Chapter 0846: Ash: I Learned All This from Natsume-sensei（Three-in-One）

With Charizard on the field, Ash was in his element. He shouted out:

“Dodge it! Then use Flamethrower!”

“Charizard!”

Charizard soared into the air, easily dodging Tyranitar’s Thunder Punch, then blasted back with a roaring Flamethrower!

The fire struck Tyranitar’s back with a bang, leaving some scorch marks.

Tyranitar glared through the sandstorm at the flying Charizard, when Natsume’s command rang in its ears.

“Stone Edge!!”

Boom!!

Tyranitar slammed the ground, predicting Charizard’s flight path—a row of jagged stone pillars erupted from the arena.

Professor Kukui’s face grew tense.

Charizard was four times weak to Rock. If Stone Edge landed head-on, the result could be fatal!

“Charizard, Steel Wing—dive at Tyranitar!” Ash yelled.

Charizard eyed the rising stones, her wings shining metallic as she swooped wide, skillfully weaving around the Stone Edge.

BOOM!!

Dust erupted as the pillars crashed into the edge barriers.

Charizard’s glowing white wings spread wide. From above, she dove straight down at Tyranitar!

Nearly all of Ash’s Flying-type Pokémon had mastered a dive skill much like Aerial Ace.

Tyranitar’s defense was formidable. Natsume-sensei had no intention of dodging; he barked,

“Thunder Punch!!”

Electric Terrain had faded, but Thunder Punch was still plenty strong.

Especially with Tyranitar’s prior Dragon Dance boost, her power and speed were even greater!

“Tyranitar!!”

A surge of crackling light—Tyranitar hurled his fist, smashing toward Charizard’s wing.

Sparks flew—Charizard tried to block with a claw, but thunder exploded anyway!

Blue-white light flashed across Professor Kukui and the students’ anxious faces.

When the smoke cleared, Charizard’s wing was scorched; Tyranitar bore new wounds on his flank.

The two Pokémon grappled at point-blank, claws locked.

Tyranitar’s brute strength was clearly superior.

Charizard sweated with effort!

Natsume’s eyes suddenly sharpened.

Crap—he let Charizard get close!

“Thunder Punch—shake her off!!” Natsume shouted.

“Tyranitar!!”

Tyranitar wrenched free and raised his crackling fist high, hammering Charizard in the side of her face.

Zzzzap!

Lightning arced over Charizard’s body—when the light faded, she was charred black and steaming.

Viewers everywhere held their breath.

Two Thunder Punches—could Charizard really keep going?!

A wave of shock rolled through the livestream.

“What’s with this ‘type advantage’? Is it even real?!”

“I get it now—Ash’s whole team is holding Focus Bands!”

Natsume’s gaze turned grave.

That last Thunder Punch—Charizard could have just flapped away and dodged. But instead, she reached up from below, grabbing Tyranitar’s back spikes!

“Tyranitar…” Tyranitar glanced back.

This move is…

“Charizard!” Charizard snorted black smoke from her nostrils.

“Charizard—”

Ash twisted his cap and snarled,

“Seismic Toss!”

Blue Oak’s eyes glinted.

That kind of call was pure risk; it could KO Charizard outright.

But… he’s really going for it!

“Charizard!!”

Charizard beat her wings, swirls of wind catching beneath her as she hoisted Tyranitar’s massive frame, both of them rising above the ground.

Natsume ordered grimly,

“Tyranitar—gather energy, Stone Edge!!”

“Tyranitar!”

White light flared around Tyranitar, fragments of stone shooting in all directions, then spiraling straight toward Charizard’s back!

Bang bang bang!

Charizard’s back bled, but despite the pain, she looked skyward defiantly, tail flame blazing brighter than ever!

The chat scrolled out of control.

“The combos won’t stop!”

“Natsume-sensei: I call hacks—that Charizard’s cheating!”

In front of a stunned arena, Charizard carried Tyranitar higher and higher.

“Tyranitar!”

Wind whistled as Tyranitar looked around, oddly curious—like a big kid.

Whoa, I can fly too!

‘Be careful, Tyranitar! Eat your Sitrus Berry as you fall!’ Natsume willed.

Tyranitar, his Sitrus Berry stashed in that big neck-hole, nodded.

