Far away in Kalos and Galar...
Several martial artists were also watching this intense match.
Gurkinn, the Mega Evolution mentor of Kalos, had been guiding his granddaughter Korrina in her training.
Korrina, with her natural talent, quickly reached the threshold of Mega Evolution.
But as her strength grew, she became increasingly aware of just how unfathomable Natsume-sensei truly was.
No aura she had ever encountered matched the sheer, explosive potential of that Squirtle back then.
And now... that Squirtle had evolved into a Blastoise.
Like Bea, she was technically one of Natsume-sensei's "discount apprentices."
Now, she sat quietly in front of the TV, waiting for the afternoon's live broadcast.
"Grandpa," Korrina asked, "between Elite Four Bruno and Natsume-sensei… who's stronger in the realm of Fighting?"
"In sheer, unrelenting force, no one surpasses Bruno. He's the most exceptional genius I've ever seen—even Red and Marshal fall short."
The old man spoke slowly. "But between body and spirit, strength and energy… there are always those who excel in the latter."
"You mean…?" Korrina's eyes slowly brightened.
Gurkinn placed a hand on his granddaughter's shoulder and smiled kindly.
"Watch closely… you'll learn a great deal."
...
Galar, Stow-on-Side.
Inside a traditional dojo, Bea knelt silently on the wooden floor, sunlight glinting off the sweat on her brow, the scars on her ankles, and her sun-browned bare feet.
Beside her stood a sharp-eyed Sirfetch'd, poised like a loyal knight.
In just a few months, Bea's prodigious talent in Fighting-type combat had propelled her to prominence in Galar, earning her a Gym Leader position.
But she could never forget the teacher who had once guided her so sensei.
Nor the black-haired Champion who had stood under Wyndon Stadium's spotlights on that snowy night, smiling brilliantly.
Bea closed her eyes, steadying her breathing, light shifting across her motionless form like a statue.
Then—her eyes snapped open, locking onto the Rotom Phone floating before her.
The screen was broadcasting a match from faraway Sinnoh, one that pulsed with raw intensity.
The distant cheers grew louder, crashing over her like a tidal wave.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Please welcome Kanto's Fighting-type Elite Four member—BRUNO!!"
The commentator's voice boomed across the massive arena, igniting the crowd's frenzy.
A figure emerged from the contestant tunnel, sunlight dispelling the shadows on his face—revealing stern, unyielding features.
Bare-chested, his bronze muscles were etched with scars, spiked bracers and greaves adding to his intimidating presence.
This was a man who demanded perfection from himself, a monster who thrived in battle.
Bruno strode forward, his three-section staff clanking against his back with each step.
The deafening cheers seemed to still as all eyes followed him.
When he reached the center, his cold gaze swept the stands—before he suddenly raised his right fist.
The crowd erupted, a tsunami of noise swallowing the arena whole.
"This is Bruno, one of Kanto's Fighting Elite Four. He will be competing as the star competitor of this competition!"
The commentator's voice boomed: "And next, hailing from the Torren Region—"
In an instant, someone from the front rows of the audience stands shot up, waving a flag and screaming hoarsely:
"NATSUME-SENSEI—"
"Please welcome Contestant Natsume!!"
Cheers, shrieks, waves of heat—under the blazing sun, the air itself seemed to warp. Faces flushed red, sweat beading on foreheads.
Countless voices roared the same name—that Trainer who could do anything, both hilariously clumsy and yet battle-godlike.
"NATSUME-SENSEI!!"
The Team Rocket trio paused their merchandise sales, their vendor trays hanging in front of them, cupping their hands like megaphones as they shouted in unison.
Outside the arena, Ash clenched his fists, eyes burning with excitement as he punched the air and yelled.
Even Jasmine, swept up in the frenzy, flushed red and screamed the chant at the top of her lungs.
"NATSUME-SENSEI!!"
The same name echoed endlessly.
When his figure appeared in the passageway, the sound of his footsteps seemed to cut clearly through the noise. Sunlight cast dappled shadows over his dark hair.
The Trainer, with a gentle smile, lightly pressed a finger to his lips.
The screaming stopped—just for a moment. The crowd watched, breathless, as he stepped onto the battlefield. The earlier uproar might as well have been a dream.
Viewers held their breaths, exchanging stunned glances at the eerie, unspoken unity.
Then, on the giant screen overhead, Natsume brushed dust from his shoulder and raised a finger to the sky.
The arena erupted.
"NATSUME-SENSEI!!!"
The stadium became a sea of cheers. No one could say how long that silence had lasted.
One second? Two? Three?
The explosion after the quiet was like a boulder crashing down. All eyes locked onto the Trainer, shining like a meteor.
"Damn it, how is he this cool?!"
"My blood pressure… I can't take this!"
"Leon? Red? No—he's the coolest, the most savage, NATSUME-SENSEI!!"
Bruno stared at the Trainer before him.
