Though this was only an exhibition match, the two clashed with intensity rivaling a World Tournament battle.
Korrina's eyes sparkled as she shook her grandfather's arm.
"Look, look! Master is so cool!"
Gurkinn was speechless.
Just moments ago, she was calling him Natsume-sensei, and now it was Master this, Master that.
The old man glanced at the live broadcast and muttered, "Hmph. I was about the same back in my day..."
Galar, Stow-on-Side Dojo
Bea remained kneeling like a statue, though her eyes betrayed a flicker of emotion.
Even in adversity, Master's gaze never wavers...
Suddenly, her heart pounded, her cheeks flushed. She steadied her breathing, her focus sharpening.
She had heard her father, the dojo master, speak of Bruno's Elite Four team.
Galar, Stow-on-Side Dojo.
Bea remained kneeling like a statue, though her eyes flickered with unrest.
A true Master's resolve never wavers, even in adversity…
Suddenly, her heart pounded. Her cheeks flushed. She steadied her ragged breath and sharpened her focus.
Her father, the dojo's founder, had once told her about it.
Bruno of the Elite Four—aside from his unpredictable Hitmonlee—relied on his Machamp, master of the "Hard Style" style.
The "Hard Style" and "Soft Style" styles both originated from Chuck's Cianwood Gym.
Chuck had taught the "Hard Style" to Bruno, his visiting disciple, while passing "Soft Style" to Hoenn's Fighting-type Leader, Brawly.
Chuck might not have been the strongest martial artist. But as a teacher? Few could compare.
He'd even instructed Blue Oak in "Cutting the Unseen" and "Weakness Perception."
Yet later, Blue defeated Chuck—using techniques recorded in Giovanni's "Giovanni's techniques."
…Just how much darkness must weigh on Master Chuck's heart?
"If Bruno sends out that Machamp…"
Bea's expression darkened. As she was now, victory was impossible.
But—
She lifted her head, eyes locked on the live broadcast, chest burning.
If it's Master… He'll find a way!
...
Kanto Region, Oak Research Lab
Professor Oak glanced curiously at the sofa, where two Trainers—one in red, the other in green—were seated.
"What brings you here today?"
Red, wearing a crimson vest and a cap, grinned. "Heard Natsume-sensei and Bruno were battling today, so I rushed over from Mt. Silver."
Blue Oak propped his cheek on his hand, looking annoyed. "Why drag me into this?"
"You're free, aren't you?"
"I have Gym business to handle."
"Come on, I know you," Red chuckled. "You probably dumped it all on Daisy again!"
Blue Oak: "…"
He sighed and turned to Professor Oak. "Grandpa, switch to Natsume-sensei's live stream."
"Oh, sure." Professor Oak nodded. "I've got time too. Mind if I join?"
The professor settled between Red and Blue. Red tilted his head left; Blue stared out the window.
"Let's see…" Professor Oak sipped tea while fiddling with the remote. "Should be this channel—'Natsume-sensei's Live Stream: Rotom Forms'… Huh? Natsume's streaming with Rotom!?"
"Didn't know Rotom could do that," Red remarked.
"Raihan from Galar uses Rotom for full-match recordings," Blue said, still leaning on his hand. "Pretty similar… Wait, it's already Round 2?"
Rotom hovered beside Natsume, its recording light blinking red.
Viewers flooded the stream, their messages frantic.
"No strategy today? Just live domination!?"
"Let's see whose day Natsume-sensei's ruining now—HOLY CRAP, THE KANTO ELITE FOUR!?"
"Since when are Elite Four members considered rookies!?"
"Natsume-sensei, wipe the floor with him!"
Natsume, oblivious to the chat, stood amid roaring cheers, the wind whipping past him.
Bruno's eyes narrowed as he gripped his three-section staff, yanking it taut with a metallic clang. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open—a beast awakening. An Ultra Ball from the staff's groove released a beam of red light.
"Hmph. Witness our strength!" Bruno declared. "Forged through endless trials—Machamp!"
Machamp flexed its four brawny arms, stance unshakable. The ground trembled as it shifted into position.
"Elite Four Bruno sends out his ace, Machamp!" the commentator shouted. "Can he turn the tide? Or will Natsume-sensei hold his ground!?"