Ash and Pikachu looked up at the Pokémon circling overhead, eyes shining.

“Now—OVERHEAT!!”

Charizard’s legendary finisher!

Flames erupted all over her body as Charizard rolled at the peak.

With a blast, she and Tyranitar plummeted together!

BOOM!!!

The arena shook, a huge crater opening as cracks split across the scorched ground.

Amid the smoke and ruins, the battered forms of Tyranitar and Charizard both slammed to earth.

Hala was about to declare a double knockout—when both Pokémon trembled and stood!

The crowd held its breath.

Charizard’s tail flame was faint, but her eyes burned with spirit.

Tyranitar’s armor was blackened and scarred, but he panted, fishing a golden Sitrus Berry out of his neck-hole.

Ash & Charizard: (⊙□⊙)

Tyranitar: (￣～￣) chomp!

The chat spammed: oooooooh!

“Wait, who actually gives their Tyranitar a Sitrus Berry!?”

“Natsume-sensei: Ash brings Focus Bands, I bring Sitrus Berries—totally fair!”

“Tyranitar!!”

Tyranitar roared, summoning another sandstorm and letting the flying grit finish off the last sliver of Charizard’s HP!

Thud!!

Charizard dropped, exhausted.

Hala raised the flag:

“Charizard is unable to battle!”

The scoreboard ticked to 3:1.

Thunderous applause rang in the stands.

Charizard had put up a heroic fight—those combo tactics were incredible.

And Natsume-sensei? He’d displayed his own unique style!

Ash recalled Charizard and gently spoke to the Poké Ball,

“Thank you, Charizard.”

On the other side, Natsume sent a mental note,

‘I’ll treat you to a pink diamond feast later!’

“ Tyranitar!(oﾟvﾟ)ノ” Tyranitar’s eyes sparkled with joy.

Ash reset his cap brim, took a deep breath, and looked up.

“I choose you—!”

He tossed his Poké Ball:

“Greninja!”

Greninja crossed his arms, standing tall, red scarf billowing.

Facing the battered Tyranitar, Greninja instantly unleashed three blazing-fast Water Shuriken for the KO.

Bam!

“Tyranitar…” Tyranitar groaned and toppled over.

The score hit 3:2—things were heating up.

The stream’s viewer count smashed past a hundred million.

Natsume tossed a Premier Ball:

“Sirfetch’d!”

From a flash of white appeared a snowy-feathered Sirfetch’d, carrying a mighty leek and a broad shield, eyes calm and steady.

“Greninja…”

Greninja met the gaze of his old mentor Sirfetch’d—eyes flickering, then blazing with fierce resolve.

They’d sparred before, and Sirfetch’d had even taught Greninja Night Slash.

Now, it was time for master and disciple’s rematch!

Greninja’s eyes sharpened.

Watch closely.

This is what Ash and I call Battle Bond!

“Sirfetch’d..( -'`-)”

Sirfetch’d regarded him in silence.

Wait, who’s this guy again?

Hala swung the flag—down with a snap.

“Battle begin!!”

“Let’s go—!”

Ash pulled his cap low, one hand reaching sideways, his mind linked with Greninja’s.

“Greninja!”

Water swirled up behind Greninja, cocooning his body—he copied Ash’s stance, their thoughts as one.

With the world watching—

A torrent of water rose up, swirling around Greninja, transforming his back into a butterfly-shaped water shroud; a massive kunai of water took form; his head gleamed with a red cross, scarf flying, gaze steely.

Ash’s Greninja—Battle Bond form—appeared!

Professor Oak’s eyes sparkled.

“Oh! That’s Ash’s special-form Greninja!”

“One of those ‘Bond Evolution’ legends…”

Blue Oak’s gaze grew pensive.

I remember, Natsume mastered it too.

Many in the stream were seeing Ash-Greninja for the first time. Wonder and disbelief lit up the chats.

“Greninja can evolve again?!”

“How many illegal Pokémon are even in this match?!”

“Sirfetch’d!”

Sirfetch’d jolted.

Oh, right! The student I once mentored!

In a blink, Bond-Greninja blurred forward, trailing white light, hands behind his back—striking like lightning!

