The fierce battles raged on.
Walking through the corridors of the Mercedes Arena, the cheers from the sub-arenas echoed back and forth.
After all, this was a rare battle extravaganza, with top universities gathering together to compete for the coveted Challenge Slots at the Set Up Gyms!
"The first round of Arena C has concluded! The winner is Sakurako from Tokyo Metropolitan University!"
Sakurako, her face serious, recalled her battered Granbull and let out a small sigh of relief.
At least… I didn't embarrass Natsume-sensei!
Brushing aside the damp black hair clinging to her forehead, Sakurako returned to the Tokyo Metropolitan University rest area, only to find everyone looking utterly stunned.
"Holy cow, Coach Natsume's Squirtle is ridiculously strong!" Sota muttered in awe.
Coach Takashi nodded with a smile. "Overall, Natsume's training methods are quite effective!"
Natsume had only caught Squirtle about two weeks ago.
Yet, in just half a month, Squirtle had completely dominated Kanto Hoku's rookie champion…
Even with the type advantage… the speed of its growth was nothing short of astonishing!
"You all need to learn from Natsume's training methods!" Coach Takashi said sternly.
"If you can master even a fraction of it, my job would be so much easier!"
Everyone nodded in unison, like a flock of obedient chicks.
A moment later, Captain Keigo also returned to the rest area, smiling. "Mission accomplished!"
All three participating contestants had secured their first victories.
Takashi couldn't help but feel a sense of pride.
Honestly, this year's school team was the weakest he had ever coached.
But thanks to Natsume's involvement… everyone's strength had improved rapidly.
Perhaps this was the power of having a role model!
"After this tournament…" Coach Takashi pondered,
"Maybe I should reward him with an extra manual or something…"
Meanwhile, Natsume was in the Pharmacy with Squirtle.
Squirtle, clutching an armful of Hyper Potions, grinned from ear to ear. "Squirtle!"
With this many potions, even if Eevee beats me up, I can heal myself!
Natsume's expression was complicated.
Just because Onix scratched your shell a little, you need ten Hyper Potions?
Are you trying to scam me or something?!
The clerk was beaming with joy. "That'll be 20,000 Pokémon Coins. Thank you for your purchase!"
"Squirtle?" Squirtle looked at Natsume with questioning eyes.
Natsume-sensei sighed.
The one million Pokémon Coins prize was still up in the air, and now he had to spend another 20,000.
But Squirtle had performed exceptionally well, so it deserved a reward.
Besides… with this many Hyper Potions stocked up, it should last for a while…
"Buy it!" Natsume said firmly.
"Squirtle!" Squirtle's eyes sparkled with joy.
Aside from hoarding potions, Squirtle had another grand dream.
It wanted to stockpile a bunch of Water Stones, Mystic Waters, and other items…
That way, it could serve Natsume even better!
Seeing Natsume agree without hesitation only strengthened Squirtle's resolve to "play it safe."
"Squirtle…"
Squirtle looked at Natsume with gratitude, nodding slowly.
As expected of Natsume-sensei—he saw right through my little plan!
The Public Challenge Tournament's schedule was packed.
By that afternoon, the list of contestants advancing from the sub-arenas had already been announced.
The shocking upset of Kanto Hoku's rookie champion had left many in disbelief.
"Juro had already earned the Kanto Hoku Badge… and he got eliminated just like that?"
On the bus, Hokuto, the chubby guy who had briefly met Natsume, was dumbfounded:
"He lost… to a non-specialized student?!"
In front of the announcement board.
Sayuri, the icy-faced rookie champion from Chubu Sangaku Ashigaoka City, frowned.
"Do you even watch Natsume-sensei's live streams?"
"Huh?" Hokuto scratched his head, turning around in surprise.
"I don't really keep up with the news… who's Natsume-sensei?"
"No wonder."
Sayuri nodded coldly. "Otherwise, you wouldn't be so shocked."
Hokuto was left speechless.
"What's the big deal… we're all just college students… how big can the gap be?"
Watching Sayuri walk away indifferently, Hokuto muttered to himself, pulling out his phone to search for "Natsume-sensei."
