The results screen flashed, displaying the word "VICTORY."
Under the gaze of tens of thousands of spectators, Natsume-sensei's ranking points soared, finally settling at the top spot in the Master Division.
And this meant one thing.
Without any rotten luck, Natsume-sensei had finally claimed the title of World's Number One in Pokémon: Battle!
The audience collectively held their breath, swallowing hard.
"Is this the bond between Natsume-sensei and his Pokémon?"
"He used a ragtag team and still one-shot a shiny Metagross?"
"There are no weak Pokémon—only Trainers who don't understand them!"
Amid the golden ranking display, chat messages flooded in as viewers commemorated the moment.
Looking back at Natsume-sensei's duel with Steven, the only word to describe it was clutch.
Steven had mistaken Sylveon for Natsume-sensei's ace, focusing all firepower on it.
With flawless prediction, Natsume-sensei exploited sleep, paralysis, and Reflect to cripple Steven's team composition.
This paved the way for Cinccino and Onix's coordinated strategy—Earthquake sweeping the field.
A near-perfect display of command.
It left an indelible mark on every live viewer, stunning them into silence.
"I'm speechless… A pseudo-legendary actually lost to common wild Pokémon…"
"Natsume-sensei's skills are unreal, but Onix carried hard this time. Carve Cinccino into the family shrine!"
"When will you go for World Tournament #1, Natsume-sensei?!"
Since Natsume-sensei's exhibition match against Leon in Wyndon,
Fans had been eagerly waiting to see him on the World Tournament stage—the so-called "world championships."
Just imagining Natsume-sensei facing Champions like Steven and Cynthia was enough to set their blood boiling!
"I'm too weak. I'd lose," Natsume admitted bluntly.
Fans erupted in laughter, followed by incomprehensible phrases like "one-shotting teammates" and "absolute savagery."
"As we all know, Natsume-sensei only plays Baby Cup."
"He's too cautious… Never participates in official world tournaments!"
"Guess we'll only ever see him in Rookie tournaments!"
Even as Natsume-sensei closed the results screen and shifted to casual chat,
The audience remained shaken, struggling to process what they'd just witnessed.
Everyone knew—
Without Natsume-sensei's command skills, attempting this strategy would be suicide.
And yet… it was possible.
Never abandoning a Pokémon's potential, relentlessly testing new strategies and team synergies.
Even the weakest Pokémon could shine brilliantly in a Trainer's hands.
This wasn't about overleveling or cold, calculated sweeps.
This was a path for the sentimental, the devoted, the believers… A far steeper climb.
"I used to say, 'If you can't beat them, join them.'"
Natsume cradled Sylveon, smiling faintly. "But sometimes… you've got to hold your ground."
"Among my viewers, there are competitive battlers and nostalgia lovers… I can't cater to every Trainer's preference."
"But if you trust your Pokémon, they'll answer you."
Sylveon lifted its snow-white neck, azure eyes glimmering as it gazed at its Trainer.
"Sylveon~"
When are we visiting Oreburgh Gym again?~
Let's bring back more badges—I'm sure Trainer will love that!
Oreburgh City Outskirts, Forest
Paul stood frozen, lost in thought.
Natsume-sensei had proven another path viable.
Perhaps he was right. Or perhaps…
The two paths weren't mutually exclusive.
Paul couldn't grasp such depth yet.
But instinctively, he felt—
A battle with that young man carrying Pikachu was inevitable.
Sinnoh, Pokémon League
Cynthia had caught the full stream during a work break.
She, too, had once obsessed over battle strength.
Back then, both she and Gabite had suffered grave injuries.
Now, she and Garchomp were unstoppable—yet cherished their bond more than ever.
Whether it was meta dominance…
Or unshakable faith.
Like those who master tier lists versus those loyal to one Pokémon through thousands of battles.
Natsume-sensei always found the strongest path for him.
"Because," Cynthia murmured, tucking a golden lock behind her ear,
"He's Natsume-sensei."
...
Post-victory, Natsume-sensei's stream exploded in popularity.
