Chapter 0812: No-Holds-Barred Battle Invitation(Two-in-One)

Manalo Stadium was like a boiling sea, countless spectators cheering with wild enthusiasm for the victor.

“Pikachu, they’re all amazing!”

“Pika-pi~~”

Ash beamed, clapping hard and then, belatedly scratching his head, muttered,

“Blue Oak Master lost… Is it bad for me to celebrate?”

“A clash between legends—no matter who wins, they deserve our applause!” Kiawe declared with excitement.

“Natsume-sensei really won.” Sophocles said, still in a daze. “Against Blue Oak, Sylveon managed a two-match streak!”

Mallow lit up as she applauded, “That was incredible! Sylveon is amazing!”

“Tyranitar and Arcanine fought their hearts out, too,” Lana smiled softly. “And it seemed like Natsume-sensei’s voice nearly gave out from all the shouting!”

Natsume’s “The Power of One” could allow him to command silently, like Sabrina or Caitlin.

But for a Pokémon battle, you need to show fighting spirit—like a Focus Sash, never backing down!

Snarl—that’s the Trainer’s way for Natsume-sensei!

The battle between Natsume and Blue Oak was now decided.

Both sides displayed incredible strategic skill, including prediction, rotation, movesets, and choice of held items.

With both sides at “Battle Legends” level and similar team strength, these strategic mind games became particularly crucial.

This time, the Victory Star flickered above Natsume, and as a “Strategist,” he had the edge!

Amid the thunderous cheers, Natsume and Blue Oak approached the centerline of the field for a handshake.

Blue Oak, in his pop-collar jacket, walked over unwillingly with hands in pockets and stopped in front of Natsume, finally letting a smile break through.

“Grandpa was right,” Blue Oak said calmly, as they shook hands.

“What did Professor Oak say?” Natsume asked, curious.

“Nothing at all.”

Blue Oak let go, having recovered from his loss, his eyes steady as he offered a heartfelt, “Congratulations, Natsume-sensei.”

“You fought well, too,” Natsume replied with a smile.

Blue Oak nodded, put his hands back in his pockets, turned, and gave Natsume that “cool guy” parting shot—eyes keenly set on the distance, as if he could hear Professor Oak’s earnest teachings in his ear.

“A true Strategist is one with deep roots in strategy and an ever-adaptable style…”

In this battle, I gave it my all.

Losing to Natsume, I don’t feel any surprise. In fact, I understand more now.

No need to obsess over “strategy.” That’s a skill Grandpa himself acknowledged. I should just battle in my own style.

The main team, the second team, even a third—the depth of my roster is what sets me apart from Red, my true talents as a Breeding Prodigy.

Blue Oak’s eyes glinted.

In the World Tournament later this year… I will become stronger!

Wait a second.

A strange look suddenly came over Blue Oak.

This Sylveon lineup was actually Natsume-sensei’s second team—the one he bred just two years ago.

And according to rumors, his main team is packed with legendary and mythical Pokémon…

Tough luck.

He shook his head, calmed his thoughts, and kept walking.

“Hey.” A call came from above.

Blue Oak looked up to the stands above the contestant tunnel—there, a young man in a red cap leaned over the balcony.

“Headed for training?” Red called out.

“Wait for me,” Blue Oak responded coolly.

“You sound dissatisfied,” Red teased.

“It’s just that…”

Blue Oak turned, gazing at the black-haired young man ahead of him, his eyes full of respect and ambition:

“I want to try a different format.”

The stadium's cheers hadn’t faded. At Natsume’s contestant tunnel, a swarm of reporters blocked the way, snapping photos.

“Time for some interviews, meow~” Meowth held up a notepad.

“Yeah, tell us how you feel after beating Blue Oak!” James was manning the camera, Jessie thrusting out a mic.

But I still have to video call Cynthia!

Natsume sent a cool glance at this “bumbling trio.” The Team Rocket squad instantly shivered.

“Yikes!”

That was the same terrifying glare as Boss Giovanni!

In the VIP box, a suited middle-aged man stood, adjusting his trench coat and hat.

A contemplative, nostalgic look appeared in his eyes as he replayed that battle in his mind.

“Precipice Blades… impressive.”

Professor Kukui stood in the roaring stadium, rubbing his stubble thoughtfully.

Natsume and Blue Oak truly lived up to their “Battle Legends” title, delivering Alola’s most thrilling duel in history, even eclipsing the Island Kahuna selection battles.