With a mix of arrogance and disdain, Hokuto clicked on a video. Less than three minutes in, his expression turned strange.
A bead of sweat rolled down Hokuto's forehead.
"This Spikes Team tutorial… is way too detailed!"
Hokuto's uncle had once won a regional championship using a Spikes Team.
But compared to this…
Natsume-sensei's understanding seemed even better?
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Hokuto clicked on a live stream recording and suddenly froze.
The handsome young man was hard to forget once you'd seen him.
This Natsume-sensei…
Wasn't he the guy sitting next to me on the bus?!
What the heck!
Not only is he good-looking, but he also crushed Johto?
And I gave him my business card… how embarrassing!
"Wait a minute…"
Hokuto suddenly paused, his expression turning strange as he muttered.
"Is this guy… here to stomp the competition?"
"Achoo!"
Natsume-sensei suddenly sneezed.
Having just finished a battle, Natsume-sensei brought Squirtle to the Pharmacy.
Under the clerk's respectful gaze, Squirtle grabbed two Hyper Potion sprays and began spraying them on its slightly scratched shell.
"Squirtle…" Squirtle sighed with emotion.
That Osaka University Sandslash was no joke!
My shell almost got scratched!
After this match, Squirtle bought another ten Hyper Potions.
Natsume's expression was complicated.
"Wait… why does this feel like a loss?"
Spending 20,000 Pokémon Coins after every battle…
Even though the prize is 1 million Pokémon Coins, something feels off…
Despite being completely unharmed and having already visited the Pokémon Center,
Squirtle was still being extra cautious, thoroughly spraying every inch of itself with potion.
"Squirtle! ヽ(￣▽￣)??"
Squirtle tossed the empty spray cans aside and pulled out two brand-new ones…
Natsume felt a pang in his chest.
Above Squirtle's head, a "-4000" seemed to flash.
You're not even hurt!
Do you really need to be this careful, Squirtle?!
The first day of the tournament came to a close.
The winners from all eight arenas had been decided, earning the right to challenge Gym Leader Takuya.
Based on their performance in the gym challenge, the final Best Individual Award would be determined.
For most, the 1 million Pokémon Coins prize might not be a big deal.
What mattered more were the two move manuals: Auxiliary Power and Calm Mind.
With these manuals, even non-Psychic-type Pokémon could significantly improve their mental strength through training.
Natsume rubbed his chin, muttering:
"Hmm… these manuals don't seem as useful as the 1 million Pokémon Coins."
"Oh well, I'll just give them to Eevee and let it figure it out."
Training methods like Calm Mind could probably be obtained from Sabrina if Natsume asked.
But the 1 million Pokémon Coins would solve Natsume-sensei's immediate financial troubles, allowing him to pay off the debt for Squirtle's Water Stone…
Natsume nodded in satisfaction.
The gym challenges would take place on the second and third days.
As Tokyo's only officially recognized Gym Leader by the Association, Takuya's strength was not to be underestimated.
Considering that the gym challenge performance was tied to the prize money…
Natsume looked up at the sky.
I thought crushing the other contestants would be enough.
But in the end, I still have to challenge the Gym Leader!
Coach Takashi, did you plan this all along?!
The standard gym challenge was a 3v3 battle, with the Gym Leader selecting different teams based on the challenger's number of badges.
Natsume currently had zero badges.
In theory, Takuya's Pokémon shouldn't be too strong.
But Takuya was still a Gym-Level Trainer, so the challenge was risky…
Natsume stroked his chin, muttering:
"Whatever… I'll just let Haunter handle it. We'll do our best."
"Haunter? (￣～￣)"
Hearing Natsume call its name,
Haunter lifted its head from a plate of pasta, its face covered in sauce, and licked its lips with its long, flexible tongue.
"Do your best tomorrow," Natsume said with a smile.
"Even if we don't get the prize money, it's fine. Just don't get hurt!"
Haunter licked its Toxic Orb thoughtfully, nodding.
"Haunter…"
If I just crush the Gym Leader…
Does that mean I won't get hurt?
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