“Greninja!” Ash ordered, “Aerial Ace!!”

“Kuga!!”

Greninja’s palms glowed, sharp as blades, slicing repeatedly—the moves left afterimages.

Natsume urged,

“Sirfetch’d, read his moves!”

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Sirfetch’d narrowed his eyes; he didn’t raise the shield, just swung his leek to parry every blow.

Greninja suddenly kicked high, blade-like foot slashing down!

Clunk!

Sirfetch’d snapped up his shield, pushing hard; Greninja staggered, flipped away to Ash’s side.

“Not bad—Greninja’s moves are getting sharper.”

Natsume nodded. “But Sirfetch’d and I have been growing, too!”

In the Sinnoh league, the golden-haired Champion watched the two on screen, gray eyes glinting.

This is when we took down Eternatus—

Their own legendary badge of battle!

“Sirfetch’d—”

Natsume’s gaze sharpened. “Now show them what we can do!”

“Sirfetch’d!( -'`-)”

From the hidden feathers, Sirfetch’d drew the Rusted Sword and Shield—both glimmered and merged, covering his leek and shield in light.

Then, blinding evolution energy enveloped the field!

Even Professor Oak was bewildered.

“Sirfetch’d can evolve again? Is this a new form?”

“Didn’t get a chance to tell you,” Blue Oak replied calmly. “It’s unique to Natsume-sensei and Sirfetch’d—the ‘Bond Phenomenon.’”

Professor Oak: ???

Natsume and Sirfetch’d mastered Bond Evolution too?

To see two ‘Bond Forms’ in the same battle—this was bound to shock the entire Pokémon world!

When the light faded,

Sirfetch’d gripped an ornate Zacian sword, shield hefted high, snowy feathers shining, gaze serene—the ‘Sword and Shield King’ who had saved Galar!

“Sirfetch’d!ヽ(`Д′)”

My sword is your sword!

The stream’s viewer count soared once more!

Everyone watching the exhibition was transfixed by Sirfetch’d’s new form.

The commentator announced,

“We have a letter from Kalos’s Professor Sycamore, confirming that both Natsume-sensei with Sirfetch’d and Ash with Greninja have developed the extremely rare ‘Bond Phenomenon.’”

“In other words, these are Bond Forms unique to their trainers and partners!”

Worldwide sensation—every trainer going wild.

“Sirfetch’d looks amazing!”

“Can I do Bond Evolution with Gardevoir too?!”

“Is Ash going to get stomped?”

“I said Bond Evolution is awesome—stop worrying about whether the trainer’ll get wrecked!”

Ash’s grin burst with excitement.

He’d wanted a rematch with this new Sirfetch’d since Hammerlocke.

Now… was the best possible time!

“Go, Greninja!”

Ash shouted: “Water Shuriken!!”

“Greninja!!”

Greninja’s red scarf whipped as he pulled the huge kunai of water from his back, lobbing it at Sirfetch’d.

Clang!

Sirfetch’d blocked with his shield, deflecting the water kunai—Greninja caught it mid-leap, then lunged again!

“Your turn, Sirfetch’d!”

Natsume called, “Leaf Blade!!”

“Sirfetch’d!!”

Sirfetch’d’s Zacian sword blazed with crystalline light, slicing down with pinpoint precision!

“Greninja?!”

Greninja’s eyes widened—he braced his kunai, water vibrated, cracks spidering through the translucent blade!

Sirfetch’d didn’t let up; his offense grew fiercer, mixing in dazzling multi-hit technique!

“Sirfetch’d!”

The sword cut faster and faster!

“Pull back, Greninja!”

Ash’s aura shimmered—melding with Greninja as their wills united. He roared,

“Flying Water Kunai!!”

“Greninja!!”

Greninja leapt, spinning the kunai overhead as water kept swirling in, glowing indigo!

“Sirfetch’d—”

Natsume ordered: “Behemoth Blade!!”

“Sirfetch’d…”

Sirfetch’d sliced casually—sending a crescent blade of energy roaring across the arena.

At the same moment, Greninja hurled his kunai—two powers collided!

Crash!

Water split and crashed down; the sword beam shattered the kunai and kept going straight for Greninja!

Greninja’s eyes went wide.

BOOM!!!

