Chapter 0747: Ryo — Is That Move Even Legal?（Three-in-One）

A gentle breeze swept over the verdant field. The feverish cheers faded to stillness; all that remained was the sound of one’s own breath and heartbeat.

Natsume gazed at the enlarged Poké Ball in his palm, fingers closing tight.

Champion—responsibility, duty, mission...

In every battle there is risk of pain, blood, tears...

But this time, I want to win.

Not just for myself, but to answer the hopes behind me.

Natsume’s eyes sharpened. Suddenly, he hurled the Poké Ball, and in an instant, the crowd’s cheers roared back into reality.

“I’m counting on you, Arcanine!!”

A beam of red light streaked to the field.

“Arcanine!!”

Arcanine’s flaxen mane billowed, flames dancing along it, and with a heroic upward howl, its mighty roar thundered through the arena.

In the stands, Fire-type Master Saionji looked on with emotion.

A legendary Touran regional Pokémon—after so many years, a Trainer had brought it back to the Champion stage!

At the same moment,

“Talonflame!!”

Ryo’s Talonflame beat its wings, soaring through the air above the battlefield.

Talonflame’s Ability was “Gale Wings”—allowing it to fire off Flying-type moves at blazing speed while HP was high, especially its signature “Tailwind.”

“Tailwind” boosts the entire team’s mobility—a hallmark of Ryo’s signature tactics!

“Talonflame, use Tailwind!” Ryo commanded, arm out.

“Talonflame!” Talonflame’s wings whipped up a savage gale.

“Arcanine, Extreme Speed!!” called Natsume.

The flow of the wind wasn’t favorable for Arcanine’s dash, but Arcanine crouched low, tore up the turf with a “boom,” and shot forward like an arrow loosed against the wind!

The ground split as Extreme Speed’s explosive power erupted. Arcanine lunged at Talonflame like a missile, breaching the very air!

Ryo’s brow knotted.

Even for the speed-specialist Talonflame, “Extreme Speed” was a priority move. It could not be dodged!

Bam!

Arcanine’s head crashed into Talonflame’s folded wings.

Talonflame grimaced in pain, tumbling back like a broken kite. “Talonflame!”

The crowd was stunned.

A single clash—and Arcanine had driven the opponent back with ease!

“After so many years, a Champion-level Arcanine has returned.” President Masaru murmured in awe.

“Still,” Damalanchi said, “that Talonflame already accomplished its strategy—set up Tailwind!”

Ryo’s eyes shimmered with resolve.

Talonflame is renowned not just for its speed but for its “Gale Wings”—the courage to wound a foe, even if it means hurting itself.

That spirit also burned in Ryo’s heart, driving a fierce offensive alongside his trusted partner!

“Talonflame—” Ryo commanded in a low voice, “Brave Bird!!”

The commentators’ voices trembled in the arena, gripping the viewers.

“Ryo’s Champion isn’t rotating Talonflame out—he’s charging right in!”

A blaze of fire swept into view.

Though its wings ached, Talonflame stretched them wide, flames blazing, swooping for a low attack run.

Like a fiery arrow fired from a bow, Talonflame’s cry rose as orange became golden in the heart of the blaze!

Brave Bird—full-on assault!

Natsume’s eyes shone.

Flying and Fire—what types are more suited to go all-out than these?

Talonflame’s tactic—beyond Tailwind, it’s a do-or-die dash!

But—

In Natsume’s field of vision, Talonflame’s whole body glowed gold as it dove.

Natsume’s gaze was icy calm; he slowly raised his arm.

I’m not leaving Ryo any room for “Show your backbone!” commands!

“Arcanine, Wild Charge!!” Natsume called out.

“Arcanine!!”

Arcanine planted its feet, head rising high as stormclouds gathered overhead. Lightning crackled through the clouds, shattering stones, and a bolt struck Arcanine dead-on!

Viewers gasped, excitement shooting through them.

Electric power coiled around Arcanine’s frame, lightning-blue surges flickering in its eyes!

