The Tokyo Evening News dropped a bombshell.
Headline: "Genius Trainer Sweeps Set Up Gyms, A New Star Rises in the Tournament!"
[Author's Note: In the recently concluded Public Challenge Tournament, Natsume, the champion of the Piplup Cup, swept Gym Leader Takuya with a 3:0 victory! This marks the first Badge awarded in the Public Challenge Tournament. Our newspaper will continue to follow up on this story...]
The news also trended online, with countless comments from netizens on the web version.
"Does anyone really think Natsume-sensei is just a game streamer?"
"It was a gauntlet match, so Takuya's focus might have slipped. It's understandable."
"I was there! Natsume-sensei didn't even treat the Gym Leader like a human!"
As Tokyo's only officially recognized Gym, Takuya's strength is well-known.
Yet, Natsume, as a Challenger, still managed to sweep the Leader 3:0—
This was an absolute slaughter!
Takuya also saw the report, adjusting his gold-rimmed glasses with a hint of embarrassment.
Not only was I swept... but it's also being broadcasted so loudly...
Do I not deserve any dignity?!
However, Takuya couldn't help but admire Natsume.
After all, the purpose of the Public Challenge Tournament is to discover talented young Trainers.
Losing with Pokémon of similar strength, Takuya accepted the defeat gracefully.
Takuya shook his head and smiled. "Every generation has its talents..."
"No need to get angry, no need..."
The third day of the Public Challenge Tournament continued.
Takuya, seemingly fueled by a grudge, displayed astonishing strength.
"Holy crap, Swoobat is going wild!"
"It's not that Takuya is weak, it's that Natsume-sensei is too strong!"
Challengers from various schools were in tears.
Just because you got swept by Natsume-sensei, don't take it out on us!
Over the three days, Takuya only lost one match.
Takuya nodded in satisfaction and, adhering to the principle of mentoring newcomers, awarded another Badge.
The Public Challenge Tournament concluded.
On the bus back to school, Reina chattered excitedly about the experience:
"Natsume-sensei, those two manuals are definitely yours now!"
Natsume forced a bitter smile. "Haha."
The prize money was only 1 million Pokémon Coins, but the gifts for the little one cost 2 million Pokémon Coins...
Plus, all the Potions Squirtle bought during the matches.
I feel like I actually lost money here.
"And this," Sakurako handed Natsume her phone.
"Check out this article. It already has over a thousand comments."
Natsume was slightly taken aback.
Upon closer inspection, it was none other than the Tokyo Evening News again!
Sure, Takuya might not be the strongest, but is it really okay to roast him ?
I'm still waiting for him to send me the prize money!
Now that everyone knows Natsume-sensei is a genius (even if it's true), how am I supposed to keep dominating the lower tiers?!
[Author's Note: As the Piplup Cup Champion, Natsume's training methods are exceptional, leveraging emotions to resonate with Pokémon...
This victory over Takuya is the best proof of this emotional connection...]
Glancing at the reporter's name, Natsume immediately became alert.
It's you again, the same male reporter who interviewed me last time!
Stop making up these weird narratives, will you?!
"I'm really just an ordinary Finance Department student."
Putting down the phone, Natsume sighed.
"Why don't they believe me?"
The school team members exchanged awkward glances.
Damn, we almost forgot that Natsume Coach is actually a Finance major!
Keigo wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and muttered:
"Natsume Coach... you're not cheating, are you..."
Natsume narrowed his eyes, silently staring at Keigo's seat.
Are you playing the prophet again?
I'll target you tonight!
Coach Takashi patted Natsume's shoulder and laughed:
"Principal Hiroshi contacted me. The manuals this time were personally prepared by him!"
Natsume was slightly stunned:
"Who's Principal Hiroshi?"
"He's the elderly gentleman in the white robe with a long beard on the guest panel. He's also the former principal of Tokyo Metropolitan University."
Coach Takashi explained, "He once won the Touran Conference Championship. Your Squirtle is a descendant of his Pokémon."
No wonder Squirtle is so talented.
So, you're the culprit, Former Principal!
