Chapter 0748: Natsume: My Friend Taught Me—Mind Your Own Business(Two-in-One)

Johto Region, Mahogany Town.

An old man in a wheelchair watched the snow-flecked vintage TV screen.

Onscreen, Blastoise’s cannons fired beams of ice skyward; Blizzard fell and froze the whole battlefield.

The commentator’s distorted voice rang out:

“Oh my—Venusaur has been frozen into an ice sculpture… It’s been buried by Blizzard!”

Pryce’s usually stern, aged face revealed a rare smile.

Natsume—this might be a new era.

Pryce slowly pushed his wheelchair, turning from the television. He opened his sharp eyes.

This will be your era!

Seated in the bustling audience stands—

Under the brim of his cap, N’s gaze flickered, his chest strangely warm as he observed the match.

He had always disliked Pokémon battles… because they meant Pokémon got hurt.

But from both sides—for both Venusaur and Blastoise—their desire to win was plain.

It wasn’t just for themselves, but trusted Trainers too, vying for the glory of Champion!

Beeep——

On the big screen, the fourth Poké Ball in Ryo’s side dimmed.

Meanwhile, Natsume’s side had a Blastoise radiating power!

Ryo understood the strength of Natsume’s team.

He was stronger, better suited to be the new Touran Champion.

Even so, Ryo still yearned for battle, driven by his pure love for Pokémon battling!

“Go, Steelix!!”

Ryo hurled a Heavy Ball.

With a thunderous crash, Steelix as tall as a skyscraper rose, smiling with a tooth missing.

This Steelix was a full ten meters tall—its imposing size left everyone stunned.

Blastoise was absolutely tiny by comparison, but its aura put Steelix immediately on guard.

“Steelix—” Ryo shouted, “Dragon Tail!!”

“Blastoise, Water Pulse!!” Natsume answered instantly.

Chat messages poured in.

“Whoa, Natsume-sensei’s really out here!”

“He’s a rat for not using Hydro Pump!”

“Water Pulse? That’s gonna blast Steelix to pieces!”

“Blastoise!”

Blastoise braced with twin cannons, launching two Hydro Pulses that slammed into Steelix.

BOOM!!

Water splashed everywhere. Steelix cringed in pain, reeling back, a layer of its shell cracking, its massive tail crashing down!

Crash!

Dragon Tail's additional effect triggered.

Blastoise was forced into a beam of red light and switched out from the battlefield.

“That’s a veteran’s sharp judgement.”

Cynthia rested her chin in her hand. “Dragon Tail’s additional effect forces your opponent to retreat, letting their backup Pokémon take over. Since Blastoise had the boosts from Baton Pass, those boosts are lost when it leaves.”

The commentator explained this as well.

With Blastoise forced out, Tyranitar appeared.

“Tyranitar!”

Tyranitar erupted onto the field, stirring up a violent sandstorm!

“Steelix, Iron Tail!” Ryo called.

“Tyranitar—” Natsume clenched his fist, voice steely. “Dragon Dance!!”

Steelix swung its diamond-hard Iron Tail at Tyranitar!

Tyranitar spun through the swirling sand, leaping as deep red energy swirled around it!

“Wow, that’s greedy!”

“Here comes Dragon Dance Tyranitar!!”

Crash!

Iron Tail struck Tyranitar’s armored gut, knocking it back several meters.

“Tyranitar, Earthquake!” Natsume commanded.

Through the blowing sand, a dull rumble sounded—the ground split, a crack racing toward Steelix!

Steelix’s eyes snapped wide.

From below, explosive energy burst up in columns of light!

BOOM!!

The arena was wrecked—Steelix was left stiff, toppled sideways, sending dust billowing.

President Masaru wiped cold sweat from his forehead. “Looks like we’ll have to rebuild the battlefield after this…”

“Luckily it’s not too bad,” Charles laughed. “Won’t take long at all.”

President Masaru nodded, eyes flicking to the scoreboard.

An irrepressible cheer rose across the arena.

The crowd could sense it—faces lit with giddy excitement!

Just one battle remaining, and a new Touran Champion could be crowned today!

The camera zoomed in on Natsume, the young Trainer drawing a deep breath.

No letting my guard down.

Comebacks from 5-1 in 6v6s, though rare, are legendary moments!

Facing Ryo’s final ace: a Champion-level Tyranitar.

Natsume composed himself and called, “Let’s go, Tyranitar!”

“Tyranitar!” Tyranitar roared, whirling up a furious sandstorm.

Ryo tossed a Poké Ball. With a clang, another Tyranitar emerged, tall and immovable!

