Chapter 0598: Who Dares to Stand in My Way?(Two-in-One)

BOOOOM—

The battlefield rose from beneath the arena, revealing a lush, grassy terrain—Grassy Field!

On this terrain, Grass-type moves would gain a significant power boost.

It was on this very field that Ash's Sceptile had famously struck down Darkrai with a single Leaf Blade in the anime.

And within Natsume’s team, there was another master of Leaf Blade—a true swordsman!

"Both trainers, send out your Pokémon!" The referee’s whistle pierced the air.

"Go, Sirfetch'd!"

A beam of light burst from the Premier Ball, revealing the snow-white Sirfetch'd, leek-sword and shield at the ready, its gaze razor-sharp.

"Sirfetch'd! ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ"

The Galarian Farfetch'd was renowned for its unyielding, battle-hungry spirit—a natural warrior forged by scarcity.

This was the essence of its Fighting-type nature.

Battle was its birthright. Its pride!

"That Pokémon looks so cool!"

"Farfetch'd, go get 'em~!"

"Sirfetch'd~~ (っ╥╯﹏╰╥c)" Sirfetch'd maintained its stoic expression, but internally, it was screaming.

Why me?! I'm the weakest on the team! Why am I starting?!

"Starting with Sirfetch'd against a Dark-type Darkrai…"

Bruno, arms crossed and shirtless, nodded approvingly. "Type advantage is solid."

"But—" Ash’s eyes widened as he pointed at the field. "Tobias didn’t send out Darkrai!"

Instead of the nightmare Pokémon, a deep-purple-armored Drapion stood before Tobias, its hooked claws gleaming, venomous tail dripping with toxic green poison.

"Contestant Tobias has sent out Drapion!"

The commentator sounded shocked. "This is the first time in the entire tournament he’s used a Pokémon other than Darkrai!"

In the anime, Tobias had only ever revealed two Pokémon—Darkrai and Latios.

He always led with Darkrai, which was why Natsume-sensei had chosen Sirfetch'd as his opener.

But now… his prediction had failed!

"I underestimated him this time." Natsume’s eyes sharpened. "I’ll have to take this seriously!"

Tobias remained expressionless, recalling his promise to Darkrai days earlier—

Darkrai had lost its will to battle… so it refused to start.

A lucky coincidence. Tobias shook his head, refocusing.

"Drapion, Pin Missile!"

"Drapion!" Drapion’s tail lit up with blinding white energy as dozens of venomous spikes launched like homing missiles toward Sirfetch'd!

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Explosions rocked the field as Sirfetch'd raised its shield, deflecting every single spike with flawless precision.

"That’s Sirfetch'd’s Detect!" the commentator cried. "A move said to rival Protect—allowing it to foresee attacks and counter them!"

"Pin Missile hits up to five times… and it hit all five! That’s Natsume-sensei’s luck for you!"

"Foreseeing attacks? This duck’s a real swordmaster!"

Your strategy has been seen through!

"Sirfetch'd!"

Taking a deep breath, Sirfetch'd steadied itself and charged forward, leek-sword glowing with emerald energy.

The grassy field amplified its power as it swung—

"LEAF BLADE!"

CLANG!!

A metallic screech echoed as Drapion’s armor cracked under the blow.

"Drapion!" Drapion’s eyes burned crimson, venom spewing from its jaws!

"Sirfetch'd!" Sirfetch'd raised its shield just in time, but the corrosive poison ate through the metal, hissing violently.

A sudden spike of danger forced Sirfetch'd to leap back—

"Drapion!" Drapion crossed its claws, slashing a venomous X-shaped strike—Cross Poison!

"Hiss—"

The audience held their breath, bracing for the brutal impact—

But in that instant—

Sirfetch'd raised its leek high, a golden aura erupting around it like wings of flame—

The silhouette of a mighty golden bird began to form behind it, spreading its wings for a legendary strike!

"Brave Bird!" Natsume commanded.

"Sirfetch'd! ヽ(｀Д´)ﾉ"

With a furious cry, Sirfetch'd slashed downward, its blade transforming into a golden phoenix that shrieked through the air, diving straight toward the X-shaped Cross Poison!

