Chapter 0743: VS Battle Legends! Mustard（Three-in-One）

As the cold dew fell, a fine rain began to fall over Victory Road and the mist hung heavy in the air.

Yet in the main stadium, the enthusiasm burned bright as the Sacred Flame in its silver brazier, swirling and blazing with the wind!

The reason the viewers had not yet left was to witness the result of Natsume-sensei’s challenge.

Out of all the challengers, he was now the last contestant, about to take on the ultimate stage of Victory Road.

If he cleared this round, the main stadium would at last see the peak duel between Natsume-sensei and Champion Ryo!

“Will the result be decided today?”

“Yeah… the battle's in the morning, results in the afternoon. I’m starving, let’s get a bite first.”

The viewers, all staying in the Victory Road hotels, took the time to visit various attractions—among the dragons, the stone forest... countless legends had been born in these places.

For instance, Champion Ryo, when he nearly died reaching the summit among the dragons; Kurosawa splitting a gorge with a single sword...

And this year, Natsume subduing the Overlord Dragonite—a scene that was still the talk of the region.

Merchant zone business was booming as well, with Team Rocket making a fortune, and Green catching a windfall by selling several plush dolls.

“Hey miss, why does this Togepi plush have such a fierce glare?” asked a tourist, puzzled as he held up the “Togebo’s Ruthless Smile” plushie.

“Ah, well, it’s based on a real model,” Green replied with an awkward smile.

The plan had been to model it on Togepi, but before she knew it, she’d created “Togebo”...

Elsewhere, Meowth was calling out, “In addition to Rage Candy and grey rice crackers, we’re now selling specialty snacks like soup dumplings—meow~!”

It turned out the Trio’s cooking skills were surprisingly good.

Tourists flocked over: “I’ll have some fermented bean juice!”

“Got roast duck? Best with a leek pancake wrap!”

Budew Hotel, dojo-decorated suite.

Mustard, dressed in a green baseball shirt, was sitting on the sofa, a bag of soup dumplings at his side, game controller in hand, staring intently at the screen.

“Master, you’re sneaking in a game again!” Klara said, a little annoyed.

“Oh, it’s Klara~” Mustard chuckled, “It’s really my last hobby left, you know.”

“We promised Mrs. Sensei to supervise you being diligent about your examiner duties,” Avery, hat pulled low, reminded him. “Besides, you’re battling Natsume-sensei today—please head to the sub arena!”

“Ah… today?” Mustard looked lost for a moment. “Isn’t it tomorrow?”

“You pulled an all-nighter and kept playing after waking up, so it was like a whole day just passed you by,” Avery said helplessly.

Mustard looked shocked. “That actually makes perfect sense!”

With sudden energy, Mustard hunched his back, grabbed the plastic bag, and, using his chopsticks, popped a soup dumpling into his mouth. Muffling his words, he said,

“Let’s go… time to meet Natsume-boy, and test what level he's really at now…”

……

Victory Road, sub arena.

Not open to the general audience, but a few VIPs filled the stands.

“It’s about to start,” Champion Ryo said, checking his watch.

A staff member ran over and whispered to President Masaru, who then nodded at the head referee.

Wham—wham!

Two beams of light fell on either side of the field, just like the non-open rounds in the World Tournament. Avatars of both competitors flashed across the giant screen!

Blue corner: The Isle of Armor, Mustard.

Red corner: Tokyo City, Natsume.

The format was single battle, six-pick-four, limited move numbers, no duplicate held items, and legendary Pokémon were banned for the challenger.

But the examiner could use legendary Pokémon without restriction.

The “six-to-four” format also placed enormous demands on the contestant’s on-the-fly switching.

Standing in the darkness of the contestant tunnel.

Mustard, hunched over in his green baseball shirt, one hand in his pocket and the other stroking his beard, gazed ahead with a gentle, profound look.

Sunlight fell onto the green turf outside.

Despite the lack of an audience, he could hear the waves of screams and cheers flooding his ears.

Mustard narrowed his eyes, tilting his head as if listening to the commentators of old, shouting:

“The strongest Champion of Galar, the king of eighteen consecutive leagues—please welcome Fighting Master Mustard!!”

Once he had been full of youth, sword-brows and starlit eyes, a master of dual nunchaku.

Gradually, that youth became a stooped, white-browed, aged Mustard.

Mustard worked out the crick in his neck, then sauntered slowly onto the field.

No spectators, no commentary, no roaring crowd.

Even as his partner had passed away, his condition slipped, his undefeated myth was broken, and his retirement left him hooked on games…

He was still Mustard, the man known as Galar’s strongest Champion—he was a Battle Legend!

In Mustard’s deep eyes, he saw reflected a smiling, youthful Natsume.

In Natsume, Mustard could just catch a shadow of his younger self.

