Chapter 0744: Blastoise—Torrent, Activate!!(Two-in-One)

“What an incredible Aura of Ripple!”

Mustard stared intently at Blastoise before him, his expression grave.

As a martial artist himself, Mustard could clearly sense Blastoise’s unique aura talent.

And with Natsume’s own Aura of Ripple amplifying it, this Blastoise would be even more formidable!

“Urshifu…”

Urshifu lifted one knee, staring coolly at Blastoise, searching for its weak point.

It was said that some opponents, once exposed by Rapid Strike Urshifu’s insight, would lose confidence.

However—

Blastoise stood its ground, slowly taking off its sunglasses, revealing a look of absolute resolve!

Even Urshifu, usually calm as still water, furrowed its brow, a ripple forming deep within its mind.

This Blastoise, its shell as solid as iron, revealed not the slightest weakness!

Blastoise tossed away its sunglasses, Rotom hurriedly catching them.

Natsume swept his arm decisively. “Blastoise, Torrent!!”

Once, there was Ash’s Infernape—Blaze shining gold.

Now, there was Natsume’s Blastoise—Torrent at full power!

Watery ripples surged up around Blastoise’s feet, and with a loud crash a pillar of water shot skyward, engulfing Blastoise in a swirling torrent!

“Blastoise!”

Torrent, activate!!

“Torrent?!”

Both Mustard and Urshifu flashed a look of shock.

That’s an ability only triggered at a desperate moment—Blastoise’s Torrent!

But... Blastoise had just entered the field!

Just then, Mustard caught on.

Martial artists train in harsh conditions—icy snows, roaring waterfalls—precisely to keep the body always balancing at the edge, pushing past its limits...

Blastoise’s Torrent was proof of its relentless daily training!

Lifting his sharp gaze, Mustard looked at Blastoise, respect flickering in his eyes.

This was a martial artist, meeting a worthy rival, burning with fighting spirit and respect!

Outside the arena.

Champion Ryo, though he’d heard tales of this Blastoise, was still bewildered seeing it first-hand. “Is… is this fair?”

Kurosawa nodded. “Some Pokémon have special talents—plus, Natsume-sensei’s Aura of Ripple can even trigger Blastoise’s state… There’s a logic to it!”

Champion Ryo: “……”

If this aura-empowered Blastoise fought my Tyranitar…

That’s just bullying honest trainers!

The waterspout crashed down, splintering into droplets. Blastoise emerged, shell and forehead streaked with water, gaze icily focused.

Sensing danger, steadfast Blastoise had triggered its Torrent the moment it stepped in.

With Torrent’s power-up, its Water-type moves would be even more devastating!

That presence rattled even Rapid Strike Urshifu.

Urshifu dared not be careless, drawing a deep breath.

In an instant, Urshifu’s sharp eyes shot open as it stormed forward like a cyclone!

“Surging Strikes—hyaa!!” Mustard shouted with a high kick.

Wham!!

While charging, Urshifu’s footsteps shimmered with watery waves, breath as calm as a stream, movement as fierce as a waterfall!

Water sheathing its body, fully mastered Surging Strikes rained upon Blastoise in fluid sequence!

‘Blastoise.’ Natsume’s senses reached out. ‘Iron Defense!!’

Bang! Bang! Bang!!

Left punch, right punch, high kick!

The final high kick sliced forth a blade of water, crashing onto Blastoise’s crossed arms.

“Blastoise…” Blastoise stood unmovable, body radiant with a metallic sheen, only the faintest imprint of fists visible!

Urshifu’s breathing quickened, dropping from the kick, confusion flickering across its face.

This Blastoise’s defense was beyond belief!

The spectators wore grave looks.

“With Tailwind, Urshifu’s speed is insane!”

“No… but Urshifu is losing HP fast!”

Bam!

Urshifu’s flying kick struck Blastoise’s arms, but Blastoise stayed firm, while Urshifu flipped back, returning to Mustard’s side to steady its breath.

“Urshifu—!”

Mustard glanced up, catching Natsume and Blastoise making the same beckoning gesture.

“Keep coming at me!”

The same words, the same taunt!

Mustard broke into a grin. “Then let’s keep going, Urshifu!”

To prove his true secret art, Mustard continued, “Surging Strikes!!”

“Urshifu!!”

Urshifu let out a furious bellow, stamping the ground and leaping forward with a boom.

But just then, the wind fell silent.

Natsume cocked his ear, the corners of his mouth rising.

Tailwind had ended!

Urshifu’s speed dipped; a blue aura billowed from Natsume, surging toward Blastoise.

“Blastoise!” Natsume’s black hair swept in the wind, his voice resolute. “Liquidation!!”

“Blastoise!”

Blastoise struck a stance, mighty currents seething over its body.

Mustard’s eyes flew wide.

