Chapter 0746: The Spotlight Shines—Champion Showdown(Two-in-One)

Crisp autumn skies, fair weather.

The finals were upon them.

Above Victory Road’s main stadium, dazzling fireworks burst in celebration!

The merchant district was booming—huge crowds arriving at Victory Road, gleaming with excitement as they juggled goods and snacks, lively chatter filling the air:

“Today’s the big duel—Natsume-sensei versus Champion Ryo. It’s a clash of the titans!”

“Took long enough, but Natsume-sensei’s finally done with the Baby Cups!”

“For him…maybe this is just another Baby Cup?”

“New collectibles—don’t miss out, get them now~”

Team Rocket hawked their wares loudly behind the stands.

“If you’re lucky, you might pull an Eevee or Gengar doll from a mystery box!”

“H-hello…” Wally squeezed nervously through the crowd. “I—I’d like to try for a doll!”

“Of course, meow~” Meowth grinned, draping an arm around Wally’s shoulder, eyes narrowing. “But tell me—whose supporter are you, meow?”

“Natsume-sensei!” Wally replied without hesitation.

Pop!

As bystanders looked on curiously,

The trio fired off party poppers, cheering, “Correct answer!”

Mustard, accompanied by his students, slipped smilingly into the crowds, hands behind his back, blending in as just another old man who “didn’t know Pokémon battles.”

A cap-wearing, green-haired young man brushed past Mustard in the crowd.

Mustard glanced back, almost absently, at the young man’s retreating figure.

“What is it, Master?” Avery asked.

“Nothing.”

Mustard shook his head, a secret smile playing at his lips. “Just a few interesting young people here today.”

“Brother, look at all the Pokémon I’ve never seen before—balloons, ice cream carts!” Bonnie’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at the Pokémon walking with trainers. She turned to Clemont:

“Can I go with Dedenne and explore for a bit? I’ll be back soon!”

“Be careful out there,” Clemont sighed.

“Yay!” Bonnie raised Dedenne high.

“Ash—”

Ash turned.

Serena, cheeks tinged pink, offered him a Pikachu balloon tied around her wrist.

“For you.”

“Ah, it’s Pikachu!” Ash beamed, gently taking Serena by the wrist. “So cute. Thank you!”

“Serena, I want one too!” Bonnie piped up.

“Okay, okay~” Serena bent down, eyes crinkling with happiness.

Iris, hiding Axew in her purple hair, lingered by the park fountain, glancing around.

“How odd… I’m sure I saw a familiar Garchomp just now…”

Suddenly, Iris’s eyes went wide in shock and she stumbled back a step. “Miss Cynthia?! Σ(っ °Д °;)っ”

Ahead, at an ice cream cart queued out to the distant stadium, a slender figure in a flowing black dress, golden hair like a waterfall, pinned with a golden ornament, pondered the menu.

Iris peered closer and saw Miss Cynthia, one hand pinched to her chin in a deep-thinking pose.

“Uh… you’ve been here half an hour, ma’am, have you decided yet?” the vendor asked, sweating nervously.

“Yes, I have.”

Cynthia struck her palm with her fist, smiling as she raised two fingers.

“I’ll have two triple-scoop ice cream cones, please!”

A stir of excitement swept the crowd.

“Whoa, she made her choice!”

“As expected of Miss Cynthia!!”

“She’s the best!”

Iris spread her hands, sighing with the gravity of someone much older:

“Well, it’s just how Champion Cynthia is after all.”

At that moment, Iris felt someone poke her. She turned, but no one was there.

“Gengar~” Gengar appeared behind her, clapping a hand over his mouth as he laughed, crimson eyes squinting in mischief.

“Gengar—!!!Σ(っ °Д °;)っ” Gengar flinched as Iris spun, claws bared and eyes rolling in mock fright.

“Hahaha, Gengar, I knew it was you all along~~” Iris clutched her sides in laughter.

“Gengar...(￣▽￣)~*” Gengar pouted, bored.

Nothing fun here. Time to find someone else to play with~

“Aren’t you supposed to be battling today, Gengar?” Iris scratched her head. “Where’s Natsume-sensei?”

“Gengar!” Gengar bared his fangs in a wide grin, pointing off in the distance.

At the end of the avenue, Natsume walked beside Cynthia, dressed in a shirt, holding a triple-scoop ice cream, chatting quietly.

The tourists didn’t crowd them—just snapped photos from afar, everyone in “shipping” mode, beaming at the sweet scene.