The final showdown: two Tyranitars eyeing each other, a scene destined to go down in Touran history.

Almost simultaneously,

Ryo and Natsume raised their right hands—Key Stone Bracelet and Key Stone Gauntlet flashing with dazzling light!

“Tyranitar—Mega Evolution!!”

A prismatic burst of light blossomed across the arena.

Mega Tyranitar’s back split open with surging energy; six jagged spikes sprouted from its sides, armored belly a monstrous face, its horn pointed, whole body radiating terrible power—a true beast of war!

As Ryo’s signature Pokémon, his Tyranitar was even more ferocious, crimson gaze blazing, and wild sandstorm rising from its belly hole!

Mega Tyranitar’s Ability: Sand Stream!!

In the stadium, two monstrous sandstorms merged—blinding and chaotic.

Ryo’s lips curved with pride.

I can’t beat you,

But when it comes to sandstorm domains, I’m number one!

But this older Tyranitar’s eyes flashed bewilderment.

This sandstorm was bigger than any before…

Could my power have increased again!?

Tyranitar brightened, but quickly spotted the issue.

The sand, full of Rock-type energy, wasn’t under its control!

Tyranitar froze, glancing at the younger Tyranitar in the distance.

“Tyranitar~!” That Tyranitar grinned.

Sorry…we’re both strong, but this is my Sand Stream!

Ryo’s Tyranitar was left baffled.

How can this be?!

I’m clearly stronger…and my sandstorm control should be better!

Even Ryo realized something was off, his face odd.

An Elite Four–level Tyranitar able to control the sandstorm better than his? Impossible!

“Tyranitar!!” Ryo shouted. “Use Earthquake!!”

Natsume echoed, “Earthquake!!”

Both Mega Tyranitars pounded the ground, waves of force colliding with a thunderous boom, shaking the arena!

President Masaru swallowed hard, forcing a strained laugh.

“Still…acceptable…hahaha!”

Ryo grew more unsettled.

There was some kind of hidden technique in this Tyranitar’s Earthquake, making it far more efficient.

In other words…some Ground-type secret lay hidden in those moves!

Ryo didn’t dwell on it. “Tyranitar, Stone Edge!!”

“Rarr!”

Mega Tyranitar smashed the ground; jagged pillars of white light burst skyward.

Natsume: “Tyranitar, Stone Edge!!”

Ryo: ???

So you’re copying my every move now!?

“Rarr!!” Tyranitar pounded the earth; a second row of pillars crashed into the first.

Boom!!

Pillars shattered and collapsed in heaps.

Ryo’s scalp tingled—even with a power edge, his Tyranitar’s attacks kept being countered!

“Tyranitar, close the gap—use Superpower!” Ryo yelled.

“Tyranitar!”

Mega Tyranitar’s fist glowed white—Tyranitar’s four-times weakness to Fighting meant this hit could finish it!

“Block it, Tyranitar—use—”

Natsume’s brow furrowed.

“Precipice Blades!!”

Ryo: ???

The crowd went wild, chat exploded, forums buzzed furiously.

Precipice Blades?

Isn’t that Groudon’s signature move!?

Natsume-sensei’s Tyranitar even mastered THAT move!?

Team Rocket, secret base.

A flat-topped man in a suit touched his temple, a sly smile at his lips.

Through a crimson gem fragment, he’d mastered “Precipice Blades.”

With my Nidoqueen, I could never reach the ‘legendary’ domain.

But Natsume and his Tyranitar could.

Maybe not today—but someday, with Precipice Blades, his Tyranitar will reach even greater heights.

Why help Natsume? It’s simple.

Partly as thanks.

Also, Giovanni hopes someone will inherit and expand on Giovanni’s techniques!

Onscreen, Natsume stretched out his arm, voice ringing out: “Precipice Blades!!”

“Tyranitar!!”

Tyranitar howled—the ground at its feet glowing magma-crimson. Jagged blades of stone shot up, blocking the mega Tyranitar’s charge.

Ryo’s Tyranitar shattered the pillars with a punch, but suddenly looked down—eyes wide.

The ground beneath rumbled, like the earth itself boiling—then a savage blade stabbed suddenly upward!

Mega Tyranitar’s pupils constricted—Precipice Blades struck its belly and exploded sky-high!

BOOM!!

Ryo gaped up at the sky, slack-jawed.

He thought Natsume was bluffing, just saying the wrong move to distract him.

But no—it was really Precipice Blades!!

Every viewer in the audience sat frozen, all staring skyward in unison.

Trainers watching all over the world felt their worldview crack apart.

