Chapter 0607: Lily of the Valley Conference Champion!

"Blastoise!"

Mega Blastoise's crimson eyes gleamed as all three cannons—the main barrel and the twin arm-mounted launchers—fired simultaneously. The converging Hydro Pumps formed a massive torrent that roared toward Charizard like thunder!

The audience tensed.

"You call that Water Gun? I'd believe it was Hydro Cannon!"

"Natsume-sensei, why does your Blastoise get three attacks in one turn?!"

"If Mega Blastoise hits three times, does Gigantamax Blastoise hit THIRTY-ONE times?!"

Ash: "Charizard, gain altitude!"

"Charizard!" Charizard beat its wings, soaring into the sky.

The water blast smashed into the ground, sending debris flying as the cannons adjusted their aim, relentlessly pursuing Charizard!

A flicker of wariness crossed Charizard's eyes as it slashed through the air with razor-sharp Air Slashes.

BOOM!

The blades clashed with the water torrent, dispersing it into mist!

"Charizard!" Charizard's claws gleamed with white energy as it cleaved straight through the weakened stream, splitting it in two!

"An incredible display!" the commentator shouted. "Contestant Ash's Charizard just sliced through a... Water Gun?!"

The livestream exploded.

"You meant Hydro Pump, right?!"

"It cut through THAT?!"

"This Charizard's no joke!"

Ash clenched his fist. "Now, Charizard!"

"Charizard!!"

With a furious roar, Charizard dove from above, crashing straight toward Blastoise.

All strategies abandoned—this was Ash's ultimate technique: full frontal assault.

Blue Oak's brow furrowed slightly before his eyes widened in realization.

"Aim at Charizard," Natsume ordered. "Full-power Water Gun!"

The massive black cannon locked onto the diving Charizard.

A devastating blast of water erupted from the barrel with a deafening BOOM!

Charizard smirked, its sharp gaze mirroring Ash's determination.

"Now!" Ash bellowed. "Overheat!!"

Overheat erased its user's typing, nullifying type advantages.

The combined force of Charizard's dive and the explosive Overheat would hurt even Blastoise!

"An impressive move," Blue Oak murmured, nodding slightly.

"Charizard!!"

Charizard's body ignited, transforming it into a flaming meteor as it collided head-on with the surging water blast!

KABOOM!!

The impact shook the arena.

HISS—

From the billowing steam, Charizard emerged, still flying straight for Blastoise!

"Grab it—then throw it!" Natsume's eyes narrowed.

The targeting precision of Aura of Ripple shone in this moment.

"Blastoise!"

With crimson eyes locked onto the diving Charizard, Blastoise's arm shot out like a steel trap!

The audience gasped.

"NANI?!"

"It caught it MID-AIR?!"

"NOOO DON'T DO IT!!"

THWACK!!

A water-wreathed fist punched through Charizard's flames, clamping around its throat before Blastoise spun and hurled it away!

"Water Gun!" Natsume commanded.

"Charizard!" Charizard tumbled through the air, barely righting itself before another Hydro Pump smashed into its back—BOOM!

The resulting explosion left the audience breathless.

"O-One shot?!"

"Clean execution!"

"Instant KO!"

Natsume wasn't so optimistic. The Power of One sensed Charizard's unyielding fighting spirit.

As the smoke cleared—

Charizard hovered, battered but unbroken, its gaze sharp as it cracked its neck. "Charizard!"

The crowd erupted.

"IS THAT A FOCUS SASH CHARIZARD?!"

"BLAZE! IT'S THE LEGENDARY BLAZE!"

"Charizard: sandbags against rookies, goes all-out against Champions!"

"CHARIZARD—!" Ash spun his cap backward. "GRAB BLASTOISE!!"

"Charizard!!"

Charizard blitzed forward in a streak of light, claws latching onto Mega Blastoise's shoulders.

Natsume frowned, communicating through The Power of One:

'Hold back. Liquidation.'

Ash was as reckless as ever.

Natsume's eyes softened.

But perhaps... this was better than ending it outright.

A close-range punch smashed into Charizard's face.

CRACK!

Charizard's tail flame blazed as it stubbornly clung to Blastoise. "Charizard—!"

With its typing nullified, it endured the blow, eyes burning orange!

"CHARIZARD!" Ash roared, fist clenched. "SEISMIC TOSS!!"

"Charizard!!" Charizard bellowed, heaving Blastoise into the sky!

The audience's heads craned upward in shock.

"Did Charizard just GRAB BLASTOISE?!"

"No—Blastoise let it happen!"

"Charizard!!"

Charizard plunged downward, dragging Blastoise in a deadly arc toward the ground.

The impact quaked the arena. The livestream flooded with "HOLY SH—"

"So..."

Cynthia glanced at Natsume, smiling faintly.

For all his stern words... he still held back for Ash.

This teacher had his own way of showing kindness.

Natsume watched the two Pokémon fall, then sighed as he noticed Ash's determined face.

My Potion bills...

"Blastoise," Natsume ordered. "Withdraw!"

BOOOOOOM!!

The collision cratered the battlefield.

Lucian, the arena's repair crew head, paled.

WHY IS IT ALWAYS ME?! ┑(￣Д ￣)┍

As the dust settled—

A dark gray shell lay in the pit alongside a bruised Charizard.

"Charizard..." Charizard panted, its flame flickering as it glared at the shell.

