December 8th, Tuesday.
The sprawling Jubilife City, built atop old mines, maintained a monochromatic aesthetic as its primary style.
As Sinnoh's largest metropolis, Jubilife TV consistently boasted impressive ratings.
To cover the Inter-School Exchange Tournament live, the station dispatched numerous reporters to the downtown Jubilife Arena.
"This year's tournament features four competing schools: Celadon, Striaton, Jubilife, and Rustboro," announced the on-site host outside Jubilife Arena.
"Who will claim the gold? Stay tuned!"
Winning the tournament guaranteed favorable academic resource allocations.
But more importantly, outstanding performers would receive special rewards directly from the Tournament Committee.
For instructors, excelling in the faculty matches could significantly boost their careers and personal growth.
Yet despite these stakes...
Rustboro School's instructor Roxanne, her twin tails drooping, wore a troubled expression.
"Our first matchup is against Celadon School?"
Celadon had always been a formidable contender, especially under Kanto's star leader Erika, consistently ranking top two.
The thought of facing the gentle yet deadly Senior Erika made Roxanne sigh deeply.
"However," her bespectacled colleague Ginji interjected, "this year's lead instructor isn't Miss Erika. It's... a newcomer."
"Really?" Roxanne's eyes lit up with hope. "Who?"
"A Touran native... Natsume-sensei. Quite young."
Ginji mused, "Still... probably better than Erika."
Natsume-sensei?
Roxanne frowned, the name ringing a bell. She checked the official registry on her phone and gasped.
"The game developer!"
"Game company?" Ginji blinked. "You must be mistaken."
"No," Roxanne insisted. "He created Plants vs. Zombies."
"But..." Ginji hesitated.
How did someone from a completely different field end up leading Celadon's team?
"Does this mean we actually have a chance this year?" another teacher chimed in.
Roxanne didn't answer, her face grim.
If the rumors were true...
This might be even worse than facing Erika.
...
In the preparation room, teacher Kanon announced, "First-round draw—we're against Rustboro School."
Their colleague Akatsuki, a mild-mannered middle-aged man, turned to Natsume.
"Natsume-sensei, how should we arrange our lineup?"
"Let my students go first," Natsume replied. "They're new to this. Good warm-up for them."
"Sounds fair. We'll handle the later matches," Akatsuki said warmly.
Kanon remained silent, lost in thought.
Natsume-sensei's plan...
Could he be aiming to end the entire competition with just one team?
...
The day's opening match featured Giselle.
Seeing the bookish girl, Rustboro's Misuzu relaxed slightly.
"You're that new instructor's student, right?" She smirked, nodding toward Natsume. "Did he pick you for... other reasons?"
Though intended as trash talk, Giselle's cheeks flushed pink as she coughed lightly.
"Y-You think so too?"
"?"
Determined to prove her gratitude, Giselle fought seriously.
"Marowak, Bonemerang!"
The boomerang struck Kecleon's skull twice with brutal force, leaving no time for camouflage.
With a final thud, Kecleon collapsed, unconscious.
"Marowak!" The bone-wielder scoffed, twirling its weapon.
The arena erupted.
"A... one-hit KO?"
This was supposed to be a balanced student match! Since when did instant knockouts happen?
The match's intensity far exceeded expectations!
Even Forrest, the next contender, looked stunned.
How... how was this possible?
Thud!
Another knockout.
Rustboro's second student fell embarrassingly fast.
If the first was luck, the second confirmed overwhelming skill.
Watching the triumphant girl, Roxanne tensed.
"It's fine," Ginji reassured. "We anticipated this. Our first-round students were strategically weaker."
A gambit?
Roxanne nodded grimly.
A smart tactic... so why did she feel increasingly uneasy?
"Celadon School sweeps the first round without losing a single match!" the commentator roared.
The crowd cheered—for the girl and her brilliant coach.
"Clearly, Celadon bet big on their opener," the analyst noted. "But Rustboro's known for late-game comebacks."
"Are you suggesting Rustboro held back their strongest?"
"Possibly."
After all, Giselle's dominance seemed almost prophetic.
Unless her coach could see the future, such precise counter-strategies were terrifying!
Post-victory, Giselle smiled sweetly at her defeated opponent.
"Don't worry," she said. "I'm the weakest on our team."
"The weakest?!" The boy glared. "Yeah, right!"
From the coach's seat, Natsume observed calmly.
You brought 3-4-5? I've got J-Q-K.
Your gambit means nothing here.
"Remember," Natsume told Gladion, "it's just a friendly. Winning isn't everything—just do your best."
Gladion adjusted his golden bangs.
"Leave it to me."
"Celadon's second contender steps up! Can he continue the streak?"
The audience held their breath.
Back-to-back shutouts? Was that even possible?
Gladion answered with another brutal domination.
"Lycanroc, Counter!"
Mightyena's lunge met Lycanroc's crushing uppercut, sending it skidding across the field.
"Winner: Celadon School!"
The stands exploded.
Compared to drawn-out battles, these instant KOs were electrifying.
And this was Celadon's second flawless victory!
"How is Celadon this strong?!" a Rustboro teacher stammered.
"Even under Erika, they weren't unstoppable!"
Roxanne stayed quiet, her gaze fixed on the composed young man on the sidelines.
A crushing weight settled over her.
"Because..." she whispered. "He's Natsume-sensei."
"3-0!"
"3-0!"
The chant spread.
Instructor Akatsuki's glasses nearly slipped off.
He'd assumed Natsume was scouting for later rounds...
But this? This was annihilation!
Even Principal Earl Dervish, watching the livestream, sat stunned.
These two students—handpicked and trained by Natsume in just two weeks—were this powerful?
The man's teaching prowess defied logic!
Dervish's blood burned with excitement.
Who cared about broken equipment? With skills like this—let the explosions come!
Meanwhile, the one-sided matches continued.
"Last one," Natsume told Wally. "Go easy. Let them save face."
The green-haired boy nodded.
Rustboro's final contestant, the burly Kuroki, glared.
"Kuroki, from Instructor Roxanne's class."
Though dwarfed physically, Wally's resolve never wavered.
"Wally. Student of Natsume-sensei."
Again?!
Every spectator shared the same thought:
Who was this Natsume-sensei?
With students like these, he could solo entire schools!
"Camerupt, go!"
"Gallade, I choose you!"
Despite being Rustboro's ace, Kuroki struggled helplessly.
Against Wally, every move felt anticipated.
I'm... outclassed.
Even holding back, Wally secured the third 3-0.
"Sensei," he said sheepishly, "I did go easy..."
The arena fell silent.
"For the first time in tournament history..." the commentator breathed, "one instructor's team just swept an entire school."
Natsume-sensei's leadership wasn't just exceptional—it was historic.
"Shall we continue?" Natsume asked Kanon and Akatsuki, both gaping.
"N-next is the faculty match," Kanon stammered.
She wanted to suggest skipping it. The students' performance was already legendary. If Natsume lost now, it might tarnish their triumph.
"Let me handle it," Akatsuki offered, ready to take the fall.
But Rustboro's instructors, desperate for redemption, glared fiercely.
"It's fine," Natsume said, standing. "Just a friendly. No shame in losing."
As he stepped onto the field, the crowd hushed.
Facing Rustboro's tense lineup, he smiled.
"Natsume. Who's first?"
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