Natsume-sensei’s Tyranitar…could even use Precipice Blades!!

President Masaru eyed the ruined battlefield, coughing violently.

That’s it, the whole field will need rebuilding!

Thud!

Ryo’s Tyranitar landed, disbelieving, battle spirit almost drained.

Even Precipice Blades now?

What’s the point of fighting!?

Natsume looked at his panting Tyranitar.

That single Precipice Blades had used up a whole month’s stored energy.

In a 6v6, time to let everyone have their moment.

“Return, Tyranitar.”

Natsume recalled his Tyranitar with a Dusk Ball and snapped his fingers:

“I choose you—Gengar!”

“He’s here! Contestant Natsume is revealing his last Pokémon for the match!” the commentator cried.

“Gengar~”

Gengar emerged from the shadows, levitating onto the field, grinning shyly as the crowd cheered.

Ryo glanced at Gengar, sighed in resignation.

“Tyranitar, use Crunch!”

Natsume: “Gengar, dodge—use Dark Void!”

“Gengar! (^▽^ )”

Gengar flickered, swirling the fierce Dark Void in his palm and hurling it!

BOOM!!

Dark Void exploded, black smoke engulfing Tyranitar!

The entire field fell silent.

Ryo stood behind the roiling smoke with arms crossed, finally speaking:

“Are these moves…really legal?”

Natsume: “A friend taught me.”

Darkrai taught Dark Void, Xerneas taught Geomancy!

Ryo stared blankly for a long moment.

This ‘friend’… don’t tell me you mean yourself!?

He shook his head, resigned. Raising his right hand, Ryo conceded, sparing a final shred of dignity.

Beeep—

On the screen, Ryo’s sixth Poké Ball darkened!

Above Natsume’s avatar, the word “Victory” lit up!!

The arena was silent for a moment.

Then, a tidal wave of cheers!

Applause thundered. The elders watched with tears in their eyes.

Principal Hiroshi and Gym Leader Takuya still seemed in a daze.

They had witnessed it—a Champion’s rise to the summit!

“Sensei…Congratulations.” N clapped softly, a heartfelt smile among the roaring crowd.

“Touran League, Victory Road—a new Champion has been crowned!”

The commentator’s hoarse shout echoed through the arena.

“He is—hailing from Tokyo City—Natsume!!”

[Ding—Task ‘Victory Road’ completed]

[Task completion: Perfect!]

Natsume paid no mind to the notifications, standing among fireworks and cannon blasts, smiling as he waved to the crowd.

Across the seating, his gaze met Cynthia’s in the VIP suite.

The golden-haired beauty smiled, but her gray eyes flashed with fierce fighting intent.

Because, in a year, at the World Tournament, Champion Natsume might face Champion Cynthia!

Natsume realized it and managed an awkward smile.

World Tournament?

No way I’m signing up for that.

Lose and I’m sent home kneeling on a washboard. Win… same punishment!

“Natsume-sensei—!”

“Natsume-sensei—!”

The stadium roared his name in waves.

The rhythmic chanting echoed in Natsume’s chest, his heart pounding with every shout.

Natsume exhaled deeply, stepping forward to shake hands with Champion Ryo.

“Congratulations, Natsume.”

The former Champion smiled. “You’re stronger than me, and more suited to be the Champion of Touran.”

But Natsume shook his head with a chuckle. “I’m already thinking about retirement.”

Ryo froze: “?”

Natsume knew himself—he was too much like Steven, not cut out for a Champion’s daily work.

If he took charge, he might only cause trouble.

The best plan? Collect the titles, achievements, and bonuses—and step down.

With luck, he might even beat Blue Oak’s ‘shortest Champion’ record...

Ryo was still chewing on Natsume’s words.

Retire?

The way this guy says it…he just might mean it!

“Please, this way to the Hall of Fame, and register your team!”

A staff member escorted Natsume to a machine that resembled a healing station, gesturing for him to place his six Poké Balls inside.

As the eyes of tens of thousands focused on him, the big screen displayed six figures.

Gengar, Sylveon, Blastoise, Arcanine, Sirfetch’d, Tyranitar.

The stadium shook.

“Natsume-sensei, you’re incredible!!”

“It’s real—Natsume-sensei is really Champion now!”

“Togepi doo-ee~” In the Poké Ball, Togepi wiggled its feet in protest.

Natsume chuckled. “Relax, I’ll help every one of you earn a Champion medal eventually!”

[Please input your palm print]

Natsume pressed his palm to the panel at the heart of the device.

[Ding—Your team has been registered.]

[Congratulations on becoming the new Champion.]

[Touran League, Champion—Natsume!]