“Natsume-boy...”

Mustard stroked his beard and smiled kindly.

Then, in a flash, he tossed aside the green baseball shirt to reveal a yellow martial arts gi beneath, spinning his nunchaku with deadly grace. Stalking forward, he struck the same stance as always, palm extended, calling, “Please show me what you’ve got!”

Natsume was momentarily transfixed.

From battling Mustard in-game to today’s face-to-face battle… it had happened in the blink of an eye.

In Mustard, Natsume could feel that tangible, burning fighting spirit.

A hero’s flame never dies, even in old age!

Natsume’s gaze sharpened, bowing with respect, “Mustard, please show me your strength!”

Unseen aura surged through the battlefield.

Some called it “Aura.” Others called it “Qi.”

Even faced with this Battle Legend, with his high, awe-inspiring presence,

Natsume’s own spirit did not yield!

Mustard, who on this green battlefield had beaten countless trainers, dominated eighteen Galar leagues, and gained the title of Battle Legend.

And Natsume—he’d carved his way here through one brutal legend after another!

This formless aura made even Kurosawa tremble, acutely aware of his own limitations.

He glanced over at Champion Ryo, who showed no special shine, and couldn’t help but marvel:

“This man has the makings of a legend, too!”

(Champion Ryo, who can’t sense aura): “……”

Why aren’t they starting? Are they just going to stand there forever…?

“Contestants, get ready—!”

The lead referee bit down on his whistle, raised the flag high, then slashed it down. Whistle blown.

“Let the battle begin!!”

In a flash, both Natsume and Mustard hurled their Poké Balls.

On Mustard’s side—

“Hoh!”

Mienshao whipped its two long sleeves, lifting one leg in a crane-like stance, narrow eyes gleaming with the aura of a martial arts master.

And on Natsume’s side—

“Sirfetch’d!”

Sirfetch’d grasped leek and shield, bushy brows, bright eyes, dignified and unique, steady as a pine!

“Calm like a river, unmoving like a mountain… this Sirfetch’d is bred beautifully,” Mustard thought, inwardly impressed. He tucked his nunchaku under his arm, raised his palm and called, “Mienshao, Fake Out!”

“Mienshao!”

Mienshao trailed its sleeves behind, body flowing like drifting clouds, closing the gap in a blur of speed.

Its hand slapped shut an inch from Sirfetch’d’s eyes, the long sleeves cracked like whips, lashing painfully across Sirfetch’d’s cheeks!

“Sirfetch’d… (′︿‵)”

Sirfetch’d reeled back half a step, flinched, intimidated!

Scared me silly…

Natsume could only sigh.

Hey, you have “Scrappy” as your ability—could you please have the courage to shake off that flinch?!

“Hm… footing shaky, speed didn’t go up, so it’s not ‘Steadfast’ ability,” Mustard measured, eyes narrowed. “Mienshao, Close Combat!”

“Mienshao!”

Mienshao lashed its sleeves like whips in a brutal barrage, landing blow after blow on Sirfetch’d!

It moved with a flow like water—the true “multi-hit secret,” pressing its speed advantage to the limit!

Ryo wasn’t even sure he could block every strike—his eyes widened.

Sirfetch’d suddenly shook off its fear, posture tall, intercepting every strike with leek and shield, each clash a ringing block—stopping Mienshao’s assault!

“Sirfetch’d!”

Sirfetch’d’s movements became a blur—every knife swing and shield lift neatly parried Mienshao’s attacks, robbing it of momentum!

You’re too slow!

That’s Detect!

Catching a moment of delay in Mienshao’s movements, Sirfetch’d lunged, leek flashing, stabbing five times in rapid succession!

“Close Combat’s speed—matched by Sirfetch’d!?” Mustard was surprised, admiration in his gaze.

But in terms of experience, he was still too green!

The fivefold jab, as fast as lightning, was dodged by Mienshao’s agile shifts—head dipped, waist dropped, sleeves swirling.

Natsume frowned. This Mienshao’s every move fused with something beyond mere attacks—much like Bruno’s “Hard Style,” or Blue Oak’s “Eye of Insight”!

At that moment, Mustard’s command rang out, “Mienshao, Blaze Kick!!”

“Mienshao!!”

Mienshao raised its arms, lifted its knee like a white crane, leapt, right leg bursting into flames as it crashed towards Sirfetch’d!

“Sirfetch’d?!” Sirfetch’d widened its eyes, frantically raising its shield.

Bam!

That blazing kick struck shield, burning it, hurling Sirfetch’d meters away!

Sirfetch’d smashed down, tumbling hard.

“What power!” Ryo gasped.

“Master’s Mienshao often battles Leon’s Charizard, and can even suppress it outside Gigantamax form,” Avery breathed. “That is a Champion-level Mienshao merged with the multi-hit secret!”

