Sinnion, Lily of the Valley Isnd.

  As the host of the Sinnoh League's "Lily of the Valley ference," Lily of the Valley Isnd boasts world-css battle facilities.

  Trainers from across the globe, peting in the Sinnoh League, gather here to vie for the title of ference champion.

  Once ed as the ference champion, one earns the right to challehe League's Elite Four—and even the Champion who stands above them.

  And at the pinnacle of the Sinnoh League stands a golden-haired beauty from Celestic Town—thia!

  "Ladies alemen, wele to the Sinnoh League Master Division battle!"

  The entator's eic voice echoed throughout the arena.

  "Today's match features Sinnoh's Psychic-type Elite Four member, Lu, challenging for the League Champion title!"

  "Will we withe rise of a neion, or will the current champion defehrone? Let's find out!"

  Tap, tap—

  A man with light blue hair, dressed in a maroon suit and browher shoes, walked gracefully from the testarance, holding a hardcover book in one hand and the other tucked into his pocket.

  Cheers and screams erupted from the crowd.

  Lu snapped his book shut, adjusted his blue-tinted gsses, and fshed a warm smile at the cameras.

  "Mr. Lu has takeage!" the entator announced.

  "This marks his third challenge for the Champion title this year!"

  that up…

  Lu wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead and adjusted his gsses.

  At that moment, his gaze shifted to the elegant figure emerging from the testarance.

  Click, click—

  The sound of high heels echoed with each step, perfectly timed to the cresdo of cheers.

  The appuse surged like waves, growing louder and more intense!

  "Sinnoh Champion!"

  "Miss thia!!"

  When her footsteps finally stopped, the entire arena seemed to hold its breath for a moment.

  Her dazzling golden hair cascaded like sunlight, and her deep, ash-gray eyes outshone everything around her.

  Dressed in a bck trench coat and pointed high heels, thia brushed a strand of her waist-length golden hair behind her ear, her exquisite face breaking into a faint smile.

  "Sorry to keep you waiting," thia said with a nod.

  "I'm already hohat you accepted my challenge," Lu replied, pg a hand over his chest. "I hope this time I defeat yarp."

  "You try," thia said with a slight smile.

  The entator roared, "Both petitors are in position, and the battle is about to begin!"

  "Lu's first Pokémon has taken the field—Bronzong, a Pokémon with exceptional defensive capabilities!"

  "And on thia's side, she's sent out her unstoppable Garp!"

  Two top-tier Pokémon appeared on the field simultaneously.

  The atmosphere shifted, and the audience gasped in awe.

  Garp, its body covered in sharp scales, spines protruding, its spindle-shaped tail, and the missile-like bones oher side of its head, let out ah-shaking roar as it crossed its terrifying scythe-like arms.

  "Garp—!!"

  Bronzong floated above the battlefield, its heavy bell tolling solemnly, resonating throughout the arena.

  The battle was about to begin!

  "Garp, Fire Bst!"

  "Bronzong, Block!"

  Garp opes mouth, unleashing a torrent of fmes that distorted the air with their intense heat, followed by a deafening explosion!

  Boom!

  Bronzong nded heavily on the ground, its Light S shattered by the fmes, but the a patterns on its body began to glow with a dangerous blue light!

  Lu waved his hand and anded, "Tri!"

  A strange light enveloped the battlefield, strug a cage-like space that trapped both Bronzong and Garp.

  The entator shouted, "Uri, Garp's speed advantage is pletely nullified!"

  thia's lips curled into a faint smile. "Garp, Dragon Rush!"

  To the audience's astonishment, Garp shot forward like a supersonic jet, its tail leaving a trail of white air currents as its iructible scythes tore through the Tri!

  Natsume stared at the s with a strange expression, watg the battle betweewo Elite Four-level Trainers.

  Is this a joke?

  Dragon Rush tear through Tri?!

  This isn't just cheating—this is -level nonsense!

  Why even bother being a Trainer? I might as well pack up and go farm somewhere!

  Gastly, too, looked utterly bewildered by the video.

  Why does this look so different from the Pokémon battles I’ve seen before?

  Natsume g Gastly. "Any thoughts?"

  "Gastly…"

  "Feeling overwhelmed?"

  "Gastly!"

  Gastly suddenly perked up, its eyes widening with excitement.

  In its eyes, there was a newfound passion.

  So this is what real Pokémon battles are like!

  The video had opened Gastly's eyes to a whole new level of battling, giving it a clear goal to strive for.

  Natsume, thinking Gastly was scared, patted its head reassuringly.

  "Don’t worry. With me around, we’ll still be able to take ur Masters iure."

  Watg these two legendary Elite Four Trainers, Natsume couldn’t help but feel a spark of ambition.

  But he knew his limits.

  While his and skills were strong—even exceptional—breeding and raising Pokémon was a whole different challenge.

  Money, resources, time… Even with the System, being ae Four Trainer wasn’t something that could happen ht.

  Dreaming of reag Champion-level status in a year, like Red, ure fantasy.

  But seeing Gastly’s excited expression, Natsume smiled and poked its bck mist.

  "Alright… Even if I don’t bee a Trainer, I’ll still make sure you get to battle as much as you want!"

  Not wanting to be a Trainer didn’t mean he couldn’t raise Gastly.

  After all, Gastly had a burning passion for battles, and Natsume wao support that.

  Eventually, when we lose, Gastly will probably e back to reality.

  "You really think we bee World Champions, huh?" Natsume teased.

  "Gastly! (′▽`〃)"

  "Alright, time to start the live stream. Let’s get that 'Protect' TM for you first!"

  Opening the live stream software, a flood of loyal followers poured into the chat.

  "Natsume-sensei, you’re finally back!"

  "You’ve been gone for almost a week. Turning down easy money?"

  "Natsume-sensei’s live stream is back—my youth has returned!"

  "Sorry, finals are ing up, and csses are a bit hectiatsume said casually. "Gotta get that schorship money, you know?"

  "Wait, people actually think Natsume-sensei is a model student?"

  "Ten-year fan here. Natsume-sensei is a top student at Tokyo Metropolitan Uy!"

  "???"

  "Wait, seriously? The streamer’s that well-educated?"

  "Thanks to 'How Does Bulbasaur SubProtect Toxic' for the rocket… As long as you send rockets, we’re friends."

  "But today, we’re doing something different."

  Natsume opehe team editor and dragged Gengar into the lineup.

  "Today, I’ll be teag you all about the Perish Song team!"

  "???"

  "What kind of dirty strategy is this?!"

  "Stop talking and just start already. I’m starving!"

  The game s shifted as Natsume matched with an iional pyer from the Sinnoh League, whose ID was "Cabbage Ice Cream."

  The oppo’s avatar was a chibi-style golden-haired loli, incredibly cute.

  "Wow, my oppo is adorable!" Natsume remarked.

  After double-cheg the oppo’s ID to make sure it wasn’t some top-tier Trainer, Natsume began to focus otle.