BOOOOM!!

The collision shook the entire stadium.

The audience held their breath, eyes locked on the dust-choked battlefield.

The Cross Poison shattered under the golden onslaught—but the blade’s momentum didn’t stop. It kept going, carving straight toward Drapion!

CRASH!!

The recoil sent Sirfetch'd skidding backward, its leek dragging across the ground to steady itself.

In the settling smoke, Drapion stood frozen, its expression locked in a snarl.

A single severed blade of grass drifted down… landing gently on its claw.

THUD.

Drapion collapsed, its icon on the big screen graying out.

"Drapion is unable to battle!" The referee’s whistle pierced the cheers.

Natsume had drawn first blood, and the crowd erupted in a deafening "OHHHHHH!"

"That Brave Bird just deleted two of its HP bars!"

"I think I’m a Sirfetch'd fan now!"

"Oh please, you just think it’s hot!"

Standing tall amidst the cheers, the snow-white duck maintained an air of flawless elegance.

"Sirfetch'd~ (つД`)"

My legs are numb… but no one can tell, right?

"First blood!" Ash cheered from the stands.

"Sirfetch'd took heavy recoil," Bruno muttered, arms crossed. "I doubt it can handle Darkrai now."

"Relax," Gold said, wiping his nose. "This Sirfetch'd’s fought Arceus before."

Bruno blinked. "So… that overwhelming presence comes from facing a god?"

On the field, Tobias calmly recalled his fallen Pokémon.

"As expected… Drapion wasn’t enough."

His grip tightened on the next Poké Ball, his gaze sharpening.

"Then how about this?!"

A sudden gale erupted as the ball opened—a draconic roar shook the arena, the primal pressure of a predator flooding the air.

"W-What’s that?!"

The crowd gasped as a crimson-winged beast emerged from swirling dark clouds, its metallic-blue scales gleaming, its jagged maw lined with fangs.

"Salamence!!" Salamence’s Intimidate washed over the battlefield, silencing the stands.

The commentator gulped.

"A Dragon-type pseudo-legendary! One of the kings of its kind—Salamence!!"

Its wings blotted out the sun, stirring cyclones with every beat.

Tobias studied Sirfetch'd… and frowned.

Even under Salamence’s Intimidate, the Sirfetch'd didn’t flinch.

"Scrappy Ability," Tobias realized. "As expected of a Champion’s Pokémon…"

"Sirfetch'd~! (っ╥╯﹏╰╥c)"

I wanna go home nowww…

"Flying-types do counter you," Natsume admitted, recalling Sirfetch'd with a smile. "Good work."

As the Sirfetch'd vanished into its ball, Tobias’s tension spiked.

He knew Natsume-sensei had a Sylveon—if the Indigo Plateau Conference reports were accurate, Salamence could handle it.

But in this tournament… it hadn’t made a single appearance.

How strong is it compared to Sirfetch'd?

Tobias narrowed his eyes.

Better play defensively first.

"Go, Sylveon!"

With a flourish, Natsume tossed the Poké Ball skyward—a Coordinator’s grand entrance, guaranteed to steal the spotlight.

The audience’s eyes locked onto the dazzling display, their expressions shifting.

A graceful, snow-white Sylveon leaped out, eyes serenely closed, its pink-and-white ribbons swaying gently.

Under the sunlight, its Pixilate ability shimmered faintly, the bow on its neck pulsing with a soft glow that rippled outward like gentle waves.

The spectators, still tense from Salamence’s Intimidate, relaxed instantly, murmuring in delight:

"So cute!"

"Absolutely gorgeous!"

"They say only Trainers with pure hearts can evolve a Sylveon—"

Before they could finish, Sylveon landed lightly—then snapped its eyes open, expression shifting dramatically.

"Sylveon! (〝▼皿▼)"

The audience: "..."

Why do we feel even MORE tense now?!

"Salamence…" Salamence flapped its wings stiffly, glancing back at Tobias with uncertainty.

From the shadows at Tobias’s feet, Darkrai muttered, "I’ve seen this Sylveon before. Scary as hell!"

"Since when did you pick up that accent?" Tobias blinked, momentarily distracted.

