Chapter 0785: You Want to Use a Z-Move That Quietly?!(Two-in-One)

Morning sunlight shone on the villa atop the hill, sparkles shimmering across Kala'e Bay.

“Gengar~” Gengar set down the laundry basket, hanging clothes one by one out on the balcony, gazing at the far-off ocean view and nodding with a toothy grin.

On the front garden lawn, Rotom in Lawn Mower Form zipped by with cheerful hums of “mow-mow-morning-mow.”

In the shade beneath a tree, Lucario sat with eyes closed in Calm Mind, a turtle shell lying motionless nearby.

Lucario turned and eyed the aura-emitting Blastoise, falling silent.

Even practicing Calm Mind, it keeps its shell withdrawn… Isn’t that a bit too cautious?

Inside, Cynthia wore black hair ornaments; her golden hair fell like a waterfall as she sat with a notebook computer before her, the screen displaying Professor Carolina’s stern visage.

“I’ve received your preliminary report on Alola mythology, Cynthia.”

Carolina continued, “There’s reason to investigate the Altar of the Sunne further, but… be careful, and you’d better take Natsume along, too.”

“Grandmother, I’m a league Champion.” Cynthia smiled faintly, her gray eyes crystal-clear.

“Even so, it’s best to have that guy out in front…”

Carolina muttered, then asked, “Where’s Natsume?”

Cynthia crossed her arms and replied, “Today’s the first day of Trainer School. He left for registration early this morning.”

“Oh… Well, if you get the chance, remember to investigate Melemele Island’s ancient war ruins. There have been reports of unusual z-aura there.”

Carolina paused, then added, “Also, Celestic Town has unearthed a few more stone tablets. If convenient, please have Natsume translate them.”

“I understand.” Cynthia smiled gently. “That’s right in his line of expertise.”

“Hmph. So he should.”

Carolina muttered something about “stealing my granddaughter,” then discussed Cynthia’s recent schedule.

“I plan to…” Cynthia rested her chin in her hand, pondering aloud, “I plan to try mastering z-power.”

Natsume was getting stronger—Cynthia wasn’t about to be left behind.

Champions aren’t inflexible. Lance, after all, mastered both “Mega Evolution” and “Gigantamax” power.

The World Tournament is coming later this year; Cynthia had to be prepared.

“Z-power... You mean that silly dancing?” Carolina gave her an appraising glance.

“That’s called a full-power pose,” Cynthia corrected with a laugh. “And I’m planning to start from totem aura… Garchomp has even greater potential. It can even learn new moves, like ‘Scale Shot,’ giving me more options in strategy.”

“I don’t really follow all that…” Carolina said, “But you do have one important mission this year.”

“What’s that?” Cynthia asked.

“To let me have a grandson soon,” Carolina mumbled. “A granddaughter would be best… twins would be nice, too.”

A flush spread suddenly over Cynthia’s cheeks; she frowned. “Grandmother!”

Carolina ignored her, muttering, “Six, maybe… to match each starter.”

Cynthia froze, the flush running down her pale neck, replying curtly, “Grandmother, I’ll investigate the ancient war ruins… Goodbye.”

She ended the call and closed the notebook computer.

Cynthia sat on the sun-drenched sofa, golden hair draping over her beautiful features, momentarily lost in thought.

After a moment, she smiled faintly, only to frown and fall into silent contemplation.

……

Hau'oli City Outskirts.

Trainer School stood atop a cliff, sprawling across the hilltop.

With its sports fields, swimming pool, treehouse tutorial building, battle facilities, and the ‘forbidden forest’ haunted by Bewear nearby, the campus was vast.

The winding mountain road up to the summit passed black-haired young man atop a striding Arcanine.

On the left, a line of warning posts along the cliff edge; on the right, steep slopes climbing upward—a classic “uphill segment” found in every school.

Tapu Koko’s rainbow sheen flickered; suddenly, it appeared atop a ledge, telepathically messaging:

“I’ll be training with Sylveon in the forest nearby. If you need anything, just come and find me.”

“No problem.” Natsume remembered something and added, “Be sure to steer clear of the Bewear in the woods!”

Tapu Koko glanced at Natsume in puzzlement.

I’m an island guardian—am I supposed to be afraid of a mere Bewear?

Knowing exactly what Tapu Koko was thinking, Natsume felt complicated.

Truth is, if a real fight broke out, Tapu Koko would probably get wrecked by Bewear.

From Tapu Koko to “Tapu Boo-hoo”!

“Just consider it a personal request of mine,” Natsume said.

Tapu Koko paused, then nodded, vanishing from sight.

“Arcanine! (｀0′)” Arcanine slowed to a halt.

Trainer School was finally in view.

