The company's current projects involve developing DLCs and follow-up content for three games.
Once they venture into the online gaming domain, they'll need to recruit more staff for operations, maintenance, and updates.
However, Natsume-sensei has full confidence in Oleana's abilities.
After entrusting the company matters to Oleana, Natsume began preparing for the Regional Tournament.
"That being said..."
Natsume looked around the room at Gengar, who was warming up, Squirtle doing push-ups, and Growlithe looking utterly confused...
"It seems like I don't have much to do here," Natsume muttered.
The Tokaido Region Tournament's elimination rounds will officially begin on October 15th in Tokyo.
As an invited seeded contestant, Natsume only needs to win one more match to advance to the top 64.
The title of "Top 64 in the Regional Tournament" might sound impressive, but upon closer inspection, it's not that big of a deal.
First, the number of Trainers is extremely limited. Even earning a Gym Badge is already a one-in-a-hundred achievement.
Second, the contestants are a mixed bag, with varying levels of strength.
In the TV Indigo Plateau Conference, Ash Ketchum once swept through three opponents with a Kingler he hadn't even trained. (It even evolved after the battle.)
This alone shows that in any tournament, there's no shortage of rookies.
Natsume, however, holds the mindset of an apprentice.
Although no one would believe it if he said it out loud, Natsume-sensei has only been active for half a year.
Making it to the top 64 is already quite satisfying for Natsume-sensei.
"Alright... time to head to the competition!"
Natsume checked all his equipment, confirmed everything was in order, and prepared to head to Mercedes Arena.
Just then, a video call from Crystal popped up.
"Natsume-sensei, I'll be arriving in Tokyo this afternoon."
Crystal, wearing a wide red-and-white hat with her hair tied in twin braids and dressed in overall shorts, looked like a character straight out of Super Mario.
She was clearly a seasoned veteran!
"No problem, I'll pick you up in the afternoon."
Natsume yawned, then suddenly paused.
Wait... do I have other plans this afternoon?
"I'll send you my location later."
Crystal held a Poké Ball and smiled politely. "Thank you in advance!"
"Wait, hold on—"
Before Natsume could finish, Crystal had already hung up.
Natsume's expression turned odd as he glanced at Gengar, who was packing its bag and ready to go.
Well, everything's happening at once!
I have a preliminary match to attend this afternoon!
Although winning the championship is unlikely, losing in the first round...
Hmm... that might not be such a big deal?
At this moment, Natsume faced two choices:
Let Gengar handle the airport pickup while Natsume-sensei leads the team to the competition.
Natsume goes to pick up Crystal while Gengar handles the elimination match.
Natsume wanted to choose the latter... but it wasn't very realistic.
In fact, Crystal had booked her flight ticket a week ago.
Combined with the unexpected tournament participation, this led to the scheduling conflict.
Opening the chat interface, Natsume typed: "I have a match this afternoon. Gengar will pick you up. I've made a sign for it."
Crystal was surprised.
Natsume's Gengar... can handle airport pickups on its own?
Its intelligence is on par with Gold's!
Crystal replied, "No problem."
"I'll come over after my match," Natsume said. "It'll be quick. You can wait at my place for a bit."
Crystal nodded. "Good luck in your match!"
Natsume-sensei's matches... they must be at the Master level at least.
But with Natsume-sensei's strength, confidence is a given!
After hanging up, Natsume briefed Gengar on the pickup arrangements.
Gengar's head drooped slightly in disappointment.
No match to play... so sad~o(╥﹏╥)o
"The ace always makes a grand entrance," Natsume said, patting Gengar's head.
"Gengar!" Gengar regained its energy and nodded seriously.
To make it to the finals...
We'll need to keep training everyone!
...
October 15th, Thursday.
The weather was clear, with no wind. Drones flew over the arena.
Flags fluttered in the breeze, and the open-air dome even had flames shooting up.
The audience's cheers rose and fell. On the big screen, the commentator announced, "After three days of intense competition, the top 128 contestants of this year's Tokaido Region Tournament have been decided!"
"Among them are top students from prestigious schools, seasoned veterans, and seeded contestants invited by Gyms."
"Who will secure the first ticket to the top 64? Let's wait and see!"
The tournament has 16 venues, divided into morning and afternoon sessions over two days.
The organizers will focus commentary on one or two matches based on popularity.
Right now, the drone's camera was fixed on a contestant so handsome it was hard to look away.
When the footage appeared, the official livestream was flooded with messages like "Holy crap!" and "???"
"Is Natsume here to milk the tournament prize money again?"
"Can you do something even remotely human for once?!"
"Casual viewer here, is this a celebrity brought in for support?"
On the battlefield, Natsume was matched against a graduate student from a Trainer academy.
She had reached the semifinals of the Intercollegiate League (Baby Cup) and had recently returned from studying in the Unova League, garnering significant attention.
The apple-faced senior blushed nervously.