Switching out now would be too risky. With Protect as a safeguard, I’ll scout first.

"Quick Attack!" Natsume commanded, deploying the Pika God’s signature move.

Tobias’s eyes narrowed.

Sylveon blurred into a streak of white light, moving so fast even his sharp vision barely caught the afterimage.

"Ascend!" Tobias ordered. "Surround yourself with Hurricane!"

Salamence shot upward, wings beating violently as it conjured a protective maelstrom around itself.

The howling winds tore at the battlefield, uprooting grass and debris, darkening the skies.

Lucian adjusted his glasses, eyeing the cracking barrier walls with concern.

Yet Sylveon’s speed only increased. It bounded forward, leaping high—then unleashed a piercing, ethereal cry!

"Sylveon~!"

Pixilate—Hyper Voice!!

The soundwave sliced through the hurricane like butter, crashing into Salamence with devastating force.

"Salamence!" Salamence snarled, but its body trembled—the innate fear of Fairy against Dragon.

Tobias’s expression hardened. "Protect!"

CLANG!

Salamence crossed its wings, a jade barrier flaring to life just in time—

The Hyper Voice shattered the arena barriers, making Lucian’s eyelid twitch violently. The Protect shield splintered under the assault.

"Return—"

Tobias raised his Poké Ball—then froze.

A glimmering Reflect wall bounced the recall beam back, trapping Salamence on the field!

"W-What?!"

The commentator stammered, "Contestant Natsume has locked Tobias’s switch!"

The scene felt eerily familiar—Ash shuddered, recalling Onix wrapping Pikachu in its coils.

"I remember this tactic…"

Jasmine explained softly, "It’s a technique Miss Sabrina specializes in—using barriers to distort vision or block recalls."

During the Kanto vs. Johto Gym Leader exhibition, Sabrina’s Mr. Mime had trapped Bugsy’s Pokémon in an invisible room of Light Screens, securing a reverse-type victory.

Preventing switches was key to that strategy.

Gold, uncharacteristically serious, crossed his arms.

"Now that’s dirty…"

The crowd erupted into chaos.

"Old-school no-holds-barred battling! I love it!"

"Is this even legal?!"

"Tobias’s Darkrai is in a standard Poké Ball—THAT’S the real crime here!"

"You report Natsume-sensei? Natsume-sensei reports YOU!"

Tobias took a deep breath.

His gaze locked onto Salamence, still hovering midair.

This battle is far from over.

"Salamence!" He thrust out his hand. "Giga Impact!"

"Giga Impact—the ultimate Normal-type move! A full-power charge!"

The commentator gasped. "Wait—Natsume-sensei is also—?!"

"Sylveon." Natsume’s voice was calm. "Giga Impact."

"ULTIMATE MOVE CLASH?!"

"That’s Pixilate! Dragon-slayer Sylveon!"

"ROOOOAR!!" Salamence’s body ignited with white fury as it dove like a meteor, tearing through the clouds.

On the ground, Sylveon’s fur gleamed, muscles coiled—

"Sylveon! (#｀皿´)"

BOOOOOOM!!!

The collision rocked the stadium, spectators clutching their seats.

The moment Salamence made contact—its eyes widened in horror.

Pixilate-boosted Giga Impact.

And this was no ordinary Sylveon.

Salamence slammed into the guardrails, its massive frame embedded in the metal, scales visibly dented.

As the dust settled, the crowd exploded.

"You brought a dragon to a fairy fight!"

"Pseudo-legendary? Not against THIS Sylveon!"

"That thing could probably one-shot Darkrai too!"

From the shadows, Darkrai seethed.

One-shot ME?!

No one—

…Actually, Pokémon can. I’m pretty chill.

It retreated deeper into the darkness.

"Salamence is unable to battle!" The referee’s flag swung down.

Ash checked the screen—two of Tobias’s Poké Balls were grayed out.

Natsume’s side? Sirfetch'd and Sylveon stood strong.

Two Pokémon down in ten minutes.

"Natsume-sensei isn’t holding back," Flint remarked, hands in his pockets.

Cynthia smirked. "He can’t afford to."