Still… I may have underestimated just how destructive a “Battle Legends” match could be.

“Prepare the Poison Z-Crystal for Natsume-sensei,” Kukui said, glancing at the pitted battlefield, feeling the sag in the ground beneath his feet, staring up at the sky. “And then, have Natsume-sensei’s construction team renovate it all over again…”

……

The group livestream hadn’t shut down yet. The camera lingered on the contestants’ now-empty stage as the members kept chatting.

Gold was in awe: “Wow, Natsume-sensei completely wiped out Blue Oak—two in a row!”

Lance: “…”

True, but the wording feels a bit off.

Leon mused, “I could learn a lot from Natsume-sensei’s strategy, even as a middle schooler…”

“With the outrageous moveset you run, you don’t need to learn from Natsume.” Lance eyed him. During a friendly with Red’s Gyarados, Leon’s Charizard whipped out “Thunder Punch,” almost making Lance delete his contact.

Seeing as Leon became a Champion in just one year… his play-style is actually a lot like Natsume’s.

Leon scratched his head and chuckled, “I just want to keep things interesting!”

【Group member ‘Blue Oak’ joined the livestream.】

Blue Oak finally discovered the group was livestreaming, and frowned. “What are you guys doing…”

Lance raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained.

Lorelei: “I suggest you check the chat log.”

Blue Oak: “…”

Two minutes later, Blue Oak typed a single, chilling line—

Blue Oak: “Gold.”

Gold: “!”

I’m doomed, I’m doomed, I’m doomed!!

……

Later that afternoon, moments after the opening ceremony concluded, Manalo Stadium announced it would close for repairs.

Considering how earth-shattering the legendary battle had been—with Precipice Blades and Rockium Z tearing everything apart—even the audience could understand, and joked about it.

“I heard Natsume-sensei crushed Blue Oak?”

“More than that—the entire Manalo Stadium got smashed!”

Natsume-sensei first made a stop at the Kala’e Bay villa, helping his partners recover and carefully reviewing the battle.

Blue Oak’s strength was beyond doubt, and his bond with Pokémon ran deep—but, ultimately, strategy wasn’t his strong suit.

Even more important was the effort of the little ones.

Tyranitar overcame a difference in rank, completing a grueling challenge against Blue Oak’s Rhyperior.

Right now, he was sitting in a sandpit at the front door, building sand sculptures and chewing away contentedly:

“Tyranitar~(￣～￣)”

Natsume realized his own Tyranitar had quite the crafty paws—those sand sculptures were realistic and super detailed.

“Can you build a Salamence?” Natsume asked curiously.

At the same time, Rotom projected a Pokedex picture of Salamence.

Tyranitar twisted his big head, studied the image, then went to work sculpting with careful “swish, swish” motions.

After a moment, an impressive Salamence was standing in the sandpit, wings spread, fangs bared.

“Amazing!” Natsume’s eyes sparkled. “Rotom, take a picture—“

“Hey! Don’t eat it first!”

It was clear why the sandpit in front of the house needed constant refilling.

In the battle with Blue Oak, Arcanine took a “tanky build,” not showing much aggressiveness.

He was now lying lazily in the sunlight, basking his mane, sleepy-eyed: “Aroo~”

With help from Victini, Sylveon’s energy was fully restored, and any exhaustion was eased by Meloetta’s soothing song.

“Sylveon~” Sylveon squinted happily, stretched on the couch indoors, looking every inch the proud general returning from battle.

Victini flew circles around the room, overflowing with victory energy and positively glowing: “Victini!”

“Meloetta~”

Meloetta perched atop the back of the couch behind Sylveon, playfully swinging her legs, humming a tune, half like Sylveon’s little fangirl, half like a lullaby to help her nap.

Natsume didn’t disturb them, just smiled and walked outside.

“Rotom, activate Bike Form. Destination: Kukui Research Institute!”

……

Kukui Research Institute.

“So this is the Poisonium Z?”

Natsume examined the deep purple Z-Crystal in his palm, the diamond at its center marked with a skull and shimmering with an eerie glow.

“Yes. You’ll also receive two more Z-Crystals—Waterium Z and Electrium Z.” Kukui smiled.

Waterium Z and Electrium Z each sat in a velvet-lined box, sparkling under the light.

Z-Crystals were exceedingly valuable in the Alola Region. To give three as payment for an exhibition match showed the organizers’ sincerity.

Poisonium Z was also closely related to Gengar’s special Z training, so Natsume graciously accepted them.