Ash gaped. "Mr. Bruno's Machamp… those arms are ridiculously thick!"
Gold clicked his tongue. "Thicker than Miss Jasmine's thighs!"
Suddenly, Jasmine's face turned bright red.
Whitney, who had come to watch the matches, shouted, "Gold, watch your language!"
"Ah, my bad." Gold scratched his head, then stared intently at the Machamp, his brow furrowing. "Tough one… Even I'm feeling a bit pressured here."
The Machamp's movements were simple, yet its fundamentals were terrifyingly solid.
Just as Bruno had said—he and Machamp had honed their skills through countless battles to reach this level.
"Haah…"
Natsume exhaled deeply, a smile tugging at his lips before his gaze sharpened.
It really had been a long time since he'd fought a serious Pokémon battle.
Back then, it was always against Regigigas, Palkia, Dialga…
Had he forgotten? He was now at Elite Four level—strong enough to face them with his main team!
Right now.
The one standing before Bruno wasn't "Natsume-sensei."
It was a powerful, passionate, and unpredictable Pokédex Holder.
A Strategist.
The massive 70,000-seat arena was packed with an ever-growing audience, their cheers merging into a deafening roar.
On the towering screen, the strikingly handsome black-haired young man closed his eyes, an unseen breeze ruffling his bangs.
For a moment, everyone felt their hearts pierced by a charm that transcended gender.
Then, Natsume-sensei pulled out a black-and-red fingerless glove and slipped it on, flashing a razor-sharp grin.
"Th-This is…!"
Gurkinn, the Mega Evolution mentor, stared in shock.
Embedded in the glove's slot was a crystal-clear gemstone, shimmering with rainbow hues.
There was no mistaking it—that was a Key Stone, the crucial catalyst for Mega Evolution, wielded only by a master of the art!
"Grandpa?" Korrina glanced at Gurkinn in confusion.
"Ahem, it's nothing. I lost my composure."
Gurkinn shook his head, his burning gaze locked onto the live broadcast screen.
When he saw Natsume take out a Dive Ball, his eyes widened.
Could it be…?
That Squirtle, the one who had mastered Aura?
No—at this point, it should be called—
"Go, Blastoise!" Natsume commanded.
A beam of red light shot from the Dive Ball, and in an instant, razor-sharp Aura erupted into a gale that swept through the entire arena.
Bruno stood with his arms crossed, his wild hair whipping in the storm, yet his expression remained unshaken.
His eyes were fixed on the Blastoise. Within it, he sensed a dormant, explosive power.
"Give it your all," Bruno rumbled.
"Machamp!" Machamp spread its four arms like a beast spotting prey, its lips curling into an eager grin.
"Blastoise… ヾ(■_■)"
Blastoise coolly side-eyed the Machamp, now crouched in a battle stance.
This strength was overwhelming—its chances of winning were slim.
But.
When duty called, how could it refuse?
Rippling Aura condensed into a shimmering blue light, swirling around Blastoise. Natsume's Aura resonated perfectly with his partner, allowing flawless command synchronization.
Natsume and Blastoise took a deep breath in unison.
Then—
"Blastoise."
Blastoise removed its sunglasses and tossed them aside. The cannons on its back gleamed coldly under the sun.
The arena erupted. The livestream chat exploded.
"HOLY CRAP! SINCE WHEN WAS BLASTOISE THIS COOL?!"
"Did it just power up?! Skipping straight to phase two?!"
"Anyone who knows Natsume-sensei's Blastoise can tell—this is a CLASSIC full-health Torrent activation!"
Battle lust surged through both Natsume and Bruno.
Bruno's lips curled into a grin, his eyes sharpening as he threw a punch and roared:
"DYNAMIC PUNCH!!"
Machamp's "No Guard" ability made its aggression utterly relentless.
Almost no one could track its movement. A streak of white light flashed—and in an instant, it closed the gap to Blastoise.
Then, Machamp reared back all four arms, gathering blinding white energy under the sun.
With a surge of power, it unleashed a relentless barrage of punches!
"Machamp!!" Machamp's Dynamic Punch rained down like a tidal wave, leaving viewers stunned.
What insane speed!
Was the battle about to end in a single exchange?!
"This," Blue Oak said quietly, "is the strength of Bruno, the Fighting-type Elite Four."