Even Steven dropped by, gifting a Rocket (which felt oddly wrong)—
"Thanks to 'I Got First Place in the End' for the 10 Super Rockets!"
Natsume-sensei stiffened, urging, "Please spend responsibly!"
Fans, oblivious to Steven's alt account, lamented:
"Big spender, nooo!"
"Mods, ban this whale!"
Another donation alert chimed. Natsume blinked, then grinned:
"Thanks to 'Cabbage Ice Cream' for 10 Super Rockets… Baller move!"
Cynthia was probably just amused.
For her, this was pocket change compared to endorsement fees.
Though Natsume-sensei was wealthy now…
Game development drained funds fast. Every penny counted.
After minutes of nonstop thanking,
Natsume-sensei, parched, fetched water while Rotom handled the rest:
"Thanks 'Green'! Good health to you—Rotom!"
"Holy crap, Viridian's Gym Leader donated?!"
"I tried Natsume-sensei's Heavy Space team at the Gym… Got wrecked!"
"Natsume-sensei, what did you teach Rotom?!"
Natsume slumped into his gaming chair, sipping water. "Welp, that's a wrap for today."
Even he hadn't expected to match against Steven.
Luckily, RNG wasn't brutal—key status moves landed.
Otherwise, this "pure faith" team stood no chance.
In real life, though?
Against Steven's silver Metagross—
Run. Run far away.
For viewers, this match was a revelation.
Maybe you didn't need expensive pseudo-legendaries.
Even ordinary Pokémon could shine with the right Trainer.
That… was what being a Trainer meant.
"No fails today? Unbelievable!"
"Wait, already logging off?!"
Post-stream, his phone buzzed endlessly.
The big shots in the chat group were also dissecting the battle between Natsume-sensei and Steven just now.
Gold scratched his head, muttering in confusion,
"I don't get it… He didn't seem this serious when he fought me?"
Brock crossed his arms, his dark face etched with puzzlement.
Natsume-sensei's understanding of Onix… How could it surpass mine, a Rock-type Leader?
Blue Oak rested a hand on his chin, deep in thought.
That Earthquake that wiped the field in an instant gave him a strange feeling.
Almost as if Natsume-sensei's mastery of Ground-types… rivaled even Giovanni's—Giovanni's Techniques.
But then, remembering Red and himself—both adept in multiple types—Blue Oak relaxed.
Well, for a Champion… being skilled in multiple types is only natural, right?
Old Man Wattson chimed in cheerfully:
"@Natsume-sensei, hurry up and send a red envelope!"
Maylene: "Red envelope!? Σ(っ°Д°;)っ"
Natsume-sensei: "Gone. Half a year's worth of snatched red envelopes—all sent already…"
Steven chuckled wryly.
Losing to Natsume-sensei in-game didn't bother him much.
Next patch, he'd just reclaim World's Number One again.
"In the end, the top spot will still be mine."
With a faint smile, Steven murmured to himself and tapped into the chat:
[Group member 'Steven' sent a red envelope! Quick, grab it!]
Maylene: "Thanks, Steven! o(╥﹏╥)o"
Ever since joining this group, she could finally afford Lao Gan Ma over rice!
Lance blinked. "Damn, you guys live in this chat or what?"
Green: "Yellow got the highest luck AGAIN!?"
Yellow smiled sheepishly. "Only once or twice…"
Natsume-sensei tapped open the "0.1" mega-red envelope—then froze.
Suddenly, the System's notification chimed in his ear.
[Ding! Achievement unlocked—'Simulated Battles · World's Number One'!]
[Rewards: Random Orange Item ×1, Skill Level-Up Ticket ×1, Random Skill Lv3!]
[Description: Reaching #1 in the World Championships grants even richer rewards.]
Natsume raised an eyebrow.
Oh, so that's how you're trying to bait me?
Still, skill rewards hadn't refreshed in ages.
If he could land something like "Physique Boost" or "Paralysis Resistance"… his survival odds would skyrocket!
He tapped [Claim]—then paused.
[Ding! Obtained skill—'Flawless Commands Lv3'!]
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