Chapter 217:Ride the Storm! Diancie's Diamond~

Ride the Storm! Diancie's Diamond~

"We won~"

Mikoharu cheered as she watched Sirfetch'd on the battlefield. She tugged at Kiko excitedly, "Sirfetch'd is so amazing!"

Kiko smiled. "Yeah."

"But the battle isn't over yet."

"Not over?"

Mikoharu paused for a moment, then realized, "Oh right, there's still Braviary."

"Exactly."

"But if everyone gets a turn, then Infernape will be up next."

As Kiko spoke, she glanced worriedly at the visibly excited Infernape.

"It should be fine, right?"

"Infernape~"

Infernape eagerly ran onto the battlefield.

Infernape looked at Sirfetch'd and said, "My turn, my turn! You've already battled twice."

"Sirfetch'd."

Sirfetch'd pointed at the rain falling from the sky.

The additional effect of Max Geyser was that it caused rainfall in a certain area for a period of time.

Fighting in the rain was definitely a disadvantage for Infernape.

Especially since the next opponent was Braviary, a Flying-type Pokémon.

"Sirfetch'd."

Sirfetch'd wanted to take on Braviary alone.

"Infernape!"

Infernape immediately got anxious. It had won the rock-paper-scissors game, so how could it not get a turn?

Infernape shook its head repeatedly, then looked at Natsume.

Natsume spoke up, "Sirfetch'd, let Infernape handle the last battle."

"You can back Infernape up if needed."

"But I believe Infernape can win, right, Infernape?"

"Infernape~"

Infernape confidently thumped its chest.

"Sirfetch'd."

Seeing Natsume's decision, Sirfetch'd stepped off the battlefield, leaving it to Infernape.

"Braviary, let's go!"

Gunta released his Braviary at this point.

"Infernape."

Infernape stood at the center of the battlefield.

At this moment, the heavy rain continued to pour.

Braviary soared through the rain.

The flame on Infernape's head burned fiercely despite the rain.

This showed that Infernape's fighting spirit was at its peak.

"Braviary, Hurricane!"

"Braviary!"

In the sky, Braviary vigorously flapped its wings.

Whoosh~

A powerful storm instantly swept across the venue.

The storm spun like a twister, hurtling toward Infernape.

The roaring storm made the air howl.

Puddles on the ground were swept into the sky.

Gunta was indeed a formidable Trainer.

The rain effect from Max Geyser now became Braviary's advantage.

This must have been part of Gunta's battle strategy all along.

Natsume quickly commanded, "Infernape, Protect!"

"Infernape!"

At this moment, the entire battlefield was engulfed in violent winds due to Hurricane's effect.

"Braviary, Air Slash."

"Braviary~"

Flying in the air, Braviary looked down at Infernape and forcefully flapped its wings.

The strengthened Air Slash emitted a faint glow, then instantly slashed toward Infernape on the ground.

Infernape's reflexes and speed were quick. It swiftly dodged backward, evading Braviary's attack.

After one strike, Gunta immediately ordered, "Braviary, gain altitude! Use Hurricane again!"

Natsume thought to himself, "If this continues, Infernape will just be a sitting duck."

"At the very least, we need to find a way to avoid the rain."

Natsume then looked at the battlefield and said, "Infernape, Dig!"

"Infernape!"

Infernape leaped up, as if diving into water, and plunged into the ground.

The ground seemed to melt under Infernape's hands as it quickly burrowed underground, avoiding Hurricane's attack.

"Braviary~"

Braviary immediately flew to the entrance of the hole, circling above it.

"Infernape, Flamethrower!"

Boom~

Flames erupted from the hole.

Braviary quickly distanced itself, dodging Infernape's fiery attack.

"Nice!"

Kiko cheered. "Using Dig means it can avoid the rain."

"Once the rain stops, Infernape will have a much easier time."

"Plus, by using the tunnel, Braviary loses its target."

Mikoharu added, "Yeah~"

"With this, there's no way Infernape can lose."

Meanwhile, on the battlefield.

Gunta calmly said, "Dig, huh?"

"We've battled opponents who are good at using Dig before."

"Braviary, use Hurricane directly on the hole!"

"Braviary."

Braviary flew above the hole, then unleashed a twister-like storm straight into it.

"Infernape, come out!"

At that moment, as the storm surged into the hole, Infernape burst out from behind Braviary.

Boom~

Behind Infernape, the twister-like storm shot out of the hole like a pillar of wind, blasting into the sky.