“Arcanine!!”

The chat exploded, forums flooded.

“Damn, Arcanine is so badass!”

“Tempered by thunder?!”

“This Arcanine’s illegal—why is the Ability ‘Mega Voltage’?!”

In that instant, Talonflame dived, its golden brilliance clashing with the streaks of lightning from above.

“Arcanine!!” Arcanine, lightning-wreathed, pounced up in a violent tackle!

BOOM!!

The arena shuddered, black smoke billowed as electric fire erupted.

When the smoke cleared, Arcanine stood tall, staring down before him.

Talonflame’s wings were scorched and sparking, the bird collapsed, struggling to rise, finally slumping, unconscious.

Beeep—

On the big screen, one of Ryo’s Poké Balls dimmed.

The crowd erupted in cheers!

“Return, Talonflame.”

Ryo, face calm, withdrew Talonflame in a beam of red light—and hurled out an Ultra Ball!

“Lucario—use Bone Rush!”

A breeze swept away the smoke as a sharp-eyed, red-eyed Lucario appeared before Ryo.

A glimmer of pride appeared in Mustard’s eyes.

“This Lucario—old man here trained him!”

“S-such speed!” Avery’s eyes widened.

On the field, Lucario clapped his fists together, a white glow swirling around metallic pads, drawing forth a staff-like Bone Rush.

Lucario spun the staff in a flourish, then flashed forward at barely-visible speed—right up to Arcanine!

Bone Rush!

Once, twice, three, four, five! Five rapid hits!

Lucario spun his staff into a ring of burning blows, landing hit after hit on Arcanine, marking him with raw, bleeding gouges!

This wasn’t wild flailing—it was premeditated!

As Lucario’s energy faded and the staff vanished, Natsume shouted:

“Flare Blitz!”

“FWISH!” In Lucario’s stunned eyes,

Arcanine bared his fangs, waves of fire pouring from his mane.

“Get in close, Force Palm!” Ryo barked.

“Lucario!” With a snarl, Lucario braced, muscles coiling, then sank low—his fist wrapped in white light, punching straight at Arcanine!

“Arcanine!” Arcanine, flames swirling, forced himself through the Force Palm and tackled Lucario to the ground!

“Crunch!!” Natsume commanded sternly.

Arcanine’s jaws parted, gleaming with icy menace!

Ryo’s eyes flickered—“Again, Force Palm!!”

Lucario clamped Arcanine’s jaws with his glowing palm!

BOOM!!

As viewers held their breath,

Force Palm’s shockwave threw Arcanine back; both Pokémon scrambled upright, glaring each other down.

Suddenly, Arcanine’s body twitched, light static crackling.

“That’s...” Ash’s eyes widened.

“Paralysis condition,” Cynthia frowned. “Force Palm’s added effect triggered.”

“And also…”

Her gaze fixed on Lucario’s impassive face.

“This is also a Lucario with Champion-level strength!”

The announcer’s calls echoed.

“Due to paralysis, contestant Natsume withdraws Arcanine, and his next Pokémon is—!”

Natsume instantly hurled a Premier Ball: “I’m counting on you, Sirfetch’d!”

Sirfetch’d, Leek and shield in hand, stared down Lucario across from him.

“Sirfetch’d!ヽ(`Д′)”

It’s all or nothing, duck—win and we feast tonight!

Before the match, Natsume’s determination had lit a fire in all the little ones.

Even lazybones Sirfetch’d, now, was burning with fighting spirit.

But...

Sirfetch’d stared at Lucario, heart heavy.

“Sirfetch’d… (′︿‵)”

A Champion’s Lucario…can I really win?

Ryo wouldn’t relax even for a moment. “Bone Rush!”

“Lucario!”

Lucario clashed fists, manifesting his staff as he circled Sirfetch’d cautiously.

In a flash, Lucario lunged, Bone Rush raining down in a flurry!

Five-hit combo!

“Detect!” Natsume commanded.