A fire burned in his chest—reason and battle lust tearing at him. He took a deep breath and said:
"Natsume-sensei… It's a shame we never got to battle in the wild."
Natsume blinked.
Wait, wasn't it you who challenged Red to a wild battle and nearly got him killed?
…Or were you forced into it?!
Natsume nodded. "Next time, for sure."
A faint smirk flickered across Bruno's face before he adopted a reminiscing tone.
"A year ago, on Mount Hideaway, I caught a giant Onix. Its body was massive yet fragile—not as unyielding as rock, but with rare agility and explosive power…"
"I never knew how to use it best. Should I unleash it in a furious assault? Or focus on a single, decisive strike?"
Bruno's gaze locked onto Natsume as he crossed his arms, voice grave.
"Until you inspired me, Natsume-sensei. Now, I've found the perfect strategy for it."
Natsume: ?
Bruno's giant Onix… Isn't that from the anime's filler arc?!
You're a Fighting-type specialist! Why are you raising a Rock/Ground Onix?!
Then again…
Given the sumo-like rules, Bruno choosing a heavyweight Onix made sense.
Jasmine did bring a Steelix for the endurance competition, after all.
Natsume's brow furrowed slightly.
In a 2v2 format, Bruno's backup had to be his ace Hitmonlee or Machamp.
Against those two, Arcanine would struggle… Blastoise would have to go all out.
But since this was sumo-style, he couldn't just Hydro Pump the Onix into oblivion—that'd break the rules.
Maybe leading with Arcanine wasn't a bad idea.
"A giant Onix caught a year ago, huh?" Natsume smirked, gripping a Luxury Ball. "Timing-wise… I've got something similar."
Bruno's eyes narrowed as he slowly drew a three-section staff from his neck. The hilt was embedded with an Ultra Ball.
A year was enough for a Trainer to reach terrifying heights.
This giant Onix had incredible natural talent—and under Bruno's relentless training, it had mastered the essence of brute force.
Both starting from zero, but what differed was the Trainer's conviction, understanding, and command.
"Not leading with Blastoise?" Bruno narrowed his eyes, lips curling. "Interesting…"
The stronger the opponent, the more it ignited Bruno's fighting spirit.
He and Red were kindred warriors. And in Natsume-sensei, he sensed the same unshakable pride—
Even without Blastoise, Natsume believed he could defeat the giant Onix.
It was undeniably a provocation. Yet it only made Bruno's blood burn hotter.
"I'll prove it to you." Bruno's voice was respectful, but his gaze sharpened. "The fruits of my training—Natsume-sensei."
The crowd's roars crashed over the battlefield like a tidal wave.
BOOM—!!
A sudden tremor shook the arena. The audience gasped in unison.
Dust swirled. And when the colossal beast at the center came into view—fear, awe, and disbelief gripped them.
"Wh-what is that?!" the commentator stammered. "An Onix this huge?!"
"It's almost twice the normal size!"
"Regular ones are around 30 feet… This one's gotta be 65!"
"That's terrifying… Who could possibly stand against it?!"
"Whoa!" Gold winced, glancing at Jasmine. "That thing's massive!"
"Bigger than Brock's… bigger than my Steelix…" Jasmine murmured. "Unbelievable."
Ash's eyes sparkled. "Hey, Pikachu—look! It's that Onix we saw before!"
The spectators' reactions varied.
Under the towering Onix's glare, they felt the crushing weight of its sheer size.
Darker gray than normal, with a cross-shaped scar under its right eye, the behemoth loomed over the arena, making even Bruno seem small in its shadow.
A gust of wind whipped at Natsume's clothes. He, too, had his reasons to win.
Gripping the enlarged Poké Ball in his palm, Natsume's eyes hardened.
"Go, Arcanine!"
A fiery figure burst forth—a beast of wild elegance. Arcanine's mane shimmered gold under the sun as it threw back its head with a roar, its Intimidate aura freezing the crowd in place.
Arcanine locked eyes with the colossal Onix. Its gaze, once gentle, now burned with battle lust.
A hero deserved a stage fit for legends.
Under the spotlight, Arcanine's flowing mane danced in the wind. No longer roaring, it lowered its stance, bared its fangs, and let out a deep growl.
Even if the mountain crumbles, I charge forward.
In that moment, its resolve was clear. It lunged fearlessly at the steel-girder-like Onix.
The crowd held its breath.
In an instant, flames erupted, painting the battlefield crimson as Arcanine shot forward.
"Now!" Natsume commanded. "Close Combat!"
Arcanine's explosive speed drew a flash of admiration from Bruno.
But that alone wouldn't be enough!
Bruno clenched his fist and bellowed, "Onix, Bind!"
A grating screech filled the air as Onix coiled into a semicircle, waiting for Arcanine to leap into the trap.
Arcanine landed on Onix's body, its forepaws and forehead glowing fiercely as Close Combat hammered into the rock serpent.
