Chapter 0775: Sirfetch’d VS Bond Greninja! (Two-in-One)

Snow was falling from the night sky.

Shauntal, Cynthia, and the others watched with great interest from the sidelines as Greninja battled Sirfetch’d.

Hoopa fished out a few cheer batons from its ring and shared them, grinning, with Bonnie and Serena.

“Challenging Natsume-sensei right off the bat—Ash is so reckless,” Clemont sighed.

“That’s just how Ash is,” Serena said, laughing.

“Let’s go! Sirfetch’d and Greninja, give it your all!” Bonnie waved her baton.

Snowflakes landed on Greninja’s shoulders. Ash, fists clenched and eyes burning, called out:

“Let’s go, Greninja, Use Cut!”

“Greninja!”

Greninja, incredibly fast, closed the gap, eyes blazing. Both arms trailed behind, palms gathering a sharp white light.

In a flash, their distance was nearly nothing. Greninja crossed his arms, slashing forth a blade of energy in a “one” shape!

“That’s way too reckless a move.”

Natsume extended his arm and called, “First Impression!”

“Sirfetch’d!” Sirfetch’d’s gaze sharpened—he didn’t retreat, but advanced, lifting his leek.

The tip of the leek gleamed with fierce light, piercing through the “one” shape blade and thrusting straight for Greninja’s chest.

Greninja was startled, staring down at the leek tip, arms crossing to block.

But Sirfetch’d stepped forward, driving out the tip, a cold gleam flashing!

Ash’s face changed, shouting, “Dodge, Greninja!”

“Greninja!” Greninja’s pupils contracted. Facing the overwhelming force of that leek, there was nowhere to dodge.

Bang!

There was an explosion of black smoke; Greninja was blasted back, slamming to the ground with a painful grimace:

“ Greninja…”

“Natsume-sensei held back,” Shauntal murmured. “Otherwise, the match would have ended right there.”

“He’s aiming to teach more than dominate,” Cynthia folded her arms. “Probably wants to awaken Greninja’s potential.”

Sirfetch’d pulled back his leek, standing tall and steady in the snow, eyes sharp and calm, gazing down at Greninja.

“Sirfetch’d…┌(。Д。)┐”

Whoa… I didn’t realize I was this strong, duck.

Natsume looked on, speechless.

Ash’s Greninja, after Bond Evolution, possesses an Elite Four main-team level.

Sirfetch’d, after training under Mustard and two Urshifu, had mastered both a “one-hit finishing move” and a “multi-hit secret”—long since reached Champion level.

But this Sirfetch’d… is also the most timid on the team.

Like a cautious solo top-laner, only going for a kill when denied tower gold by the enemy.

Clearly the laziest on the squad, yet champion thanks to internal competition…

No wonder Sirfetch’d is blessed with Great Fortune!

Natsume looked ahead.

The level gap alone made this double-effective “First Impression” more than enough for Greninja to handle.

Ash frowned, “Can you keep battling, Greninja?!”

“Greninja…” Greninja forced himself up, eyes resolute.

In Greninja’s eyes, Sirfetch’d’s gaze was unyielding. He gripped the leek and shield, standing above the rest.

Just his presence made him seem as immovable as a mountain.

But… I can get stronger!

“Greninja!” Greninja stood, determination in his eyes, taking a battle stance.

An invisible aura wrapped around him, water pooling behind his back as if butterfly wings were emerging.

Caitlin’s eyes stirred. “Their emotional pulse is growing stronger.”

“That’s the ‘Bond Phenomenon’ Professor Sycamore mentioned…” Cynthia’s gray eyes were intent.

“Greninja—”

Ash flicked the brim of his hat, eyes sharp. “The stronger our opponent, the stronger we’ll become!”

“Time to go, Greninja!!” Ash thrust his arm up, practically triggering ninja frog BGM.

“Greninja!!” Greninja threw one arm up, water swirling up from the ground.

Their eyes locked, fire burning, spirits blazing.

Natsume’s Aura of Ripple could feel Ash and Greninja’s auras merging into one. If Greninja was hurt, the pain would feed back to Ash himself.

“What kind of crazy fusion mechanic is this…” Natsume silently complained.

Still, seeing Bond Evolution in person made even XY veteran Natsume’s heart race.

‘Bond Evolution,’ officially called ‘Battle Bond,’ is a variant evolution method.

When Trainer and Pokémon are fully united in body and spirit, and that Pokémon possesses enough potential, there’s a faint chance of achieving ‘Battle Bond.’

Because the Trainer also feels the Pokémon’s pain, side effects can be extreme. Even someone with Ash’s stamina often fainted after Battle Bonding.

Snowflakes fell, water’s glow faded.

