August 13th, Thursday.
The second day of the Public Challenge Tournament!
All eyes were focused on the center of the battlefield.
The eight contestants who had advanced from the sub-arenas would now challenge Tokyo Gym Leader Takuya, competing for the Best Individual Award!
On the guest panel, President Shoya smiled and said:
"All three Tokyo Metropolitan University contestants have advanced. I wonder how many of them will earn a badge."
Hiroshi stroked his white beard, gazing at the well-dressed Takuya, deep in thought.
Takuya, who had become a Gym Leader in his early thirties, had unique insights in both command and strategy.
Although this was a Public Challenge Tournament, if the contestants' strength was lacking, it would be difficult to award even a single badge.
"Let's see what Takuya decides to do."
Everyone held their breath, watching the first contestant step onto the stage.
Takuya adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses, composed himself, and gave a slight nod.
"I heard the difficulty of Set Up Gyms is no joke," Sakurako said softly.
"If he goes all out... the contestants here might all be defeated..."
Natsume was slightly surprised.
"Didn't they say he would choose his Pokémon based on the number of badges the challenger has?"
"Even if the Pokémon are weaker, they're still part of the Gym Leader's backup team, not to mention... the Gym Leader's strategic thinking."
Sakurako sighed. "Every year, there are contestants who get completely demoralized during the Public Challenge Tournament!"
Natsume pondered for a moment.
In the TV series, Gym Leaders also have a responsibility to guide challengers.
If a Gym Leader awards three badges in a row, it's seen as a dereliction of duty, and they could lose their position.
Takuya, as the Tokyo Gym Leader, has clearly proven himself to hold this position.
"So you're saying..." Natsume asked.
"Even though it's a Public Challenge Tournament, they might not award any badges?"
Sakurako nodded silently.
Although she had also earned the right to challenge Takuya...
She had no confidence in winning a badge.
"Natsume-sensei," Sakurako hesitated before speaking, "do you... have a chance?"
Natsume looked up at the sky.
Even though it sounds impressive...
This is 1 million Pokémon Coins we're talking about!
That's enough for me to play games for ten whole nights!
Even if it's tough, I'll have to push through!
"I wouldn't say I'm confident," Natsume said solemnly.
"But if it means bringing glory to Tokyo Metropolitan University, what's a little setback?"
Sakurako was slightly taken aback.
So Natsume-sensei isn't just participating for the move manuals...
"I was being shallow," Sakurako said, her face slightly red.
At that moment, gasps erupted from the audience stands.
"He got wiped out? Just like that?!"
The fierce Pidgeot was locked in place by Kadabra's glowing blue eyes.
While Disable restrained it, a dazzling beam of light refracted from the spoon in Kadabra's hand, and Psybeam tore through Pidgeot's wings!
"Try again next time."
The challenger recalled Pidgeot, looking dejected as he left the arena.
"Although his offensive moves are varied, his command is still too rough."
Takuya made a mental note, shaking his head almost imperceptibly.
On the guest panel, President Shoya was surprised.
"Is Takuya taking this seriously?"
"Perhaps... he hasn't found a contestant he's interested in."
Hiroshi stroked his white beard.
"After all, the manuals passed down in Set Up Gyms aren't given out easily..."
Out of the eight challengers, the two who had challenged in the morning were both easily defeated by Takuya.
Takuya had only used Kadabra, Meowstic, and Woobat—his reserve Pokémon.
Even so, he had easily defeated Hokuto from Fukuoka University, leaving the chubby guy with a psychological shadow.
"Is this Gym even beatable?!"
Hokuto gritted his teeth. "If he didn't want to give out the manuals, he should've just said so!"
Sayuri from Ashigaoka City sneered.
"You're just ignorant... Watch how Natsume-sensei sweeps through it!"
"Pfft, no matter how much you hype him up, Natsume-sensei is just a streamer..."
"I bet he'll get wiped out 3-0 by Takuya!"
"The third challenger! Shohei from Tohoku Heiya Rojin City!"
The audience erupted in chatter.
"Shohei... He's more than capable of challenging Gyms!"
"After all, Bug types counter Psychic types!"
"This is a sure win. Shohei's got this!"
But ten minutes later.
The arena fell silent once more.
"Holy... He's really not planning to give out any badges!"
"If even Shohei lost, what chance do the rest of us have?!"
The entire day passed.
Not a single badge was awarded at the Set Up Gyms!
The Pokémon Takuya used weren't particularly strong, but in his hands, they always had some new trick up their sleeve.
This was the difference in specialization between Trainers of different types.
As the sun set, Takuya looked exhausted, muttering to himself:
"Today... there shouldn't be any more challengers, right?"
In the contestant seats, Natsume-sensei suddenly perked up.
When people are tired, their command skills also drop significantly.
If I don't challenge him now, should I wait for him to rest up and fight tomorrow?
Natsume's voice wasn't loud, but in the tense arena, it was crystal clear.
All eyes instantly turned to the handsome young man.
"Is that... Tokyo Metropolitan University's contestant?"
"Holy cow, the guy who crushed Juro!"
"He's here, that man has arrived!"
"Natsume-sensei, go for it!!"
The arena, which had been silent for so long, suddenly erupted in cheers.
Even Takuya was a bit confused.
Did I miss something...
This is supposed to be my Public Challenge Tournament... Why is your popularity higher than mine?!
Sayuri, who usually had an icy demeanor, suddenly blushed and stood up excitedly.
"Go, Natsume-sensei!!"
After being suppressed for so long, Natsume-sensei seemed like the last hope for earning a badge, his figure towering and majestic.
Coach Takashi clenched his fist, his eyes filled with excitement.
If you can really earn the Tokyo Badge, Tokyo Metropolitan University's manuals are yours to choose from!
Shoya was slightly puzzled. "Why... is he challenging at this time?"
Hiroshi stroked his white beard and smiled. "He's been observing Takuya."
"Observing?" Shoya didn't understand.
"Whether it's command or strategy, every Trainer has their own habits."
"Rather than rushing in, it's better to observe carefully first."
Hiroshi nodded approvingly. "Preparing thoroughly before challenging... Very much to my liking!"
Shoya suddenly understood.
As expected of the Former Principal, his insight is so meticulous!
"If even Shohei lost, isn't this Tokyo Metropolitan University guy just here to lose?"
"Wait... Why is he so popular? Who is Natsume-sensei?"
"Natsume-sensei, crush them!!"
Not only is he good-looking, but he's also this popular...
Hokuto felt a pang of jealousy, screaming internally:
Meanwhile, the well-dressed Takuya adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and smiled faintly.
"Natsume-sensei, go easy on me," Takuya joked.
"Next time," Natsume-sensei nodded.
Takuya was slightly taken aback.
Natsume's expression was unusually serious.
In Natsume-sensei's eyes.
Takuya was no longer just a Gym Leader.
He was a walking, talking 1 million Pokémon Coins!
Natsume took out a Poké Ball and said solemnly:
Red light flickered, and black mist swirled as Haunter emerged from the ball, cackling mischievously.
Stretching its mouth to reveal its long, crimson tongue, Haunter grinned with a sinister expression.
"Haunter! (??????????)"
Sayuri's face turned red, and she clasped her cheeks, letting out a squeal.
Hiroshi let out a soft exclamation, his eyes shining with interest.
I thought... his Squirtle was already exceptionally well-bred...
But this Haunter is even more impressive!
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