Chapter 0740: The Fourth Stage! No-Holds-Barred Battles

Shiori’s pupils narrowed.

She had battled Champion Ryo before.

But this Tyranitar’s “Stone Edge” was on another level!

She recalled the fainted Kingdra with a Poké Ball, her expression sharpening as she threw an Ultra Ball.

A burst of red light revealed the silhouette of Flygon.

Flygon, as if wearing red goggles, its whole body emerald green, hovered in the Sandstorm, completely unbothered.

Known as the “Desert Pokémon,” Flygon floated in front of Tyranitar, beating its wings fiercely as Ground-type energy whipped up a gray sandstorm.

Two hurricane-like sandstorms—one gray, one yellow—clashed like warring armies, the thunder of battle echoing across the peak!

“Push through, Tyranitar!!”

Natsume snarled, “Dragon Dance!!”

“Tyranitar!”

Tyranitar’s eyes burned crimson, and with a roar, led the sandstorm in a ground-quaking advance.

Every step sent tremors through the earth, every movement wrapping its body in dark red light.

At the summit, the two sand-tornadoes collided. Gritty stones scraped together, sending up sparks.

Shiori refused to back down, raising her arm, “Flygon, Dragon Dance!!”

Flygon spun at the heart of the sandstorm, letting out a piercing cry, circling rapidly as the gale grew wilder.

Suddenly, Shiori’s gaze grew grave.

Tyranitar, moving with shocking speed, charged into the sandstorm’s center. The yellow sand tornado pitched more violently, crushing straight through like an army at the desert’s end.

Even Flygon—the “Desert Pokémon” who could sweep up a sandstorm with a flick of its wings—now saw its own Ground energy-driven sand whipped away, replaced by a storm of flying boulders!

“What overwhelming dominance over the weather!”

Shiori’s shock vanished instantly as she gave her command: “Flygon, use Earthquake!!”

“Flygon!”

Flygon shrieked at high pitch, wings slashing down like swords as it skimmed low over the field, sending up rows of sand.

That row of sand hid the crevices below, a blast of white light surging out in shockwaves, fissures racing for Tyranitar!

“Catch it, Tyranitar.”

Natsume’s eyes narrowed.

Shiori was startled—Tyranitar had no intention of dodging, instead meeting the Earthquake head-on!

BOOM!!

The earth beneath Tyranitar’s feet sank. Tyranitar bared its teeth, as Flygon swept past, wings spread wide for an updraft.

A claw, iron-strong, shot out, clamping tight around Flygon’s slender neck!

“Use Ice Punch!!” Natsume ordered.

Tyranitar roared, crystalline ice wrapping its fist, and smashed Flygon’s cheek with a heavy blow.

Flygon, four times weak to Ice, eyes wide—its strength collapsed with a bang!

The sandstorm ceased, the sand falling to the ground.

Tyranitar stood tall atop the peak, glaring over the downed Flygon, then threw its arms wide and howled in triumph!

“Tyranitar!”

In this desert, there’s only one true ruler: Tyranitar!

Champion Ryo crossed his arms with a grim expression.

That’s pure dominance.

I look forward to the day my Super Tyranitar gets to face it!

Shiori rotated in her battered Goodra, but with Tyranitar strengthened by Dragon Dance, another Earthquake swiftly took it down.

Within ten minutes, Tyranitar had swept three opponents!

“Whew—”

The cold mountain wind whistled by. Shiori’s face was white as chalk, a bit dizzy.

She had thought… at least she could force Natsume-sensei to bring out Sylveon.

Yet even at Elite Four-level, Tyranitar had utterly suppressed her!

“Are you alright?”

Natsume asked, “I only brought one oxygen tank, but… if you pay a good price, maybe I’d consider selling…”

“…Thanks.”

The battle paused.

Shiori took a few breaths of oxygen, her color slowly returning.

The dragon ridge’s aura, once just an obstacle for challengers, under this pressure left even the Dragon-type Elite Four Shiori dizzy.

After all… the Overlord Dragonite with its boss aura had been watching the whole time, never straying far!

Shiori gave a complicated look to the sidelines.

Dragonite folded its short arms, the six-meter colossus’s belly jutted out. As Shiori looked over, it waved its tiny arms, cheering: “Rrraaargh~!”

Shiori could only sigh. There was just one match left.

Brushing the hair from her cheeks, Shiori’s gaze sharpened—at least she’d score one win!

“Let’s go, Altaria!”

Altaria, light and graceful, its wings like fluffy white clouds, hovered atop the mountain peak.

Seeing the “Dragon traitor,” Natsume arched a brow and recalled Tyranitar.

“Go, Sylveon!”

“Sylveon!” Sylveon bounded onto the field, ribbons flicking in a proud flourish.

Shiori: ???

It’s the last round and you’re still going to use Champion-level Sylveon?

Isn’t that just unfair?!

“It’s been a year since our last battle.” Natsume spoke earnestly, “Your Altaria must have grown a lot. Sylveon and I will go all out as well!”

Shiori: “……”

You think everyone’s like Leon or Red, becoming Champion in a year…

“Altaria—”

Shiori breathed out, lifting her eyes sharply, “Mega Evolution!!”

Brilliant white light burst atop the dragon ridge’s summit.

Mega Altaria! Its cloudlike wings grew even more fluffy, shining with a pearly glow.

Overlord Dragonite’s eyes went wide, jaw dropping in awe.

My god… She’s… so beautiful.

“Altaria,” Shiori called, “Perish Song!!”