Blastoise slowly emerged, its Mega Evolution fading in a glow.

"Blastoise..." Though battle-worn, its expression remained calm, shell scarred but unbroken. It nodded at Charizard. "Blastoise."

"Charizard..." Charizard smirked, smoke puffing from its nostrils—

THUD.

Then collapsed, pride intact.

Silence.

Then—

A sharp inhale from Natsume (already calculating medical costs) and Ash's growing grin.

"The Lily of the Valley Conference Champion is—"

The referee's flag swept down.

"NATSUME-SENSEI!!!"

The crowd exploded.

"BLASTOISE IS INSANE!!"

"Tanks hits, dishes out pain, wins beam clashes—HOW IS A TURTLE THIS COOL?!"

Ash helped Charizard up. "See that, Charizard?"

"We broke its Mega Evolution!"

Punching the air, Ash grinned fiercely. "Next time—no, the time after that—we'll keep getting stronger until we win it all!"

"Charizard..."

Charizard cracked an eye open, glared at Ash, then roasted him before turning away.

"Charizard!"

Natsume stood amid the cheers, fireworks blooming behind him as Blastoise stood proudly at his side.

Watching Ash—charred but still smiling—something stirred in Natsume's chest.

Pokémon battles... they're about wins, losses, and regrets.

Those who fight hardest often stand closest to defeat.

The path is harsh.

But...

If you fear the end...

You'll never begin at all.

Meeting Ash's gaze, Natsume smiled.

"You've grown, Ash."

Ash stiffened, emotions surging before he simply nodded.

"Yeah!"

"Your time as Champion will come."

Natsume watched the fireworks—the Lily of the Valley Conference ending, its flames symbolizing the Trainer spirit burning bright.

"The future... belongs to you."

Ash wiped his eyes, cap tilted forward.

"I will become a Pokémon Master!"

"Pikachu!" Pikachu nuzzled Ash's cheek.

Natsume blinked.

Wait, you're already at full health?!

Never change, Pikachu!!

……

"Blastoise... ヾ(■_■)"

Blastoise handed Ash a few Revival Herbs to restore his fainted Pokémon.

"These are... for me?" Ash pointed at himself in disbelief.

"Blastoise." Blastoise nodded slightly before turning away.

Recognition from the big shot himself!

Ash stared at Blastoise's retreating figure, his eyes burning with renewed determination as he grinned.

Next time... I'll aim even higher—for the championship!

Award Ceremony

Amidst dazzling fireworks and roaring cheers, Cynthia—dressed in a sleek black trench coat—gracefully presented the championship trophy and medal to the winner.

As she leaned in to place the medal around Natsume's bowed head, she whispered softly:

"What did you say to Ash earlier?" Her breath was warm against his ear.

"Just some words of encouragement—told him not to lose heart."

Natsume chuckled wryly. "Though his spirits were already high. Guess I worried for nothing."

Cynthia gave a playful shrug and stepped back—only for Natsume to exhale lightly near her delicate earlobe in retaliation.

Her expression remained composed as she handed him the trophy, though the corners of her eyes crinkled with amusement.

Then, turning to the cameras, she resumed her usual regal demeanor.

Natsume noticed the faint blush creeping up her snow-white neck beneath her golden hair.

"Say 'Give Meowth money'~! Meowth!"

Disguised as a reporter, Meowth aimed a camera at them.

"Champion and Pokémon, group photo time!" James held up a reflector board.

"Autographed copies will sell like hotcakes, ohohoho!" Jessie grinned into her microphone.

You're not even hiding your motives anymore!

Well, it's all in the family business anyway...

Clearing his throat, Natsume glanced at Cynthia.

She took a subtle step aside, granting him this private moment with his team.

Ash, meanwhile, was already animatedly chatting with Infernape, Sceptile, Snorlax, and the others—his resilience (and freakish arm strength) truly unmatched.

But now, it was Natsume's time to shine.

"Everyone, come on out!"

He tossed his Poké Balls, releasing his team—all eight of them.

"Rotom didn't get to battle, Rotom~!" Rotom floated nearby, sulking.

"You were in charge of the livestream..." Natsume consoled it. "Next time, I promise!"

At the back stood Arcanine—majestic and proud, its mane flowing as it let out a mighty "Awooo!"

Blastoise, having somehow retrieved its sunglasses, adjusted them coolly. "Blastoise... ヾ(■_■)"

Sylveon clung to Natsume's arm, while a timid Larvitar and an excited Togepi stood nearby.

The MVP of this Lily of the Valley Conference would be decided between Blastoise and Sirfetch'd.

Natsume rubbed his chin, eyeing Blastoise's nervous sweat.

Seems Blastoise is worried about revealing its full power...

After a moment of deliberation, he awarded it to Sirfetch'd—for its remarkable growth.

"Keep striving forward!" Natsume said to the duck knight, now center stage with Leek and shield in hand. "This is your reward!"

"Sirfetch'd! (′︿‵)"

This MVP title... I never wanted it anyway!

"Say 'Give Meowth money'~! Meowth!" Meowth squinted through the camera lens.

"What kind of catchphrase is that?!" Natsume groaned.

"Quick, look at the camera!" Meowth fumbled with the timer. "It's set to auto~ Meowth!"

Unseen in the shadows, Gengar waited—then licked Natsume the moment the shutter clicked.

"Gengar!o(*≧▽≦)ツ"