Now, only two Z-Crystals remained from the full set of eighteen: Dragonium Z and Icium Z.

Gathering them at home would let them shine alongside Gym Badges from different regions—a symbol of Natsume-sensei’s hard-traveled past…

Natsume slid Poisonium Z into the darkness under the table, where a tiny hand reached out.

Gengar caught the crystal, emerging from the shadows.

“Gengar(⊙⊙)” Gengar extended a crimson tongue, licking the Poisonium Z just as it once had with a Toxic Orb.

Kukui froze. “Uh…”

Natsume replied, “Don’t mind it—it’s a little quirk of Gengar’s.”

Kukui thought a moment, then said,

“Actually, Natsume-sensei, Nebby’s check-up is complete.”

“Oh? How is it?”

“The energy forcibly taken by Faba was restored thanks to Jirachi’s cosmic energy.”

Kukui smiled faintly, gratitude shining in his eyes.

“So please, could you take Nebby to the Altar of the Sunne—we need your help.”

“Understood,” Natsume nodded.

To close the Ultra Wormholes, to lift the looming Ultra Beast threat.

This was something promised to Tapu Bulu, and also the duty of the defense squad captain.

All in all… I really ought to thank Jirachi—he spent so much energy granting Nebby’s wish, he returned to the comet early.

Jirachi really is a little angel.

“Oh, and this—Burnet insisted I show you.”

Professor Kukui pulled up a notebook computer, opened an email, and handed it over to Natsume.

Natsume placed the notebook on the table and stared in surprise. “What’s this?”

“The latest findings from the Space Research Institute on Ultra Wormholes.”

Kukui stood up. “We’ve discovered that the destinations of Ultra Wormholes constantly shift. That means Pokémon from different Ultra Spaces could appear in Alola.”

A video clip in the email showed what looked like a ruined city, with heaps of fallen masonry—then, in a blurry moment, a gigantic black shadow flashed past the screen.

Kukui paused the video, displaying the shadow’s thermal profile—a huge pumpkin shape, two arms stretching out from its jack-o’-lantern mouth.

“That is a newly discovered Ultra Space and Ultra Beast—still unnamed,” said Kukui. “It can devour nearly all matter, and is an extremely dangerous Ultra Beast.”

Natsume narrowed his eyes at the heatmap.

It was unmistakable—that overbearing Ultra Beast: Guzzlord.

Natsume had vivid memories of Guzzlord because its cry was so notoriously “obnoxious.”

In the original anime, there were three Guzzlords—two of them shiny—filling entire episodes with non-stop, “AAAAAAAH!” screaming.

Given Guzzlord’s quadruple weakness to Fairy, and that Sylveon’s Dazzling Gleam is an area move…

Natsume wasn’t the least bit concerned. He even reassured Kukui:

“I’ll close the Ultra Wormholes with Nebby—Ultra Beasts won’t get a chance!”

……

Early the next morning.

Melemele Island, Hau'oli City.

Red, Blue Oak, Green, and Yellow stood together on the scenic beach when, in the distance, Natsume appeared, Gengar floating at his side.

“Gengar~(￣▽￣)/” Gengar called out, waving enthusiastically from far away.

“Alola~” Yellow greeted him with a gentle smile.

Once Natsume approached, he asked, “Aren’t you going to stay on Melemele Island a few more days?”

Green shrugged and replied,

“Red and Blue Oak want to visit the Battle Tree on Poni Island… I’m just here for the free food, so of course I’m going along.”

“Are you planning to settle in at the Battle Tree?” Natsume asked with curiosity.

Blue Oak and Red exchanged a glance, and Blue Oak answered,

“We haven’t decided yet. But we’ll be staying in Alola for a while longer.”

Waves washed against the shore, the sea deep and blue, and Wingull cried overhead as they soared through the sky.

Natsume nodded and began, “Are you taking the ferry, or—”

“Natsume-sensei.”

Blue Oak interrupted, a different kind of fire flickering in his eyes as he revealed a Poké Ball in his palm.

“Before I leave Melemele Island, let’s have one more battle.”

Natsume blinked in surprise, glancing at the three bystanders.

Red folded his arms and gazed up at the sky; Yellow glanced from side to side; Green sighed and rubbed his forehead.

“Honestly… You and Red really are total battle fanatics.”

“A one-on-one singles, with switching allowed, trainer attacks permitted—the format is—”

Blue Oak ignored Green's remark and, with a thoughtful, challenging tone, declared,

“No-holds-barred battle!”