Takuya's expression was a mix of confusion and disbelief.
This guy has zero badges… and he's challenging me with such a strong Haunter?
How shameless can you get?!
Takuya glanced at the three Poké Balls on his belt: Kadabra, Meowstic, and Swoobat.
Since this was a backup team for battling students,
Their strength was slightly below Haunter's level…
But a Trainer's skill isn't something that can be overcome just by level advantage!
With a flick of his wrist, Takuya's Poké Ball snapped open, and he called out confidently:
"Go, Meowstic!"
A beam of red light shot out from the ball, landing on the battlefield and revealing a fluffy, indigo-blue kitten.
This was a male Meowstic, its eyes narrow and emerald green like a Siamese cat. It stood on its short legs, its tail covered in soft white fur.
Meowstic looked calm and cute, but anyone who underestimated it would regret it.
"It's pretty cute…" Natsume mused, rubbing his chin. "But not as cute as Eevee."
The Poké Ball on his belt suddenly twitched.
"Eevee?!"
Inside the Poké Ball, Eevee's cheeks turned bright red as it pulled its ears down to cover its face.
Thank goodness… he didn't see me!
Opening the System Pokédex, Natsume quickly scanned the list.
[Meowstic, Psychic type
Ability: Prankster
Held Item: Light Clay
Moves: Fake Out, Light Screen, Reflect, Psybeam, Yawn…]
Looking at Meowstic's Ability and moveset, Natsume nodded.
If you want to play dirty…
I'll hit you with Toxic, Paralysis, and Burn all at once!
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the tension in the arena was palpable. The referee's whistle blew.
The battle officially began!
"Meowstic!" Takuya commanded. "Yawn!"
At the same time, Natsume's order rang out: "Substitute!"
Before Yawn could take effect, Haunter split into two.
While dodging Yawn, the real Haunter darted toward Meowstic!
In the Tokyo Metropolitan University contestant seats, Captain Keigo was stunned.
"Coach Natsume's reaction speed… is that fast?"
If he had been even half a second slower, even with Substitute, Haunter would've fallen asleep!
"No… that was prediction," Takashi said thoughtfully.
"After observing so many battles, Natsume has figured out Takuya's strategy!"
Haunter's fingertips glowed with a chilling Will-O-Wisp.
Takuya thought for a moment: "Light Screen!"
A dazzling Light Screen flared up, held in Meowstic's tiny paws, seemingly ready to reflect the Will-O-Wisp back!
"Stop, Haunter!"
Natsume commanded, "Shadow Punch!"
"Haunter!"
Haunter grinned sinisterly, the Will-O-Wisp on its fingertips extinguishing as its fist shot forward, phasing right through the Light Screen!
Thud!
Meowstic was struck by the flying fist, its face visibly distorting as it was sent flying over two meters away!
"??? What just happened?!"
"Haunter's punching people now?!"
"This is insane! Since when was Haunter an Attack stat monster?!"
On the guest panel, Shoya looked surprised:
"Haunter's Attack stat… isn't that high, right?"
Hiroshi laughed heartily. "It's not, but Natsume completely disrupted Takuya's rhythm!"
Takuya was visibly stunned.
Shouldn't Haunter be using Shadow Ball? Why did it suddenly use Shadow Punch?
In the moment of Takuya's hesitation, Natsume barked: "Shadow Ball!"
Takuya was thrown into chaos.
You didn't use it earlier, and now you're using it?!
Do you even attend class properly?
Why is your command rhythm so different from everyone else's?
"Psybeam!" Takuya countered.
The Light Screen was still up, and Meowstic's ears twitched as a blue psychic wave surged toward Haunter!
In an instant, the Substitute shielding Haunter was torn apart by Psybeam.
But Haunter cackled, a Shadow Ball forming in its hands, and hurled it at Meowstic with a deafening boom!
Crack!
Amid gasps from the audience, the Light Screen in front of Meowstic shattered into pieces!
Hokuto gulped.
"A Light Screen enhanced by Light Clay… got shattered?"
Why did it feel like an impenetrable wall when I challenged him?!
Hiroshi, the former principal of Tokyo Metropolitan University, stroked his white beard, his eyes filled with admiration.
Condensing Ghost-type energy to refine Shadow Ball and focusing it on a single point of the Light Screen…
This level of training technique… surpasses even some Ghost-type Gym Leaders!
"Is he… from a Ghost-type family?" Hiroshi asked.
Shoya's expression turned awkward.
If even you don't know…
How would I dare to investigate his background?!
Meowstic's supportive nature became a liability.
Takuya pulled out a Poké Ball, but the red beam couldn't recall Meowstic.
Takuya's eyes widened as Haunter's shadow extended across the ground, binding Meowstic in place!
"Mean Look? When did it…"
Takuya's face paled. "Crap, I messed up!"
His intentions were too obvious, and Natsume had seen right through him!
"Gym Leaders… are pretty predictable too."
Natsume rubbed his chin, feeling a mix of emotions.
Is Haunter's Shadow Ball strong?
Of course!
Cynthia's training methods aren't just for show.
After all… I traded a house for this knowledge!
"Haunter, Shadow Ball!" Natsume commanded, wincing slightly.
The Shadow Ball erupted with a deafening explosion, sending Meowstic flying, its chest scorched black!
The audience was in shock.
"Wait, it's over already?"
"He shattered the Light Screen and one-shot it… is this cheating?!"
"It's Gym Leader Takuya's mistake. Natsume-sensei capitalized on it!"
Takuya adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and let out a long sigh.
After continuous battles, even he was starting to lose focus.
But to be predicted at every turn… it's frustrating!
It's like every command I make is already in his hands.
Takuya looked up, suddenly struck by a thought.
Or… is he just relying on instinct?
Maybe he's not overthinking it at all?!
After the battle, Haunter had only lost its Substitute.
Takuya composed himself, regaining his focus, and threw another Poké Ball.
"Go, Swoobat!"
Swoobat's stats weren't exceptional, but it had the Ability "Simple."
With "Simple," any stat increases or decreases would be doubled!
Takuya commanded: "Calm Mind!"
With two layers of Special Defense, even Haunter's Shadow Ball wouldn't be able to break through Swoobat's defenses!
Swoobat soared into the air, enduring Haunter's Will-O-Wisp as its aura grew stronger.
The entire arena held its breath.
This was the signature strategy of the Set Up Gyms.
A "Simple" Swoobat paired with "Auxiliary Power."
With four layers of stat boosts and increased Special Attack, the glow of Auxiliary Power lit up the entire arena like a golden wheel!
The audience erupted in gasps.
"How is anyone supposed to handle that Auxiliary Power?!"
"Natsume-sensei's done for today!"
"That Auxiliary Power could wipe out ten thousand lives!"
The legacy of the "Auxiliary Power" and "Calm Mind" manuals.
The Set Up Gyms' strategic thinking was on full display!
The dazzling light flickered across the arena.
Natsume glanced at the move list and calmly said:
"Haunter, Haze!"
Takuya's eyes widened.
Haunter cackled as a thick black mist poured out, enveloping the battlefield.
All stat boosts… wiped clean!
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