Chapter 16: Natsume vs. Brock
"Ash, I don't need to guess. You just threw Pikachu out there like a clueless idiot, didn't you?" Misty leaned closer, glaring at Ash from the stands.
"Huh? What's wrong with that?"
"Idiot! Didn't you hear what I said earlier? Electric-type attacks are practically useless against Ground-types!" Misty crossed her arms and snapped angrily, furious that Ash had ignored her advice.
"Hmph, just watch. When Natsume challenges him, he won't be stupid enough to send out Pikachu like someone we know."
"Oh, I'm watching."
Seeing Ash's serious expression, Misty turned her attention to Natsume, who was now on the battlefield below.
Even if Natsume's a bit unreliable, he's still a Pokémon researcher. He should at least have some common sense.
"Go, Pikachu!" Natsume shouted from below.
"Pika?"
Misty's face fell. What kind of researcher is this?!
"Oh? Pikachu again?" Brock watched the yawning Middle Part on the field, shaking his head slightly in disappointment. "You can't beat me with that. Go, Onix!"
"ROAR!"
A deep roar echoed as a massive figure materialized on the battlefield—a colossal creature composed of countless dark, jagged rocks.
"Battle Arena, activate!"
At Natsume's shout, an exhilarating battle theme erupted.
Simultaneously, a stream of light flowed into Brock's mind, automatically explaining the arena's rules.
"What's that?" Ash and Misty exclaimed from the stands, noticing the "LV.21" and "LV.30" indicators above Pikachu and Onix, respectively.
"You're a Pokémon researcher, yet you've developed such an incredible research method? Truly remarkable!" Brock said, his eyes filled with admiration after receiving the mental download.
Since his last battle with James, Natsume had suggested to the System that it automatically brief anyone he brought into the arena on the battle rules.
Though he didn't know how the System had rationalized it, Brock seemed convinced it was Natsume's own invention.
"Your Onix is exceptionally well-trained too," Natsume remarked.
Brock scratched his head, thinking this was just reciprocal politeness. He was about to offer a polite reply when Natsume launched into a detailed analysis.
"This Onix you've raised is a perfect example of a Rock-type Pokémon. Judging by its rock composition, its primary diet must consist of high-purity silicate layers, supplemented with iron olivine quenched in volcanic lava. This activates the genes responsible for precipitating metallic elements within its body."
Brock was startled, a flicker of confusion in his narrow, squinting eyes.
Natsume continued without pause, his words flowing smoothly:
"The rock structure within this Onix has gradually developed a honeycomb-like cushioning system. Judging by the thin membrane on its body, you likely soaked it in water for two hours before immediately exposing it to high temperatures, causing a water-resistant crystalline coating to form on its skin."
"How did you know?" Brock asked, astonished. Natsume's assessment was flawless.
Natsume didn't reply, simply continuing as if Brock hadn't spoken:
"Though this Onix hasn't evolved, it's still a formidable steel beast."
"Uh, is that so? It's not as impressive as you make it sound. I just followed the standard procedures..."
"Enough. Pikachu, use Grass Knot."
"Roar!"
A piercing scream echoed as the Onix collapsed, unconscious.
Brock: "???"
You praised it for so long, then took it down in one move?
And what skill did Pikachu just use?
Everything had happened too fast. The Onix fell, the battle arena instantly dissolved, and Brock hadn't even seen the attack clearly.
"Send out your other Pokémon," Natsume said, turning to face Brock.
"No need. I concede."
Brock shook his head with a wry smile. He had been eager to experience the wonders of the Battle System, but his opponent's Pikachu possessed a move capable of one-shotting his Onix. There was no point in sending out his remaining two Geodude.
"Wow, Brother Natsume is amazing! He won in an instant!" Ash exclaimed from the stands, his enthusiasm overflowing as if he himself had triumphed.
"Alright, if Brother Natsume can win, I can't fall behind! I'm going to train harder! Pikachu, let's go get stronger!"
"Hey, hey, didn't you see? His Pikachu used some weird, super-powerful move to win! Wait for me!" Misty stomped her foot in frustration and turned to chase after Ash.
Below, Natsume noticed Ash's departure but didn't stop him. It was good that the boy wanted to improve. After leaving the Pewter City Gym, Ash would inevitably encounter Takeo, who would then take him to "recharge" the Pikachu God.
"Here's your badge," Brock said, handing Natsume an octagonal badge with sharp, angular edges. "Do you have any questions for me?"
Seeing that Brock seemed about to say something, Natsume decided to take the initiative.
"How did you know about my training methods? And what move did your Pikachu just use?"
Brock didn't immediately ask what move Natsume's Pikachu had used. Instead, he focused on what mattered most to him. After all, his dream was to become a top-tier Pokémon Breeder.
"Oh, that?" Natsume casually reached into thin air and produced a newspaper, handing it to Brock.
"Pewter City Pokémon Academy, Issue 32."
Brock was stunned. He had indeed followed the methods described in this publication, but they were nowhere near as detailed as Natsume's casual explanation.
"You..." Brock started to speak, but Natsume interrupted. "I know. Just read it again."
Read it again? Brock glanced down at the article in his hand: "Scientific Onix Breeding Guide," by Natsume.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Natsume."
By the time Brock looked up, Natsume had already walked away.
Brock lowered his head to the newspaper. If the author wanted him to read it again, he would do so thoroughly.
I. Ecological Adaptation Focus
Habitat Selection: Requires long-term residence in volcanic ash deposition zones.
Dietary Requirements:
II. Impact Resistance Training System
Physical Defense Enhancement: Impact training to withstand the continuous million-ton punches of Graveler.
Specialized Elemental Resistance: Immersion in torrential rain for 2 hours, followed by immediate deployment.
III. Tactical Skill Development
IV. Evolutionary Potential Exploration
X. Practical Deployment Warnings
Brock read to the end, unaware of anything he might have overlooked over the years.
Suddenly, a glance at the bottom of the newspaper caught his eye:
(Note: This plan has been approved by the Pewter City Pokémon Academy's ethics review board. Side effects include, but are not limited to—exploding from Oddish's anger.)
"So, that move was a Grass-type skill?" Brock muttered, stroking his chin, his narrowed eyes filled with confusion.
Indeed, Onix raised using this method would gain significant resistance to Water-type moves, but the trade-off was increased vulnerability to Grass-type attacks.
He was puzzled. What Grass-type moves did Pikachu even know?