Chapter 0655: Despicable Outsider(Two-in-One)

July 13th, Tuesday

The night at the Pokémon Center passed without incident.

As thanks for their stay, Natsume prepared a lavish breakfast and invited Nurse Joy and Audino to join them.

Judging by Nurse Joy’s flushed cheeks, shaky breathing, and trembling hands as she held her spoon…

Today’s medicine (crossed out)… today’s Berries were still exceptionally fresh.

Amid Nurse Joy’s farewell of “Thanks for the meal!”

Natsume and Ash—who carried a shoulder bag—set off together toward the distant tower beyond the wilderness zone.

Once they left Icirrus City’s borders, the falling ice crystals ceased. The bushes along the road remained deep green, and the tall, hardy conifers shook off their snow with a rustle.

Natsume spotted a Snorunt leisurely strolling through the bushes, as well as a Vanillish that resembled an ice cream cone, floating about while exhaling chilly mist.

Gengar stared intently at the Vanillish, a thin line of drool slipping from the corner of its mouth.

“Gengar~ (ˉ﹃ˉ)”

Sensing danger, the Vanillish’s snow-made “cream” began to Acid Armor, as if sweating nervously, before hastily fleeing into the depths of the forest.

“Gengar~(°ー°〃)” Gengar blinked dumbly at Natsume.

"That Vanillish had the Weak Armor Ability," Natsume said. "That’s why it ran so fast."

"Arcanine!" Arcanine turned its head and barked at Natsume, who was riding on its back, then nudged its snout toward a glimmering patch of snow.

Natsume paused.

Gengar slowly approached the snowy pit, picked up the shining item, and proudly waved it around.

"Gengar~(￣▽￣)／"

Dun~ dun-dun-dun-dun!

「Natsume-sensei」 found an item 「Never-Melt Ice」!

Ash, riding atop the Tauros he had retrieved from the PC storage system, beamed:

"Natsume-sensei, your luck is amazing today!"

Natsume’s expression turned complicated.

A Gengar with the Pickup Ability—how could anyone not love that?

Then again… with his usual luck, stumbling upon such a rare item was practically impossible.

This must have drained all his luck for the next few days!

Natsume: "...Whatever. Little Rotom, store the Never-Melt Ice and take it back to the café."

Never-Melt Ice wasn’t just useful for boosting Ice-type moves—it was also a key ingredient for mixology.

With some practice, he might even earn an S-rank Pokémon Connoisseur certification.

Of course, being a Pokémon Connoisseur wasn’t just about mixing drinks. The real essence of the profession was evaluating the bond between Trainers and their Pokémon. Appreciation and aesthetics were the true core of the job.

Cilan, the Striaton Gym Leader, was an A-rank Pokémon Connoisseur.

Ash had originally wanted to train in this "high-level Wild Pokémon" tundra.

But Natsume urged him:

"You can train on the way back."

"Oh, right!" Ash perked up. "I saw on the Pokémon Center’s bulletin board—there’s a Battle Festival in Eindoak Town today!"

"I heard the champion gets a special reward from the ‘Sword of the Vale’ Castle!"

Natsume’s eyelid twitched.

So it was finally happening?

The classic opening act of the movie—Ash and Pikachu’s battle segment!

"Did they mention what the reward is?" Natsume asked casually.

"Not sure… but since it’s a festival, it’s gotta be something good, right?" Ash scratched his head.

Click!

Password correct.

Ash: "Huh?! Why did Arcanine suddenly use Extreme Speed?!"

Like a blazing comet, Arcanine shot across the frozen plains, racing toward the distant tower at breakneck speed.

Natsume smirked.

Sure, his finances weren’t that tight right now… but free loot was free loot.

Listen, kid. The Baby Cup in Eindoak Town? The waters run too deep for you to handle.

Better let me show you how it’s done!

……

Unova Region, Eindoak Town

Like many small European kingdoms, it was called a kingdom but consisted of just one city and a single tower.

The city was built around the tower in the wilderness zone, surrounded by greenery with an unfrozen river murmuring past.

The town streets were decorated with lanterns, exotic vendors selling hanging ornaments, while street peddlers offered Berry juice.

"Leavanny silk-thread clothing, a Coordinator's favorite~ come take a look!"

"Just feed your trash to my Trubbish - it can break waste down into toxins. Oh, you ask what I usually do? Treat Trubbish with sincerity, and it won't emit poison gas."

"Pokémon can sense a Trainer's emotions... They say Gothitelle can even see a Trainer's lifespan."

"There are still legends in Unova and Sinnoh about humans and Pokémon falling in love and having children!"

Natsume froze.

The Canalave City Library in Sinnoh supposedly had mythology books on this subject. Natsume had once investigated on Lucian's behalf.

