Chapter 0299 Even the Organizers Are On Our Side

The outskirts of Celadon City, P1 Grand Prix training grounds.

"Did we sign up for the lightweight division?" Natsume asked Brock beside him.

"Correct."

Brock crossed his arms and nodded. "Both heavyweight and lightweight divisions are further split into three subcategories."

"For example, the super heavyweight division features Pokémon like Snorlax and Hariyama."

He explained, "Your Sirfetch'd would be considered one of the heavier contestants in the lightweight group."

Sirfetch'd weighed 117kg, with its massive leek probably accounting for over half that weight.

Of course, Conkeldurr's concrete pillars and Sawk's karate gi were also considered part of their bodies.

Same applied to Gardevoir's dress.

If that thing could be removed, they'd probably get banned from television...

Natsume coughed dryly, shaking off the bizarre thoughts as he scanned the area.

Most trainers here wore serious expressions, standing beside their fighting-type partners.

Muscular Swampert, bronze-skinned Machamp, orange-and-yellow Blaziken...

The bustling crowd clearly reflected the tournament's popularity.

Just then, the crowd spontaneously parted to create a path.

Approaching them was a mature, intellectual-looking woman with wine-red hair, glasses, and high heels—an aura of icy elegance surrounding her.

Kanto's Ice-type Elite Four member, Lorelei.

Her frosty presence was like an unyielding glacier, causing nearby trainers to instinctively retreat three steps.

The typically spacey Lorelei only snapped to attention when she reached the duo.

"My, my."

Her smile was like a thawing river, her demeanor instantly softening.

"Welcome."

...

Guided by Lorelei,

the two proceeded to check into the tournament committee's designated hotel.

"Does the competition start tomorrow?" Brock asked curiously.

"Indeed." Lorelei nodded. "The first day is mainly for contestants to familiarize themselves with the surroundings."

"Then, Lorelei Aun—"

Natsume nearly stepped into dangerous territory before sneezing abruptly. "Achoo!"

"Sister Lorelei, what brings you here?" he quickly corrected.

"Just helping out since I had free time." Lorelei smiled. "Mainly because you two are competing... As a group admin, I figured I should drop by."

Natsume secretly wiped cold sweat from his brow.

Close call! Almost got thrown into the Sevii Islands as seal food by Auntie Lorelei!

"I'm not too concerned,"

Brock said. "Making the top 64 earns stipends... But Natsume-sensei here—"

"He's a top contender for this year's championship."

"True."

Lorelei gave a slight nod.

Entering the Baby Cup was just standard procedure for Natsume-sensei.

Though she wouldn't rule out the possibility of him being here to train Pokémon while pocketing easy prize money.

Lorelei suddenly sighed.

"While standing over there earlier, two young girls came asking about you."

"Me?" Natsume pointed at himself.

"One with gray hair, and a blonde girl who tagged along..."

Lorelei crossed one arm while resting her chin on the other hand, her mood slightly dampened.

Why don't any decent men ever approach me?

"Probably Natsume-sensei's fans."

Brock remarked. "That Unburden Team video from last time... had quite the impact."

Natsume scratched his head.

The gray-haired one was likely Bea from their previous encounter.

But who was the blonde? No recollection whatsoever!

Natsume gazed skyward.

In the end, it's just another fan tournament, isn't it...

"I should return to handle some committee matters."

Lorelei flicked her fingers in the air. "Let me know if you need anything."

"Got it."

"Oh, and."

She paused, adjusting her glasses with a chilling glare. "If any opponents dare cheat against you two... just tell me. I'll handle them personally."

The room temperature seemed to drop several degrees.

Both Natsume and Brock paled slightly.

"W-what if we're the ones cheating?" Natsume ventured timidly.

"That's perfectly fine."

Lorelei's smile returned, warm as a caring big sister's. "Just don't let me catch you!"

Natsume and Brock's jaws dropped.

So this is how the Ice-type Elite Four operates!

With a wave, Lorelei strode toward the hotel lobby exit.

The click-clack of high heels echoed softly.

Watching Lorelei's black stockings and dark uniform skirt,

Natsume wondered aloud: "Sister Lorelei should be quite popular, no?"