Altaria’s voice rang out, clear and lovely, like a singing dream. The kind of song that drains Pokemon’s will to battle, leaving them defeated.

Ash’s Charizard, for instance, often ignored commands, losing his fighting spirit in the Indigo Plateau Conference and suffering defeat.

But for Natsume-sensei, whose ears had been “tuned” by Meloetta’s singing, this melody was lacking.

“Sylveon…”

Sylveon’s disdainful gaze stabbed straight into Mega Altaria.

“Altaria?” Altaria flapped its wings; a sharp tic formed on its brow.

You say my singing isn’t good enough? Who are you to judge?!

Natsume commanded, “Sylveon, Hyper Voice!!”

“Sylveon!!”

Sylveon stood proud, head thrown back.

A shockwave of high-frequency sound materialized, converging on Mega Altaria from all sides.

Mega Altaria wavered, suddenly full of admiration.

Maybe… the sound really is better than mine…

Shiori frowned, “Altaria, Sky Attack!”

Mega Altaria shook its head, called shrilly, golden energy swirling as it dove from above.

“Sylveon, Quick Attack!”

Sylveon lunged first, hurling herself at the mighty Dragon-type foe.

A straight line slashed through the air as the ribbon flicked past Mega Altaria. Sylveon landed lightly!

Mega Altaria froze for a second, then collapsed with a thud.

Shiori stood silent for a long moment, then exhaled, accepting fate.

“Congratulations on clearing the third evaluation of Victory Road.”

Shiori composed herself, a frosty smile lifting her lips as she offered her hand. “I can’t wait to see your next performance, Mr. Natsume.”

Natsume shook politely, then hesitated, “Well, um…”

“W-what?” Shiori’s face tinged awkwardly pink.

“The oxygen tank—do you want to pay by card or cash?” Natsume said, totally serious.

……

Inside the mid-mountain arena, President Masaru and his companions traded glances.

They had expected Natsume might defeat Shiori, but hadn’t anticipated he’d clear it so effortlessly.

“Do we still need to upload this challenge video to the official website?” Klara blinked.

“Hm… that’s the rule.” President Masaru replied.

Kurosawa muttered, “So this is what young people call… a public execution, huh…”

“What did you say?”

“Nothing.” Kurosawa stroked his beard with a smile. “I’ll be the one to evaluate young Natsume in the next round.”

Mustard folded his hands behind his back and grinned, “Oh, the format is that one, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it imitates Wild Battles—No-holds-barred battles,” Kurosawa affirmed.

President Masaru nodded. “Trainers take turns with six Pokémon; as soon as either side defeats an opponent’s Pokémon, or takes down the Trainer, it’s over. Trainers may even attack each other.”

Avery looked stunned. “That’s a brutal format!”

Mustard shook his head. “You’re all too young… Even the League Tournaments used to be fought this way.”

“Besides…” Mustard cast a cautious glance at Kurosawa.

That old master—he’s quite the agility expert.

Kurosawa simply stroked his beard, eyes deep and unreadable, smiling without a word.

……

The next day.

A total of four challengers stepped up to face Shiori of the Elite Four.

Yet only one Trainer succeeded in the evaluation and advanced to the fourth round.

That was none other than contestant Natsume from Tokyo City.

The official channel uploaded satellite footage of the battle between Natsume and Shiori, and once again, it drew huge attention!

“Why is that Overlord Dragonite so close to Natsume-sensei?!”

“I get it now! Natsume-sensei must secretly be an ancient monster who’s lived a hundred years, and that Overlord Dragonite was just one of the Pokémon he casually caught back then!”

“You should write a novel if you can keep talking like this.”

During this match, Natsume’s prediction switches left trainers amazed.

Prediction and rotation… Fundamentals, yes, but fundamentals are where true strength shines.

And when Tyranitar swept through three opponents, standing alone atop the mountain, snarling, he instantly won over a wave of fans!

“Tyranitar rules!!”

“The emperor of the desert—Tyranitar!!”

As a Gen II pseudo-legendary, Tyranitar’s commanding presence has conquered countless trainers.

On Victory Road, Natsume-sensei’s Tyranitar once again set trainers’ passion ablaze!

“Looking forward to a duel of power with Champion Ryo.”

“He’s not really about to pull out Precipice Blades, is he? (lol)”

“Victory Road—your Tyranitar has returned!!”

After defeating Shiori, Natsume could choose to take her place as the new Elite Four.

Or, he could continue climbing even higher.

Naturally, Natsume chose to go on.

To proceed to the next region for evaluation, he was preparing to depart Among the Dragons.

Overlord Dragonite lowered its head, eyes pitiful as it said a farewell to Natsume: “Rrraaargh…”

Six meters tall, weighing tons—yet at heart, Dragonite was always like this: gentle, close to humans, kind.

Natsume reached out and patted its belly, smiling. “Once I’m done with business, I’ll come visit you again.”

“Dragonite~!” Overlord Dragonite’s eyes lit up, nodding in delight.

Leaving Among the Dragons, heading down the mountain path,

Natsume rubbed his chin.

Did I just… make another promise without meaning to?

Back at Budew Hotel, Natsume learned from Staff what the next evaluation round would be.

“No-holds-barred battles?!” Natsume exclaimed.

“That’s right. Defeat any one Pokémon, or directly take out the trainer, and the match is over.” The staff explained.

Natsume nodded lightly, flexing his wrist, deep in thought.

That format… happens to be one I’m pretty skilled at too…