Arcanine's strength still lagged slightly behind Roxanne's ace Probopass.
But a skilled trainer could minimize level disparities through strategy.
That said, Arcanine had already fought three consecutive battles.
Though Morning Sun restored its HP, fatigue dulled its reflexes.
At least I won't have to worry about property damage today.
Natsume tapped the Luxury Ball. "Rest up. Treats tonight."
The ball wobbled—almost as if Arcanine was grinning inside.
On the field, Roxanne sent out her second Pokémon—a rugged Graveler.
As a Rock-type specialist, this was her domain.
Yet facing Sylveon's innocent gaze, unease prickled her spine.
"Golem! Rollout!"
The classic Defense Curl + Rollout combo sent Golem barreling toward Sylveon—
—until a single ribbon halted its momentum dead.
The commentator choked. "H-How?!"
Sylveon had stopped a rolling Golem one-handed.
Roxanne's eyes snapped to the metallic sheen coating Sylveon's ribbon.
Iron Tail reinforcement?!
Is Arcanine not even his strongest?!
Natsume rubbed his chin.
Why does this look so familiar?
Armament Haki, much?
"Iron Tail," he ordered.
Sylveon's ribbons crossed—
CRACK.
Front-row spectators shuddered at the sound of fracturing stone.
Roxanne paled.
Since when were Sylveon this brutal?!
"Shadow Ball!"
The dark sphere blasted Golem into the bleachers.
The crowd collectively wheezed.
"TOO SAVAGE!"
"ONE-SHOT?!"
"Sylveon!" The Fairy-type turned, beaming.
This counts as friendly, right?
Staring at the cratered Golem, Natsume sighed.
If she gets jealous someday...
I'm doomed.
Roxanne's final Pokémon—the fossil Cradily—fared no better.
Sylveon's Quick Attack into max-power Return shattered its roots mid-Leech Seed setup.
"Cradily is unable to battle! Winner—Natsume!"
The arena erupted.
Not only had he led his students to sweep a school—
He'd just soloed their Gym Leader without losing a single Pokémon.
Livestream chat went nuclear:
["NATSUME-SENSEI BUFF PLS"]
["EZ Clap"]
["SYLVEON MVP"]
"Sylveon~" The victor pranced back, ribbons swaying.
Natsume whispered, "I said go easy."
"Sylveon?" (Innocent blink)
"...Never mind."
Roxanne's eye twitched.
'Prepared to zero me'?!
Who says that?!
Then it hit her—if Celadon's next instructor also got swept, Rustboro wouldn't look as bad.
Suddenly, she found herself rooting for Natsume.
...
Natsume sat out the third match.
Natsume didn't step onto the field for the third match.
He had already proven his strength.
No one would dare underestimate the young Sensei anymore.
Besides… tending to Arcanine's injuries was far more important.
In the end, the duel between Celadon School and Rustboro School concluded with a final score of 3-0 in the Student matches and 3-1 in the Teacher matches.
But anyone with eyes could see—
Had Natsume-sensei not held back…
Rustboro School might have been completely swept.
After the match, the two team leaders shook hands, and Roxanne handed Natsume a small metal object.
"This is the Rock Badge," Roxanne said. "Consider it a souvenir from the Gym Challenge."
"If you ever visit Rustboro City, you won't need to challenge the Gym again."
She crossed her arms and sighed. "Honestly… I might have a bit of trauma now."
Natsume blinked.
Trauma or not—
That wasn't a good reason to just hand him a Badge!
Luckily, this Badge didn't count toward his System quests.
Relieved, Natsume pocketed it without a second thought.
"And this."
Roxanne smiled, holding out a sand-colored USB drive.
"Rock Slide—a Move Tutor disc that comes with the Badge."
Natsume's expression turned odd.
'Rock Slide'—such a dirty move!
What kind of respectable Trainer even uses Rock Slide?!
So, naturally, Natsume took the USB drive.
"Oh, Natsume-sensei…"
Roxanne hesitated, one hand behind her back as she scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"That Plants vs. Zombies DLC you mentioned… when's it coming out?"
"Christmas. Why?"
"Really?!" Her eyes lit up. "No delays?!"
"Ahem." Natsume coughed. "Hard to say."
"Anyway…" He pulled out his phone, flashing a QR code. "There's a group chat. Wanna join and find out?"
Roxanne, slightly dazed, scanned it with her phone—beep!
By the time she joined, the chaotic group had already erupted in welcome.
Gold: New member! List your measurements, height, and marital status!
Still confused, Roxanne turned to Natsume. "Do I… really have to?"
"Ignore him," Natsume said. "But you can if you want."
Another member added to the madness.
Roxanne recognized Ruby and Sapphire, but when she spotted names like Steven and Lance, her eyes nearly popped out.
"Holy—!" She glanced at the group name. "No wonder I lost to Natsume-sensei!"
...
Celadon School vs. Rustboro School—
Natsume-sensei's performance sent shockwaves through the crowd.
Meanwhile, in Unova, Striaton Academy triumphed over the local Jubilife School, securing their spot in the Finals.
Erika, having finished her own Gym Challenge, prepared to return in time for the upcoming Finals.
"Should I… get him a thank-you gift too?"
Staring at the Rainbow Badge in her hand, she fell deep into thought.
...
With the preliminaries over,
Natsume decided to treat his students to a visit at his place.
"Won't we be bothering… uh, Sensei's wife?" Wally asked hesitantly.
"Wife?"
Natsume's eyes sparkled as he clapped Wally on the shoulder.
"I'll cover your Pokéblocks for the rest of the matches!"
Gladion gulped and quickly added, "She must be really pretty, right?"
"Hah! Yours too!"
After an intense internal struggle, Giselle mumbled, "E-Early… happy parenthood?"
Natsume-sensei: ?
The logic was there, but the phrasing felt off.
"Anyway." Natsume cleared his throat. "Take a day to rest up. Be ready for tomorrow's Finals!"
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