Natsume took in the Alola-style treehouse buildings, the swaying palm trees, the gentle breeze carrying the scent of fruit.

Several Tauros riders galloped around the big sports field, raising clouds of dust. In the distance, a long artificial lake. Kids on the field teamed up with Machamp and Primeape for a game of Pokémon basketball.

He’d agreed to meet Professor Kukui at the front gate, but there was still time.

Curious, Natsume swung down from Arcanine’s two-meter back at the gate, pausing to watch the basketball match.

In the Black & White game storyline, Pokémon basketball, baseball, and soccer games featured humans and Pokémon playing together. Human physicality couldn’t match Pokémon, but their dribbling, passing, and teamwork supported scoring.

Given that upcoming days might involve a faculty and staff league, Natsume-sensei mulled over joining some sporting events himself.

Trainer School, beside the artificial lake.

A blue-haired, short-haired girl sat on a fishing chair, focused, quietly angling.

“There’ve been no bites today at all,” Lana murmured.

“Lana, Lana!”

A green twin-ponytailed energetic girl called from the back of a galloping Tauros, barely reining it in, exclaiming:

“There’s a really handsome trainer at the front gate—he looks like the new teacher!”

“New teacher?” Lana blinked. “Is it the one Professor Kukui mentioned?”

“I don’t know, come check with me—I’m too shy to go alone!” Mallow said nervously.

“Alright, just a sec.”

Lana slowly and carefully packed up her tackle, taking her rod and fish bucket. “Let’s go, then~”

At the school gate.

Arcanine lounged with its imposing build and flowing mane, radiating a champion’s aura, lazily baring its fangs with a yawn.

This Pokémon drew too much attention—no Alola Island Riding Competition winner could compare to its presence.

Students looked on curiously. Some recognized him as the trainer who defeated the Island Kahuna yesterday, exclaiming aloud.

To avoid more commotion, Natsume-sensei took back Arcanine. Still, just standing at the gate, this handsome young trainer attracted attention.

“That must be the new teacher?”

“Seriously? Will he teach our grade?”

“Oh my god, that’s Champion Natsume-sensei! He’s really at our school!”

The treehouses, built like stilted huts, filled with students peeking out windows, watching the black-haired young man at the gate as if waiting for someone.

One window after another, small heads poked out. Not until the mountaintop bell rang did the students scatter in a flash, returning to their classrooms.

Natsume fell into thought.

There aren’t many students… even fewer than at Celadon School.

If the anime is any guide, students of different grades and varying tutorial content shared classes—both younger kids and middle-school-aged students attended together.

Having ‘Champion Ash’ study here really was a reboot, giving him a second round of basic education.

Of course, Ash had started traveling at age ten, so his foundational knowledge was shaky. This Alola journey patched his weak spots and indirectly leveled up his Trainer ranking.

“Alola~”

Down the road, Professor Kukui approached in his white lab coat, hand in pocket, waving with a smile, “Sorry to make you wait, Natsume-sensei!”

“Alola~” Natsume smiled back. “I was just wondering, which grade I’ll be teaching.”

“Haha, this year’s new class is small—just five, counting Lillie,” Professor Kukui laughed. “Come, I’ll show you around, then take you to meet the Principal!”

Technically, Natsume-sensei was to serve as Principal. But in Alola, there’s little hierarchy; everyone’s addressed simply as “teacher,” and students treat you more like a friend.

Natsume didn’t mind—in fact, he rather liked Alola’s laid-back life. Retiring as Champion to teach students seemed a peaceful way to live.

Professor Kukui led Natsume on a campus tour. In the corner, a suspicious group tried to hide. With a shout, Kukui said:

“Hey, you five, come out and meet your new teacher!”

“Don’t push! Ouch…”

“Wait! Let me battle Natsume-sensei first!”

A chunky boy yelped as he tripped, with Kiawe ending up sprawled on top of him.

Mallow gasped, hands over her mouth. Lana had already pulled Lillie aside.

Professor Kukui rubbed his forehead, exasperated.

“Natsume-sensei, these are your students—please don’t mind their chaos. Now, introduce yourselves, everyone!”

The chubby boy stood and dusted himself off, grinning, “I’m Sophocles, a total computer whiz~”

“This is my partner… Togedemaru! He’s great with Electric-type moves!” The little chubby boy lifted his round Togedemaru.

“I’m Kiawe, from Akala Island!” Kiawe, tanned and red-haired, bare-chested and intense, declared, “I intend to become an Island Kahuna—Natsume-sensei, please teach me the way of Z-Moves and battle…”

“Please!” Kiawe bowed 90°, voice full of spirit.

Natsume stroked his chin.

Strictly speaking, Z-Moves require Trainers to channel aura through those infamous dance moves—the more skilled the dance, the stronger the Ultimate Aura.

