Chapter 253: Tactics Learned on the Fly, All Captured!

"Wait, that’s Natsume, the Gym Leader?"

The members of the research team turned their attention to the ongoing battle.

Yuki smiled. "That’s right. He and the Delibird over there were the ones who helped find you."

"Hey hey~"

Delibird landed in front of them, pulling out food from its tail-like pouch and distributing it to the group.

Professor Shoma looked at Delibird with gratitude. "You’re our savior, Delibird."

"Hey hey~"

Delibird waved its wing dismissively, then curiously turned its attention to Natsume and the others.

"Weavile!"

At that moment, the three Weavile suddenly charged straight at Natsume.

"Targeting me?" Natsume smiled faintly. "That’s not very wise."

Since he wasn’t worried about getting hurt, Natsume could carefully observe their movements. Although the Weavile seemed to be attacking him, their eyes kept darting toward Blaziken, and their speed wasn’t at its peak. Weavile were known for their high-speed physical attacks, so if they truly intended to attack Natsume, their current speed was far too slow. It almost seemed like they were waiting for something.

"A decoy," Natsume thought.

"Blaziken!"

Meanwhile, Blaziken and Greninja, seeing the Weavile charging at Natsume, rushed over to intercept.

The Weavile leader, noticing Blaziken moving toward Natsume, curled its lips into a sinister grin.

"Weavile!"

The Weavile suddenly accelerated, changing their target and slashing at Blaziken with their sharp claws.

Another coordinated attack!

Just before they struck, Natsume called out, "Greninja, use Smokescreen on Blaziken!"

"Greninja!"

Greninja blew out a thick cloud of smoke, enveloping both Blaziken and the Weavile.

"Blaziken, bounce upward!"

"Greninja!"

Blaziken leaped high into the air, escaping the smokescreen and hovering momentarily.

Inside the thick smoke, the Weavile leader, realizing its plan had failed, immediately used Icy Wind to disperse the smoke.

"Greninja, Water Shuriken!"

"Greninja!"

Greninja formed Water Shuriken in its hands, launching them at the Weavile.

The Weavile scattered, dodging the incoming attacks.

Natsume quickly commanded, "Now, Blaziken!"

"Blaziken!"

From midair, Blaziken descended like a fiery comet, its flaming leg aimed directly at one of the Weavile.

Bam~

Blaze Kick hit its mark.

"Sneasel!"

The Weavile leader and the other Weavile froze, their eyes locking onto the one that had been struck.

"Not done yet. Greninja, Shadow Sneak!"

"Greninja!"

Greninja’s shadow stretched across the ground, grabbing hold of the Weavile leader.

"Blaziken."

Flames reignited on Blaziken’s legs, so intense that they began to melt the thick snow beneath.

"Weavile!"

The remaining Weavile, seeing this, charged toward its leader without hesitation.

Natsume grinned. "Blaziken, Greninja!"

He pointed at the Weavile rushing to the rescue.

The Weavile leader panicked. This was supposed to be their tactic!

"Weavile!"

The Weavile in Agility mode sensed danger and instinctively raised its arms to block.

"Blaziken!"

Bang!

Blaziken’s flaming kick struck the Weavile’s abdomen, sending it flying backward. Fortunately, the Weavile’s quick reaction allowed it to defend somewhat, so it wasn’t completely incapacitated.

"Greninja!"

The Weavile’s body stiffened.

Greninja swung its hand, unleashing Night Slash.

Swish!

The Weavile collapsed into the snow.

Natsume flicked his wrist, tossing two Poké Balls at the two defeated Weavile.

Shake~ Shake~ Ding.

Natsume turned to the remaining Weavile leader. "The tables have turned. It’s 2v1 now."

"Weavile!"

The Weavile leader glared at Natsume.

"Don’t worry, I’ll give you one more chance," Natsume said with a smile. "Choose: Greninja or Blaziken?"

The Weavile leader immediately understood. It pointed at Greninja.

"Greninja."

Greninja stepped forward.

Blaziken’s flames died down as it returned to Natsume’s side.

"Good job, Blaziken. Leave the rest to Greninja."

"Blaziken."

Blaziken acknowledged, then joined Natsume in watching the snowy battlefield.

The Weavile leader also stepped forward, facing Greninja.

Their speeds increased simultaneously as they charged at each other.

"Weavile!"

The Weavile leader’s claws gleamed with a metallic sheen.

Metal Claw!

Meanwhile, Greninja used Double Team followed by Water Shuriken!

"Greninja!"

A barrage of Water Shuriken shot toward the Weavile leader like a storm of blades.

The Weavile leader didn’t hesitate, using Double Team as well. The clones rushed forward, meeting Greninja’s clones head-on.

In the snow, the Weavile and Greninja clones exploded one after another, turning into smoke.

"Greninja, Mind Reader!"

Mind Reader allowed Greninja to sense the opponent’s energy, pinpointing their exact location.

"Greninja!"

A water orb formed in Greninja’s hand.

Whoosh!

It shot through the clones, striking the Weavile leader with precision.

Water Pulse!

Bam~

The pulsating water orb left the Weavile disoriented.

The Weavile shook its head, trying to regain its focus, but Water Shuriken rained down once more.

The Weavile leader reacted quickly, slashing at the incoming shuriken with its claws.

Bang~ Bam~

Amid the explosions, Greninja closed the distance, appearing behind the Weavile leader.

Aerial Ace!

Bam~

This was Greninja’s battle style—constantly harassing the opponent from a distance with quick movements, then closing in for the decisive strike!