Natsume stared at the wind pillar, and a strategy suddenly came to mind.

"Infernape, Dig!"

Natsume called out to Infernape, then pointed to the spot beneath Braviary.

"Infernape."

Infernape immediately understood Natsume's plan and used Dig again.

Gunta frowned slightly.

While he could use Hurricane to force Infernape out of the ground, if Infernape kept using Dig, Braviary's attacks would be meaningless.

Moreover, such moves would drain a lot of stamina.

And most importantly, if this continued, the rain would surely stop soon.

"What's wrong, Gym Leader Natsume?"

Gunta suddenly smiled at Natsume. "This doesn't seem like your style."

"Always dodging like this."

As Gunta spoke, he waved his hand. "Braviary, force Infernape out again! Hurricane!"

Braviary flew back to the hole.

Hurricane blasted into the ground.

Natsume said calmly, "What do you think my style should be?"

Boom~

Right next to Infernape's hole, another entrance suddenly appeared.

"Infernape, Protect!"

"Infernape!"

Bam~

Amid the roar of Hurricane.

A glowing sphere, under the force of Hurricane, shot into the air!

Natsume smiled slightly as he watched. "Ride the Hurricane! Thunder Punch!"

"What!"

Gunta was stunned as he saw Infernape, using the force of Hurricane, rapidly flying toward Braviary.

He quickly shouted, "Dodge, Braviary!"

Braviary was still using Hurricane, intensifying the storm.

It looked at Infernape rushing toward it, its pupils dilating.

It was too late to dodge now.

"Infernape!"

Zap~

Electricity crackled.

Boom!

Infernape swung its fist with full force.

At this moment, Infernape, mid-air, seemed like an Electric-type Pokémon, its entire body crackling with electricity.

Under the overwhelming force of the lightning and sheer power, Braviary's body was sent crashing to the ground like a cannonball.

"Braviary!"

Braviary, lying on the ground, struggled to lift its head. As it flapped its wings, trying to take off again, Infernape, descending from the sky, grabbed its wings.

Infernape's iron-hard fist struck Braviary's head without hesitation.

Close Combat!

"Braviary."

Braviary flapped its wings desperately, its claws slashing at Infernape's body.

However, without the advantage of the sky and forced to battle on the ground, Braviary was no match for Infernape.

Soon, with a mournful cry, Braviary lost its ability to battle.

Braviary collapsed into a puddle at Infernape's feet.

Rotom quickly announced, "Match ends."

"Braviary is unable to battle. The winner is Infernape!"

"Infernape!"

Infernape raised its fist, then happily leaped toward Natsume.

"Infernape~"

Infernape jumped onto Natsume's head.

"Haha, stop messing around, get down."

Natsume laughed as he lifted Infernape off his head.

"We won, we won~"

The audience stands erupted in cheers.

"Using Braviary's Hurricane to get close to Braviary? That's such a bold idea!"

"Wait, was that a spur-of-the-moment idea? Or had they practiced it before?"

"I don't know, but if it was a sudden idea, then Gym Leader Natsume and Infernape's coordination is incredible."

"Anyway, no matter what, that was an amazing match."

The audience stands erupted in thunderous applause.

Natsume looked up at the sky.

The rain had stopped by now.

Natsume had originally planned to wait for the rain to stop before launching Infernape's attack.

The cheers in the arena gradually quieted as the rain clouds dissipated.

"Gym Leader Natsume, may I ask a question?"

Gunta approached Natsume.

"What is it?"

"Was the tactic of using Hurricane something you came up with on the spot?"

Natsume nodded. "Yes."

"Weren't you afraid of failing?"

"It was a sudden idea, and you just went with it?"

Natsume smiled slightly. "Of course, there was a chance of failure."

"If Infernape hadn't successfully used Protect, the match might have ended there."

"But Pokémon battles are full of endless possibilities."

"I believe that while winning is important—after all, everyone wants to win—Pokémon battles aren't just about victory."

"After all, there are only a few matches where victory is absolutely necessary, right?"

"So, don't be afraid of failure. Be bold, and you'll enjoy an exciting battle."

Gunta repeated the key points of Natsume's words: "Don't be afraid of failure, be bold. I understand."

"Gym Leader Natsume, thank you for your guidance."

Gunta then bowed deeply to Natsume. "Also, please forgive me for my earlier disrespectful remarks."

Natsume waved it off. "Attacking a Trainer's mindset is a strategy in itself, so no need to apologize."