“Sirfetch’d…” Sirfetch’d’s eyes flew wide—then, without thinking, leapt aside as the club came smashing down.

Swish!

Bone Rush whiffed past, and Lucario gaped. He continued to attack—

Five club strikes—all missed!

Lucario was shocked: “Lucario!Σ(っ °Д °;)っ”

A gasp rose from the crowd. Avery stared at his master, seeking explanation.

Mustard grinned. “Compared to Urshifu’s multi-hit secret, Lucario’s just not fast enough, haha.”

After Urshifu’s intensive training, dodging multi-hitters like this was easy!

“Sirfetch’d!” Natsume barked, “Close Combat!!”

“Sirfetch’d!!”

Back in control, Sirfetch’d raised his leek—a dragon unleashed—rapid thrust after thrust!

“Lucario…” Lucario braced, arms crossed, yet was battered backward like a skiff in a hurricane, unable to counterattack!

“Lucario!!” Ryo yelled, “Meteor Mash!!”

“Lucario!”

Snapping to attention, Lucario hurled a comet-like iron punch—an uppercut that sent Sirfetch’d soaring!

“Sirfetch’d!!”

Sirfetch’d flapped his stubby wings, staggered upright, grabbed his leek and shield.

Scared me duckless…but at least these two are okay…

Natsume was conflicted.

Maybe he really is more food than fighter...

“Let’s go, Sirfetch’d—” Natsume’s gaze sharpened. “Aim and fire—Meteor Assault!!”

After Meteor Assault, Sirfetch’d would have to rest, but for that very reason, the move’s power was overwhelming!

“Sirfetch’d… (′︿‵)”

Sirfetch’d glanced at his leek with anguish, then lifted his leek high, resolute.

Both Ryo and Lucario froze.

The next instant, a wave of impending doom surged through both.

Ryo yelled, “Lucario—Dragon Pulse!!”

“Lucario!”

Lucario’s eyes blazed red. He pressed his palms together—energy roared out as a purple dragon, shrieking across the field!

“Sirfetch’d!”

Sirfetch’d hurled his leek.

The spear flew as a golden line, pierced the gaping jaws of the purple dragon, and detonated in a chain of explosions.

Lucario’s pupils shrank as he saw—the lance, like a godly spear, flying straight at him!

KABOOM!!!

The leek struck the ground, explosions ringing out, energy surging skyward in golden gales!

Blasts echoed throughout the arena; the crowd stared, awestruck.

The commentator could barely find the words. “That Meteor Assault… it hit like a Max Wyrmwind!”

Even Mustard was surprised, nodding in satisfaction.

He hadn’t expected both secret arts to fit Sirfetch’d so well!

As the smoke cleared,

Lucario knelt, bewildered, facing Sirfetch’d.

I lost… to a vegetable?!

For a while, Lucario’s heart ached. He slumped over.

Thud!

Sirfetch’d had just cleanly beaten a Champion-grade Lucario!

“Now even Sirfetch’d is Champion strength.” Natsume thought, moved.

“Sirfetch’d…” Sirfetch’d jogged over, pulling his leek free from the dirt, relieved to find it unharmed.

Wonderful—still edible in an emergency…

On the big screen, two of Ryo’s Poké Balls dimmed.

But the veteran’s composure did not falter.

In a full 6v6 battle, it’s common for a single Pokémon to sweep up the field!

When Ryo revealed his third Pokémon, an exclamation swept the arena.

Steel/Psychic pseudo-legendary—Metagross!

Aside from Tyranitar, this was Ryo’s second pseudo-legendary, making its first open tournament appearance!

Using “Aura of Ripple,” Natsume sensed Metagross’s energy—about Elite Four peak.

Champion Trainers didn’t all have teams full of Champions.

Elite Four–level pseudo-legendaries could, at times, break through to down Champion-level Pokémon.

“That Metagross must be one Ryo’s just bred up this year,” President Masaru said.

“To raise a Metagross to this level in a year—that’s true breeding genius,” Damalanchi admired.