Lucian sighed at the shattered barrier remnants.

"I’ll go reinforce the Light Screens…"

The wine-suited Elite Four summoned his Bronzong, repairing the battlefield with weary expertise.

Someone had to clean up after these two.

Tobias swept his hair back, analyzing the battle.

His mistake? Underestimating Natsume’s trap.

This wasn’t just any Champion—this was a strategist.

Adjusting his cape, Tobias’s eyes gleamed.

"Go, Rhyperior!"

THUD!!!

The colossal Rock Wrecker titan shook the earth as it landed.

"Rhyperior!!" Its armored fists clenched, ready to fire mountain-shattering boulders.

Silver, who had somehow appeared beside Gold unnoticed, muttered, "That Rhyperior’s bred to perfection."

Gold jumped. "Weren’t you running a stall?!"

Green yawned. "No customers. Rather watch Natsume-sensei stomp someone."

Jasmine scooted over, squeezing next to Green, while Silver and Gold shared a seat.

Bruno chewed his bun thoughtfully.

"Rhyperior’s Rock Wrecker is deadly…"

"But it leaves it vulnerable after firing," Silver added. "That’s when Natsume-sensei will strike."

As the dull-gleaming behemoth loomed, Natsume smirked.

Larvitar would’ve loved snacking on this.

But glancing at the Grassy Terrain, he made his choice.

This battle?

It’s time for the Sword Saint’s legend to be born.

"Rhyperior!" Tobias commanded. "Rock Wrecker!"

"ROOOAR!"

The behemoth stomped the earth, its arms bulging as boulders ripped free from the ground.

BOOOOM!!

A mountain-sized projectile hurtled toward Sylveon—

The Fairy-type dodged with Quick Attack, erecting a shimmering Reflect at the last second.

CRACK!

The barrier shattered, but the attack's force was halved. Rock Wrecker detonated at Sylveon's feet, sending debris flying!

Dust swirled as Sylveon shook off the impact, its eyes glowing with fury.

"Sylveon! (╬ಠ益ಠ)"

"It tanked Rock Wrecker with Reflect?!" Tobias's frown deepened.

"Return." Natsume's recall beam lanced out.

"Sylveon!" It shot him a displeased glare—

—but after a silent Power of One exchange, it reluctantly vanished into the ball.

Watching Natsume cycle Sylveon back, Tobias felt unease coil in his gut.

On the field, Rhyperior stood locked in recoil, panting heavily.

And before it...

"Sirfetch'd!"

Sirfetch'd smirked at the immobilized titan.

Sylveon took the hits...

Now it's MY turn to shine~!

Natsume didn't waste the opening.

"Leaf Blade."

"Sirfetch'd!"

Its stubby legs blurred across the grassy field, leek glowing emerald.

Critical hit guaranteed.

The blade flared crimson—

—and in that single, flawless slash—

CLANG!!!

Rhyperior froze mid-motion, its expression stunned.

"Sirfetch'd~" Sirfetch'd sheathed its leek like a master swordsman, standing tall.

THUD.

The colossus collapsed.

Even with Solid Rock, it couldn't withstand that strike.

"One-hit KO!" The commentator croaked. "Sirfetch'd just swept Tobias's Rhyperior!"

Despite its earlier battle, Sirfetch'd had solo'd two Pokémon—

—with type advantage sealing the deal.

The crowd erupted.

"HOLY—NATSUME-SENSEI'S DUCK JUST WENT 2-0?!"

"My 'weakest team member' meme is DEAD!"

"SIRFETCH'D, THE ONE TRUE GOD!!"

Sirfetch'd basked in glory, casting a cool gaze at Tobias.

"Sirfetch'd."

Natsume's eye twitched.

Damn it.

I've created a monster.

"That Sirfetch'd's... legit," Darkrai muttered, conflicted.

Tobias exhaled sharply. "We're taking it down first."

"Sirfetch'd!? w(°Д°)w"

I HEARD THAT!!

With a heroic flourish, Sirfetch'd raised its leek, finally embracing battlelust.

"Sirfetch'd! ヽ(`Д´)ﾉ"

If even gods can bleed...

Then you're just another stepping stone!