Natsume then addressed the audience. "Everyone, the battle arena here isn't fully completed yet."

"Please exit the venue in an orderly manner."

"Yes, Gym Leader Natsume~"

The audience stands suddenly echoed with a unified shout.

Natsume smiled at everyone, then walked out of the battle arena.

"Natsume~"

Kiko had intended to act reserved.

But when she stood in front of Natsume, she couldn't help but throw herself into his arms.

Natsume hugged Kiko, feeling the softness of her body.

He chuckled and patted her back teasingly. "Seems like you've gained some weight."

"Huh, really?"

Kiko immediately looked down at her body. "Did I really gain weight? Is it obvious?"

Mikoharu laughed beside her. "Probably because you've been eating too much at school."

Kiko groaned. "Ugh, I really need to lose weight."

"Alright, I've decided. I'm going to train with Infernape and the others for the next few days!"

Kiko was studying to be a Pokémon Breeder, specializing in Pokémon food and nutrition.

Since she often made various dishes, she naturally ended up eating a lot.

"School? What's that?"

Diancie, who was following Natsume, asked curiously.

Natsume explained, "School is a place where humans gather to learn all sorts of knowledge."

"Like how I'm learning at the farm?"

"Yes, exactly."

"I see. So the farm is my school~"

Natsume smiled. "You could think of it that way."

Kiko and Mikoharu turned their attention to Diancie.

After spending some time at the farm, Diancie had grown accustomed to the attention.

Diancie smiled at the two. "Hello, I'm Diancie, Gym Leader Natsume's student."

"Hello."

Seeing Diancie introduce herself formally, Kiko quickly responded, "I'm Kiko, a student in the Cultivation Department at Hokkaido College."

"Cultivation Department?"

"That's the department responsible for breeding Pokémon."

"Also, I specialize in Pokémon food. I can make some for you tomorrow."

Diancie bowed slightly. "I'll look forward to it."

Natsume, seeing Kiko unsure how to respond, chuckled. "Don't worry about it. It's just Diancie's way."

"Just treat her normally."

"Okay~"

Diancie noticed Mikoharu looking at her hesitantly and asked, "If you have any questions, feel free to ask."

Mikoharu shyly said, "Um, can you really make diamonds?"

Diancie waved her hand, and sparkling lights appeared in her palm.

Two large diamonds instantly materialized in Diancie's hands.

She handed them to Mikoharu and Kiko.

"Here you go."

"Really? Can we have them?"

Diancie nodded.

Kiko and Mikoharu each took a diamond from Diancie.

"Wow, they're so big and beautiful."

Mikoharu held up the diamond in awe. "This is amazing."

Diancie, however, looked a little sad. "They're beautiful, right?"

"But they won't last long."

"Because I haven't yet learned how to create eternal diamonds."

As soon as Diancie finished speaking, the diamonds in Kiko and Mikoharu's hands suddenly crumbled, turning into specks of light and disappearing.

Natsume gently patted Diancie's head.

Kiko, noticing the mood had turned somber, quickly changed the subject.

She walked over to the Hearty Grains field, bent down, and touched the grains. "These Hearty Grains have grown so tall."

"Natsume, they should be ready to harvest soon, right?"

"They'll mature around November. That's when the farm looks its best."

"I'll take time off to come visit then~"

"Not to help out?"

"Hehe, of course, I'll help too."

Kiko returned to Natsume's side. "Will you plant new crops in the winter?"

Natsume shook his head slightly. "In the winter, we'll take a break and let the land rest."

Natsume thought to himself, "Though, thanks to Jirachi, the soil here doesn't lack nutrients."

Natsume, Diancie, Kiko, and Mikoharu walked along the embankment of the Hearty Grains field, chatting as they went.

Rustle~

"Pikachu!"

A few Pikachu darted out from the Hearty Grains field.

They moved so quickly that they almost bumped into Natsume and the others.

"Be careful, Pikachu."

"Pikachu!"

The Pikachu scratched their heads sheepishly, then hurried off.

Diancie's mood had improved by now.

She watched the Pikachu running ahead and called out curiously, "Where are you going?"

"Pikachu~"

The Pikachu said that a baby Pichu in their group was about to hatch, so they were rushing back.

Hearing this, Diancie turned to Natsume with excitement. "Natsume, I want to go see the Pichu hatching too~"

Natsume smiled. "Let's go, then."

"Pidgey~"

In the sky, a few Pidgey flew leisurely by.

Their shadows, cast by the setting sun, chased after the figures ahead.