“Oh—you two are about to battle, but you’re sneaking out for fun!” Iris called.

“Gengar~” Gengar turned away, wiggling his pointed tail at Iris and floating off toward Natsume.

“Wait for me!” Iris dashed after him.

“The match is this afternoon—good time to unwind,” Natsume said to Cynthia.

“You’re always relaxed,” Cynthia answered.

“Really?” Natsume scratched his cheek. “Guess so… it’s not such a big deal anymore.”

A girl with purple hair came running after Gengar; Natsume blinked, then recognized her.

“Iris?”

“Natsume-sensei, Miss Cynthia!” Iris waved enthusiastically. “And Meloetta! Hope you all are well!”

“Meloetta~” Meloetta floated on Cynthia’s shoulder, bobbing her head happily.

“You even know formal greetings now,” Natsume teased.

“Hehe, Grandpa Drayden taught me… Besides, I’m a genius!” Iris declared, hands on hips.

She’s more cultured than Gold already... Natsume reflected.

In the merchant district, Gold was winning at stacking games, swaggering as he nabbed the first prize, while the shopkeeper glared daggers.

“Hah, grew up playing this stuff!”

“Gold, let’s just go…” Crystal murmured, cradling her prize stash.

She shot the shopkeeper a nervous glance.

You can always spot someone ready to snap from their eyes alone!

Silver, hiding in a quiet corner of the park, called his father.

“Yeah, today’s Natsume-sensei’s finals.”

“You want me to tell him? Why don’t you just call him yourself…”

Click.

The line went dead.

Silver’s expression was all exasperation.

You called all this way… just to ask me to relay your good luck to Natsume-sensei?

Silver swiped at his phone, opening his notifications—sure enough, Persian had just updated their video.

Persian, forcing herself to be cute, had dozens of tags under the video:

[#Touran Road#Vote for Your Favorite Pokémon#Cheering Gengar~]

Silver closed the video in disgust.

Every time he saw that account, something deep inside him made a “crack” sound…

Bea and her Machamp trekked down a path toward the stadium.

Rolling wheels sounded behind her. Bea glanced back to see a yellow-haired girl raising her fist with determination.

“Found you, Bea! Battle me!”

Bea’s impassive face registered a flicker of perplexity.

Who is this?

Still, a pre-match warmup couldn’t hurt… battling was good for HP, after all…

Ten minutes later.

Bea strode away.

Korrina knelt on the ground in tears. “Curses… I—I won’t lose again, not with my Lucario!”

High above the clouds, Zekrom’s engine crackled with thunder as he scanned the land.

Through shifting clouds, his gaze landed on N, walking alone.

N’s striking appearance attracted stares as he walked; he’d sometimes flash a warm smile, turning girls’ cheeks scarlet—though that smile was always meant for Pokémon.

He could hear the hearts of Pokémon. Even caught, even living with humans, Pokémon could still be happy.

As for Poké Balls—N knew abolishing them wasn’t realistic. But for a Trainer to let their Pokémon walk by their side—that was true freedom, true equality.

N was especially fond of Ash’s Pikachu, and of Natsume-sensei’s Gengar… their hearts radiated joyous colors, stunning in their vibrance.

The main stadium soared ahead, the Sacred Flame burning at its peak in a silver brazier.

N paused to gaze upward.

This was the place…

Touran Road—the stage for the final battle!

Boom, boom, boom!

Fireworks soared, lighting the sky with passion.

A Wailord-shaped airship floated by, screens replaying Natsume and Champion Ryo’s greatest moments.

Helicopters hauled overhead, a hostess at the hatch announcing:

“Touran Road—the Champion showdown is about to begin! The audience is streaming in!”

“Let’s go, Natsume-sensei!”

“Ryo, you’re unbeatable! Let’s go!”

The open-air arena thundered with noise—cheers and songs roaring out.

The vast stadium, seating tens of thousands, was filled to the brim—a new record in history!

And that was because—

Natsume’s Champion journey had already won over Trainers from Unova, Hoenn, Sinnoh, and many more.

But even more—

He’d set records in battle, games, coordination, even culinary contests; his controversial strategies, unique charisma, and adorable Pokémon, all drew global attention.

Today, all eyes would witness a Trainer who started over from zero rise to Victory Road’s greatest stage!

“Let’s go, Natsume-sensei!”

“He’s brought the baby team for another Baby Cup!”

