By the time they arrived at Kobe University, it was already 2 PM.
The bus parked under a canopy of plane trees, and Reina suddenly raised her hand excitedly:
"Coach, can we go visit Meriken Park tonight?"
"We have to return to Tokyo tonight... but if anyone wants to stay in Kobe, that's fine too," Coach Takashi said.
Reina's eyes sparkled, but Sakurako was the first to extend an invitation.
"Natsume-sensei, want to visit Meriken Park tonight?"
"No thanks," Natsume declined. "A guy has to protect himself when he's out and about."
"Eevee!" Eevee, perched on Natsume's shoulder, bared its teeth fiercely.
The welcoming party from Kobe University was led by Coach Eita, who shook hands with Coach Takashi.
"The kids have been waiting," Eita said with a smile. "They were so excited they couldn't sleep last night!"
Takashi laughed heartily. "My team hasn't slept since the day before yesterday!"
Eita raised an eyebrow. "They haven't slept in three days!"
Natsume was momentarily stunned.
Are you two seriously competing over something so trivial?
"Don't try to fool me, Eita," Takashi said with a cold smile. "Enough with the pleasantries. Let's see what you've got!"
"Still the same old Tokyo Metropolitan University Coach, huh? Fine, let's see how your new recruits fare!"
Old rivals meeting again, their eyes filled with competitive fire.
Of course, this kind of banter was just their unique way of greeting each other.
Inside the Kobe Arena, the massive circular battlefield was ready.
The stands were filled with casual spectators, and some faculty members had also come to watch.
"That Eevee is so cute!"
A young woman exclaimed.
"That Eevee hasn't evolved yet?" a student complained.
"Is it just here to make up the numbers?"
Director Koki of Kobe University glanced back, and the audience immediately fell silent.
"Is Tokyo Metropolitan University still using their Space Strategy this year?" Director Koki asked.
"Hard to say..." Eita shook his head.
"There's no information on that Eevee Trainer in the lineup."
"Coach Eita, that's the champion of the Tokyo Piplup Cup!" Ryunosuke interjected.
Masato smiled. "His name is Natsume-sensei, right? I heard he's also a game streamer."
Yuma's lips twitched, and a drop of cold sweat rolled down his forehead.
Phew... I almost let it slip that I'm one of Natsume-sensei's followers!
The captains of both teams stepped forward to shake hands.
Sota was the first to take the field, kicking off the match.
Outside the arena, Takashi frowned and whispered:
"Their first participant is the rookie champion from Sakuragawa Prefecture."
Natsume coughed lightly. "To be fair, the guy sitting next to you is also Tokyo's rookie champion."
Takashi was taken aback. "True... I always forget..."
Natsume's performance had been so astonishing.
He had effortlessly claimed the title of Tokyo's rookie champion, which somehow made it feel unreal.
This Shohei, on the other hand, had a Scyther, a Pokémon known for its popularity and spectacular battles.
"Shohei is up first... Sota's Dusclops still has a fighting chance," Takashi mused.
Natsume glanced at Dusclops's move list and noticed it lacked moves like "Thunder Punch" or "Fire Punch."
"Let's hope Will-O-Wisp lands," Natsume said thoughtfully.
"That Scyther is probably going for a stat boost."
The battle began, with Shohei making the first move: "Scyther, Swords Dance!"
"Scyther!" Scyther's scythes gleamed with a sharp metallic sheen as it performed the move.
Sota didn't immediately use Will-O-Wisp but instead set up Trick Room.
A tangible purple light enveloped the battlefield, and Scyther's movements slowed as if trapped in quicksand.
Hearing Sota's command, Natsume couldn't help but shake his head.
Using Trick Room but not Gravity...
Young man, you're not playing dirty enough!
Scyther flapped its wings, dodging the Will-O-Wisp, and its wing blades slashed at Dusclops, leaving a deep gash!
The Kobe University stands erupted in cheers.
Eita nodded in satisfaction.
"Shohei's command skills are quite impressive."
"Dodging two Will-O-Wisps in a row must have shattered their morale!" Ryunosuke laughed.
Sota's forehead was drenched in sweat, the jeers from the crowd severely affecting his judgment. His composure was slipping.
Seizing the opportunity, Scyther knocked Dusclops to the ground.
"Next," Shohei said calmly.
Sota was stunned, gritting his teeth, but his mind went blank.
Takashi glanced at Natsume and sighed. "You called it..."
Two Will-O-Wisps missed in a row...
Is my mouth cursed or something?
"It's fine... Tomoya's Torkoal has a type advantage."
Before he could finish, Tomoya stepped onto the battlefield with a serious expression.
As he passed Natsume, Tomoya stammered:
"Natsume Assistant Coach, I... I won't let you down!"
Natsume was momentarily surprised, then smiled and nodded.
Tomoya took a deep breath, his eyes growing determined.
Even if... my strength isn't as good as others.
There are still things I can do!
A scorching sun wheel, formed by energy, hung high above the battlefield.
Trick Room's time was running out.
Tomoya shouted, "Torkoal, Lava Plume!"
Torkoal roared, and white smoke carrying embers surged toward Scyther.
But Scyther closed the distance almost instantly, its scythes crossed, blocking the smoke while its wing blades slashed at Torkoal!
A grating sound echoed as Torkoal let out a cry of pain, but Scyther's combo attacks didn't stop.
A flurry of slashes rained down on Torkoal, making even the Kobe University spectators wince.
"This isn't working... the strength gap is too big," Natsume frowned.
Even with the type advantage, Torkoal's slow speed left it full of openings against Scyther.
Plus, Tomoya's lack of experience meant he was no match for Shohei!
Takashi slammed the table in frustration. "Why doesn't this kid just concede?"
Tomoya clenched his fists, and Torkoal's eyes were equally resolute.
Natsume-sensei's training methods must be the result of his careful consideration...
Staying up late, teaching Torkoal Iron Defense, and even giving me such precious Pokéblocks...
I can't let him down!
"Torkoal, Iron Defense!" Tomoya shouted. "Hold on, then look for an opening to use Lava Plume!"
The straightforward command drew laughter from the stands.
"Who gives commands like that?"
"Is this really the level of Tokyo Metropolitan University's team?"
Director Koki looked at Eita with a questioning gaze.
Eita mused, "It might be because he's a rookie. They haven't had time to train him properly."
"But this kid is so stubborn!" Director Koki pointed at Tomoya.
"He's already in this state, and he still won't surrender?"
Torkoal was battered and bruised, but it and Tomoya still waited for that slim chance to counterattack.
Until Shohei deliberately left an opening.
Torkoal charged forward with Flame Wheel, only to be knocked down by Scyther.
"What's the point of holding on for so long?"
"Such a waste of time. He should've just given up earlier!"
Tomoya clenched his fists.
Even after all that effort, it amounted to nothing.
The gap is just too big...
Natsume-sensei put so much effort into training me, even having Eevee spar with me...
In the end, I still let Natsume-sensei and the Coach down...
Tomoya's eyes reddened, but with so many people around, he just stood awkwardly on the stage.
"He's already lost. Why is he still standing there?" a student shouted.
"Next," Shohei frowned.
Just then, a hand rested on Tomoya's shoulder.
Tomoya looked up in confusion.
Natsume patted his shoulder, pointing at Torkoal, who was limping and slowly crawling toward them. He smiled and said:
"Hard work doesn't always lead to success, but Pokémon will never let you down."
Natsume patted his shoulder again.
"I'll take care of the rest of this match."
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