Chapter 293:The Pokémon That Avoids Battle

"It actually evolved!"

Challenger Shoma wasn't too bothered by losing to Natsume.

After all, just getting to battle Gym Leader Natsume was something worth bragging about.

"Come back, Corvisquire."

Shoma recalled the fainted Corvisquire.

"Next up, it's your turn, Pawmo."

"Pawmo."

This Pawmo's level wasn't particularly high either—in fact, it was even lower than Corvisquire, at only level 22.

Moreover, it seemed quite nervous, looking around anxiously as soon as it entered the battlefield.

Natsume glanced at Tinkatuff's current stats.

Name: Tinkatuff
Type: Fairy/Steel
Level: 24
Ability: Mold Breaker
Individual Values: HP 31, Attack 31, Defense 31, Special Attack 30, Special Defense 31, Speed 31
Moves: Astonish, Baby-Doll Eyes, Metal Claw, Rock Smash, Fairy Wind, Brutal Swing
Inherited Moves: Icicle Spear
Potential: Elite

"Tinkatuff~"

After evolving, Tinkatuff's first concern was, of course, its hammer.

Thud thud~

It first tapped the hammer with its hand, then slammed it against the ground.

Natsume smiled at Tinkatuff. "Tinkatuff, let's use this battle to test out your new hammer."

"Tinkatuff~"

Tinkatuff immediately gripped the hammer tightly and turned its attention to Pawmo.

"Let's go, Brutal Swing!"

Tinkatuff spun its hammer and charged straight at Pawmo.

Challenger Shoma shouted, "If it's a head-on fight, we won't lose!"

Clearly, this was a very traditional,热血 (hot-blooded) Trainer.

"Pawmo, use Arm Thrust!"

"Don't be afraid, just go for it!"

Pawmo steadied itself and, seeing the hammer swinging toward it, quickly pushed forward.

Bang~

With one swing of the hammer, Pawmo immediately felt its arms go numb from the impact.

But that wasn't the end of it.

"Tinkatuff!"

Tinkatuff excitedly swung its hammer, delivering blow after blow to Pawmo.

Pawmo quickly began to struggle.

Seeing Tinkatuff's excited expression and the relentless swings of the hammer, Pawmo started to feel fear.

This wasn't the effect of a move—it was simply scared of being hit.

"Pawmo."

Pawmo cried out, then turned and ran away.

As an Electric-type Pokémon, Pawmo was quite fast and quickly dodged Tinkatuff's continuous attacks.

"Tinkatuff!"

Don't run!

Tinkatuff swung its hammer while chasing after Pawmo, shouting as it ran.

The spectators around the arena burst into laughter at the scene.

Challenger Shoma looked slightly embarrassed. "Stop running! Face the battle!"

Pawmo, still running around the battlefield, glanced back.

Whoosh~

The hammer's wind rushed toward it.

"Pawmo!"

Pawmo panicked and sped up again.

The laughter from the crowd grew even louder.

Natsume also chuckled, then said, "Tinkatuff, use Fairy Wind."

"Tinkatuff!"

Tinkatuff immediately swung its hammer with all its might.

Boom~

The Fairy-type energy gathered into a powerful gust of wind, which was doubly effective against Pawmo.

The wind attack sent Pawmo tumbling to the ground in a very狼狈 (pathetic) manner.

Pawmo struggled to turn around and look behind it.

The massive hammer came swinging down.

Pawmo, terrified, quickly raised its arms to shield its head.

Thud!

The hammer landed right beside Pawmo.

"Tinkatuff~"

Tinkatuff snorted, then turned to Natsume with a smile and happily ran back.

Shoma, looking somewhat embarrassed, recalled his Pawmo. "I lost this match."

Rotom immediately announced, "The battle is over."

"Pawmo has forfeited the battle, so Tinkatuff is the winner."

Clap clap clap~

The crowd erupted into applause at the appropriate moment.

Natsume crouched down and rubbed Tinkatuff's cheeks. "You did great, Tinkatuff."

"Tinkatuff~"

Tinkatuff happily waved its hammer.

"Gym Leader Natsume, how do you train a Pokémon to not be afraid of battle?"

Challenger Shoma walked over with his Poké Ball and asked, "My Pawmo always seems scared of battling."

"Something like today isn't the first time it's happened."

"I've been really troubled by this."

Natsume stood up and looked at Shoma. "That's a really good question."

"Because most of my Pokémon here choose their own way of life."

"Pokémon are like people—they all have their own personalities: hardworking, stubborn, slow, or even timid."

"So, if it were me, I wouldn't think about how to change a Pokémon's personality."

Shoma said reluctantly, "But my goal is to become a professional Trainer."

"If my Pokémon doesn't like battling, then my dream..."

Natsume thought for a moment, then said, "If you really want to stick with it, then I believe that as long as you have a strong bond, Pawmo will definitely do its best to meet your expectations."

"That is, if you think that's okay."

Shoma frowned. "Bond?"

Natsume smiled at him. "No rush, take your time to think about it."

"First, consider whether your Pawmo simply doesn't like battling, or if it doesn't dislike battles but has some psychological trauma that makes it avoid them."

"Also, take some time to enjoy our farm's Harvest Festival these next few days."

After saying this, Natsume walked off the field with Tinkatuff.

Yuki, watching Natsume walk out, said, "Gym Leader Natsume, giving advice to challengers is also very帅 (cool)~"

"Thank you."

Natsume replied politely, "Now that the battle's over, would you like to join Teacher Sandslash and experience harvesting Hearty Grains?"

"It's one of the unique features of our farm's gym."

Yuki smiled. "Of course, no problem."

"Honestly, I often see pictures of Teacher Sandslash online."

In the fields.

"Sandslash~"

Sandslash held a stalk of wheat, looking at the golden Hearty Grains.

Sandslash thought, who would feel the happiness of a full stomach from this food?

This must be what Natsume-sama calls a sense of accomplishment.

"Teacher Sandslash~"

From ahead, Natsume's voice called out.

Sandslash looked up.

He saw Natsume walking along the ridge, Yuki with her green hair flowing in the wind, Tinkatuff dragging its hammer, and Celebi flying down from the sky. Sandslash smiled.

Sandslash happily waved the Hearty Grains in his hand.

"Sandslash~"