September 16th, Wednesday.
Tokyo Metropolitan University vs. Tokyo Yokohama National University.
The official live stream of the Intercollegiate League semi-finals was flooded with Natsume-sensei's fans.
"When is Natsume-sensei going to step in?"
"That Rain Team is insane! Kingdra is just too strong!"
All eyes in the audience were fixed on the two contestants in the center of the arena.
Inside the protective barrier, heavy rain poured down, creating a misty haze.
Kingdra, resembling a seahorse, unleashed a high-pressure Torrent from its long, tubular mouth.
Liepard failed to dodge in time, taking a direct hit and collapsing in pain.
"Tokyo Metropolitan University isn't looking good!"
"Kingdra's speed is just too much to keep up with!"
With Keigo's defeat, the score on the screen shifted to 3:2.
Coach Takashi crossed his arms, nodding to Keigo as he stepped off the field. "That Kingdra is their ace. You did well to stall the rain."
Keigo nodded silently, glancing at the arrogant Kingdra on the field, unable to hide his frustration.
"I'll take the next match," Natsume said.
Coach Takashi looked at Natsume and nodded. "We're counting on you!"
Natsume nodded back, stretching his wrists before stepping onto the field.
Winning shouldn't be a problem, but it was still going to be a tough battle.
Now was the time to wake Squirtle up to the reality of the situation!
The cheers grew louder, the excitement palpable.
On Kyoto University's contestant bench, the usually calm Sayuri blushed slightly.
"Are you catching a cold?" Sosuke asked.
Mizuki, her hair tied in a bun, giggled. "Natsume-sensei is up! Sister Sayuri is one of his biggest fans!"
Sosuke blinked in surprise.
Natsume looked at Squirtle, who was doing push-ups, and smiled with anticipation. "Let's do this, Squirtle!"
Squirtle looked up, its eyes sharp. "Squirtle!"
"From Tokyo Metropolitan University, contestant Natsume has entered the battle!" the commentator exclaimed in surprise.
"With the disadvantage of going second, Natsume's choice of Pokémon doesn't seem to have the upper hand!"
Kingdra has a quadruple resistance to water, and Squirtle is a pure Water-type.
Bringing out Squirtle didn't seem like a wise move.
"Squirtle? Does Natsume-sensei even know how to battle Pokémon?"
"How is Squirtle supposed to beat Kingdra?"
Facing the seemingly harmless Squirtle—
Takahashi, Kingdra's trainer, discreetly wiped sweat from his forehead.
He had done his research on Natsume-sensei before the match and knew his strategic skills were terrifying.
But sending out Squirtle against Kingdra?
This was just too much!
Takahashi took a deep breath. "Be careful!"
Kingra glanced down at Squirtle, nodding slightly.
Natsume glanced at his Pokédex and muttered, "It hasn't learned Dragon Pulse? What a shame... I was hoping Squirtle could learn something from it."
Takahashi's expression shifted slightly upon hearing Natsume's words.
Just by looking, you can tell what moves Kingdra knows?
The referee's whistle blew. "Let the battle begin!"
Takahashi, feeling the pressure, cautiously commanded, "Kingdra, use Dragon Breath!"
The rain continued to pour.
Kingdra, with its Swift Swim ability, darted through the rain, its long snout gathering a purple, scorching energy.
A Dragon Breath shot through the rain, creating a sizzling mist.
"Squirtle, dodge and use Water Gun!"
Squirtle leaped into the air, puffing out its cheeks.
A concentrated Hydro Pump shot toward Kingdra!
Wasn't it supposed to be Water Gun?
Why did it suddenly turn into Hydro Pump?!
Before Takahashi could react, Kingdra dodged to the side.
The Hydro Pump exploded, cracking the ground.
Takahashi internally cursed.
Thank goodness it dodged in time!
You call that a Water Gun?!
Takahashi wiped his sweat.
"Kingdra, use Hydro Pump!"
In the next moment, Kingdra used its coiled tail to spring into the air.
A high-pressure Hydro Pump, sharp as a blade, shot toward Squirtle!
He couldn't hold back too much. If Squirtle got hurt, it wouldn't be worth it.
"Squirtle, Withdraw."
Unlike the frustrated Natsume-sensei.
This was a full-powered Hydro Pump in the rain, with both power and accuracy guaranteed.
The Hydro Pump slammed into Squirtle's shell, water splashing everywhere, but Squirtle didn't budge an inch.
As the mist cleared, the audience erupted in shock.
"Not... not even a scratch?!"
"What kind of Squirtle is this? Withdraw boosts Special Defense too?!"
Takahashi stared wide-eyed as Squirtle poked its head out of its shell, completely unharmed.
This was a rain-boosted Hydro Pump!
At least take a little damage to save me some face!
Natsume's expression was complicated.
I thought it would be tougher...
This Hydro Pump can't even break through its defense?
Squirtle slowly stood up.
Glancing at the faint scratch on its shell, its eyes burned with determination.
This really is a dangerous battle!
"Squirtle, use Water Pulse!"
Squirtle, looking cautious, opened its mouth.
A stream of water several times stronger than before shot into the sky.
The Water Pulse cascaded down like a waterfall!
Even with its quadruple resistance, Kingdra was left dazed, barely standing.
The Water Pulse left Kingdra in a state of confusion!
The sheer power of the Water Pulse left everyone in shock.
This Squirtle just went full-on beast mode!
"The tide has turned!"
The commentator shouted. "The power of Squirtle's moves has increased dramatically!"
"Squirtle is just too OP!"
"Natsume-sensei was clearly holding back... what a sneaky move!"
Others might not know Squirtle's personality.
But Natsume-sensei knew his Squirtle all too well.
Glancing at the faint scratch on its shell.
Natsume let out a long sigh.
Just because your shell got scratched, you had to activate Torrent?
Torrent: When a Pokémon with this ability is in a pinch, the power of its Water-type moves increases!
Activating Torrent at full health...
Squirtle, you're just way too careful!
With Kingdra confused, its speed advantage was gone.
Squirtle seized the opportunity, firing a point-blank Hydro Pump right into Kingdra's face.
If I'm this close, there's no way I'll miss!
The water exploded, sending Kingdra flying.
It crashed into the edge of the arena, completely knocked out.
The Yokohama National University team looked like they'd seen a ghost.
Takahashi was their captain, after all.
A quadruple water-resistant Kingdra, beaten by a Squirtle...
If it evolved into Blastoise, it could probably sweep the entire team!
The referee paused for a moment before blowing the whistle.
"Contestant Natsume wins!"
The audience, after a moment of silence, erupted into cheers.
"Natsume-sensei is a legend!"
"Tokyo Metropolitan University, aim for the championship!"
Natsume looked down at Squirtle, his expression complicated.
Squirtle met Natsume's gaze and nodded cautiously.
That was a close call.
Just like Natsume said.
This really was a tough duel!
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