Roiling smoke and mist swept the field. The arena fell silent.

A massive rift split the arena right to Greninja’s feet.

“K-ku...Sirfetch’d…”

Greninja’s eyes rolled back—body stiffening.

Message received… Senpai…

Thud!

Greninja collapsed, Bond Form dissipating.

At the same time, Ash clutched his chest. “Greninja…”

Natsume flinched.

Did Ash just take that Behemoth Blade blast too?!

The Bond Evolution shared-damage rules are wild.

Next time I use Bond Evolution with Sirfetch’d… gotta be more careful about that!

“Greninja unable to battle!” Hala proclaimed.

On the screen, Greninja’s Poké Ball went dark. The score was now 4:2.

Of Ash’s reserves, only Pikachu still had healthy stamina.

After watching so long, it seemed Pikachu’s early wounds had pretty much healed.

Natsume thought, “This has got to be Ash’s signature play—his ace strategy…”

Ash bowed his head.

“Alright, I’m counting on you—Pikachu!”

“Pikachu!”

Pikachu stood tall and nodded, bounding onto the field with light steps.

At the same time, the ‘Zhi Pi Z’ crystal in Ash’s Z-Ring gleamed faintly.

With the drain from Bond Forms, Natsume withdrew Sirfetch’d to the Premier Ball at once.

If it’s Ace versus Ace, time to send out my starter too!

“I choose you—Gengar!!”

From the black shadowy patch on the field, a plump purple Gengar rose.

Gengar shook his hips from side to side, grinning widely, his crimson eyes fixed on Pikachu. Suddenly, he stuck out his tongue and rattled it.

“Gengar~~! ヾ(^▽^*)))”

“Pikachu?!Σ(っ °Д °;)っ”

“Gengar~ o(*≧▽≦)ツ” Gengar opened that giant mouth and let out a cartoonish laugh.

“Pikachu—” Pikachu huffed, puffing out his cheeks in protest.

“Gengar~~” Gengar tugged an eyelid down and blew a raspberry.

“Battle begin!!” Hala dropped the flag.

“Pikachu—chuu!!”

Before Ash could even call a move, Pikachu crouched and fired off a raging Thunderbolt!

“Gengar! !!!Σ(っ °Д °;)っ”

Gengar scampered around the arena, barely dodging the Thunderbolt’s barrage.

Natsume looked up.

That Thunderbolt… didn’t it look about as strong as the one back when we faced Arceus…?

“Pikachu, Iron Tail!”

“Pikachu!”

Pikachu crouched, tail shining bright, then sprang at Gengar.

“Gengar, Double Team!!”

With a pop, Gengar split into over a dozen copies—surrounding Pikachu in full.

“Pikachu…” Pikachu broke a nervous sweat, but his gaze suddenly sharpened. “Pikachu!”

Can’t pick out the real one? Then zap them all!

“Pikachu—chuu!!”

He sent out a pillar of thunder, sweeping the whole field and knocking out every clone, one by one.

But before he could finish, Gengar leapt high and charged a Shadow Ball in his palm!

“Gengar, Shadow Ball!”

“Gengar!”

Gengar lofted the dark orb, hurling it downward.

“Iron Tail, knock it back!” Ash shouted, fist clenched.

Natsume: …What the—! You can knock those back?!

“Pikachu—” Pikachu somersaulted, his tail shining—he smacked the Shadow Ball back at Gengar. “Chuu!!”

Gengar scrambled away—BOOM!

Shadow Ball exploded at the edge barrier, shattering it into fragments!

“Gengar, Psychic!”

“Gengar~” Gengar’s eyes flashed blue—Pikachu was locked down by invisible Confusion, held tight on the spot.

Pikachu grimaced, trying to send out more Thunderbolts, but nothing could break that psychic wall.

“In that case…”

Ash glanced at his Z-Ring, then plucked off his cap and yelled, “Pikachu, catch!”

“Pikachu?!” Pikachu looked back.

Ash tossed the hat—it landed square on Pikachu’s head.

Instantly, Pikachu’s eyes sharpened. “Pikachu—!”

CRACK, CRACK!

The Confusion faded—Pikachu dashed out of the grip, returning to Ash’s side.

