Rumors about Natsume-sensei's battle against Regigigas had spawned multiple versions across the regions.
International Police: "Heard? Our consultant busted a hunter base AND pacified Regigigas!"
Team Rocket: "Wait... Boss tried capturing Regigigas but nearly killed it instead?"
Chat Group: "Holy shit! Natsume-sensei one-punched Regigigas?!"
Ash gazed skyward, recalling the scene—
Natsume-sensei's fist glowing with aura as it touched Regigigas, gentle ripples spreading until the titan stilled.
Ash declared: "I saw it with my own eyes!"
"Gasp—" The collective inhale was audible.
Though clearly exaggerated, the mental image was terrifying!
Brock narrowed his eyes: "So that's what really happened with Regigigas..."
Maylene shuddered: "Thank Arceus trainers aren't allowed in Fighting tournaments!"
Even retired military officer Lt. Surge looked skyward helplessly.
Against freaks like Ash and Natsume-sensei... what could normal humans do?
Natsume scrolled through the chat, expression twitching.
"Damn... this is getting out of hand!"
Before myths could escalate further, he clarified:
"Not martial arts. Riley taught me aura techniques to calm Regigigas."
Yellow's eyes sparkled:
"I can do that too!"
"Technically, Viridian Forest's blessing isn't pure aura," Lance chuckled.
"But maybe Bruno should ask Natsume-sensei for fighting tips!"
"Ask Ash instead," Natsume deadpanned.
"He put Regigigas in a headlock."
Blue Oak: ???
Red: ???
Regigigas' metallic bands were vital movement components.
Ash had deployed Snorlax and Charizard to restrain it—
According to Pokédex, Regigigas weighed 420kg. (Professor Oak's data was questionable.)
Meanwhile, Cosmog's evolved form weighed 999.9kg.
Since Ash could lift Cosmog one-handed in Alola, subduing Regigigas seemed plausible.
Ash scratched his head: "I just helped a little."
The chat froze.
So the real sequence was—
Ash grappled Regigigas while Natsume-sensei punched it awake?!
Gardenia trembled: "S-scary!"
Maylene rubbed her arms thoughtfully.
As a fighting master whose apprentice Bea could spar with Machamp...
Perhaps Natsume-sensei's combat prowess made sense?
The discussion grew increasingly surreal until Blue Oak steered it back:
"Compared to Hoenn's Pokéblocks, Sinnoh's Poffins show excellent breeding results."
Brock nodded: "I'm experimenting with different flavors."
Poffins were bread-like treats.
Some Galar chefs even used curry for Pokémon breeding!
Professor Natsume's homemade Rotom-baked Poffins once made neighboring Rattata drool.
Gold gasped: "Senior Blue... bakes?!"
"Problem?" Blue Oak retorted.
"Just unexpected," Gold mused. "Thought you were like Silver—useless at chores."
Silver: "..."
Natsume blinked.
Gold always managed to roast two people simultaneously!
Blue Oak mentally noted to train Ash into crushing Gold someday.
Though Gold's wilderness skills meant Ash would likely get outsmarted currently.
Silver said expressionlessly: "Lake of Rage. 6v6."
Gold blew his bangs and grinned, "Bring it on! Lake of Rage it is!"
An oddly competitive atmosphere hung between them.
Natsume couldn't help but pity Crystal for a moment.
Crystal's just for show - the real heroine is Silver!
Red chuckled: "Blue's Poffins aren't bad."
Lance raised an eyebrow: "He actually let you try them?"
Red nodded: "Yeah, I even gave some suggestions..."
Yellow froze momentarily.
Senior Red hasn't even tasted my cooking yet!
"Speaking of Poffins..."
Natsume mused as he traveled back to Sandgem Town, rubbing his chin:
"Let's have Rotom bake some Berry bread for lunch today."
"Arcanine! (｀0｀)"
Arcanine canine barked excitedly, picking up speed as it happily dashed homeward.
The weather was clear, with Starly flitting across blue skies as Sandgem Town basked in tranquility.
Creak—
The familiar sound of his front door opening greeted Natsume as he finally returned home, exhaling deeply.
Everything remained exactly as he left it - sunbeams illuminated dust motes floating above the living room aquarium, refracting shimmering patterns.
Dropping his single-strap bag, Natsume smiled and collapsed onto the couch.
"Gengar, let's rest first. We'll try new recipes later!"
"Gengar!" Gengar waved its little fists enthusiastically.
"Home mode activating, Rotom!"
Rotom zipped into various appliances - adjusting the air purifier, opening smart curtains, activating humidifiers and aromatherapy—
Natsume blinked in surprise.
Damn, it really is a full smart home system!
"Sirfetch'd!"
Sirfetch'd walked to a potted plant, ceremoniously sheathing its leek like a sword before nodding solemnly.
Finally can rest~~(っ╥╯﹏╰╥c)
No going out, no training... just sweet, sweet sleep!
Suddenly remembering something, Natsume took out the Rainbow Wing he'd been carrying.
The Rainbow Wing shimmered with prismatic light under the sun, scattering glittering particles like stardust.
Warmth radiated from it as he held it in his palm.
Rumored to have revival properties, he'd kept this "extra life" item close during his journey.
Fortunately, he hadn't needed to use it.
After channeling some Aura of Ripple into it, he pocketed it again in his shirt.
A gentle energy began emanating from him.
"Hmm... could double as a hand warmer in cold weather," Natsume muttered.
Rainbow Wing: ???
"Sylveon~"
Sylveon its ribbon-adorned head, blinking its azure eyes at a gray lump on the floor - their [Terrain Extender] reward.