Natsume stammered, "What... what manuals is he planning to give me?"
"Dig," Coach Takashi said with a smile. "He said it's perfect for your Squirtle."
"How about it? Happy?"
Natsume opened his mouth.
Images of Squirtle digging from the sixth floor all the way to the staircase flashed through his mind.
Cold sweat immediately began to drip from his forehead.
Natsume licked his pale lips and forced a dry laugh. "It's... alright."
After this trip, I need to ask Misaki-neesan to move immediately!
If I keep living on the sixth floor, the neighbors downstairs will definitely drag me to the police station!
Overall, this Public Challenge Tournament was quite fruitful.
The most important prize, the 1 million Pokémon Coins, had already been deposited into Natsume's account.
There were also three additional bonuses: Auxiliary Power, Calm Mind, and Dig.
On top of that, there was the Tokyo Badge, shaped like the Tokyo Skytree Arena, resembling a gleaming pearl.
Natsume fiddled with the shiny Badge and muttered:
"It looks pretty nice..."
"Too bad, this will probably be the last Badge I collect."
Tossing the Tokyo Badge aside, Natsume-sensei checked his phone's balance.
After paying off the remaining balance for the Water Stone, Natsume still owed Cynthia 5 million.
Although Cynthia never brought it up.
It was as if the IOU was a binding contract.
But Natsume-sensei never forgot and always wanted to redeem that IOU.
Back at home, Natsume tapped on a calculator, muttering to himself:
"Hmm... Calm Mind will help Eevee's Evolution... can't skimp on that."
"Dig shouldn't cost much... wait, no, this might actually be more expensive!"
Natsume's expression turned strange.
What if Squirtle digs through the entire building? I'd be done for!
Suddenly, Natsume-sensei slapped his forehead and groaned, "Crap, Eevee can learn Dig too!"
A drop of cold sweat rolled down Natsume's forehead.
"Maybe I should hide this Technical Machine or something..."
Natsume flipped through the Calm Mind Move manual.
Even the encrypted digital version was included, which surprised Natsume.
But Natsume-sensei really couldn't make much sense of it. After pondering for a while, he suddenly closed the file.
"To be safe... I should consult a Psychic-type expert first!"
Opening the chat group, Natsume privately messaged Sabrina.
['Natsume-sensei' poked 'Sabrina']
Natsume-sensei: Can you take a look at this manual and see if there's anything wrong?
Sabrina: Sure, send it over.
Natsume, still typing, was slightly stunned.
You agreed so quickly?!
I haven't even mentioned the rewards yet!
Natsume coughed lightly and typed, "Seems like I can't forward it... but I can send you a screen recording."
Natsume-sensei: [Video]
Sabrina only glanced at it before calmly saying:
"This training method is paired with Auxiliary Power, right? I've studied it before."
"But its effectiveness in training mental strength is lacking... I can help you refine it."
Natsume was taken aback, his expression complicated. "There's really no need..."
Sabrina: "No need to be polite. It's a small favor."
Natsume suddenly felt nervous.
What if Sabrina's modifications end up costing more money?!
An hour later, the chat window buzzed again.
[File 'Calm Mind 2.0' has been transferred. Please check.]
Sabrina: I slightly optimized the required items.
Natsume's heart tightened. "How... how much more?"
Sabrina: The total cost remains the same, still 2 million Pokémon Coins, but it requires a higher-quality Dawn Stone.
Sabrina: Although rare, they are still available on the market. Keep an eye out.
Hearing that the price hadn't increased, Natsume let out a long sigh of relief.
Natsume-sensei: Thank you, Sabrina.
Sabrina was slightly surprised and smiled. "You're welcome."
Closing the chat interface, Natsume muttered:
"I'll ask the Wilds Group for advice and see if I can get a Dawn Stone."
"With some liquid funds and installment payments, I should be able to afford it..."
Natsume clenched his fist and sneered:
"Hah, a mere 7 million Pokémon Coins..."
"If I can't even pay that back... then I'm really underestimating myself, Natsume-sensei!"
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