As the tournament advanced to the Top 16, the average skill level of contestants rose steadily.
But to Natsume-sensei… it barely made a difference.
Meanwhile, discussions about Natsume-sensei's true strength reignited across forums.
"That team he used against Leon in the exhibition match—wasn't that his main squad?"
"Let's be real, it looked more like the Sinnoh Champion's lineup..."
"No way! You think they're close enough to share teams? They're not even dating!"
Regardless, Natsume-sensei's current team…
Had already reached Master-tier—if not beyond.
And for a trainer of that caliber to compete in the Indigo Plateau Conference—
Now that's the Natsume-sensei we know!
"He even entered Touran's Piplup Cup back then!" A fan slapped his knee.
"Wait… so he's been treating every tournament like a Baby Cup?!"
"Well, it is a new team. None of his Pokémon are overleveled… Let him cook!"
That same night, at the Touran Pokémon Association headquarters…
President Shoya habitually unfolded the Tokyo Evening News—and promptly choked on his tea.
Three months.
That's all it took for Natsume to reach the Indigo Plateau Conference?
Not just participating, but sweeping every match 3-0...
Shoya stroked his chin, pieces clicking into place.
Natsume's dominance in Touran…
The Sinnoh Champion personally visiting…
Everything made sense now.
This guy was a prodigy—like Red or Blue Oak.
Master-level strength in his teens.
And at eighteen?
"He just came to Tokyo for college!"
"So that's how it is…" Shoya nodded slowly.
At the Indigo Plateau, inside the Budew Hotel,
Natsume was preparing for his next match.
"Sirfetch'd~" Sirfetch'd lounged elegantly on the sofa, watching Togepi, Gengar, and Blastoise play cards.
"Togepi doo-ee~" Togepi cautiously played a Caterpie card.
"Blastoiseヾ(■_■)" Blastoise slammed down a Rayquaza for the win!
"Even playing cards… you're this serious?" Natsume's cheek twitched.
"Togepi doo-ee~~(í_ì)"
Luckily, Togepi still won in the end, immediately breaking into a happy grin: "Togepi～"
Natsume sat cross-legged on the bed, one hand playing an invisible piano on Sylveon's head while the other scrolled through his phone.
"Sylveon～" Sylveon's head bobbed slightly, eyes half-lidded as it let out a yawn.
Pretty comfy, huh?
The official tournament forum had a popular section discussing the competitors.
Among them, Natsume-sensei's popularity remained sky-high, with plenty of supportive posts.
[Serious Discussion: Can Celadon City's Giselle Achieve Another 3-0 Sweep?]
[Perish Song Team! Championship Favorite Takao's Composition Analysis]
[Natsume's Sirfetch'd Is Insane… Did He Just Reveal His Trump Card Early?]
Some competitors analyzed objectively, concluding that Sirfetch'd's strength might rival Natsume-sensei's Blastoise.
As for Gengar and Sylveon? Still a step behind.
"Leek Pancake, you're crazy popular!" Natsume said, surprised.
"Sirfetch'd~!" Sirfetch'd puffed out its chest proudly.
No room for pride, duck~
But… this feeling of striving to grow stronger? Maybe it wasn't so bad.
Sirfetch'd rested its head on its leek shield, lost in thought: "Sirfetch'd~"
...
The next day.
With no matches scheduled, Natsume and Brock visited a side venue.
Giselle, after giving her all, lost to the Water-type specialist Kyle from Pastoria City, ending her run in the Top 16.
"That Gyarados was exceptionally trained," Brock remarked, arms crossed.
"Seems like a seeded competitor from Sinnoh," Natsume checked the forum. "Unlucky for Giselle to face him early."
Giselle left the arena dejected, only to bump into her teacher in the competitor's hallway.
"Natsume-sensei, I…" Giselle mumbled.
"It's fine. You did great," Natsume smiled.
"If it were Wally or Gladion… they'd have won," Giselle whispered, then looked up.
"Natsume-sensei, please keep winning. Everyone at the school—no, everyone—wants to see you in the finals!"
"Didn't need you to tell me," Natsume chuckled. "Shake it off and keep improving."