Greninja bore a red mark on his forehead, mirroring Ash’s cap. His posture was tall, scarf-like tongue fluttering, a massive water kunai forming on his back.

“ Greninja!” Greninja’s eyes grew keen.

For a long time, knowing Greninja’s ‘scarf’ was actually its tongue ruined it a bit for Natsume-sensei.

But he had to admit: Ash’s Greninja pulled it off—utterly iconic.

“Sirfetch’d…Σ(っ °Д °;)っ” Sirfetch’d stared blankly at his opponent.

This guy—how did he transform all of a sudden!

“Nice eyes.”

Natsume commanded, “Sirfetch’d, Leaf Blade!”

“Sirfetch’d!”

Sirfetch’d charged, his leek ablaze with green light, slicing down. Greninja grabbed his massive kunai, meeting the slash head-on. The impact sent him sliding several meters, kicking up dust as he crouched, one hand bracing on the ground, gripping a Water Shuriken behind his back.

“Greninja, Double Team!” Ash ordered.

In an instant, Double Team clones surrounded the field, snow swirling through the illusion. Over a dozen Greninja raised kunai, swirling and spinning with water, forming razor-sharp blades.

Sirfetch’d faced the center, glancing to either side.

“Now! Water Shuriken!!” Ash clenched his fist and shouted.

“Greninja!!”

Dozens of Greninja hurled spinning kunai into the air!

“Pick out the real one,” Natsume said calmly. “Close your eyes. Use Insight.”

“Close your eyes!?” Ash gasped.

That’s Blue Oak Master’s ‘Insightful Strike’ skill!

With eyes closed, the Trainer becomes the Pokémon’s sight, giving the attack order the instant a block succeeds!

Sirfetch’d shut his eyes.

In darkness, the kunai in every direction slowly faded away, until only a single spinning water kunai remained.

All the Double Team clones vanished except for Greninja, high above Ash’s position.

Suddenly, Sirfetch’d’s eyes snapped open—sharp as knives.

“Sirfetch’d!!”

The Water Shuriken spun fiercely, slamming into the shield, scattering blue sparks with a clang.

But the kunai couldn’t break the shield; water scattered once its force was spent. Sirfetch’d’s blade flashed to life, and he lunged forward just as Greninja landed.

“Night Slash!” Natsume called.

Strike in the brief instant of vulnerability—go for the weak spot.

Sirfetch’d’s leek turned jet-black and metallic, the clash streaked with red and black.

Slash!

All the Double Teams were wiped out in a single motion.

Greninja froze behind Sirfetch’d, trembling as he turned. “Greninja…”

Thud!

Greninja collapsed.

Serena covered her mouth, “Greninja…”

“That was excellent… Against Natsume-sensei, putting up a fight like that is impressive,” Clemont exclaimed.

“Battle Bond, mega evolution…” Cynthia smirked, “This year’s Lumiose Conference is going to be interesting.”

“Beep… Winner, Sirfetch’d, Rotom!” Rotom waved the flag.

Ash doubled over, the pain painfully real, sweating as he hurried to support Greninja.

“Greninja… are you okay?”

“Greninja…” Greninja draped an arm over Ash’s shoulder, gratitude and awe in his gaze for Sirfetch’d.

Ash’s Greninja’s moveset always includes ‘Cut.’

But ‘Cut’ is weak, and Greninja never mastered the advanced ‘Night Slash.’

Watching Sirfetch’d’s demonstration, Greninja felt a spark of inspiration.

“Sirfetch’d…” Sirfetch’d nodded calmly.

In that moment, Sirfetch’d heard Natsume’s resonant thought—

“Use Guidance.”

Snow fell gently as Sirfetch’d lifted his leek, gently tapping Greninja’s shoulder in encouragement.

“Sirfetch’d…” Sirfetch’d’s eyes were serene.

Young man, I’m rooting for you.

“Greninja…” Greninja’s gaze shimmered; he nodded hard.

I’ll make sure… to master ‘Night Slash’ soon!

Sirfetch’d nodded in satisfaction, then turned away, quietly delighted.

“Sirfetch’d… (′︿‵)”

Yes! Nailed it—didn’t show my nerves at all!

……

The Lumiose Conference uses a four Pokémon limit format, with movesets that can be changed before each match. Contestants’ movesets are absolutely critical.

In the anime, Ash’s Greninja’s moveset is: Aerial Ace, Water Shuriken, Double Team, Cut.

‘Night Slash’ is the upgraded version of ‘Cut,’ but Ash’s Greninja has never used it.

Using this battle to let Sirfetch’d offer some guidance was a thoughtful move by Natsume-sensei.

On top of that, Natsume is fascinated by Greninja’s ‘Bond Phenomenon.’

In the show, the ‘Bond Phenomenon’ has roots in the ancient tales of the ninja village, with Bond Greninja as a special form.