At the time, Lucian had said: "Yes, I remember every book I've read. There are indeed such records."

"Photographic memory?" Natsume had asked, surprised.

Lucian proudly adjusted his glasses: "Indeed."

"As expected of the Psychic-type Elite Four!" Natsume had praised sincerely.

What perfect material for squeezing out surplus value!

Natsume recalled 'N', who stood on Pokémon's side - he was descended from both human and Pokémon.

The Pokémon world also had 'wolf-child' Koko, raised by Zarude. To Koko, Zarude was more father than any human could be...

These complex emotions, the bonds between humans and Pokémon... remained unsolved mysteries that even Pokémon Professors still grappled with.

Natsume shook his head.

The streets were mostly filled with elderly folk wearing traditional costumes. Due to the festival, many Trainers had arrived, walking alongside their released Pokémon.

Natsume observed the Pidove perched on roof beams, listened to old men's ramblings, and absorbed the town's lively atmosphere.

"With Trubbish around... we probably don't need waste sorting, right?"

Natsume thought, watching a Trubbish swallowing garbage.

"Natsume-sensei, look! There's a huge statue here!"

Ash pointed at the bushy-browed statue blocking their path.

Natsume's expression changed: "That's a Darmanitan - its Zen Mode turns it to stone!"

Before he finished speaking, the statue's eyes opened, shedding its stony form in a white light to become a flaming Darmanitan that blasted Ash with Flamethrower!

Bystanders gasped in shock.

"Should we call Nurse Joy?!"

"Too late, let's put him in my Cofagrigus..."

Ash, covered in soot, spat out black smoke and flashed a bright smile: "I'm fine!"

Bystanders: ?!?

"They say some Trainers can fight Pokémon bare-handed... guess it's true."

"The world is full of wonders!"

"Whose Darmanitan is this? Get it out of here!"

A flustered contestant bowed apologetically to Ash and led them to the Pokémon Center to register.

"I'm Mako," said the clumsy Ranger girl, offering a handshake with a smile. "One of this festival's top contenders."

Ash shook her hand: "Well, Pikachu and I won't lose to you either!"

Pikachu jumped onto Ash's shoulder, cheeks sparking faintly as it declared seriously: "Pikachu!"

Natsume crossed his arms, smiling like a proud parent.

Hmm... Blastoise and I won't lose to you either!

"And you are... Mr. Natsume?"

Mako had noticed this strikingly handsome Trainer earlier but been too shy to approach until now.

Natsume nodded:

"Just to clarify, I'm competing in this tournament too."

Mako paled, murmuring: "So... so the urban legend is true..."

"What urban legend?"

"The Handsome Champion who appears in rookie tournaments!"

Natsume looked surprised: "Wallace enters Baby Cups too? How shameless. I'll have to remind him next time."

Mako trembled, biting her lip.

Look how terrified she was.

"Ah, must be Steven then? I'm different from them," Natsume said.

"How are you different?" Mako asked timidly.

Steven gives Mega Stones to newcomers.

I usually... get given Mega Stones by newcomers (like Alain).

Natsume cleared his throat: "You'll see soon enough."

"When's the next match?"

"10 AM, starting soon..."

"Let's move!"

……

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Eindoak Town's Battle Festival!"

The down-to-earth commentator, wearing a headset, leaned on the table and announced loudly:

"Breaking news! The hero of Unova who saved Opelucid City, Mr. Natsume, is participating in this year's festival!"

The news had already spread throughout Eindoak Town.

While the public often viewed Champions as distant and unapproachable figures, their enthusiasm ignited when this particular Champion had saved a familiar city.

For Trainers present... that name carried multiple meanings.

A generous mentor. A powerful Champion. A strategic Trainer... The Scheming Outlander (crossed out).

"I can't believe I'm seeing Natsume-sensei in person!"

"Perfect, it's a Natsume-sensei trap!"

Amid the cheers, Natsume's first opponent turned out to be Mako, whom he'd met earlier.

Mako looked ready to cry: "Go easy on me, Natsume-sensei..."

"My apologies, but I need legitimate access to the 'Sword of the Vale' Castle too," Natsume said with a sigh. "I'll hold back."

"Go, Sirfetch'd!"

A beam of white light shot from the Premier Ball as Sirfetch'd emerged, gripping its leek and shield with sharp eyes and heroic brows that radiated majesty.

"Sirfetch'd!( -'`-)"

The audience collectively gasped.

"I remember that Sirfetch'd! It nearly pierced the sky above Opelucid City with one strike!"

"What? Sirfetch'd pierced through Opelucid?"

"Wait, Sirfetch'd pierced through Reshiram and Zekrom, turning them to stone?!"

"R-really...?"

"I don't believe it, but that Sirfetch'd is ridiculously strong! (certain)"

Natsume: "..."