“Ryo Champ might be last year’s champion after today!”

Pre-game, official polls had Natsume with 65%, Ryo at 35%—but that kind of popularity poll reeked of “jinx,” and Natsume-sensei certainly wasn’t about to underestimate his foe.

So Precipice Blades, Geomancy, Dark Void, and more infamous attacks were standing by!

Victory Road limited mythical/legendary Pokémon, but not “illegal” moves—or wild commands like “use Recover” or “show some backbone”!

“Welcome, everyone, to the grand finale on Victory Road!” the commentator’s voice boomed across the arena.

“Let me introduce the finals committee!”

President Masaru, Chairman Charles Goodshow from the Pokémon League, the head referee, and two assistant referees all took the field.

As the chief referee walked to the center,

cheers surged even louder, both sides’ supporters waving banners.

Father Makoto couldn’t help but boast, “Just what I’d expect from my boy!”

Mother Misuzu glared, secretly clenching her fist, silently rooting for her child.

Former Tokyo Metropolitan University Principal Hiroshi sat with President Shoya and Leader Takuya.

So much had changed in a year.

The young man who had blitzed Piplup Cup’s “magikarp pond" now stood on Victory Road’s highest stage.

“Impressive, truly impressive!” President Shoya exclaimed.

Principal Hiroshi smiled softly—Natsume was, after all, one of his own students. The pride ran deep.

Cynthia, Iris, Ash, and their friends sat together.

“Natsume’s new team leveled up this much in a year?” Iris was astounded.

Cynthia smiled: “You could do the same, Iris.”

Iris nodded firmly, hope shining in her eyes. “Yeah!”

“One more month and a half till the Lumiose Conference, right Ash?” Cynthia asked.

“Yeah, after this battle, I’ll go home and start training!” Ash replied.

A month and a half—just in time for Christmas, Serena thought.

“Frogadier...” Frogadier squinted beside Ash, half crouched and ready.

Cynthia leaned her chin on her hand, gray eyes fixed thoughtfully on Frogadier, finally breaking into a smile. “Do your best, Ash. I hope to see you at the Champion League, challenging me and Natsume there.”

“I’ll be there!” Ash grinned.

“Look—” Bonnie, with Dedenne perched on her head, leaned over the railing and pointed. “That’s the guy!”

“And now, please welcome to the blue corner—Champion Ryo!!”

A spotlight fell as a towering man stepped from the contestant tunnel.

On the jumbotron, Ryo’s bronze face was stern, thick brows slanting sharply, his presence unyielding even in stillness.

Last year's Victory Road saw him, at death’s door, ascend among the dragons and battle at Tyranitar’s side—a tale that had moved so many.

No special abilities, but it was this solid foundation that made him even more fearsome!

“And now, to the red corner—contestant Natsume!!”

Tap—

A spotlight dropped.

Out from the tunnel strode a tall, dark-haired young man in a crisp shirt.

As he stepped onto the grass, the roar was deafening!

N sat in the VIP seats, hands atop his knees, eyes shining beneath his cap. “Sensei…”

Bea straightened her back as Korrina, beside her, raised a fist and cheered loudly, “Let’s go, Natsume-sensei!!”

Wally, blushing fiercely, finally joined the crowd in a heartfelt yell.

The camera focused on Natsume.

Natsume lifted his gaze.

On the giant screen, a striking black-haired young man appeared—exceptional aura and a gentle, easy smile.

At that moment, forums everywhere erupted in a flood of messages.

“Whoa, he’s almost as cool as I am!”

“#NurseJoySecretlyWatching# It’s not just Joy—Officer Jenny too!”

“Dammit, you’re hogging the comments again, Hanson.”

“Tears in my eyes! Ten years of fandom, and at last, Natsume-sensei stands on the Touran Champion battlefield!”

The stadium exploded.

It was hard to imagine a single Trainer could captivate so many regions at once.

But anyone could see why—Natsume-sensei’s legend was real!

At the command platform, Natsume paused, one hand in his pocket, black hair and crisp shirt rustling in the breeze.

Beside him, Gengar floated and chuckled, hand over mouth as Rotom Pokédex switched to live-stream mode.

Champion Ryo’s face was cold but dignified; he gave Natsume a small but respectful nod.

Natsume smiled, nodding back.

The chief referee surveyed both sides, raising the flag high.

In that instant, the whole crowd seemed to hold its breath.

Suddenly—the flag fell!

“Battle begin!!”