By the second-floor floor-to-ceiling window...
"That Tetsusuke was a Top 8 contestant at Unova's Vertress Conference."
President Charles Goodshow stroked his white beard, smiling.
"Yet Natsume won his first match so decisively."
The red-haired man crossed his arms, deep in thought.
Something felt off about that battle.
There was no reason for Natsume-sensei to command with such intensity.
That look in his eyes—pure, unbridled fighting spirit!
"Someone must've pissed him off again."
Lance wiped sweat from his brow. "Please don't let it be Gold this time..."
On the battlefield, Sirfetch'd stood tall, leek in hand, exuding calm.
Brock, having fought through the packed crowd, finally found his seat.
"He won the first match?"
"Total victory." Green shrugged, "Natsume-sensei is totally serious~!"
Brock looked a little subtle, coughed dryly, and changed the subject:
"Why didn't you do the stall today?"
"Day off!" Green huffed. "No customers anyway—might as well watch Natsume-sensei stomp someone!"
"...Fair point."
As they spoke, the arena erupted again.
"Tetsusuke's second Pokémon has taken the stage!"
The commentator's voice boomed.
"From the frozen tundra—the embodiment of brute strength, BEARTIC!"
THUD!
"BEAR-TIC!!"
The monstrous white bear bared its ice-coated fangs, breath frosting the air.
The ground trembled under its weight, making Sirfetch'd's eyelid twitch.
"Sirfetch'd? (☉д☉;)"
C-can I actually beat this thing?!
"High heat followed by ice… makes the meat more tender?"
Chef Natsume's thoughts briefly derailed before spotting the Focus Sash tied around Beartic's forehead.
"Ah. That's why he'd send out a type-disadvantaged Beartic."
Brock, watching from the stands, realized the same.
"With Beartic's raw power," he muttered, "it could end this in one hit."
Green rested her chin on her hand, bored.
"Cubchoo was cuter. Why'd it have to evolve into this hulking thing?"
"...You're not worried at all?"
"Why would I be?" She smirked.
"Watch. It's over already."
"THE BATTLE BEGINS!"
The commentator's shout rang out.
"Beartic—HAIL!"
"BEAR-TIC!!"
The polar bear roared, unleashing a blizzard that engulfed the field.
"With its Slush Rush ability, Beartic's speed is terrifying!"
In the blink of an eye, Beartic closed the distance, fist already rearing back.
"BEARTIC!" Frost sprayed from its jaws as it swung—
"SUPERPOWER!"
The punch cratered the ground on impact, shockwaves rippling outward.
"Can you dodge?" Natsume asked.
"SIRFETCH'D!! (╬ಠ益ಠ)"
Even a slacker like me trains hard sometimes!!
Sirfetch'd raised its shield—only for the force to knock it clean out of its grip. It barely backflipped away in time.
"Defog."
A single slash of its leek summoned a gale, scattering the hailstorm.
"To counter so perfectly…" Tetsusuke grimaced.
Now I get why people say battling Natsume-sensei feels like fighting a chess AI.
With Slush Rush nullified, Beartic slowed visibly.
"Sirfetch'd!"
Seizing the opening, Sirfetch'd lunged—Leaf Blade gleaming.
THUD.
Beartic collapsed.
"Sirfetch'd just took down TWO Pokémon?!"
Fans gaped.
"I thought this was Natsume-sensei's weakest Pokémon!"
"Fake leaks for mind games… Natsume-sensei's playing dirty!"
Tetsusuke gripped his last Ultra Ball.
A Top 8 trainer at Vertress Conference…
Yet here he was, about to get swept by Natsume-sensei in Kanto.
With a sigh, he hurled the ball, eyes burning.
At least… let me take ONE match!
"Is Natsume-sensei really not switching Sirfetch'd out?" Green blinked.
Brock's face darkened, recalling Natsume's words yesterday.
"Maybe… he wants to give it his all. No regrets."
Light burst from the Ultra Ball.
CRASH!
A hulking Conkeldurr landed, concrete pillars in hand, its gaze sharp.
"Conkeldurr wields those massive pillars like twigs!"
The commentator gasped. "Tetsusuke's style is pure offense!"
No fancy tricks.
Conkeldurr marched forward, each step shaking the earth, before hoisting a pillar high—
—blocking out the sun.
The sheer force behind that swing would be catastrophic.
Yet Sirfetch'd stood firm, not a hint of fear in its stance.
The crowd held its breath.
Can it win?
Shouldn't it at least look scared?!
Why does it seem so… calm?!
Natsume's voice cut through the tension.
"Leaf Blade."
"SIRFETCH'D!!" It swung with everything left.
CRACK!
Leek met concrete—and held.
"Conkeldurr—HAMMER ARM!"
The pillar pressed down harder.
Sirfetch'd trembled, leek straining.
After two battles, its stamina was at its limit.
Conkeldurr's eyes gleamed with mockery—until—
SNAP.
The audience gasped.
The concrete pillar… was splintering.
Cracks spiderwebbed up its length before—
CRUMBLE!
Conkeldurr dropped to one knee, weapon shattered.
Tetsusuke exhaled, defeated.
"...Swords Dance's boost?"
Natsume nodded at Sirfetch'd's determined glare.
Even slackers have moments where they want to win.
Especially after seeing Togepi score a flawless victory earlier.
Sirfetch'd wouldn't settle for less!
As Conkeldurr panted, disarmed—
Sirfetch'd raised its leek one last time.
SLASH!
"WE HAVE OUR WINNER!"
The commentator roared.
"Maintaining his flawless streak—"
"From Touran, NATSUME-SENSEI!"
"SIRFETCH'D…"
It nearly collapsed, barely remembering the cameras in time.
So tired… Time to go back to napping~~~(ಥ﹏ಥ)σ
"Good work."
Natsume ruffled its feathers, smiling.
"I'll cancel tonight's training with Gengar."
"Sirfetch'd~~" It grinned, vanishing into its Premier Ball.
Worth it!
As cheers erupted, Tetsusuke shook Natsume's hand.
"Congratulations… Natsume-sensei."
"You fought well." Natsume nodded. "You pushed Leek Pancake further than most."
Tetsusuke smiled, oddly comforted.
So even this Sirfetch'd is one of his main team…
Despite being younger, Natsume-sensei's praise felt like a senior's approval.
Meanwhile, on the festival square's giant screen—
"From Touran… Natsume-sensei just swept a Top 8 Vertress trainer?!"
A passerby paled.
"HE'S STILL TREATING THIS LIKE A BABY CUP?!"
"At this rate… even the finals'll be the same, huh?"
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