Chapter 0669:Youth Tournament Opening Ceremony

Unova Region, Lacunosa Town.

To host the World Championships Youth Tournament, Lacunosa Town had constructed a brand-new arena and surrounding grounds.

The stadium—a massive, dome-covered colosseum—stood at the center of the complex, colorful balloons drifting above its sealed roof.

Freshly paved brick paths branched out in all directions, leading to the Contestant Village, main arena, retail district, and other facilities.

"What’s our mission, meow?"

A raspy voice whispered from rustling bushes.

"To uphold world peace and spread love and truth," James answered solemnly.

Meowth rolled up a newspaper and whapped him on the head.

"Funding! Funding! Our mission is the Executives’ funding, meow!"

"Wobbuffet!"

……

Ash walked alongside the central plaza's fountain, head swiveling. "An Audino!"

Nurse Joy stood by a temporary Pokémon Center booth, an Audino wearing a nurse's cap at her side.

"In Unova, Nurse Joys typically partner with Audino," Natsume remarked, tucking his sunglasses into his shirt pocket. "Side note—Unova construction crews use Timburr, while Kanto's prefer Machamp."

Beep... Hoenn construction companies partner with Vigoroth, Rotom~ The Rotom Dex's lights flickered.

Natsume blinked. We haven't even unlocked Hoenn forms yet.

"Look at you, answering before I finish asking!"

Cynthia, clad in a blue blouse with golden hair framing her face, crossed her porcelain-smooth arms with a faint smile.

"Ash, Iris—Natsume-sensei and I will meet with the tournament committee first."

In public, Cynthia calls Natsume ‘Natsume-sensei’, but calls her Natsume in private.

Similar to how Natsume calls Moe-Moe! ‘Cynthia’ in public, and ‘Cynthia’ when they sleep together.

"Got it!" Iris pumped her arms. "I'm winning this Youth Tournament for sure!"

"Over my dead body!" Ash retorted.

"Enough... go register first," Natsume interjected. "Might bump into someone interesting."

The World Championships carried serious prestige. Lance had won the Driftveil edition, Leon the Wyndon games.

Even the Youth Tournament's competitors wouldn't be pushovers.

"Where's Meloetta?" Iris asked. "Not on your shoulder today."

"Meloetta prefers staying invisible in crowds... same with Victini," Natsume explained.

Both Mythical Pokémon were absent—likely cloaked and playing nearby.

Only Darkrai remained dutifully hidden in shadows, quietly munching snacks.

As the group approached the main stadium to part ways—

A red-haired man in worn clothing, a strand of Poké Balls across his shoulder, approached.

"Grandpa Alder!" Iris gasped.

"Iris! Drayden wouldn't stop praising your Opelucid performance!" Alder laughed.

"Heh... had help from Cynthia and Natsume-sensei," Iris admitted, scratching her head.

"Mr. Alder," Ash said intently. "Battle me!"

"After you win the Youth Tournament!" Alder chuckled.

Natsume recalled Alder being the eldest Champion—already a grandfather to Benga.

This tournament was likely his succession plan.

Alder's expression sobered.

"Natsume-sensei, Cynthia... Thank you for your aid during Unova's crisis."

He bowed deeply before Ash and Iris. Cynthia accepted gracefully.

"We merely helped," she said, glancing at Natsume. "Right, Natsume-sensei~?"

Ahem—"Team Plasma was troublesome!"

Natsume stared skyward.

Can't exactly say I solo'd Zekrom and Reshiram's dungeon unscathed.

Colress and Ghetsis? One-punch material.

But with Alder and Interpol at odds, Natsume-sensei had guards—and Boss Giovanni—on speed dial...

"Who's my exhibition match opponent?" Natsume asked.

"Originally, Champion Cynthia versus Caitlin," Alder said. "But I'd like to face you instead."

His gaze turned earnest.

"I seek your guidance... as a teacher."

Alder often lectured at Trainer academies. After losing his partner Pokémon, he'd filled the void through teaching—yet doubted his methods.

Had he possessed Natsume or Leon's charisma, perhaps Team Plasma wouldn't have thrived.

Alder wants to battle me?

Natsume had expected Caitlin (Elite Four-tier). But a Champion-level match—

"I'll do it," Natsume said. "But my appearance fee just doubled."

Alder roared with laughter. "Deal!"

"Then I'll prepare."

With a nod, Alder turned to Ash and Iris. "Looking forward to your battles!"

"Don't cry when Natsume-sensei wrecks you!" Iris taunted.

Alder clutched his chest dramatically. "You're taking his side already?!"

Sticking out her tongue, Iris dashed off. "Registering now!"

"Wait up!" Ash followed.

"Wrong direction!"

With the third wheels gone, Natsume glanced at Cynthia.

"Hm?" She arched a brow.

"Ice cream's on me," he offered.

"Let's go."

Cynthia linked arms with him, smiling brightly.

Passing Trainers gaped at the golden-haired beauty—then at Natsume-sensei. Their hearts wept.

When the hero Kurt unmasked... he too shed tears.

Left arm entwined with Cynthia's, right wrist bound by Sylveon's ribbon—

Meloetta materialized on his shoulder, Victini tugged his hair—

Natsume-sensei sighed at this sweet burden.

My physique's becoming...

Superhuman? (×)Super suffering. (√)

……

"Thank you for your patronage~ One triple-scoop ice cream, meow!"

"Since you're our lucky customers today, this one's on the house!"

Cynthia blinked, still leaning against Natsume's arm as she accepted the ice cream with a gentle smile.

"How kind of you~"

Her eyes crinkling, Cynthia delicately licked the dessert before remarking:

"Those clerks seem familiar...?"

Even Cynthia can't see through the trio's disguises...

Natsume kept his tone even. "Must be franchise employees. Probably all look alike."

Nodding thoughtfully, Cynthia extended her ice cream toward him. "Want a taste?"

"No. Bad for my figure."

"You're trying some whether you like it or not!"

Eyes narrowing playfully, Cynthia forcibly shoved the ice cream toward Natsume's face as he strained to avoid it. "Mmph—!"

Nearby, Caitlin stood frozen at a street corner, mechanically licking her own cone while lost in thought.

Looking up—

—she locked eyes with the intimately entangled Champion couple.

Plop.

Her cone hit the pavement.

Now standing directly before Natsume-sensei and Cynthia, Caitlin opened and closed her mouth soundlessly.

I should be under the car... not inside it!