"What would you do?" Red countered.
Blue closed his eyes—and in perfect sync with Natsume-sensei, answered:
"IRON DEFENSE."
The storm of fists hammered against the dark-gray shell, leaving faint white imprints with each strike.
Natsume's eye twitched violently.
Stop hitting it! At this rate, I'll go broke from repair costs!
"That damn Bruno…" Natsume thought, holding back tears. Fine. If that's how it is, I'll cheat too!
Aura of Ripple—AMPLIFY!!
A surge of Aura flooded into Blastoise, nullifying Dynamic Punch's confusion effect.
Sure, it wasn't tournament-legal—but this wasn't an official League match. No officers would investigate…
"Blastoise withstands the first assault with its boosted defense!" the commentator shouted. "But Dynamic Punch's confusion effect—how will Contestant Natsume handle it?!"
Already handled it…
Natsume's focus never wavered.
Besides, even if confusion had triggered, at this range—just attack.
"SKULL BASH!!"
Machamp's fists froze mid-swing as its eyes widened in shock.
The "fortress" that had stood unshaken now lunged forward—its polished skull gleaming like a cannonball.
The point-blank Skull Bash erupted with a shockwave, slamming straight into Machamp's waist!
TAKE THIS—SKULL BASH!!
"Withdraw was just a setup to charge Skull Bash?!" Gold gasped. "This Blastoise's physique is insane!"
"But how did Natsume-sensei give the command?" Ash asked. "I didn't see him say anything!"
"Some trainers," Jasmine murmured, "have unique ways of commanding."
Whitney wagged a finger. "Like Miss Sabrina's psychic signals, Elite Four Koga's ninjutsu…"
"Or my pool cue!" Gold cut in.
"SHUT UP! THAT'S ILLEGAL IN LEAGUE MATCHES!" Whitney snapped.
BOOM!!
The viewers present seemed to hear a deafening roar in their ears.
A mushroom cloud-like shockwave erupted at the center of the arena. Cold sweat dripped down the spectators' backs.
"That's Skull Bash, not a damn rocket launcher…"
"What the hell, that's a nuclear Headbutt!!"
As the dust settled, a massive crater with spiderweb-like cracks came into view.
Machamp and Blastoise, both battered, rose in unison and swung their fists toward their opponent.
"Machamp!!!" Machamp roared, its two right arms striking in succession before its rear arms clenched together into a single devastating hammer-fist!
"Blastoise—!"
Blastoise's eyes sharpened. Its Ice Punch, sheathed in frost, deflected Machamp's right fist before seizing the left mid-swing like an iron shackle.
But—
Machamp's hammer-fist descended. Blastoise couldn't dodge in time. A visible crack split its shell!
Natsume's eyelid twitched.
Ouch. That's gotta hurt.
Under the sunlight, Machamp's four arms gleamed with a bronze sheen, muscles bulging unnaturally—Bulk Up!
"It's over," Bruno declared. "Close Combat."
"Machamp!!!"
Machamp's eyes burned with fury as it spread all four arms wide, the sheer power radiating from them sending chills down spines.
"It's over," Natsume echoed.
He raised his right hand high.
Blastoise's gaze instantly hardened. A single, ordinary straight punch sent Machamp staggering back.
Bruno, usually expressionless, showed a flicker of surprise.
"It's starting," Blue Oak muttered, straightening his posture.
Red tipped his cap downward slightly in acknowledgment.
"The Aura… resides within me."
Natsume's declaration rang out. The Key Stone embedded in his fingerless glove erupted in a dazzling prismatic light, weaving into a radiant white energy that connected him and Blastoise.
The audience gasped. Bruno's lips curled into a grin, battlelust igniting in his eyes.
"Blastoise—!"
Natsume snapped his fingers, the sunlight casting him as an undefeated champion.
"MEGA EVOLUTION!!!"
"BLASTOISE!!"
Blastoise's aura surged to its peak. The twin cannons on its back merged under the white light, forming a single massive barrel extending past its head. Smaller cannons sprouted from its fists, its body growing even more imposing. Its eyes burned crimson.
MEGA BLASTOISE!!
"Holy crap, it's the Cannon Turtle!!"
"Natsume-sensei looks so damn cool—I'm getting secondhand hype!"