As Giselle said, his students were surely watching silently.
Besides, Natsume had a very good reason to dominate this Baby Cup!
"They all believe in you, Natsume-sensei," Brock said, watching Giselle leave before turning back.
"Not staying to watch the rest?"
"Nah. Time to prep seriously!"
...
In the quarterfinals, Natsume showcased his strategic mastery once more.
Again, he fielded just Sirfetch'd and Togepi.
After Togepi paralyzed all three opposing Pokémon with Thunder Wave, Sirfetch'd took over.
Natsume didn't even need to command.
"Gengar!" Gengar played the seasoned coach, barking instructions.
With its leek's buffs, Sirfetch'd crit-swept the competition effortlessly.
As the results updated, the audience was stunned.
"Another 3-0?!"
"Told you—this Sirfetch'd could solo a full team!"
"Holy hell, it's like a pseudo-legendary… no, a mythical Pokémon!"
Back at the hotel, Natsume scrolled through the forums, pausing.
Wait. So the "Legendary Pokémon Guy" rep… came from a Sirfetch'd?
Noticing Natsume's gaze, Sirfetch'd tilted his head:
"Sirfetch'd?"
"Nothing," Natsume coughed.
That said, Sirfetch'd's growth had been meteoric.
For now, its evolved form kept it ahead of the "team mascot" Togepi.
"Togepi doo-ee~(｀▽｀)"
Togepi didn't mind, happily munching chips and gaming with Mew.
Then it hit Natsume—a chilling realization.
If Sirfetch'd got stronger… wouldn't home-wrecking risks skyrocket?
"Better have Gengar double its training hours," Natsume muttered. "Till it's too tired to destroy furniture…"
"Sirfetch'd…"
For some reason, the napping Sirfetch'd felt a sudden shiver down its spine…
...
Wednesday, February 3rd. First day of spring.
A week after the Indigo Plateau tournament began, the temperature slowly rose.
James and his crew were thriving in their business, but with every payment collected, they silently thanked the Executive.
If not for the Executive, they'd still be living those days of constant fear, never knowing where their next meal would come from.
More importantly—they were still the wicked (yet full of love and truth) Team Rocket!
"Feelin' good~~!"
"Wobbuffet~!"
The quarterfinals were about to begin.
More and more media attention turned toward Indigo Plateau, and the official livestream had already gone live.
As one of the first Trainers set to compete, Natsume naturally drew a lot of focus.
The night before the match, to prepare for the next day's battle…
The group members at Indigo Plateau gathered specifically to strategize.
Honestly… it felt a little unnecessary.
But since Green and the others had taken the initiative, Natsume was genuinely touched.
Of course… it could also just be that Green's business was slow, leaving him with nothing better to do.
"Natsume-sensei's next opponent is Pastoria City's Kyle?" Misty, who had come to spectate, sounded surprised.
Brock nodded. "You know him?"
"He's a Water-type expert from the Sinnoh Region. Rumor has it he's Gym Leader Wake's prized student."
Misty smiled. "But then again, since it's Natsume-sensei stepping into the ring… there's not much suspense."
"The problem is…"
Brock frowned. "The battlefield's set to Water-type terrain. That gives Kyle a major advantage."
Green tilted his head. "Can't we just ask Mr. Lance to change the arena?"
Natsume blinked.
Wait, was that actually an option!?
"Just kidding~" Green chuckled lightly before asking, "Natsume-sensei, which Pokémon are you planning to use?"
"Arcanine."
Natsume paused, noticing their expressions.
"…Why are you all looking at me like that?"
The group exchanged complicated glances.
Not only was he aiming for a clean sweep—now he was going for a type disadvantage!?
Still, Brock fell into thought.
Arcanine could use Overheat to mitigate its Water-type weakness.
And Natsume-sensei's moveset… was probably tailored to counter everything from the start.
"Ahem." Brock could already imagine the opponent's face.
Misty's expression was unreadable.
She tried picturing herself facing Natsume-sensei.
He casually sends out an Arcanine, and despite her being a Water-type expert, she still can't win.
"Honestly…"
Misty murmured softly. "…That might leave some serious trauma."
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