Natsume’s frown deepened.

Sirfetch’d’s attacks always crit, but its raw power couldn’t match peak Elite Four.

Even with boosted crit rates—that only mattered if it landed!

And its speed was a real weakness.

“Natsume-boy—”

Natsume looked up at the sound.

Mustard, nunchaku underarm, eyes sharp, moved in perfect sync with Mienshao, beckoned Natsume forward with a curl of his fingers.

“Come at me again!”

“Sirfetch’d…”

You said it… Old man…

Now, Sirfetch’d, sprawled on the ground, planted its leek and pushed itself up, white feathers marked by burns.

Its eyes flashed—Sirfetch’d lifted the leek toward Mienshao.

“Sirfetch’d!!”

Suddenly, Sirfetch’d broke into a run, golden light blazing around it, leek gleaming like a lance—charging headlong!

Don’t underestimate me, old man!!

Mustard’s pupils contracted.

The Fighting-type ultimate move—Sirfetch’d’s signature: Meteor Assault!

“Excellent!” Mustard shouted, thrilled. “Mienshao, Detect, receive it!”

“Mienshao!!”

Mienshao posed for a bare-handed sword catch, crouching low, sleeves at the ready.

In its eyes, the golden glare of the lance was reflected—like a drill tip, sealing all escape.

A bead of sweat slid down Mienshao’s brow, but its fighting spirit only grew stronger. Distances closed—the lance lunged!

Boom!!!

A sudden explosion stunned the onlookers.

In Mienshao’s direction, a column of orange flame erupted—exploding!

Sirfetch’d held its lance out, icy calm, staring straight ahead.

Behind it, flames engulfed Mienshao!

Mustard’s gaze trembled.

Blocked, but not completely.

That’s Chuck’s “Hard Style”—unyielding will!

“Haha, what an interesting Sirfetch’d, fascinating!” Mustard grinned.

The flames faded.

“...Mienshao!”

Mienshao’s body was scorched, but it shook out its sleeves, unfazed, resuming its stance.

Sirfetch’d blinked.

“Sirfetch’d! (′︿‵)”

This isn’t how it’s supposed to go!

“U-turn,” Mustard snapped.

Mienshao gracefully kicked Sirfetch’d aside, then in a flash of red light, returned to its Poké Ball.

Sirfetch’d toppled, “Sirfetch’d… (＠＠)” barely conscious.

Luckily, there were no spiral-eyes, but Sirfetch’d’s HP was hanging by a thread.

Natsume recalled Sirfetch’d, and both he and Mustard threw out Poké Balls at once.

“Kommo-o!”

A savage bellow sounded.

A hulking, armor-plated Kommo-o flexed its arms, jaws agape, gaze haughty!

A Gen VI pseudo-legendary, called the Fighting Dragon, Kommo-o’s power was overwhelming!

“No wonder they call Mustard a Battle Legend…” Shiori murmured. “Even aged, his Kommo-o is still at Champion caliber!”

“But doesn’t Natsume-sensei have Sylveon?” Klara asked.

Avery grumbled inside, “It’s like you want Master to lose…”

“Sylveon’s Hyper Voice… may not work if Kommo-o’s ability—well, depends which one,” Shiori said.

Kommo-o could have Soundproof, Overcoat, or Bulletproof—each practical!

To Natsume-sensei, each counters aspects of his sandstorm strategy, Perish Song, or even Blastoise’s Aura Sphere, Gengar’s Shadow Ball!

Natsume switched to his massive Arcanine.

Two meters tall, facing a pseudo-legendary dragon—and not conceding at all!

“A Fighting Dragon, huh?” Natsume arched a brow, then promptly withdrew Arcanine and sent out another Poké Ball.

With Intimidate triggered, it was time for Sylveon, bringing both type advantage and power!

On Mustard’s side, he seemed returned to his youthful arena clashes with mighty foes, grinning broadly:

“Kommo-o—Boomburst!!”

“Kommo-o!!”

Kommo-o’s scales rang, mouth unleashing a hurricane-force shockwave—a wind column tore across the field, shaking the entire arena!

All eyes went wide.

After all these years, Kommo-o was still Mustard’s old partner—Boomburst’s power was on full display!

“He didn’t use a Dragon-type move… was he predicting Sylveon’s switch-in?”

“Smart to open distance with Sylveon!”

Sylveon appeared and was immediately blasted by Boomburst, ears folding, forced back half a step.

Sylveon’s eyes turned vicious and glared at Kommo-o.

“Sylveon! (〝▼皿▼)”

You’d better be ready!

“Tough one…”

Mustard’s gaze darkened, watching as Sylveon’s ribbons ignited with dazzling white light, lighting up the entire arena in a flash!