"C-can I add you on LINE after the match?" Kotone stammered.
Natsume: "Speak up, I can't hear you!"
"Um..."
Kotone's face turned red all the way to her neck. After much hesitation, she finally threw her Poké Ball with all her might.
"Go, Combusken!"
The commentator's eyes lit up. "A Combusken with the 'Speed Boost' ability has a huge advantage in speed!"
When Natsume-sensei's Pokémon took the field, the livestream exploded with messages.
"Natsume-sensei can afford to raise a Growlithe?!"
"You still dare to Intimidate me?"
"Wow, so cool!"
The majestic Growlithe, its pale yellow mane swaying in the wind, exuded an air of mastery.
Baring its fangs, Growlithe glared fiercely and let out a commanding roar: "Growlithe!! (｀0｀)"
The cheers grew even louder.
The domineering Growlithe perfectly stirred the emotions of the audience!
Natsume licked his lips, his expression complex.
Are we seeing the same thing?
Look at it... it's clearly just a Husky!
The 'Intimidate' ability activated, causing Combusken to freeze.
"Combusken, use Double Team!" Kotone ordered.
Thanks to 'Speed Boost,' Combusken darted back and forth across the field, its Double Team creating illusions that were almost indistinguishable from the real thing.
But the moment Double Team was activated, Growlithe, as if guided by divine intervention, pounced on one of the clones.
"What?!" Kotone's expression froze.
Without a moment's hesitation... it saw through Combusken's real body?
Natsume's expression turned odd.
Before the match, I gave Growlithe the command to 'detect aura.'
It preemptively predicted the move by a full half hour...
This isn't even as intense as the Baby Cup finals!
Against Gold, it only predicted 30 seconds ahead!
(Note: When Giovanni faced Red, he predicted six seconds ahead but was countered by Red's 'in-ball charge' in 0.5 seconds.)
"Growlithe!"
Its fangs sank precisely into Combusken's arm. As Combusken struggled, Growlithe's jaws tightened further.
"Growlithe! (*⊙~⊙)"
Crunch!
Chicken flavor, crispy and delicious!
The audience collectively swallowed.
"I'm getting hungry."
"Look at it, chewing so happily!"
"Is this why Natsume-sensei started a Growlithe eating stream?!"
A few minutes later, unable to bear it any longer, Kotone recalled Combusken and sent out her second Pokémon.
Shellder.
Growlithe hadn't fully mastered 'Flamethrower' yet, but it was showing signs of progress.
Looking at the Shellder, now charred red from the heat, Natsume's expression turned odd.
"That smells amazing..."
If we added some garlic and pepper, it might smell even better...
...
After all, it was just the first round of the elimination matches.
Natsume easily advanced to the top 64, feeling somewhat dazed.
"That's it?"
All that worry for nothing.
I was just fighting air?!
That being said, preparing for the next round of matches left Natsume feeling exhausted.
"Next time, I'll just let Gengar handle it," Natsume muttered.
In other venues, many well-known contestants also advanced.
For example, another Gym-invited contestant, Ayano, was said to have received direct training from a Fighting-type Gym.
There was also Haruki, a seasoned Trainer who had traveled through the Kanto League and achieved a top 32 finish.
Natsume had a clear understanding of his own position.
The safety of the little ones comes first. If I can coast, I'll coast.
If I lose, I'll just go home and make some midnight snacks to reward everyone.
Winning the championship... that's not very realistic.
Hmm... copying games and making easy money sounds much better!
...
Back at home, Gengar was preparing tea for Crystal.
When it saw Natsume, it excitedly extended its tongue for a 'giant tongue lash.'
Natsume-sensei stiffened, pulled out a Cheri Berry from his pocket, and greeted Crystal.
"That was fast?" Crystal had just sat down and was now surprised.
Master-level matches usually take hours.
Since Natsume-sensei developed the 'Minimize' strategy, Master League matches have been getting longer and longer.
Did Natsume-sensei really sweep through his opponent so easily?
"Yeah," Natsume nodded.
Crystal blinked.
Her understanding of Natsume's strength had reached a new level.
"Anyway... the reason I'm here is to fulfill Professor Elm's request."
Crystal stood up and handed the Pokémon egg to Natsume, smiling. "I believe that under your influence, this little Pokémon will hatch into a brave and kind-hearted one!"
🌟 Join My Patreon and Unlock Exclusive Pokémon Content! 🌟
👉patreon.com/PokemonStoryWeaver
Are you a fan of the Pokémon series? Become a member today and enjoy amazing benefits!
🌟 Membership: Pokémon Series - Gold Champion
Unlock access to 65 Chapters in advance!
Enjoy daily updates with 2 new chapters every day!
🌟 Membership: Pokémon Series - Platinum Legend
Unlock access to 260 Chapters in advance!
Enjoy daily updates with 5 new chapters every day!
Join now and immerse yourself in the exciting world of Pokémon like never before! Your support means the world to me!