Chapter 0595: The Plan to Eliminate Team Rocket Was Drafted by Meowth

The fated showdown between Ash and Paul had reached its conclusion.

Yet the packed arena remained full—in just one hour, Natsume's semifinal match would begin!

Pre-match discussions flooded Lily of the Valley Conference forums:

His strategic domination of Conway in Round 1

Showcasing Top Coordinator skills next

Yesterday's 1v3 sweep with an unevolved pseudo-legendary

No one could predict what tricks Natsume-sensei might pull in a full 6v6 battle!

"Can't wait for the classic Spikes + Minimize + Perish Song torture combo!"

"He's too meticulous—treats every match like a championship final!"

"Strategy? Contests? Cards? Team synergy? Pick your poison—Natsume-sensei won't drop a single point!"

(...One of these was clearly out of place, but never mind.)

The immediate mission: Defeat seeded contestant Hiroki to advance to the Top 4.

Guided by the principle "intelligence warfare is half the battle,"

Natsume rendezvoused with the mysteriously disguised Trio.

"Everything's in here, meow."

Meowth—dressed like Sherlock Holmes in trenchcoat and sunglasses, fake pipe clenched between teeth—slipped a rolled-up newspaper into Natsume's hand as they passed.

"Maintain radio silence." Jessie and James flanked Natsume, tipping their hats dramatically.

Natsume nodded gravely. "Operation codename—"

"Operation Persian Purge!" Meowth thrust a paw skyward.

Your inner monologue is showing!

Natsume's eye twitched.

So the mastermind behind Team Rocket's destruction... is Meowth himself?

"Sylveon~" Sylveon's glacial stare made Meowth's fur stand on end.

Once Natsume departed, Meowth collapsed, trembling.

"That look could kill, meow!"

"Serves you right for eyeing the Executive's inner circle," James sniffed.

"Exactly!" Jessie crossed her arms. "Focus on the stall! Keep funding the Boss's grand scheme!"

"Then maybe... he'll pat my head too, meow~" Meowth grinned dreamily.

"I'll debut as a Coordinator!" Jessie sparkled.

"I'll collect Kalos expansion packs!" James rubbed his hands.

"Feelin' good~~!" The Trio sighed in unison.

"Wobbuffet!"

……

Meanwhile...

Sylveon strutted ahead, ribbons swaying, nose held high.

"Sylveon~ o(′^｀)o"

Natsume sat on a bench scanning the newspaper while ruffling Arcanine's massive head.

"You're up first today." He smiled. "After all those training beatdowns, time to shine."

"Arcanine!” Arcanine wagged its tail dopily.

Its legendary endurance was undisputed.

While most Fire-types made do with Charcoal remnants from Sacred Fire...

Arcanine had:

Moltres feathers

A Rainbow Wing infused with Sacred Fire (nearly "tamed" by Natsume-sensei!)

The team's ultimate punching bag—no contest.

Rainbow Wing: ?

"Arcanine?" Arcanine blinked at the flickering feather around its neck.

Natsume casually channeled Aura of Ripple. "Ignore it. Just do your thing."

The wing flared radiantly, scattering prismatic sparks!

"Sylveon~" Sylveon yawned, stretching beside Natsume's feet.

At his young age, Natsume already enjoyed the ultimate cat-dog household.

(Though Sylveon's fox-like origins skewed canine, he treated it as a tsundere cat anyway.)

"Sylveon~ "

Watching the drowsy Sylveon, Natsume chuckled.

Who could resist this cuteness?

...Never mind that one Giga Impact could pulverize an Aggron.

The Team Rocket intel confirmed his opponent was indeed that forgettable anime finalist—

A boastful trainer whose catchphrase amounted to "Surely you jest?"

Skilled? Yes. But his ego dwarfed his talent.

Pre-match interviews showed Hiroki brimming with confidence:

"I expect to face Tobias in the finals. As for Natsume-sensei? Won't promise victory, but taking 3-4 points should be easy."

Watching the footage, Natsume froze.

Why me?!

I'm just a rookie who happened to defeat Arceus!

This opponent sounds terrifying~~

Catching his Sirfetch'd-esque theatrics, Natsume coughed.

"Let's go." He stood. "Time to see this 'trump card.'"

"Arcanine! (｀0′)" Arcanine's roar shook the stadium.

……

Afternoon - Lily of the Valley Conference Semifinals

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the semifinals!"

The announcer's roar ignited the crowd as cheers erupted through the stadium.

Ash leaned over the railing, Pikachu perched on his shoulder. Behind him sat Jasmine in a white dress and Riley in formal attire with a gentleman's hat.

"Look! Natsume-sensei's entering!" Ash whooped. "Go Natsume-sensei!"

A familiar figure approached, making Ash startle. "Y-you're here too?!"

"To observe the teacher's match." Paul's voice was icy. "With his personal guidance, I wouldn't have lost to you."

"You could ask Natsume-sensei for advice too!" Ash grinned. "Then we could battle again!"

Paul's lips quirked slightly. "Let the battle begin."

BOOM—

The battlefield rose—a standard arena for a full 6v6 showdown.

After reciting the rules, the referee slashed his flag down:

"LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!"

"Go, Magnezone!" Hiroki hurled his Poké Ball.

The UFO-like Pokémon emerged, its U-shaped magnets pulsing with blue magnetism as its red eyes locked onto Natsume.

Natsume flicked his Luxury Ball, releasing a streak of light that materialized into—

"Arcanine!!"

Arcanine's mane blazed under the sun, its roar silencing the crowd momentarily.

Every detail—the flowing mane, massive frame, glossy coat—spoke of flawless breeding.

The audience erupted.

VIP Box

Flint scratched his afro, hands in pockets.

"Ugh... I'm so jealous!"

Between the Moltres feather and Rainbow Wing, those resources alone could raise an entire Fire-type team!

Yet Natsume-sensei wasn't even a Fire specialist—he'd piled it all onto one Arcanine.

I'm getting salty!

Lucian flipped a book page, glancing at the battlefield.

"Hurry up." He sighed. "Tell the medics to be ready..."

Battlefield

Hiroki tensed as Arcanine landed.

Intimidate doesn't affect special attackers! If Thunder Wave hits—

But Natsume would never allow such cheap tactics!

CRACK!

At the command, Arcanine dug its paws in—then BLASTED forward!

The ground shattered beneath its charge, heat waves distorting the air as its mane ignited into flames!

The crowd held their breath—

A blazing meteor streaked across the field.

BOOOOOOM!!

Fire engulfed Magnezone, the explosion's shockwave rattling the stands.

Arcanine landed gracefully, crushing the battlefield underfoot—then smirked at its prey.

KABOOM!

A second explosion erupted as Magnezone sparked violently, its metallic body smoking like a downed aircraft.

THUD.

It crashed, completely charred.

Hiroki staggered back, trembling.

Before he could speak—the match was already over.

The crowd exploded.

"ONE-HIT KO!" Ash cheered, shaking Paul. "Did you see that?!"

"I have eyes." Paul deadpanned, recalling his own Pokémon's similar fate against Infernape.

Riley applauded softly. "Nothing hypes a crowd like instant domination."

"Just like Champion Cynthia!" Jasmine smiled. "Ending battles in a single strike!"

The secret to tanky builds?

If you obliterate everything fast enough—you'll never leave the field!

"Arcanine!" Arcanine's roar reignited the cheers.

Natsume met Hiroki's dazed stare and said earnestly:

"I know you're holding back your real trump card."

"M-my trump card?!"

Hiroki paled, then forced a grin. "O-of course!"

"Go... Empoleon!"