Chapter 741: There’s No Such Thing as Lightfoot Technique in This World

The fourth-round evaluation was set for the following day.

All eyes were now on the sole remaining challenger—Natsume.

This trainer who had swept aside the Dragon-type Elite Four with overwhelming strength—

Everyone buzzed with speculation: How far could he go?

Even the elders traveling in Alola were startled by news that Natsume had broken into the fourth stage.

This was Touran’s Victory Road.

Their child, quietly, almost an Elite Four already?

Natsume’s father was nothing but stunned, then thumped his chest and muttered, “That’s my boy, all right…”

Mother spoke gently, “Make sure Gengar eats plenty. He’ll need the strength for battle.”

“Gengar~” Gengar squinted happily and chuckled, shyly scratching his head.

His parents didn’t say much else, only telling Natsume to take the challenge seriously.

Natsume nodded slightly and packed his luggage.

He was ready for the fourth-round evaluation—No-holds-barred battles.

No-holds-barred battles were modeled after wild encounters, with the primary goal of taking down the trainer.

Trainers skilled in this format included Red, Gold, Professor Oak, Ash, and more.

Especially Ash, who once landed a straight punch that forced Mewtwo to drop its barrier.

Ash was simply born in the wrong era.

If he’d been born a decade earlier, the title of “The Battler” would have changed hands!

Of course, in Wild Battles where information warfare is central, even someone as strong as Ash would struggle against Lorelei.

After all, Lorelei’s Mr. Rime—capable of freezing trainers and breaking their arms and legs—might as well be the ultimate weapon.

Natsume considered borrowing Auntie Lorelei’s Mr. Rime—using it for the fourth stage and then returning it.

But on second thought… that bordered on a controlled weapon.

The fourth stage took place in a stony outcrop on the southeastern slope of Victory Road.

Jagged rocks jutted at odd angles, rising and falling—a misstep could send one toppling off a cliff.

Declining the media interviews, Natsume checked in to a hotel at the base of the mountain, preparing for the next day’s evaluation.

The hotel room was spacious. Natsume released all his Pokémon, settled down with his head on Arcanine’s warm belly, and scrolled through his mobile phone.

“Togepi doo-ee~ヾ(≧▽≦*)o”

Togepi, excited, grabbed the handheld console and sat swinging its little legs on the sofa.

On the friend list, Mew was always online. The two little cuties quickly linked up and started gaming together.

Ding-a-ling——

The phone rang. Room service spoke:

“Sir, you have a parcel delivery.”

……

Sinnoh League, Lily of the Valley Island.

Cynthia wrapped up a day’s work and stretched languidly, then rested her cheek in her palm.

Before her sat the screen of a mobile phone. She reached out and gently flicked the Gengar charm dangling from it.

A playful smile creased Cynthia’s lips.

All was quiet in the office. Outside the window a full moon hung high; suddenly, the phone screen lit up.

A flicker of surprise crossed Cynthia’s face, but she quickly tapped the call button.

On screen appeared a handsome black-haired young man—looking a bit weary, which showed in the day’s worth of stubble on his jaw.

“You sent this, right?” Natsume displayed a wooden box.

Cynthia cupped her cheeks and nodded softly. “Mhm.”

“And you sent it by Rocket Delivery, of all things…”

Natsume peered into the box at a sparkling Z-Crystal radiating a pale purple glow.

Psychium Z.

It boosts Psychic-type moves—including Z Hypnosis!

“What made you think of sending this?” Natsume asked curiously.

“Aren’t you tackling Victory Road? This is the Z-Crystal Caitlin promised you last time. I’m sending it on her behalf,” Cynthia answered with a gentle smile.

“Last time? When was that?” Natsume looked puzzled.

“In Unova, when Caitlin passed out after her confusion and you helped her.” Cynthia sounded a little helpless.

Natsume scratched his head. “That was ages ago.”

“Z-Crystals are rare, after all.”

Cynthia laid her hands flat, chin resting on snow-white arms, her eyes sparkling. “How’s the challenge going?”