President Masaru hesitated.

Unbelievable as it sounds—

Across the field, there’s one who, in a year, nearly became a Battle Legend...

“Metagross, use Zen Headbutt!” Ryo called.

“Metagross!!” Metagross’s eyes flared blue as it lifted itself with Confusion, then slammed toward Sirfetch’d in a razor attack!

With double effective damage, Zen Headbutt might even one-shot Sirfetch’d!

In the nick of time, a beam of red light withdrew Sirfetch’d into his Premier Ball.

At the same moment, another Poké Ball flew—rotation time!

“He called it!” the commentator gasped. “Natsume’s classic switch-in—he read the Zen Headbutt perfectly!”

Trainer forums everywhere: So cool! Oh my god.

“It’s bad enough to get out-leveled, but he reads every command too?!”

“This might be the dirtiest, most strategic, most well-bred Champion ever!”

With a red flash, Sylveon landed, twin ribbons outstretched, catching the oncoming Metagross.

“Sylveon…” A touch of disdain gleamed in Sylveon’s eyes.

Metagross sensed her aura and quivered with dread.

A Champion—a Champion peak Sylveon?!

(Ryo, who can’t sense auras): “….”

With type advantage she beat Overlord Dragonite before—so, Champion-level… or even Champion peak?

Just run her over!

“Metagross, use Meteor Mash!!” Ryo shouted.

Metagross: “Metagross… (⊙x⊙;)”

This’ll be the end of me!

With despair, Metagross threw an iron fist ablaze with white light!

“Metagross!”

“Sylveon, Shadow Ball!!” Natsume ordered.

“Sylveon!（｀へ´）”

Eyes narrowed, Sylveon’s ribbon loosed a vicious Shadow Ball, leaping high, smashing down!

A black explosion devoured Metagross.

With both type advantage and a level lead, the blast of Shadow Ball thundered through the arena!

KABOOM!!!

Sylveon, back to the explosion, landed light as a feather and flicked her ribbons in style. “Sylveon~”

The viewers gaped in disbelief.

The announcer stammered, “Metagross is… unable to battle!”

The entire arena erupted!

“Holy, Sylveon!!”

“One-shot? Pseudo-legendary Metagross was one-shot!”

“That’s Natsume-sensei’s Sylveon...so cute…so violent!”

Ryo looked as if he’d seen a ghost.

A one-shot?

A year of blood, sweat, and breeding for this pseudo-legendary Metagross—gone, just like that!

Suddenly, Ryo understood.

This Sylveon is Champion peak—on par with my Tyranitar, with Lance’s Ace Dragonite!

“How long… did you breed that Sylveon for?” Ryo managed to ask.

“One year. Why?”

“…Never mind. Let’s keep going.”

He shook off the disappointment and withdrew the fainted Metagross.

On the big screen, Ryo had only three Poké Balls left.

Ryo drew a deep breath, focused his gaze, and threw another Poké Ball.

“Go, Venusaur!”

Venusaur’s toxins were an excellent check to Fairy types. This sturdy, warty, dark green Venusaur was on the Champion main roster.

Its Ability: “Chlorophyll,” so its speed surged under sunlight—even outpacing Gengar!

Natsume glanced up at the overcast sky.

“No way he triggers sunny weather manually…” Natsume mused.

“Venusaur, Sunny Day!!” Ryo yelled.

He actually did use weather manually!

Venusaur’s flower burst into bloom—an orb of sunlight rising to the sky.

“Quick—Sylveon, Geomancy!!” Natsume ordered.

The forums exploded.

“Sylveon can learn that move?!”

“No, but this is Natsume-sensei’s Sylveon!”

“Sylveon!!”

Under the ground, radiant light pulsed up, flowing into Sylveon’s snowy fur.

Shrouded in a holy aura, her pelt shimmered like silver—beautiful and regal.

Any top coordinator would have given full marks. Even Meloetta on Cynthia’s shoulder gasped in awe.