He wonders if his own Pokémon might someday experience ‘Bond Phenomenon’ or unique forms.

Natsume pondered this deeply.

You need a strong bond, shared conviction, an ancient legend…

Natsume glanced at Sirfetch’d.

The valiant warrior Sirfetch’d? The white knight Sirfetch’d?

If the ninja village produced Greninja legends, then surely Galar could pass down a ‘Sirfetch’d the Duck King’ legend too!

“Sirfetch’d!” Sirfetch’d felt a chill run down his spine.

He glanced back at Natsume, shivered, and hurriedly looked away.

Natsume: “……”

Maybe I’m overthinking it.

Still, if I ever get to visit Galar, I’ll just ask Sonia…

......

To prepare for the Lumiose Conference, Ash’s group stayed in Lumiose City, often visiting the café.

Greninja, under Sirfetch’d’s mentoring, grew skilled at ‘Night Slash.’

Natsume couldn’t help but admire Sirfetch’d—while he trains nowhere near as hard as Gengar, Blastoise, or Sylveon, he’s a natural at guiding other Pokémon.

Ash still chose his ‘Kalos catch’ team to challenge the Lumiose Conference.

Tobias was traveling in the Kalos region but wouldn’t compete in the Conference.

He was too busy collecting the ‘Sealed Super Demon God’ cards for his deck.

That five-card combo was now dubbed ‘Natsume-sensei’s Cards’ among TCG fans.

If you assemble all five pieces you automatically win a game—no wonder Tobias was obsessed.

Tobias’s Darkrai: “……”

Natsume defeated the super demon god; all you do is collect the demon god’s cards…

Embarrassing!

Natsume chatted with Steven about the Lumiose Conference and mentioned the legendary Rainbow Meteorite.

“The meteorite shows no abnormal symptoms… Why do you ask?” Steven said.

“No reason,” Natsume replied, relieved.

That Rainbow Meteorite was used by Team Flare in the anime, nearly plunging Kalos into disaster.

But now Team Flare is gone and Kalos is calm.

Bonnie, meanwhile, unexpectedly bonded with a Zygarde Core and often brought it to play in the café.

They’re super close; once Bonnie becomes a Trainer, the odds are high Zygarde will join her team.

Other trainers start their journey with Squirtle or Charmander.

Bonnie heads out with Zygarde… The real main character spirit, no doubt.

“I hear you’re going to be Special Guest at the Lumiose Conference.”

Steven mused, “There might even be a Champion Exhibition Match.”

“Exhibition Match?”

“Yeah. Like the opening match in the World Championships Youth Tournament you took part in—top Trainers battle to open the Tournament.”

“It’s tradition at the Lumiose Conference.”

“I see…” Natsume nodded.

“I’m looking forward to your battle,” Steven smiled.

“I’m a bit nervous, actually…”

Natsume showed a complicated look.

If I end up wiping out Diantha… Wouldn’t that be awkward for the Kalos League?

Diantha’s mega Gardevoir almost lost to Bond Greninja—this could really happen!

......

In early January, the world’s eyes turned to Lumiose City for the official opening of the Kalos League Tournament!

Unlike in the anime, this timeline’s Pokémon Showcase comes after the League Tournament, with Jessie and Serena both participating.

This year’s Lumiose Conference has drawn a huge crowd of Trainers who have mastered Mega Evolution—widely considered “one of the highest-level League Tournaments ever”!

And according to pre-tournament news, the opening ceremony may feature a showcase battle between Natsume-sensei and Diantha!

The Conference’s excitement has soared, drawing attention from all across the leagues.

Near the arena, banners fluttered, a Wailord blimp drifted overhead, and the LED screens broadcast Lumiose Conference hype videos.

“Do your best, Ash.”

On a video call, Aunt Delia encouraged him, “Mr. Mime and I’ll be cheering you on.”

“Mr. Mime~” Mr. Mime waved.

“Yeah, I will.” Ash grinned.

“Oh, right…” Aunt Delia tapped her chin. “Ash, did you sign up? I think today’s the last day for registration.”

“Signed up!?”

Ash’s expression changed: “Oh no, Pikachu, let’s get to the venue, quick!”

“Pikachu…” Pikachu sighed in exasperation.

That’s the sixth time now…

Ash hung up and dashed for the venue, joining a crowd of contestants at the registration desk.

He managed to sign up in the nick of time.

Ash let out a deep breath, adjusting his cap:

“Pikachu—”

“Pikachu?” Pikachu looked up.

Closing his eyes, Ash remembered Blue Oak Master and Natsume-sensei’s guidance, and the bond he shared with Greninja.

Ash’s eyes burned with fire, fists clenched:

“We’ll become Pokémon Masters and win this year’s Lumiose Conference Champion!”