“Surprisingly smoothly… So you don’t have to be Champion to take on Victory Road!” Natsume marveled.

“Don’t take it lightly.” Cynthia sighed gently. “Unexpected things could happen.”

Natsume paused, then said, “Suppose… just suppose I don't become Champion…”

“What does it matter?”

Cynthia’s eyes curved with delight. “As long as I’m your Champion, that’s enough.”

T-too cute!

Natsume stared at her Moe-Moe! smile, looked away, and scratched his neck. “Are you still on Lily of the Valley Island?”

“Mhm… I’ll be heading back soon.”

‘Take care.’ Natsume bit back the words, replacing them with: “Get some early rest.”

“Natsume.”

Cynthia’s beautiful face grew serious. She lifted her eyes to meet Natsume’s gaze.

Natsume’s heart hammered—it was as if her golden hair and gray eyes under its veil drew him in, deep and alluring.

“When I get back… let’s play a game together.”

Natsume let out a breath and smiled. “No problem.”

“Aren’t you facing another challenge tomorrow?” Cynthia asked.

“With Psychium Z, I feel much better.”

“Natsume.”

“What?”

“I miss you.”

“…That’s not an excuse to stay up all night gaming.”

“Then why are you blushing?” Cynthia grinned wickedly.

“Because I miss you too,” Natsume replied with absolute conviction.

The noble, beautiful Sinnoh Champion lowered her head, quivering chin resting on her hand. Her cheeks glowed faintly pink, while a subtle smile tugged at her lips.

Playing games wasn’t the point.

What mattered was hearing your voice—and the voices of all your Pokémon.

Sometimes shouting, sometimes mumbling… but always bringing peace of mind.

……

The next day.

The fourth stage of Victory Road officially began.

As with the previous match, there was no live audience, but the tournament committee provided aerial camera angles.

From above, the battlefield was a wild maze of jagged rocks and treacherous terrain—an extremely perilous site for wild battles!

At the foot of the mountain, a giant screen stood tall in the main arena’s plaza, drawing a massive crowd of spectators.

People buzzed with conversation.

The Team Rocket trio and Bea had blended into the crowd, eager to watch the fourth-stage trial.

Suddenly, someone cried out in surprise.

“Natsume-sensei has appeared!”

“I’m worried for him... Who in their right mind actually practices this format?”

“Is Natsume-sensei what you’d call a normal person?”

On the screen.

Natsume, backpack in hand, arrived at the stone forest.

A gentle wind swept through, loose pebbles whispering over the ground.

Beside Natsume, Gengar slipped around unseen, while Natsume scanned the rugged stone pillars, his wariness growing.

The challenge here is that I don’t know Kurosawa’s team composition at all.

But Kurosawa knows about my Gengar’s ‘Hypnosis’ ability—he’ll definitely have countermeasures.

The disadvantage in intelligence is already clear, right from the start!

Natsume slowed his steps, edging cautiously toward the center of the field as he stayed alert in all directions.

“Natsume—!”

A resonant shout rang down from above.

Natsume jolted, squinting up into the sunlight.

There, silhouetted against the light, stood a middle-aged man in flowing robes, long beard drifting in the breeze, hands folded behind his back, balanced atop a towering stone pillar!

“Kurosawa?”

Natsume called up in confusion, “What are you doing up there?!”

“Waiting for your arrival.” Kurosawa replied with a smile.

“You flew up there on a Flying-type Pokémon...”

Natsume guessed, then suddenly paused: “Or is it some kind of lightfoot technique!?”

Kurosawa stroked his beard and shook his head. “There’s no such thing as lightfoot technique in this world.”

Of course.

Natsume exhaled in relief.

Sure, the Pokémon world had the likes of Bea who could wrestle Machamp, or Bruno who could subdue a giant Onix barehanded.

But lightfoot kung fu? That’d be a bit much...

Swoosh—

Natsume looked up.

It was like a white crane spreading its wings.

Kurosawa leapt gracefully, landing in a half-crouch, then rose slowly with a smile:

“Natsume, my young friend, it’s an honor to be your examiner for the fourth match!”

Natsume: ???