He’s been on the defensive all along, just waiting for Tailwind to end—for this split-second countershift!?

Too late to stall now, Mustard cried, “Meet it head-on, Urshifu!!”

“Urshifu!!”

Urshifu, arms sheathed in water, unleashed punch after punch on Blastoise’s chestplate.

But before Urshifu could launch a third strike—

“Blastoise!”

Blastoise’s gaze steeled; with a mighty blast, it clenched its fist and struck, shattering the air, a tidal surge erupting toward Urshifu’s abdomen!

Urshifu’s eyes flew wide in disbelief, body folding as it was blasted backwards, tumbling through a cloud of dust, slamming into the barrier outside the field!

Boom!!!

A collective gasp from everyone present.

Tailwind ended, and in that instant of offense-defense reversal, Blastoise had blasted Urshifu off the field!?

Given that Blastoise had been shielding its head in defense all this time…

Champion Ryo swallowed hard.

How does the saying go…? I can lose many times.

But you—only once!!

Mustard’s lips parted slightly in shock.

This wasn’t even a one-hit finishing move, yet it let me see the fury of Urshifu’s one-strike style!

In standard form, this Blastoise still possessed top Champion-level strength, trading blows with Urshifu and even counterpunching hard!

Dust still swirling, Blastoise’s gaze stayed calm.

By the barrier, Urshifu slowly stood, wiped blood from its lip, and lifted its knee and fists again.

The next moment—

Urshifu rushed forth again at even faster speed, a tidal aura thundering toward Blastoise!

“Urshifu can go even faster?!” Kurosawa blurted.

Avery, the disciple, kept cool:

“That’s the secret multi-strike art… Each hit grows stronger—a surging wave that crashes ever higher!”

Even Mr. Leon has been bested by Master more than once!

Natsume’s expression was tense.

So Urshifu has another explosive mode...

Well, that’s the Battle Legend of youth for you!

Mustard’s focus returned, as if he’d recaptured the heat of battle from his prime.

Mustard laughed aloud, “Urshifu, Close Combat!!”

“Urshifu!!”

Urshifu blurred into afterimages, fists ringing out sonic booms.

“Skull Bash!” Natsume called.

Skull Bash powers up for a turn, raising defense, then unleashes a strike like a nuke!

Blastoise withdrew, bracing against Urshifu’s ferocious assault.

Bam! Bam!

Cracks spiderwebbed across the turtle shell.

Natsume winced with pain—“Now’s your chance!”

“Blastoise!”

Urshifu’s eyes flashed wide—suddenly, a gleaming Iron Head burst from Blastoise’s shell, slamming into its crossed arms!

A massive force hurled Urshifu backwards, feet scraping trenches as it tried to hold ground.

“Urshifu!!”

In the end, it tore away the force, violently tossing Blastoise off and spitting up blood!

Thud!!

Blastoise slammed down, shattering the ground in a web of cracks!

The crowd’s hearts raced.

The power and technique on display was utterly stunning!

As smoke drifted across the field,

Blastoise slowly rose.

Urshifu stared, pupils narrowed.

A trail of blood was running down Blastoise’s forehead, trickling to the ground.

Splat.

Urshifu felt a flash of horror.

He…can bleed too!?

Back when facing Primal Kyogre, Blastoise had already unlocked critical-health Torrent.

Back then, with Victini’s Infinity Energy, he had barely survived at death’s door.

Now, against Champion-level Mustard’s Urshifu—with the speed advantage—Blastoise was again locked in a fierce struggle.

Natsume gazed at Blastoise’s cracked shell and shouted,

“Blastoise—critical health, Torrent!!!”

In a flash, a fierce red glow blazed in Blastoise’s eyes.

“Blastoise!”

Blastoise stamped the ground, a surging waterspout shaking the arena!

Critical-health Torrent, activate!!

In the stands, Champion Ryo could not hold back anymore.

“No way—does this ability even have a second form!?”

Kurosawa explained, “Ordinarily, no—but this is Natsume-sensei’s Blastoise...”

Champion Ryo: “……”

If this keeps up…I bet his Blastoise even has a last-hit form...

“Urshifu—!”

Mustard’s eyes gleamed with respect. “Surging Strikes!!”

“Urshifu!!”

Urshifu darted forth—each hit stronger than the last—pounding down!

“Not enough power!” Natsume roared, “Blastoise, Liquidation!!!”

“Blastoise!”

Blastoise’s fist roared, swirling waters gathering and smashing into Urshifu’s iron punch!

Boom!!

Urshifu was sent flying once more!

The air shook, the crowd frozen with shock.

Speed might be an issue—but Blastoise’s sheer strength overpowered Rapid Strike Urshifu completely!!

“Maybe this really is the last time this old man stands on green grass,”

The aged Mustard had long left the stage—serving as examiner was a rare exception.

