When Bruno's Machamp was engulfed by the crimson energy beam.
Trainers watching the match reacted differently, yet all exhaled in unison.
"Grandpa," Korrina whispered, "Will Lucario and I… ever reach that level with ga Evolution?"
Gurkinn froze montarily before bursting into laughter. "Silly girl, of course! Strengthen your bond, and it's absolutely possible!"
"Got it~" Korrina's eyes sparkled. "I'll train harder to surpass that guy soday!"
Then I'll prove to Master… I'm no weaker than my fellow disciple, Bea!
In Galar, Bea let out a long breath, forcing her numb legs to stand.
"Gah?" Her Sirfetch'd stared as Bea strode out of the gym.
"Continue," ca Bea's monotone reply. "Training."
Pallet Town, Oak Research Institute.
Professor Oak sipped tea, nodding approvingly at Natsu on screen. "Reminds of my younger days!"
"Grandpa," Blue Oak spoke up.
"What?" Professor Oak glanced at him.
"Nothing." Blue stood, hands in pockets. "I'm heading to Viridian Gym."
"I'm leaving too," Red said, rising.
"Ah? Why the rush?" Professor Oak asked.
"Mt. Silver training." Red tilted his cap, smirking.
"After watching that battle… can't just sit still."
Professor Oak paused, then nodded. "Very well…"
Alone in the empty lab, he sipped tea before suddenly exclaiming:
"Ah! Perfect timing… Let's compose a senryu for Blastoise!"
Setting his cup down, he pondered before clapping cheerfully.
"Snug inside its sturdy shell, Blastoise naps without a care—cozy beyond compare!"
...
As prelims concluded, deafening cheers swept the arena.
The brutal, last-second clash had electrified the crowd.
"Wait… this doesn't match Natsu-sensei's usual scheming style!"
"Eureka! Bruno must be a Natsu-sensei fanboy—that's why he joined this fan tournant!"
"Right! No wonder Bruno shared that 'Furious Onix' strategy last ti!"
On the battlefield, Natsu recalled his battered Blastoise, expression flickering.
We share the pain… its wounds are mine to bear!
"Tch…" Natsu winced at a sudden toothache.
Bruno's fierce aura faded. Eyes crinkling warmly, his mountainous fra still radiated latent power.
Amid roaring applause, the two t at center stage. Bruno extended a spiked-ringed hand.
"Learned much," Bruno rumbled.
Natsu shook it, forcing a smile. "Likewise."
With a nod, Bruno turned, his thoughtful profile soon disappearing down the tunnel.
That "Rampaging Onix" tactic? Inspired by Natsu-sensei's teachings.
Bruno's philosophy was straightforward.
He resolved to gift Natsu-sensei his master's "Hard Style" manuals in return.
But now wasn't the ti.
Pausing, Bruno glanced back at Natsu-sensei's retreating figure, respect and battle-lust burning in his gaze.
So this was the strategic Champion Lance spoke of…
Grrrroowl—
A thunderous stomach growl echoed. Bruno clutched his abs inside the tunnel, licking his lips.
"Right!" He clenched a fist. "New mission: buy out that shop's stead buns!"
"Temper the body, surpass limits. Machamp, move out!"
"Machamp!!"
Bruno and his wounded Machamp marched off eagerly.
The roaring crowd still felt the battle's aftershocks.
"Quarterfinal results: Trainer Natsu advances!" announced the comntator.
On screen, Natsu waved cheerfully at the stands.
Ash's eyes blazed. "So cool, Natsu-sensei!"
"He actually beat Elite Four Bruno?!" Whitney gaped at her "idol's" defeat.
"Obviously~" Gold wiped his nose. "He's the only Trainer stronger than !"
"Then—" Ash brightened. "Senior Gold, you must be crazy strong too?"
"Ahaha, w-well, obviously! Hahaha!"
"Gold." Whitney patted his shoulder. "Guess who you're facing next round?"
"Who?" Gold's voice cracked.
Grinning, Whitney showed her phone's bracket. "Natsu-sensei!"
Gold: "…"
"Senior Gold? Where you going?" Ash called.
"Stomachache. Bathroom break!"
"Ash." Jasmine turned solemnly. "Our match is next. Give it… everything you've got. I won't hold back!"
Perhaps Natsu and Bruno's clash had ignited her fighting spirit.
Ash grinned, adjusting his cap. "Don't worry, Leader Jasmine! Pikachu and I are all in!"
"Pika-chu!"
Natsu erged from the tunnel, Gengar floating behind, massaging his shoulders. "Gan~gar!"
Hearing Ash's declaration, he froze.
Using Pikachu against a Ground-type Steelix?
If he wins… oh right, it's Ash. Never mind.
"Where's Gold?" Natsu scanned the area. "Aren't we up after intermission?"
"Bathroom ergency," Whitney said.