“So pretty~” Bonnie said with a sigh.

“Geomancy, taught by Xerneas…that’s an amazing move!” Clemont said shakily.

“Geomancy, Xerneas’s signature move among legendaries—draws on nature’s power, massively strengthening the user!!” The announcer, even with notes, was overwhelmed.

The curious viewers fell silent in amazement.

Natsume could actually harness legendary Pokémon’s power for his team!

Fans, thrilled, couldn’t help but tease—

“Natsume-sensei, why can your Sylveon use Geomancy?!”

“Xerneas taught her. Mind your business.”

Ryo’s expression wavered.

Terraforming the field...?

Me, I set Sunny Day and Chlorophyll, and you just pull out a legendary’s signature move?!

Don’t blame me for playing dirty!

“Venusaur, Sleep Powder!!” Ryo yelled.

In the sunlight, Venusaur’s great body shook, spilling clouds of Sleep Powder.

Chat messages burst out—

“Oh come on, bushy-browed Ryo, you’re running Chlorophyll Sleep Powder too?!”

“So dirty! But against Natsume-sensei? Good dirty!”

Suddenly—!

As the crowd stared,

Boosted Sylveon turned red light, darted back into her Poké Ball!

On the giant screen, Natsume gripped the Poké Ball, a faint smile lifting the corner of his mouth.

Passing on the boosted condition—this was a strategy—

Gold pumped his fist. “Yes, it’s Baton Pass!!”

“Idiot.” Silver facepalmed.

Crystal quickly apologized left and right, “Sorry... this guy is an idiot, just ignore him, haha.”

“Go, Blastoise, Aqua Ring!”

Thud!!

“Blastoise…ヾ(■_■)”

Blastoise landed, pushing his sunglasses up his face, a thin film of water rippling across his shell.

With Manaphy’s [Purifying Droplet] blessing, this enhanced Aqua Ring could cleanse away all status conditions—including Toxin and Sleep Powder.

This, too, was one of Blastoise’s endless trump cards!

The Sleep Powder fell into the water screen, quickly dissolving, its effects instantly purified and washed away.

Baton Pass had also transferred the effects of Geomancy’s stat boost.

At this moment, Blastoise’s offensive power was on par with Kyogre!!

Even Ryo, unable to sense Aura, felt a bead of cold sweat trickle down his forehead.

This was supposed to be a reverse-type battle with Venusaur...

Why does it feel like type means nothing to him…?

“Venusaur, Leaf Storm!!” Champion Ryo called.

The plant on Venusaur’s back erupted into a whirlwind of blade-like leaves, each glowing with emerald power, swirling together into a raging tornado.

Swish!!

Viewers watched, shocked.

This Leaf Storm was no less impressive than that Meteor Assault from Sirfetch’d earlier!!

“Blastoise—”

Natsume declared sternly, “Blizzard!!”

If Blizzard’s accuracy was low—the simplest solution was to freeze the entire battlefield!!

“Blastoise!”

Boasting Geomancy’s boost, Blastoise, still cool behind his sunglasses, let his cannons boom, shooting two beams of ice into the sunny sky!

For a moment, the winds shifted, the sky darkened, and snowflakes began to fall in a blizzard!

Under the Light Screen, the snowfall was so intense neither Pokémon could be seen.

At the command stations, both trainers stood at the edge of the Light Screen, eyes locked.

Ryo’s gaze was grave.

A Blizzard... but there’s no way it could one-shot Venusaur, right…?

Natsume felt uncertain as well.

After a moment, the great snowfall slowly receded. On the field, snow had piled deep.

Around the edges of the Light Screen, icicles and crystal shards glittered in the reflected light!

Viewers held their breath—when the field finally came into focus, they swallowed hard.

At the center, Venusaur stood transformed into an icy statue, buried beneath a thick layer of snow!

Ryo stared in disbelief, jaw hanging open.

You call this Blizzard!?

This is—Kyurem’s ultimate, Glaciate!