arena fell silent.
The referee hesitated for a long moment before stammering, "Excadrill… is unable to battle!"
Everyone was stunned.
What happened to Excadrill sweeping the team?
It was so dominant just a moment ago. How did it get taken out so quickly?
Sosuke clenched his teeth and threw out his next Poké Ball. "Go, Hippowdon!"
Sand Stream activated again!
But the sandstorm was no match for the pouring rain.
Another Water Gun blasted out, and Hippowdon let out a pained cry.
Boom!!
Everyone gasped.
A one-hit KO!
Kyoto's captain didn't even last a single round!
In the silence, the sky slowly cleared.
Natsume stood on the rain-washed battlefield, his gaze deep, a faint smile on his lips.
"Next."
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