“Sylveon!!” A glowing ball rose from her bow to the sky—

Dazzling Gleam!!

Even those by the sideline had to cover their eyes; the effect was brighter than sunlight, covering the entire arena!

Kommo-o could be KO’d in a single hit!

As the light faded, everyone was stunned.

There, in front of Mustard, a Corviknight had swooped in to absorb the hit.

“Phew, that was close…” Mustard whispered in relief.

At the last second, he’d switched—Corviknight had tanked the Dazzling Gleam!

Corviknight’s steel feathers gleamed, all black with crimson eyes, wings fanning as it hovered.

Though its steel feathers were scorched, Corviknight whipped up a storm—Tailwind!

With Tailwind, Mustard’s team now had a serious speed and threat advantage!

At that moment, a Shadow Ball flew from Sylveon’s bow, slamming into Corviknight!

BOOM!!

“Corviknight!!”

Corviknight dropped from above, struggling to fly, wings awash in metallic Steel Wing light, low-diving at Sylveon!

Schreee—

“Sylveon…”

Sylveon gritted her teeth, white fur gashed open by the wing, but she spun and hurled back a furious Shadow Ball!

“Corviknight, Taunt!” Mustard called.

Red beams shot from Corviknight’s eyes at the last second, hitting Sylveon.

Then Shadow Ball exploded, launching a dust storm—Corviknight collapsed!

“Taunt…” Natsume’s frown was deep.

“Well, now your Sylveon’s special buffs are probably off the table,” Mustard said, smiling. He had to guard against Sylveon’s Geomancy.

In just a few minutes, both sides had swapped heavily—Klara and Avery could hardly keep up.

Corviknight crashed, and Avery sucked in a breath:

“Master’s Corviknight… even facing Sylveon, it didn't last long.”

Klara couldn’t hide a smile.

If Natsume-sensei beats Master, her signed Trainer Card would be worth even more!

“Four to three?” Ryo mused, arms crossed.

“Mustard still has Tailwind... Natsume-sensei isn’t out of danger yet,” Shiori frowned.

On the field, Mustard stood with his hands behind him, eyes closed, listening to the wind.

After a while, he opened his eyes, his aura surging even higher!

Sylveon pouted.

Hmph, just putting on a show!

But Natsume’s gaze remained grave.

Of all Mustard’s partners, Kommo-o was one of his mainstays,

But his true Ace—that was the legendary Pokémon, Urshifu!

“Tch… The rules only restrict the challenger’s legendary Pokémon, not the examiner’s!” Natsume clicked his tongue.

Mustard spun his nunchaku, then hurled a Poké Ball:

“Come forth—Urshifu!!”

A gust of wind swept the field, and a mighty black bear stood tall.

Long fur trailed on either side of its face, its body mostly black, white wrist wraps coiled around its forearms. Slowly, it lifted one knee, the very image of black and white from a yin-yang symbol.

This was the “Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg” stance from Taiji, as tranquil as a calm lake, yet brimming with the flow of a rushing stream.

Urshifu—Rapid Strike Style!!

“Urshifu...”

Urshifu raised its knee, eyes fixed on Sylveon.

Mustard’s gaze turned sharp. “Please, show me your strength!”

At his word, Urshifu shot forward in a whirlwind, moving faster than the eye could follow, closing in on Sylveon—both fists wreathed in flowing water, pounding “bang, bang, bang!” against Sylveon’s body!

Surging Strikes!!

“Hah!” Mustard mimicked Urshifu, spinning his nunchaku and letting out a wild shout.

Urshifu incorporated martial arts mastery into battle, activating its signature ability—Unseen Fist.

Unseen Fist ignores Protect-type moves, always finding a way to land a clean hit!

With her status moves blocked by Taunt, Sylveon had no way to boost her speed—she simply couldn’t keep up with Urshifu’s tempo.

In moments, Sylveon's body was marked by wound after wound!

Off the field, Champion Ryo’s voice was hoarse: “So that’s… Mustard’s Surging Strikes.”

President Masaru spoke gravely, “Retired or not, he’s still Champion-level. That is what it means to be a Battle Legend!”

Within Natsume-sensei’s team, not a single Pokémon could outspeed Urshifu in Tailwind—not even Gengar.

However.

There was one Pokémon, a Fighting master in his own right, who could resist Surging Strikes with double water resistance!

A beam of red light, and Natsume withdrew Sylveon to her Poké Ball.

Then, with force, Natsume hurled a Dive Ball high.

“I’m counting on you, Blastoise!”

Thud!

Blastoise landed hard on the field, adjusting his sunglasses, staring intently at Urshifu.

“Blastoise…ヾ(■_■)” Blastoise's expression was grim.

This could be a battle to the death…

But with this duty before me, I’ll do everything to meet your expectations!