BOOM!!
But Onix's HP was despairingly high. Rubble scattered as Onix's speed surged, its body constricting Arcanine like an Iron Defense crushing from all sides!
"This move…" Ash hugged Pikachu tighter, his expression darkening.
With Onix's sheer size, this felt like an inescapable submission hold!
Trapped in the rocky vise, Arcanine's fur was scraped raw, its breaths growing labored.
At this range, Bruno spotted Arcanine's golden tail slipping through the cracks—before it gleamed with a metallic sheen.
Gold gasped. "He closed the distance to land Iron Tail—its accuracy sucks otherwise!"
"Classic Natsume-sensei…" Ash sighed.
Unless it was a guaranteed hit, Natsume-sensei never relied on high-risk moves!
Against Onix's crushing grip, Iron Tail was Arcanine's only option.
But it was also super effective!
"You planned this." Bruno reacted instantly. "Distance—now! High Horsepower!"
The moment Onix loosened its Bind, Arcanine dropped from the sky—Iron Tail smashing into Onix's body!
"Rooaargh!!" Onix recoiled, its upper body whipping through the air like a derailing train.
Natsume grimaced. This is like a rollercoaster…
Onix's lower half remained rooted, but its upper body was a battering ram. Before Arcanine could land, Onix's stone forehead glowed crimson—High Horsepower sent Arcanine flying!
The audience winced, almost feeling the impact themselves.
But the instant Arcanine lost balance, Natsume snapped, "Reversal!!"
The crowd erupted.
"Natsume-sensei's prediction?!"
"Trading damage for damage—the lower its HP, the stronger it gets!"
Arcanine flipped midair, claws gouging trenches into the ground as it skidded to a stop.
Dust swirled. Arcanine's eyes burned red as it roared and charged back at Onix!
CRASH!!
The giant Onix shuddered, chunks of rock breaking free—but this only played into its Weak Armor ability.
"Why isn't Onix moving its lower half?" Gold frowned.
"Maybe… it's storing power for something?" Ash scratched his head.
"Every hit it takes strengthens its next move."
Jasmine's eyes widened. "It's… Onix's Rage."
"Onix!!"
Onix's bellow shook the skies. Its eyes burned scarlet, crimson energy swirling around its body.
"It has immense HP, a gentle temper, and overwhelming size."
Bruno's stance shifted, muscles taut as he punched forward. "Only by stoking its fury can it reach its full power!"
"Since Mount Hideaway, I've searched for the answer. Natsume-sensei—this is my conclusion!"
"Onix—RAGE!!"
The entire serpent lurched forward like a collapsing mountain.
At the same moment, Natsume spoke.
"Do you know why Kanto's Oddish appear in Sinnoh?"
Bruno had no time to answer, his pupils shrinking.
Natsume looked up at the sky, raising a hand to shield his eyes from the glaring sun.
"Because these next few days… will be a rare stretch of clear skies in Sinnoh."
An endless stream of light bathed Arcanine's mane, and the Moltres tail feather hanging from its neck seemed to glow with vitality.
Arcanine's wounds visibly healed at an astonishing speed. It smirked, eyes flashing with defiance.
"An Inherited Move… Morning Sun!?"
"Under clear skies, the effect is boosted by 1.5x—and it skips setting up weather!"
"Holy crap, that recovery speed—it's gonna be back at full health!?"
An ordinary Morning Sun would never have such an extraordinary effect.
This was the Rainbow Wing of Ho-Oh, the blessing of Entei, the Moltres tail feather… The aura of 'Sacred Fire' from all three reignited Arcanine's blazing fighting spirit!
Suddenly, flames erupted around Arcanine, its gaze pure and unwavering.
BOOM!!!
It stood firm, bracing against the colossal Onix bearing down on it. Dust billowed, and the deafening roar drowned out everything.
Everyone stared in disbelief.
"It—it blocked it!?"
"It actually held its ground!?"
Bruno's expression darkened, his silence heavy.
"A sensei always keeps a few secrets." Natsume smiled. "Arcanine—"
The massive Onix trembled, lowering its head to stare in shock at the battered, snarling beast before it.
"Close Combat!!"
Panting heavily, Arcanine grinned and roared as it slammed headfirst into Onix.
CRASH!!!
A thick cloud of dust engulfed the battlefield. The audience gaped, watching as Onix froze in place.
Then—slowly—Onix toppled backward, crashing onto the stands and revealing Bruno's stern, unreadable face.
"Arcanine!! (｀0′)"
Arcanine howled triumphantly, its mane shimmering gold under the sunlight as it vented its fury and pride.
"Huh… looks like a Husky that just wrecked the house and got scolded for it." Natsume muttered, his expression odd.
The stands erupted. Cheers exploded as the crowd roared uncontrollably.
"One more round." Bruno said.
"Yes." Natsume held the Dive Ball, "One more round."
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