He chuckled to himself, then steeled his gaze: “So, old man, I want to see your greatest strength, Natsume-boy!!”

“Urshifu—Focus Punch!!”

Urshifu staggered up, assuming a focus-boosting stance.

Uniting both multi-hit secret and one-hit mastery—Focus Punch!

Urshifu clasped its hands together, a fission-white aura flaring!

“A martial artist’s true spirit is in a head-on clash,” Natsume mused.

Natsume didn’t interrupt Urshifu’s charge.

This was his respect for a veteran—and it also let Blastoise prepare for Mega Evolution.

“Blastoise—!”

Natsume raised his right hand, Key Stone blazing, voice steely: “Mega Evolution!!!”

“Blastoise!”

Blastoise roared skyward, the twin cannons on his back fusing into a single giant turret, a spike jutting from his brow, eyes shining red—two extra launchers emerging from his fists.

As the rainbow Mega Evolution symbol burst forth,

Urshifu’s Focus Punch gathered brilliant white light and exploded forward!

Natsume roared, “Blastoise, Aura Sphere!!!”

With Mega Launcher’s Pulse boost, Aura Sphere glowed blue in the giant cannon on Blastoise’s back!

“Blastoise!”

Cannons mounted, Blastoise unleashed Aura Sphere as a blue beam, blasting toward the white Focus Punch!!

The two attacks clashed, light flooding the field—Ryo grew numb.

I’ll never forget this lesson—

Never, ever trade beams with Natsume-sensei’s Blastoise!!

Rumble!!

Shockwaves rippled, the field quaked!!

In the churning smoke—

Blastoise stared calmly at Urshifu.

Urshifu knelt, body trembling, meeting Blastoise’s gaze.

For a long time, Urshifu smiled with relief.

In Blastoise, amongst the smoke, he saw the image of his own youth.

Thud!

Urshifu collapsed!

Blastoise stood in silence, then, turning his back to Mustard and the fallen Urshifu, the cracks in his shell on full display.

“Blastoise…”

Mission accomplished.

Mustard sent Mienshao back out—HP hanging by a thread.

Natsume called: “Blastoise, Water Gun!!”

Boom!!

A roaring jet of water swallowed the last of Mienshao whole!

Shiori blinked in confusion. “Did he call out the wrong move?”

Kurosawa muttered, dazed, “That… really was Water Gun, I think…”

Champion Ryo’s face was blank, but now he understood everything.

With Natsume-sensei’s Blastoise, honestly,

Even firing off Origin Pulse wouldn’t be too surprising…

Mustard was down to his last Pokémon—Kommo-o, now standing alone on the field.

Natsume recalled Blastoise, sending out Sylveon.

Facing a quadruple weakness to Fairy, Kommo-o shrank back as Sylveon bared her sharpest teeth:

“Sylveon!(`皿`)”

Natsume shouted, “Giga Impact!!”

A fierce white beam, like an unstoppable drill.

Sylveon and Kommo-o crossed paths—an explosion rang out!

The referee stood stunned for a long moment, then raised the flag:

“Winner, Tokyo City—Contestant Natsume!”

Mustard stood, hands behind his back, not a trace of frustration in his eyes—only pride.

In truth, the strength he displayed had already surpassed the level this fifth challenge was meant to have.

In other words, Natsume had long since been able to pass this evaluation.

But Mustard’s fighting spirit had been fired up, so he gave it his all.

Never expected, Natsume-boy would still win…

Mustard chuckled in disbelief, hunched over, walking over to Natsume, and shaking his hand:

“Congratulations, Natsume-boy~”

“Mr. Mustard,” Natsume replied, smiling, “That was some truly powerful fighting mastery—and lightning offense!”

The praise was genuine—Mustard’s rotation skills hadn’t faded, and his fast-paced offensive style was just as fierce as before.

Mustard looked at Natsume in surprised approval, then gave a warm, approving grin.

“Natsume-boy… would you be interested in being this old man’s apprentice?”

More than even Blastoise, Mustard was fascinated by the Sirfetch’d that had appeared earlier.

In the flashes of Close Combat and dazzling Meteor Assault,

Mustard had glimpsed both the secret multi-hit form and the ultimate finishing move.

Natsume hesitated.

“Let your Pokémon train alongside my Urshifu… Of course, if not, that’s alright, haha.”

Mustard gave a gentle smile, his eyes shining: “Mainly, this old man hopes to pass on the fighting spirit and secret arts to the next generation.”

“Training might be tough… but I promise it’ll be worth it!”

At his belt, the Premier Ball shook slightly.

Sirfetch’d lay flat, secretly grinning: “Sirfetch’d~！( -'`-)”

That performance must’ve been thanks to Blastoise.

Whew, guess it’s not my job anymore, duck!