Hat on head, Pikachu leapt high, tail clapped against Ash’s palm—landing fiercely on both feet, eyes blazing!

Natsume muttered,

“So the cap was the true form all along…”

In the stands, Kiawe shouted, “That move!”

“Yep.” Kukui grinned. “Ash and Pikachu’s exclusive Z-Move!”

Ash’s hair whipped in the wind—arms crossed as Pikachu, cap on, glowed with radiant aura beneath.

Pikachu burst into yellow light, then split into a rainbow of colors that danced across the field, charging up for the ultimate attack!

“So, they’re going for the signature Z…” Natsume looked skyward. “Well, it is an exhibition after all…”

He drew out his own Z-Ring—clapped in the Gengar-z.

A surge of gold aura swept across Natsume-sensei’s shirt; he pivoted sideways, one arm up, the embedded Gengar-z glowing dark purple!

“Gengar, Dark Void Z—”

Natsume declared,

“Max Terror!!”

“Gengar!! (≧▽≦)?”

Gengar floated up, conjuring a small black vortex in his palm.

The ground cracked apart; drawn by the black hole, huge rocks hurtled upwards, fusing into a meteorite cloaked in darkness.

Purple-black shadows locked Pikachu in place!

The viewers were floored.

“What is this Z-Move—Gengar-z?!”

“No way—Natsume-sensei has a signature Z, too?”

Kukui’s jaw dropped at the glowing meteorite overhead.

Blue Oak fixed his eye on Gengar’s Z-Move—already strategizing for the World Championships.

Ash and Pikachu only grinned broader; Ash waved his hand:

“Go, Pikachu—!”

“10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt!!!”

“Pikachu—chuu!!”

Pikachu shone inside a golden sphere, then split into seven colored beams—each firing from a new angle at the falling meteorite.

RUMBLE!!

The meteorite, bristling with insane gravity, caved in the field, piles of rock sucked up into its orbit.

“Pikachu!!（｀へ´）”

The rainbow beams flared even brighter—shattering the meteorite’s rock shell!

Boom! Boom!

Rocks rained down, revealing the meteor’s Dark Void core—then the lightning surged, devouring it whole!

BOOM!!!

An explosion rocked the stadium.

From the smoke, two battered Pokémon emerged.

“Pikachu…” Pikachu struggled up, trembling.

“Gengar... (つД`)” Gengar’s face was smeared with dust, wobbling on his feet.

They locked eyes for a moment.

“Pikachu!” Pikachu tottered, then collapsed.

“Gengar…”

Gengar flopped to his back, tongue out and eyes spiraling.

I’m toast~!

Natsume: “….”

All from the same drama club—no way to out-act him!

Ash’s last remaining master bro was then swept aside by Natsume’s freshly-subbed-in Arcanine.

Final score: 6:3.

On the big screen, all of Ash’s Poké Balls dimmed. Natsume-sensei’s portrait shone triumphant!

“The winner—from Tokyo City: Contestant Natsume!”

No one was surprised by the result.

But all those strategies, Bond Evolutions, and signature Z-Moves? Viewers couldn’t get enough.

In the center of the arena, Ash and Natsume shook hands.

“You’ve gotten stronger, Ash.” Natsume smiled.

“I’ll keep working hard!”

Ash grinned—no trace of discouragement in sight.

Who knows how far this Pallet Town kid still has to go, before he’s truly a Pokémon Master—

But one thing’s for sure… his never-give-up heart will carry him to that day.

Natsume smiled as Gengar’s chubby form suddenly leapt up beside him.

“Gengar~o(*≧▽≦)ツ” Gengar slurped up Natsume.

Natsume deadpanned, glancing sideways.

“Weren’t you just KO’d?”

“Gengar… (≧▽≦)?”

Gengar scratched his head, sheepish.

As the exhibition match ended, doubts about the Alola Champion vanished. Instead, new fever swept the internet about Bond Evolutions and exclusive Z-Moves.

“People don’t realize just how strong the Alola Champion is!”

“Bond Sirfetch’d is amazing!”

“Ash’s 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt was like Mega-What? — even Gengar’s ultimate couldn’t match it!”

“Are these guys even battling with legal Pokémon…?”

Ash: I learned all of it from Natsume-sensei!