Chapter 97: Cameraman, What Are You Doing
"Focus on defense, Machamp!"
The match began, and Barry shouted his instructions.
*Woo~* Dragonite turned back to look at Natsume.
"Do what you like," Natsume sent the message.
This Machamp wasn't very high-leveled, far below Dragonite. Although Dragonite couldn't use any moves, her level advantage and massive, imposing body made her highly likely to win.
*Thud! Thud! Thud!* Dragonite's powerful, engine-like heartbeat reverberated through her chest.
"Wow, here it comes! Natsume daring to send Dragonite into the arena—did he create some new fighting technique? Let's watch!"
Amid the host's cheer, Dragonite charged at Machamp.
The entire arena rumbled under Dragonite's steps.
"Good, just like that! The stronger the opponent, the higher our chance of winning!" Barry cheered, clearly excited.
Dragonite reached Machamp, face twisted with intensity, pushing forward with a massive, deliberate strike.
"Now, grab his arms, use his force against it, Victory Judo: Seismic Toss!" Barry repeatedly mentioned *Victory Judo*, boosting the ad effect, and the audience eyes followed the broadcast feed closely.
Machamp roared, stepping back slightly, and his four arms grabbed Dragonite.
*Machamp!* he assumed a strange posture, aiming to throw Dragonite over his shoulder.
But his body froze mid-air.
"What's wrong, Machamp?" Barry panicked. Could this Dragonite's strength already surpass the limits, rendering Guts useless?
*Impossible!*
*Machamp!* the Machamp looked at Dragonite oddly, then leapt away.
That Dragonite, which seemed so imposing, had pushed forward without exerting any real force. What can Machamp do?
"Was the first clash over already? No, Dragonite strikes again!" the host shouted.
*DRAGGG!* Dragonite roared.
In the D-section, Pikachu nearly fainted from fear at the onslaught.
*Thud!* Dragonite's heartbeat amplified, veins in her arms visibly swelling.
"Careful, Machamp!" Barry warned.
He also noticed this Dragonite was very high-leveled. Only by using Guts propery can they secure victory.
Dragonite's massive, blood-engorged claw reached Machamp's face.
Machamp grabbed Dragonite's claw, but like before, this strike was powerless.
*Machamp?* He glanced at his trainer.
Barry ignored any questions from Machamp; the Pokémon lowered his arms, letting Dragonite's *ferocious* strike hit his forehead.
"Dragonite hit Machamp! What's happening? Machamp isn't resisting!" the host exclaimed, raising the audience's tension.
The crowd erupted, accusing Barry of bribery.
"Machamp, you—" Barry started, but Machamp used one hand to grab Dragonite's claw, moving her aside from his head.
*Woo?* Dragonite looked confused at her own claw. Her strength fluctuated uncontrollably, matching the trainer's unpredictable strategy.
"Well done, Machamp!" Barry exclaimed, impressed.
"Wow! Machamp blocked Dragonite with one hand! Not resisting is absolute confidence in her strength!"
"Take the opportunity, Machamp!"
Realizing Dragonite might have an issue and couldn't exert full strength, Barry didn't rush to end the battle. Instead, he tossed a custom extra-large training shirt onto Machamp.
The shirt had four holes, seemingly made for Machamp.
Machamp quickly put it on, hands raised, hands on hips, chest and back muscles flexing, displaying the **Victory Judo** logo prominently.
"What kind of people are these? They're totally here for advertising," Giselle muttered.
"Truly Victory Judo! To train such a powerful Machamp!"
Seeing Barry's showmanship, the host didn't hold back praise.
"Machamp, hold your pose!" Barry knew this was a rare chance, wanting to extend the battle as long as possible.
*Woo?* Ignored, Dragonite turned back and glanced at Natsume.
"Think back—when we trained against Ganger, which moves made it the most terrified?" Natsume's voice echoed in Dragonite's mind through telepathy.
*When was that black balloon most frightened? What even is fear?* Dragonite scratched his head.
Still, he remembered that when he fought Ganger, she sometimes dodged very quickly. That must have been the moment.
Feeling it, Dragonite tilted his head and approached Machamp.
*Mach!* Machamp puffed out his chest, the massive muscles straining against the shirt.
*Mach!* He thumped his chest, muscles bulging and rubbing audibly, signaling Dragonite to strike there.
"Oh my, too audacious! Will Dragonite fall for Barry's Machamp's provocation? This is a huge trap!"
The host's exclamation filled the arena, and all four ABCD screens switched to the A arena.
Under countless eyes, Dragonite lightly raised her claw.
"Indeed, Dragonite hasn't been provoked, but this strike—" the host elongated the suspense, withholding judgment.
Years of commentary taught him that any impossible-looking move could turn the tables.
Dragonite's claw gently pressed against Machamp's chest. Instantly, a sonic boom erupted from the contact.
*Boom!* The shirt tore violently. Machamp's expression changed dramatically, and his body was flung backward.
*BANGGGG* Machamp slammed into the four ropes, stretching like a spring being pulled.
*Whoosh!*
Like a stone launched from a slingshot, Machamp was catapulted off the edge of the arena from Dragonite's strike, crashing into the towering audience wall.
"You—you—you deliberately hid your strength!" Barry cried, tears streaming.
Natsume looked up at the sky. *Hide strength? No, no, no—Dragonite didn't even know the force of her next strike.*
"Oh my, I knew it! Dragonite went easy—what sportsmanship!"
"Let's congratulate the victor!" the host cheered, but the audience barely reacted.
Strange.
The host glanced at the big screens. All four screens now displayed the D arena.
A Oddish and a sleeping Pikachu?
Just for that, the audience missed Dragonite's instantaneous counterattack?
The host was furious.
"Hey, don't focus on Pikachu!"
With the host's roar, one screen finally switched back to the A arena.
"Let's congratulate Natsume for advancing in the A arena!"
The host raised the microphone, but only scattered applause followed.
*What happened?*
The host froze; it wasn't what he expected.
Looking down, he saw most of the audience were watching the D arena. Even Natsume and Barry instinctively kept their eyes on the D arena screen.
You can read more (around 100+ free chapters) of Natsume's adventure ad-free at [https://ravenarchives.com/book/pokemon-who-let-him-leave-pallet-town]. Bulk uploads is a mess here, so updates here might be irregular.