Natsu "ah"-ed, then realized—
Wait. The legendary "tactical retreat"?!
"Breaking news: Quarterfinalist Gold forfeits due to health reasons," blared the speakers. "Natsu-sensei advances to finals against the remaining semifinalist!"
Natsu: "…"
Classic Gold move.
"Natsu-sensei? Where are you going?" Jasmine blinked.
"Stomachache. Bathroom break."
...
During the intermission of the endurance event.
The battle footage between Natsu and Bruno, broadcasted via livestream, had an even greater impact than expected.
Soone uploaded a screen recording to the Battle Section of Nico Dou, where it surpassed 200K views in just one hour.
The title read:
"Natsu VS Bruno! A Master Tournant-Level Showdown!"
"Clicked because of the title."
"New video from Natsu-sensei?"
"Holy crap, Natsu-sensei and Bruno in a real fight?!"
The top comnt in the trending section:
"The mont I saw the Battle Section, I knew sothing was off. Clicked in—good grief, Natsu-sensei is now smurfing in the Master Division!"
The clash between ga Blastoise and Machamp nearly demolished the entire arena, leaving fans wide-eyed.
"The destruction is terrifying!"
"Natsu-sensei always sticks to ga livestreams… guess he's afraid of being blacklisted by the organizers?"
"He hides his real battles to avoid bankrupting the event budget. Makes sense."
"Natsu-sensei: No more hiding. I'm coming clean!"
So fans privately ssaged Natsu-sensei, suggesting he compile his practical battle footage into a new program under the Battle Section.
Others argued it wasn't necessary.
After all, if Natsu was already letting Rotom livestream… maybe next ti he'd be seen battling the Sinnoh Elite Four live?
"Fast-forward to Wyndon Stadium, Natsu-sensei blasting Leon's Charizard with ga Blastoise!"
"Dream bigger—what about a 31-cannon Gigantamax Blastoise?"
"No way. As everyone knows, Natsu-sensei only joins Fan Tournants and Baby Cups!"
Later, a new top comnt rose to the top:
"With the World Tournant approaching, the organizers split events into Youth and Master divisions.
Organizers: 'Youth Division to the left, Master Division to the right.'
Only one trainer remained standing. When questioned, he said:
'I'm in the Master Division, but I signed up for the Youth Tournant.'
The organizers gasped: 'You must be Natsu-sensei! Straight to the Champion's seat with you!'"
...
Using the restroom was just an excuse—no way he'd actually run into Gold here.
Right now, Natsu walked through the empty arena corridor, heading toward the Pokémon Center.
"Gengar~ o(≧▽≦)ツ" Gengar leaned in, staring at the phone screen, laughing uncontrollably.
Natsu: "...You're laughing way too loud, Gengar!"
Gengar's cackling didn't stop, clutching its stomach in glee.
Natsu rubbed his temples.
Sure, he'd told Rotom to start the livestream—but the goal was just to get a better cara angle.
Even if nobody reposted it to Nico Dou, the official broadcast would've had the sa effect.
"Not a big deal." Natsu nodded slightly. "Just keep streaming gas as usual… Next ti, have Rotom livestream again. Double the gift revenue—"
His eyes lit up. "Brilliant!"
...
Near the rchant zone, inside the Pokémon Center.
After a full check-up confird Blastoise's cracks would heal over ti, Natsu sighed in relief.
Nurse Joy smiled. "Taurine supplents can speed up recovery. They're available at our Poké Mart!"
Natsu: "...I'll take them!"
Joy clasped her hands, blushing slightly. "Actually… I have a small favor to ask…"
After signing an autograph and thanking Joy, Natsu stepped out of the Pokémon Center, lugging a heavy bag of supplents.
"Who was the genius who decided to rge Poké Marts with Pokémon Centers?" He gritted his teeth. "Damn capitalists!"
Just then, distant gasps caught his attention.
Turning, he saw a crowd gathered around Bruno and Machamp, who were carrying towering stacks of stead buns.
Bruno frowned. "Is this all you have?"
A owth trembled, rubbing its paws. "Th-this is our entire stock, ow~"
Bruno and Machamp sighed.
Such a small amount of Rage Candy… nowhere near enough.
After swiping his card, Bruno and Machamp sat on a nearby park bench, cracking open a large water bottle from the vending machine.
They began devouring the buns, completely unfazed by the onlookers.
Most tourists, realizing Bruno wasn't interested in photos, eventually dispersed.
Team Rocket Trio also sighed in relief.
So scary… thought they were here to rob our hard-earned buns!
Natsu walked over, greeting them before sitting on the fateful bench.
Casually pulling out a prepared QR code, he grinned.
"Hey, friend. Wanna join a chat group?"
Bruno paused mid-chew, swallowed, then flashed a sharp look.
"Actually," Bruno said, "I have sothing to thank you for, Natsu-sensei."
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