"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the finals of the Inter-School Exchange Tournament!"
The commentator's voice boomed through the arena. "Next up—the leaders of both teams face off directly! Let's see what they've got!"
As the Gym Leader of Aspertia City, Cheren specialized in Normal-types precisely because of their lack of weaknesses.
A former assistant to Professor Aurea Juniper, he was known as the "Walking Pokédex" and "Seeker of Truth."
Even Alder, the former Champion of Unova, had praised Cheren's strategic mind.
Unlike brash Gym Leaders like Lt. Surge, Cheren was a tactical genius who relied on analysis and precision.
Rolling up his sleeves, Cheren's gaze sharpened.
I won't lose in my own domain.
The two trainers shook hands on the battlefield.
"Cheren of Aspertia City Gym. I look forward to your guidance."
"Guidance? Nah." Natsume smiled. "Just a friendly match. Let's have fun."
The casual, almost mentoring tone made Cheren freeze.
For a moment, he saw the shadow of his own teacher, Alder, in Natsume's demeanor.
Shaking it off, Cheren hardened his resolve. "I'll give this my all!"
Even if he was outmatched in raw power, strategy could still win the day.
That was the truth he lived by!
Natsume coughed lightly.
"All-out" or not…
Squirtle's got this.
"Trainers, take your positions!"
The referee's flag dropped, and the whistle blew.
"Let the battle begin!" the commentator roared. "Cheren sends out Stoutland—while Natsume opts for… uh… Squirtle?!"
The crowd erupted in murmurs.
"Is he seriously going easy on him?"
"After that last stomp, I guess he's throwing a bone."
But those familiar with Natsume-sensei paled.
You call this going easy?!
That Squirtle might be his strongest Pokémon!
Ignoring the chatter, Natsume glanced at the Everstone hanging around Squirtle's neck.
Maybe this is why it refuses to evolve…
Cheren, however, showed no hesitation. "Stoutland, use—"
Before he could finish—
"Aura Sphere."
"Squirtle!" Squirtle's eyes flashed as it unleashed a blinding energy blast.
Cheren's face twisted in alarm. "Protect!"
BOOM!
The front-row audience flinched as shockwaves rippled through the arena. Dust and debris rained down as Stoutland stood trembling inside its Protect barrier—badly shaken despite the defense.
It still took damage through Protect?!
Cheren's blood ran cold.
There's no room for fancy plays here!
The sheer power of the Aura Sphere left viewers stunned.
"What just happened?!"
"Since when does Squirtle learn that?!"
"If Protect barely blocked one hit, what's stopping the next?!"
As a Normal-type, Stoutland's only weakness was Fighting—which was why Natsume had instinctively chosen Aura Sphere.
But Cheren was no slouch either. His Protect timing was flawless.
Natsume clicked his tongue. "Again. Aura Sphere."
As energy gathered in Squirtle's palms, Cheren's mind raced.
The odds of Protect working twice are slim…
I have to gamble!
WHOOSH!
The second Aura Sphere rocketed forward—but Cheren recalled Stoutland at the last second.
In one fluid motion, he hurled another Poké Ball.
"Endeavor!"
Lopunny emerged, taking the full brunt of the attack. Its Focus Sash shattered, leaving it with a sliver of health—but alive.
With a desperate cry, it lunged at Squirtle.
At 1 HP, Endeavor could deal catastrophic damage—enough to cripple Squirtle in one hit!
Erika watched with quiet admiration.
Keeping a cool head under pressure… impressive.
But then she smirked.
Challenging Natsume-sensei in strategy?
That's just naive.
Natsume almost laughed.
This tactic… feels familiar.
Focus Sash + Endeavor + Quick Attack—the infamous "FEAR" strategy.
While not as broken as in the games, it was still deadly.
"Can't let Squirtle get hurt."
He smirked, already reaching for another Poké Ball.
"That'd be a waste."
Cheren's heart pounded.
If Endeavor lands, I can turn this around!
But then—
His eyes widened.
Lopunny's attack phased straight through its target.
"Gengar!" The Gengar materialized, cackling as it clutched its belly.
"Normal-type moves don't work on Gengar."
Natsume grinned. "I can switch too, you know."
Cheren's breath hitched.
He predicted my play perfectly.
On the sidelines, Erika chuckled.
"Natsume-sensei's battles are always a spectacle."
His three students stared, awestruck.
This was their teacher's real skill.
If only his luck were better…
Erika sighed inwardly.
He'd have made waves in the World Tournament long ago.
Back on the field, Gengar finished off Lopunny with a flick of Psychic.
Cheren recalled his fainted Pokémon, face grim.
"Because you knew… you didn't."
Natsume's gaze was almost pitying.
"Sticking to textbook strategies won't get you far."
The words struck deep.
Alder… said something similar once.
A wave of helplessness washed over Cheren—but the battle wasn't over yet.
If I can outspeed Gengar… I still have a chance!
His next throw summoned Porygon2, its defenses bolstered by an Eviolite.
But the moment Natsume saw it, he already knew.
"Trick Room!"
"Imprison!"
Their commands overlapped.
Gengar's grin widened as it snapped its fingers—shattering the warping space before it could form.
Even casual viewers gasped.
"That prediction was insane!"
"Natsume-sensei's playing 4D chess!"
Cheren's hands trembled.
In mere seconds, Natsume had predicted, countered, and outmaneuvered him effortlessly.
This man's skill is monstrous.
Erika watched with quiet respect.
Even I'd struggle against him.
In battles of equal strength, Natsume-sensei's presence was overwhelming.
And when it came to training and strategy?
He rivals the Champions themselves.
"Now this…" Erika smiled. "Is a true Strategist."
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