"Probably because,"

Brock mused, "that icy demeanor... makes other men assume she's unapproachable."

"Makes sense." Natsume nodded appreciatively. "Well said, Mr. Brock!"

"Don't mention it."

Brock crossed his arms, nodding in sync with Natsume.

"Just speaking from a man's perspective."

That opening line alone reveals your true colors, Mr. Brock!

...

According to tournament schedules,

Natsume's first match would occur that afternoon.

Winning the opener would secure advancement to the top 128.

The tournament employed single battle format,

with trainers fighting alongside their Pokémon in the arena.

Though direct attacks on trainers were prohibited,

close-quarters combat still posed significant psychological challenges.

Having experienced several "wild battles" before,

Natsume-sensei could handle this no-holds-barred style.

"Thank goodness trainers can't be directly attacked."

Natsume muttered. "One punch from the opponent and I'd be done for."

The proximity allowed quicker commands and spotting enemy weaknesses—

a specialty of trainers like Blue Oak.

Natsume's first opponent was a martial artist from Unova,

fielding a yellow-skinned, mohawked Scrafty.

Its Intimidate ability could easily counter attack-focused fighting-types,

even psyching out Psychic/Fighting hybrids like Gallade or Medicham.

But seeing bushy-browed Sirfetch'd left him stunned.

"You dare Intimidate my Sirfetch'd?!"

Natsume snarled from the sidelines. "Show him what reach advantage means!"

"Sirfetch'd!" The duck excitedly brandished its leek.

After enduring team bullying, finally a chance to bully others!

Whack! The leek came down like a guillotine, knocking Scrafty out cold.

Eyeing the meter-long vegetable, the martial artist gulped.

"Ref! That's cheating!"

"Since when do fighters bring weapons?!"

"This violates competitive integrity!"

The referee, already briefed by Lorelei, remained impassive.

Besides... Pokédex entries clearly show Sirfetch'd always carries its leek.

The leek is its body!

Natsume crossed his arms with a smug grin.

Even the tournament committee's on my side—how can you possibly win?

"Winner: Natsume!" The referee's whistle blew.

"Sirfetch'd!"

The duck knight calmly sheathed its Leek.

From the stands, a silently observing Bea flushed red.

After a long pause, she managed: "S-so cool..."

One-hit KO.

This was the consequence of type disadvantage in fighting tournaments.

Natsume suspected his opponent brought Scrafty to counter psychic-types,

but Natsume had outmaneuvered him.

"Can't gauge his depth."

Guest commentator Bruno frowned from the panel.

"Could be newly caught, or an old teammate." Lorelei smiled knowingly. "That strike precisely hit a weak point."

"If it's truly new,"

Bruno said gravely, "then I'm very... excited for its potential."

...

With opening matches concluded,

both Bea and Korrina easily advanced to the top 64.

"Fine work, Korrina." Gurkinn patted his granddaughter's shoulder.

"Thanks, Grandpa~"

Korrina beamed, though her thoughts drifted elsewhere.

That gray-haired girl... must've advanced too, right?

Remembering her warrior-like aura, Korrina clenched her fists.

"I must battle her!"

Meanwhile,

Bea wordlessly shadowed Natsume.

"Following me won't make me take you as a student," Natsume sighed.

You're basically a human-shaped Pokémon who fistfights Machamp...

I couldn't teach you anything about fighting!

"I understand." Bea nodded solemnly. "My current self isn't worthy."

"But I swear." She thumped her chest. "I'll prove my potential to you!"

Natsume sighed. "We'll talk after you do..."

Bea froze momentarily before breaking into a controlled, respectful smile. "Yes!"

Taking disciples wasn't impossible—

Natsume-sensei already had three personal students.

He just doubted he could teach Bea anything about combat.

"Guess I could show her some dirty tricks," Natsume muttered.

The tournament's first day buzzed with activity.

Vendor stalls lined the training grounds perimeter,

including one Green apparently secured through Lorelei.

Surveying the crowded booths,

Natsume stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"Could I... get a stall too?"

Suddenly, his eyes lit up.

A glorious money-making scheme unfolded in his mind.

Whipping out his phone, he dialed: "Jessie, James, Meowth."

"Your mission has arrived!"

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