Rumors die with the wise.

Sirfetch'd: "Sirfetch'd! (′︿‵)"

Under Sirfetch'd's piercing gaze, Mako froze solid, her competitive spirit evaporating as she raised her hand:

"o(╥﹏╥)o Referee, I... I forfeit!"

The referee, whistle in mouth, recognized the vast gap between competitors and raised his flag.

Tweet—

"Gengar~"

Gengar grinned, giving Natsume a high-five.

Natsume smiled: "Yeah... grocery money's covered for the week."

Amid roaring cheers, Natsume became the center of attention, preparing for his next duel.

All things possess aura.

Not just physical objects—abstract concepts too carry their own aura.

Art. Emotions. Thoughts. Gratitude...

Even victory has its unique aura.

Every Champion radiates an intense pulse of triumph.

Leon. Cynthia. Red... Countless battles, countless victories forged their unshakable confidence.

So long as they stand with their partners, the pulse of victory favors them.

Natsume kept one hand in his pocket, shirt fluttering in the wind as he faced a girl in traditional attire, her dark green Hydreigon hovering before her.

"Hydreigon!!"

Hydreigon’s three dark-green heads snarled ferociously, its wings flapping as violent gusts whipped through the air. Square-shaped symbols glowed brightly across its body!

Deep within the bushes, a tiny, adorable creature with a V-shaped crest peeked out, watching the battlefield intently.

It sensed an overwhelming pulse of victory—

Even before the battle had begun, that triumphant aura had already settled around the black-haired young man.

The commentator shouted, "Unbelievable! Carlita’s Hydreigon isn’t just a rare and powerful pseudo-legendary—it’s also a shiny!!"

The crowd erupted in awed gasps.

Envy… jealousy…

Natsume couldn’t help but feel a twinge of bitterness.

After playing through eight generations and thousands of hours of gameplay, he had never once encountered a random shiny without grinding for it!

Damn shiny hunters!!

Carlita, her gaze sharp, smiled confidently. "Impressive, right? My mother gave it to me. As a descendant of the Earth’s people, I won’t surrender victory so easily!"

"No wonder Hydreigon wouldn’t obey commands."

"Huh?" Carlita stiffened.

Natsume silently drew a Poké Ball. A beam of red light shot onto the field.

Nearby, the little V-crested spectator let out a soft "oh," its eyes widening in shock.

"Make it quick."

Natsume commanded, "Sylveon, Giga Impact!"

"Sylveon! (▼皿▼#)"

Hydreigon’s three heads—all six eyes—snapped wide open as a cute, snow-white Sylveon charged forward at blinding speed, cloaked in a devastating white energy.

BOOM!!

A cloud of dust erupted across the battlefield.

Victini, dazzled by the Champion’s overwhelming aura of triumph, clasped its cheeks in awe, its V-shaped forehead glowing brightly as it gasped:

"Victini~~"

At the center of the arena, Carlita coughed, waving away the dust—then froze.

"H-Hydreigon… was just…"

Sylveon’s intimidating glare flicked toward her, and Carlita immediately fell silent.

After a stunned pause, the crowd exploded into cheers.

The commentator bellowed, "That’s Pixilate’s power! A one-hit KO with Giga Impact!!"

The dark-green shiny Hydreigon—utterly crushed by the dragon-slaying Sylveon sister.

Not even a contest!

Natsume muttered, "Shinies don’t boost battle stats… Not that I’m jealous… Hah, definitely not jealous!"

Meanwhile…

On another field, Ash was getting demolished.

Pikachu fell to Emboar’s relentless Arm Thrust barrage.

Hearing the news, Natsume blinked.

"Wait… Ash lost at the start of the movie?"

Then again, this was Unova Pikachu—the same one that had lost to a Snivy. He shrugged it off.

His final opponent was Victory Ash’s trainer, whose partner was Emboar.

After a moment’s thought, Natsume tossed a Dive Ball.

THUD.

"Blastoise… ヾ(■_■)" Blastoise adjusted its sunglasses.

Emboar’s eyes bulged. Its nostrils flared, its entire body trembling as sweat dripped down its forehead. The flames on its shoulders flickered wildly.

The commentator cheered, "Whoa! Looks like Emboar’s fired up with unstoppable fighting spirit!"

Emboar: ???

Commentator, I dare you to say that to my face!!

"Blastoise…" Blastoise frowned slightly.

Had it activated its Blaze ability already?

This opponent… demanded total annihilation.

Removing its sunglasses, Blastoise leveled its cannons, the dark barrels gleaming ominously.

"Blastoise."

"Victini~~?"

Victini tilted its head in confusion.

Why~?

The pulse radiating from Blastoise wasn’t victory…

It felt more like… terror, maybe?