"Contestant Kenpei has... has sent out his fourth Pokémon!"
The commentator was still reeling from the shock.
Whether it was Natsume-sensei's overwhelming dominance or Sylveon's godlike performance—
Reverse-typing and brutally one-shotting Aggron in such a dire situation...
Even a Champion would struggle to replicate that scene.
Is this really the Indigo Plateau Conference?
Baffled, the commentator forced himself to continue.
Meanwhile, Kenpei's pupils constricted, his breathing ragged.
How?
In that situation...
Sylveon one-shot Aggron instead?!
Kenpei bit his lip and sent out his next Pokémon:
"Amoonguss, buy us some time!"
He needed this defensive pivot to regain control of the battle's tempo!
"In full battles, tempo is crucial," Professor Oak noted approvingly. "Slowing the opponent's momentum is already impressive."
"And that so-called 'tempo'... is Natsume-sensei's absolute control of the match," Brock muttered.
Amoonguss wobbled onto the field, its Poké Ball-patterned cap shielding it as it extended two spore-covered arms.
Widely regarded as one of the most annoying Pokémon, it could torment foes with Sleep Powder, Toxic, and other status moves.
Kenpei adjusted his glasses with trembling fingers.
Not over yet!
If I can stall long enough, I'll find an opening!
"Amoonguss!" Kenpei shouted. "Toxic!"
As a Poison-type, Toxic was guaranteed to hit.
Purple venom oozed from the mushroom Pokémon's pores, billowing toward Sylveon in a noxious cloud.
Did it land?
Kenpei barely dared to hope.
Then he sighed deeply.
A shimmering mist had risen around Sylveon—the Toxic fumes dissipated harmlessly against the protective veil.
"Misty Terrain reduces status effects on grounded Pokémon," Professor Oak explained. "And Sylveon happens to learn it."
"He... planned this far ahead?!" Green gasped.
"Natsume-sensei is way too thorough!"
BOOM!
A Shadow Ball obliterated Amoonguss, swallowing even the sturdy mushroom in darkness.
"Contestant, send out your next Pokémon!" the referee called.
"Three KOs, plus one severely injured..." the audience whispered.
"Is this really the Semifinals...?"
"Are we sure this isn't the Baby Cup?!"
"Holy crap, Natsume-sensei still hasn't recalled Sylveon!"
Kenpei's expression had gone numb.
This Sylveon...
It was like an insurmountable mountain.
Can I even take down one of his Pokémon?!
Gritting his teeth, Kenpei sent out his fifth.
Darmanitan, its brow aflame, possessed enough strength to punch through dump trucks—its inner fire never ceasing.
Yet when its blazing Fire Punch collided with Sylveon's Shadow Ball—
CRASH!
The flames were swallowed whole by the dark vortex.
"His... fifth..."
The crowd paled as realization struck.
"Natsume-sensei isn't planning to..."
Kenpei only had his weakened Dusknoir and Honchkrow left.
Neither stood a chance against Sylveon's boosted onslaught.
When the dust settled—
The arena fell silent.
"Sylveon! (▼ヘ▼#)"
"And the winner is..."
The commentator took a deep breath.
"Semifinals victory goes to Natsume of Touran!!"
The moment the results were announced—
"Sylveon..." Sylveon whimpered softly.
Its azure ears drooped as its legs wobbled.
Physically and mentally exhausted...
But with so many eyes watching...
Just as its eyelids fluttered shut—
A red beam recalled it.
"Rest now," Natsume murmured.
"You've done more than enough."
The Poké Ball wobbled once before stilling.
Then—the stadium erupted.
"HOLY CRAP, HE ONLY USED TWO POKÉMON IN THE SEMIFINALS?!"
"I told you Natsume-sensei was here for the Baby Cup!"
"Please, Natsume-sensei, have mercy!"
"NATSUME-SENSEI IS INSANE!!"
Walking through the tunnel, Natsume chuckled wryly.
Only he knew—in the anime, Tobias had swept the Finals with just two Pokémon.
This battle?
It was the result of perfect sync between Trainer and Pokémon.
Calling myself a 'Legendary Trainer'?
I've got a long way to go.
Right now, Sylveon needed sleep.
Maybe a brand-new hamster wheel too?
"Good job," Natsume said to the Poké Ball.
Inside, Sylveon tugged its long ears over its eyes, bow swaying.
"Sylveon~(✿◠‿◠)"
What evil could Sylveon possibly have in mind?
Just sweeping an opponent 6-0 in the Semifinals, that's all!
In the other tunnel—
Kenpei received a call from Steven.
After hearing Steven's explanation, his eyes widened.
"Natsume-sensei... is on your level?!"
A warm, magnetic laugh answered.
"Of course, I'm still stronger!" Steven teased.
Kenpei scratched his head, deep in thought.
No wonder I got crushed.
If I faced Senior Steven, I'd get swept too.
Honestly, battling Natsume-sensei was an honor.
"I see..." Kenpei nodded to himself.
Meanwhile, as the results flashed across Festival Plaza—
Spectators rubbed their eyes.
"A 6-0 sweep?!"
"That's insane!"
"Oh... It's Natsume-sensei. Never mind."
Following Arcanine's "reverse-type one-shot,"
Sylveon's sweep became another iconic Indigo Plateau moment.
The group chat reacted as if this were expected.
"Natsume-sensei! When's the Finals? I'll ride Typhlosion there!" Gold yelled.
Red suggested, "We should all meet up at Indigo Plateau."
"Great idea!" Lorelei chimed in cheerfully.
Lance massaged his temples.
Dealing with Natsume's media frenzy was headache enough.
His true strength?
Should I just tell them he tied with me?!
"The Finals are in two days," Lance said. "There'll be some buildup first."
Natsume glanced at the sky, calculating.
The Lunar New Year's coming...
After the Conference, we can vacation in Sinnoh.
As for the Finals—
He turned to his team.
"Gengar(～￣▽￣)～"
"Blastoise…ヾ(■_■)"
His gaze shifted to tsundere Sylveon, game-obsessed Togepi, and the lovable doofus Arcanine.
"Sylveon~! o(｀^´)o" Sylveon yawned sleepily on the bed.
"Togepi! (◕‿◕✿)"
"Arcanine? (O_o)"
"Everyone," Natsume grinned.
"Let's all shine in the Finals!"
The room erupted into chaos—howls, giggles, and Sylveon's indignant squeaks.
"Sirfetch'd!~ (╥﹏╥)σ" Sirfetch'd wept.
I never planned to win the championship!
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