"Next."
Natsume's calm voice echoed through the vast arena.
The Kobe Arena was completely silent.
Eita's eye twitched, feeling a sense of disbelief.
Has Tokyo Metropolitan University's Rookie Champion really become this strong?
Eevee hasn't even evolved yet... the breeding must be absolutely insane!
"Be careful," Eita coughed.
"His Eevee's HP should be at its limit."
Masato nodded, but a sense of unease welled up inside him.
Looking at the Eevee that was dominating the field, Masato forced a bitter smile.
This doesn't look like it's running out of HP at all!
Kobe University's fourth contestant stepped forward.
Masato took a deep breath and threw his Poké Ball. "Go, Braixen!"
The girl-like Braixen, with its red fur fluttering by its ears, waved a stick, sending a surge of scorching flames toward Eevee.
"Fire Spin!"
While Eevee dodged, Masato said in a low voice, "Set the surroundings on fire!"
Braixen used its stick to draw a circle in the air.
The missed flames scattered across the field, forming a ring of fire that surrounded the battlefield.
Eevee's Quick Attack was forced to stop as the flames began to close in, shrinking the available space.
"If it's hard to hit, trade damage for damage."
Takashi frowned.
"They're taking advantage of the endurance battle!"
"Quick Attack!" Natsume commanded. "Substitute!"
Eevee instantly understood Natsume's plan, baring its teeth and charging forward without hesitation.
"Aim at Eevee, Psybeam!"
Following Masato's command, Braixen pointed its stick at the charging Eevee, and a dazzling blue light erupted.
At such close range, Psybeam had no chance of missing!
But at the same time the beam shot out, Eevee split into two, using its incredible coordination to dodge the Psybeam.
The Fire Spin surrounding the field surged toward both Pokémon at that moment.
The Substitute was engulfed by the flames from all directions, but a soot-covered little one leaped out.
Eevee jumped onto Braixen's shoulder amidst the towering flames and delivered a fierce Bite!
Masato's face turned pale.
A Dark-type Bite was super effective against Braixen!
Stepping on Braixen's head, the little one leaped out of the range of the fire, not even looking back.
"Whoosh!"
Braixen let out a cry of pain, and the next moment, it was consumed by its own flames.
When the flames died down, Braixen had already fallen unconscious.
The field was silent.
It was at this moment that the referee's whistle sounded. "Braixen is unable to battle."
"Winner, Natsume!"
The audience stands were in chaos.
"One... one against four?"
"Is this a joke... and it still has HP left?"
Four battles in a row, and it used Substitute twice...
Did this Eevee grow up eating steroids? Its HP is even crazier than Snorlax's!
"Coach," Reina said excitedly, "Natsume-sensei is really going to sweep the team!"
Takashi didn't say anything, just looked at Natsume on the field with a sense of pride.
I remember Tokyo Metropolitan University still has some Move manuals suitable for Eevee.
I'll let him pick whatever he wants as a reward for this kid!
Masato walked off the battlefield dejectedly, and Kobe University's morale was visibly low.
On the other side, Natsume looked at Eevee with concern.
"Are you okay?"
"Eevee! o(′^｀)o" Eevee licked its paw and raised its head disdainfully.
Seeing the little one full of energy and thoroughly enjoying itself, Natsume nodded thoughtfully.
Then, Natsume suddenly raised his hand.
Just as everyone's expressions changed, thinking Natsume was about to utter that devilish line again.
Natsume smiled and said, "I request a one-minute pause... to remove Eevee's held item."
Whispers immediately spread across the field.
"Eevee was holding an item?"
"Was it a Berry? But we didn't see Eevee use it!"
"Removing the held item... isn't that a stupid move?"
The referee was momentarily stunned, then turned to see Director Koki nod with a complicated expression.
The last contestant to step up was Kobe University's... well, let's just say "internal mole" (crossed out).
Natsume's follower, Director Koki, was momentarily relieved.
It seems Natsume-sensei is planning to go easy on me!
But when they saw Natsume's actions, everyone's expressions changed.
In front of everyone, Natsume grabbed Eevee by the scruff of its neck.
The Eevee, which had been like a war god just moments ago, turned red in the face and began struggling furiously.
"Eevee! (〃＞皿＜)"
Then, Natsume proceeded to remove the pink ankle guards from Eevee's four short legs, one by one, and weighed them in his hand.
"These things are really heavy..." Natsume said with a strange expression.
"So the so-called proper way to exert force is to not let Eevee exert force at all?"
Eevee's held item was similar to a "Power Anklet," offering great protection but also being quite weighty.
[Power Anklet: While it reduces Speed when held, the Pokémon's Speed grows higher than usual.]
Natsume deliberately tossed the ankle guards onto the field, causing a loud thud that echoed throughout the arena.
Thud!!
In an instant, the entire arena fell silent.
"Tsk—" Natsume suddenly felt a bit worried.
Would an item worth over a million Pokémon Coins really break just from being dropped like that?!
The Kobe University team stared wide-eyed.
This Eevee... was battling us while wearing such heavy gear?
And it still swept four in a row?!
At this moment, Yuma looked like Gaara facing Rock Lee during the Chunin Exams, completely stunned.
And this... is called going easy?
Natsume-sensei, are you this ruthless even to your own followers?!
Natsume coughed lightly and smiled calmly. "Next."
To Yuma, that smile was no different from a demon's.
But... being able to spar with Natsume-sensei is already worth it!
Yuma took a deep breath and shouted, "Go, Electabuzz!"
The yellow-and-black-striped Electabuzz roared fiercely, tiny currents of electricity crackling across its body.
After glancing at the System Pokédex to confirm that Electabuzz's Ability was "Static," Natsume commanded:
"Eevee, Yawn!"
Yuma's expression changed.
It's coming, Natsume-sensei's signature strategy!
Kobe University's Eita was momentarily stunned.
After removing the Power Anklet, Eevee's base Speed was enough to rival Quick Attack.
But even with such an overwhelming Speed advantage, Natsume chose to play the long game?
Even though Electabuzz's Ability is "Static"...
This is way too cautious!
Electabuzz's Thunderbolt missed, and its eyelids grew heavy, but Eevee showed no intention of closing the distance.
The Kobe University team felt a chill run down their spines.
"This Natsume's strategy... is way too sneaky!" Ryunosuke gritted his teeth.
Eita laughed bitterly:
"Not giving any chance for a comeback... truly an outstanding contestant!"
Natsume-sensei always avoids leaving any openings.
Since it's a "Static" Electabuzz, long-range attacks are the best choice.
"Eevee, Swift!"
The sleeping Electabuzz was pummeled by a barrage of star-shaped beams, collapsing before it could even open its eyes.
Eevee kept throwing sand onto Electabuzz's head, burying it before finally licking its paw in satisfaction.
"Winner, Natsume!"
As the referee's whistle sounded, Eevee raised its head, looking down at the field with pride.
"Eevee! (〝▼皿▼)"
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