Since this was Kiawe’s wish… then let’s help make dreams come true!

Natsume: “You want to use a Z-Move with a whisper like that? Do the ‘Inferno Overdrive’ dance ten times first!”

Kiawe snapped alert—that must be the secret to strength! Excited, he declared, “Yes, understood!”

Right in front of Professor Kukui and the others, Kiawe threw himself into a vigorous string of Z-dances, stunning Sophocles and the rest.

Kiawe: “Ohhh! My fighting spirit erupts like Wela Volcano—”

“Super Ultimate, Over, Drive, BURST!!”

Lillie and the others watched from the side; Mallow whispered in awe, “Kiawe really masters his full-power pose, huh…”

And… Mallow snuck a glance at Natsume, nodding gently, breath catching.

The new Natsume-sensei is really handsome!

“This new teacher…won’t be easy to deal with…” Lana said, face serious.

“Huh? Why do you say that?” Lillie asked, blinking.

“It’s a gut feeling,” Lana replied solemnly.

Professor Kukui marveled at Kiawe’s z-move dancing: “Definitely a child of the ancient dances that run in some Island families.”

Having Kiawe repeat the Z-poses wasn’t pointless—Natsume-sensei could sense several mistakes just with aura, making it easier to correct him later.

Natsume nodded, “Very spirited! Next!”

“Natsume-sensei!” Mallow, the green twin-tailed girl with sun-kissed skin, beamed radiantly. “I’m Mallow—my dream is to inherit my family’s restaurant and become a wonderful chef!”

“Lofty goals indeed,” Natsume said, touched.

“I’m Lana, from Konikoni City...” The short-haired blue girl took a deep breath, her gaze serious, voice loud:

“My dream is to fish up Kyogre!”

Everyone was taken aback.

“Every time I hear that, Lana, it gives me chills,” Mallow said.

“Gyarados, sure, but Kyogre? Bit impossible,” Sophocles said, scratching his head.

Kiawe paused his Z-dance, saying, “Kyogre’s a legendary Pokémon. Not even the best rod could land it.”

“Still…” Lana ducked her head, then looked up with determination. “I’ll make it happen someday.”

Natsume spoke gently,

“If you ever need Kyogre’s body data, you can ask me.”

Lana stared: “Huh?”

“To reel in Kyogre, courage isn’t enough—you’ll need arm strength, fishing technique, bait selection… All the data has to be precisely calculated.”

Natsume smiled. “Rotom and I will help as much as we can—but in the end, it comes down to your skill.”

Lana’s eyes flickered; she nodded seriously. “Thank you, Natsume-sensei.”

The last student was the familiar Lillie.

Lillie still couldn’t touch Pokémon—helping her overcome that inner hurdle was a key job for any teacher.

Natsume already knew these five students pretty well, and their personalities lined up closely with the anime.

If all went smoothly, he might never have to intervene against Ultra Beasts—the students could handle it by themselves.

“Alright, time for class, everyone—Natsume-sensei and I need to go meet with the Principal,” Professor Kukui said.

“Got it!”

On the way to the Principal’s office, Natsume asked about his teaching duties.

“Uh… There’s not really a fixed schedule—tutorials include Pokémon knowledge, breeding, battling, and wild fieldwork.”

“How many teachers are there?”

“Counting you and me? Three.”

“...Such robust faculty strength.”

Opening the Principal’s office, Natsume paused in surprise.

An old man in a floral shirt, hands clasped behind him, turned away from the balcony, revealing a face about 90% identical to Professor Oak.

“Professor Oak—wait, are you his cousin?” Natsume ventured.

“Haha, it seems Samuel’s already chatted with you.”

This “Professor Oak” had tanned skin and laughed heartily, “I’m Samson Oak, the ‘Rowlet’ of the Oakes!”

Natsume: “……”

Wait—was that… a pun?

This Professor Oak—Alola Form—was famous for cold Pokémon jokes and cosplay, and was also the prior Principal.

“My back problems,” Samson Oak explained, “have made teaching difficult, so Samuel asked me to find a successor on his behalf. I’m now Vice Principal, mainly lecturing on regional Forms differences.”

You yourself are the best lesson on regional Forms there is...

After the handover with Samson Oak, Natsume would officially start teaching tomorrow.

He was just about to tour the treehouse building when Natsume received a rare call from the Team Rocket Trio.

“What made you reach out all of a sudden?”

Natsume teased as he opened the video call, then froze.

On screen, the Trio’s faces were deathly pale. They pressed fingers to lips, motioning for silence.

“Executive… There’s a wild Bewear…”

The Trio was trapped in the depths of the forest, buried under a mountain of berries, near tears and unable to move.

“Help!!”