This item could extend field moves' duration and effects - invaluable for terrain-based strategies.
Natsume coughed awkwardly at Sylveon's usual aggressive tactics:
"Maybe... keep training Light Screen and Reflect?"
As a Strategy Master, the "dual screens" approach was highly practical.
Stacking defensive barriers could significantly reduce injury risks - especially combined with Misty Terrain's status immunity.
This inspiration came from watching Sylveon layer barriers during the Regigigas battle.
"Sylveon! (`皿`)"
Licking its paw, Sylveon's baby-doll eyes gleamed with determination.
If I crush them first, I won't get hurt!
Natsume rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
Stacking Light Screen and Reflect like blooming petals...
Not only matched his [Flawless Commands] style, but resembled some legendary "seven-layered celestial barrier."
Imagine stacking seven layers before battle—
Who could possibly hurt Sylveon then?
Add Misty Terrain's status-proof "bounded field"...
Natsume's expression turned odd.
"Not tournament-legal... but perfect for Pokémon Contests or no-rules battles!"
After explaining to Rotom, the Pokédex calculated:
"Beep... 80% success probability. Requires [Light Clay] and [Dawn Stone], Rotom!"
Dawn Stones contained potent Psychic energy for move training.
"I did get one last time..."
Natsume's face twitched.
"But one's not enough. Might need to ask Steven for more..."
Suddenly, he understood the Tohsaka mages' pain—
Using precious gems as disposable items hurt anyone's soul!
As for Light Clay—it enhanced barrier success rates and duration.
A prized item for defensive teams, and equally expensive.
After calculating costs, Natsume nearly wept.
Whatever.
Easy come, easy go.
Just pocket change!
Blastoise's injury had shaken him.
While avoiding battles was preferable, sometimes trainer conflicts were unavoidable.
Developing Sylveon's defensive techniques was this "Strategist's" solution.
Ding-dong—
The doorbell rang. Checking his phone's delivery notification:
"Gengar, go sign for that. Should be Blastoise's new herbs!"
"Gengar!"
Gengar floated to the door, returning with a securely packaged box.
"Rocket Delivery?"
At Gengar's nod, Natsume explained while unpacking:
"This is Revival Herb."
Opening the wooden box from Eterna Herbal Shop released a bitter medicinal aroma.
"More potent than Energy Root..."
Though priceless and rarely available at market, let alone at these inflated prices.
But Blastoise had earned top-tier treatment.
"Blastoiseヾ(■_■)"
Adjusting its shades, Blastoise's eyes gleamed.
The Energy Root era ends today!
All hail Revival Herb supremacy!
...
March 11th, sunny Thursday.
Yawning on the balcony, Natsume noted the warmer breeze.
"Getting hotter already..."
Below, Sylveon trained "dual screens" while sparring with Arcanine.
"Arcanine!!"
Arcanine Mane surged with flames, and wherever it passed, the grass turned into a charred mess.
"Sylveon! (#｀皿｀)"
Petal-shaped barriers formed before Sylveon smashed through them with a glowing Double-Edge!
"Arcanine~/(ㄒoㄒ)/~"
Before Sylveon, translucent pink barriers shaped like flower petals materialized and began stacking together.
Then, with a sudden Sucker Punch, Sylveon charged forward - the Reflect petals blooming outward to meet Arcanine's fiery assault!
Thud!!
The crystalline petals shattered into glittering fragments upon impact.
Yet behind the broken barriers, Sylveon's body became sheathed in Double-Edge's fierce white glow!
"Arcanine~~"
Arcanine whimpered as it tumbled across the lawn.
Fortunately, its thick hide allowed quick recovery through Morning Sun. Bowing its head respectfully:
"Arcanine!" (As expected of Sylveon!)
"Sylveon~(#｀皿｀)" (No slacking! Keep training!)
"Arcanine!/(ㄒoㄒ)/~~" (Shouldn't it be Sirfetch'd's turn now?)
Sylveon slowly turned its baby-doll eyes toward Sirfetch'd, smiling sweetly.
"Sylveon! "
"Sirfetch'd!~(っ╥╯﹏╰╥c)"
I thought today was rest day!
This is too cruel!
"Togepi doo-ee~(￣︶￣)↗"
Togepi cheered enthusiastically from the sidelines.
Natsume scratched his head at the unusual tactic.
Normal Pokémon use barriers for defense...
Mine turns them into offensive flower bombs?!
"Still... the visual effects are contest-worthy."
Violent beauty was still beauty after all.
And with Sylveon's overwhelming cuteness, high contest scores were practically guaranteed.
As he pondered this, an aura presence approached from behind.
"Blastoiseヾ(■_■)"
The shades-wearing tortoise casually sipped tea, blowing steam from the cup.
Natsume twitched at the bitter herbal scent.
"Did you... brew Revival Herbs into tea?!"
"Blastoise?"
"That's supposed to last multiple doses..."
Facepalming, Natsume sighed: "There should be more in the medicine cabinet... Rotom! Grind them properly this time!"
No trainer, no matter how wealthy, should waste Revival Herbs as mere tea leaves!
"Blastoise."
Adjusting its sunglasses determinedly:
Understood. I'll plant the remaining herbs and nurture them with aura...
The harvest will be bountiful!
--------------------------------------
No More Waiting - The Story is Complete!
Love what you're reading? Get instant access to the entire story—all 410+ chapters are available right now!
👉 Unlock everything: patreon.com/PokemonStoryWeaver
--------------------------------------