"Mega Blastoise, wreck him!!!"
Gurkinn's eyes widened. Even through the screen, he could feel the overwhelming pulse radiating from this Blastoise.
With the Mega Launcher ability, Blastoise's aura-based moves would reach terrifying new heights.
This was… the clash of two polar opposite fighting styles. Brute force versus spiritual energy!
"Natsume-sensei," Bruno said, voice low. "You are a Trainer worthy of respect."
"Worthy of me…" He cracked his neck, muscles popping. "Going all out!"
In an instant, Machamp's hands clasped the side of its championship belt—its aura sharpening like a blade.
Natsume blinked.
Wait, are you transforming too?!
Then, a crimson light erupted from the belt, engulfing Machamp entirely. Its frame expanded, now standing eye-to-eye with Mega Blastoise!
"Bruno's Machamp stores power within its belt," Red observed quietly.
"In other words… that belt was just a limiter it placed on itself."
"Just like you," Blue Oak remarked. "Both of you are freaks who thrive in battle."
Red smirked under his tilted cap but said nothing.
Professor Oak sipped his tea, glancing at the chat. "Well, this livestream's lively."
The chat was flooded. Natsume-sensei had outdone himself—not only was he steamrolling an Elite Four member, but he was doing it live with a Mega Evolution?!
"He's gotten cocky, treating the Elite Four like a Baby Cup!"
"Why does everyone keep powering up mid-fight?!"
"Here it comes—Mega Blastoise vs. Machamp, close-quarters slaughter!"
BOOOOM!!
Mega Blastoise and Machamp collided, crimson eyes locked. Power surged through their bodies, neither yielding an inch. The ground beneath them shattered, debris hurtling into the air.
A test of endurance—sumo wrestling, redefined through sheer force.
"Machamp—Close Combat!!"
"Mega Blastoise—Skull Bash!!"
Machamp's muscles bulged as fists rained down on Blastoise's cannon. Blastoise stood unshaken before slamming its skull forward—a shockwave erupted!
BOOOOM!!
The audience sat frozen, faces a mix of awe, disbelief, and sheer terror.
Both fighters were sent flying, the wind howling across the ruined battlefield.
Charging again wasn't an option. The battle would be decided at range.
"Machamp—Focus Punch!" Bruno commanded.
A brilliant white light gathered in Machamp's palms. All four arms came together, condensing a swirling sphere of raw energy.
Gurkinn's eyes narrowed.
Focus Punch requires charging time, but its power is monstrous. With Bruno's "Hard Style," this decisive strike could end it all.
This was the final round!
Meanwhile, a dark-red Dark Pulse swirled within Blastoise's arm cannons.
A pulse of hatred, killing intent, the aura of a demonic slayer—Natsume's mind flashed to Akuma's move description.
"Mega Blastoise—Aura Sphere!"
A radiant sphere of energy formed in Blastoise's grasp, its aura saturating the battlefield.
Gurkinn's pupils shrank. "A pulse of killing intent?!"
Then—
Machamp's Focus Punch launched with a sonic boom, hurtling toward Blastoise!
Blastoise fired. A dark-red beam of destruction clashed head-on with the Focus Punch.
BOOOOM!!
Natsume's eyelid spasmed.
Why are we doing a beam struggle now?!
He glanced down.
Right side. Good.
This was a guaranteed win.
The collision shook the entire arena, debris sucked into the vortex. A phantom war drum pounded in the audience's ears—
Then, the Aura Sphere obliterated the Focus Punch, the dark-red energy swallowing Machamp whole.
Silence.
Only the ruined battlefield remained.
A single, battered Blastoise—now reverted from Mega Evolution—stood amidst the wreckage.
Calmly, it picked up its shattered sunglasses and slid them on.
"Blastoise… ヾ(■_■)"
The crowd erupted.
"You seem to have a reason you must win," Bruno said quietly.
"I do," Natsume replied.
Bruno's gaze flickered before settling into a faint smile. He gave a single nod.
Natsume returned it with a small grin.
"Did the world change? Since when does Natsume-sensei fight Elite Four battles? Or is the Elite Four just another Baby Cup?!"
"I get it now—this is a teaser! He's moving up to Elite Four-level fish to blow up!"
"NATSUME-SENSEI IS A GOD!!"
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