Chapter 343: Chapter 343

January 6th, Wednesday night.

The moment Teacher Lu went live, stream viewers from all corners flocked in.

Not just Team Rocket and the International Police; various regional versions of Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy as well.

The elite-filled “Teacher Lu’s Stream Viewer Group” was equally abuzz with chatter.

“Teacher Lu’s streaming again.”

Gold was listening to Walnut DJ’s late-night radio show. He gritted his teeth but still decisively clicked into the stream.

“I’ll go back to Miss Walnut once I finish learning!”

Green, dressed in a white lab coat, had just wrapped up some research and took a glance at the chat group:

“What tactic is it this time?”

“Gold… Teacher Lu already explained everything just now,” Kristal sighed. “You really weren’t paying attention.”

“Eh? But this Torkoal and Venusaur combo, isn’t that the classic Sunny Day team?”

As the classic Sunny Day brothers, Torkoal’s Drought pairs perfectly with Venusaur’s Chlorophyll.

Gold himself was also a Sunny Day user… except he used a different sunny warrior—Typhlosion.

Although both were Sunny Day sweepers, their styles were totally different.

Typhlosion relied on its aggressive Flamethrower, while Venusaur—

Gold glanced at Venusaur’s build and his expression became complicated.

Wide Lens plus Sleep Powder!

Teacher Lu, and you claim you never use Hypnosis-based tactics!?

“It’s a Sun-Sand team.”

Red explained to Gold.

“Different from a standard Sunny Day team, Teacher Lu also brought a Sandstorm setter—Tyranitar.”

“Paired with a Trick Room setter—Dusclops.”

Red sighed with admiration: “Trick Room core, Sandstorm defense, Sunny Day speed boost… it’s practically a perfect tactical showcase.”

“Oh, so that’s how it is…”

Gold folded his arms, deep in thought, nodding from time to time.

Silver: “...You totally didn’t understand any of that, did you.”

“D*mn it!” Gold suddenly flipped his desk. “I’ve been practicing Sunny Day for half a year, and now it’s been upgraded?!”

“Gold, I recommend just battling by instinct—that suits you better,” Lance said kindly.

“Mm…” Gold nodded to himself and immediately opened Walnut DJ’s radio stream again.

What mattered most in battle… was having fun!

Fighting against a refined Trainer like Teacher Lu would never bring him joy!

As a veteran weather comp, Sun-Sand had dominant control over the field with two weather setters.

And Tyranitar, carrying a Weakness Policy, was also a powerful attacker under Trick Room…

However. Green frowned slightly:

“The more options you have, the harder it is to command—and the more risk you take…”

Weather, Trick Room, speed control, even Ally Switch—

Compared to last time’s straightforward “Lightweight Team”,

This time, the Trainer had way more variables to manage.

As for the opponent’s lineup—

Green looked toward the Charizard circling above with outstretched wings.

With its terrifying Heat Wave, Charizard could melt through everything with raw power.

If there was even a slight misstep in command, Venusaur could be one-shotted.

What’s more, the opponent was Mustard from the Isle of Armor—a veteran who had dominated Leagues for years.

Even for Teacher Lu, winning this match wouldn’t be easy.

Green murmured, “That’s a type disadvantage…”

Ash clenched his fists and shouted, “Even with a type disadvantage, as long as you believe, you can win!”

Green’s eye twitched.

Is that really what I’ve been teaching you!?

Or has Red been secretly corrupting you!?

Steven smiled gently, his pale blue eyes serious.

A type disadvantage… could still be overcome.

But even Champions follow the type match-up chart.

That’s the efficiency of battle.

Besides… Steven narrowed his eyes.

That Mustard doesn’t strike me as the kind of Trainer who’d use Charizard.

A familiar silhouette flashed through Steven’s mind: the Champion of Galar.

Steven smiled faintly.

“This might be a truly exciting match!”

Galar Region, Isle of Armor.

The sun dipped below the sea horizon, scattering golden light across the waves.

A massive Wailord leapt from the sea, then splashed down with a thunderous crash.

Master Mustard’s dojo was hosting a guest from afar.

“Eat more, Leon-boy. It’ll help you grow taller~”

Mustard hunched his back, looking kindly at his beloved disciple.

Leon, with long purple hair and a scruffy beard, laughed heartily: “Thanks for the meal!”

Just like their old training days, they competed over eating speed.

Mustard reached for a xiaolongbao, raised an eyebrow, and asked:

“Leon-boy, what brings you to the Isle of Armor all of a sudden?”

“Master, your little tricks can’t fool me anymore!”

Leon deftly snagged the xiaolongbao with his chopsticks and said:

“To be honest, I just went out for a walk with Charizard and then…”

“…Yeah.” Leon nodded.

Mustard burst out laughing: “Then just stay here for the night and return to Galar tomorrow!”

“But there’s still a lot of work to do…”

“Leon-boy.” Mustard suddenly turned serious. “As a warrior, proper rest and relaxation is essential for growth.”

Twirling his chopsticks, Mustard smiled warmly: “You put too much weight on reputation and your duty as Champion~”

Leon was slightly stunned.

Mustard gazed out the window, bathed in the evening glow: “Sometimes, when you stop to rest, you might find a beautiful view~”

“Alright then!” Mustard clapped the contemplative Leon on the back, laughing. “Stay the night—let’s train together!”

Leon smiled helplessly. “Then I’ll be in your care, Master!”

“Quick! Just one more win and we’ll be ranked #1 in the world!” Mustard egged Leon on, visibly thrilled.

Leon looked at the console screen, a bit speechless.

So-called training… meant power-leveling Mustard’s account?

Though his master was indeed a gaming enthusiast who could camp in front of the TV for 24 hours.

Still, this can’t be what “training” means, right!?

Leon couldn’t help but laugh: “Master, if we get caught, you’ll get banned, you know?”

“Heh, it’s just one Charizard carrying the game.”

Mustard crossed his arms proudly. “Running a single Charizard in a Dragon-Fighting team is totally reasonable!”

Leon shook his head and sighed with a smile:

“This is the last match!”

“Heh heh, once we win, this old man will be #1 in the world~!”

In competitive battling, Leon was also a skilled player.

His real-life team included heavy hitters like Dragapult and Aegislash.

So in terms of gameplay, he was even more at ease than Mustard.

In just two hours, Leon had bulldozed through Raihan, Flint, and Aaron… all without breaking a sweat.

Especially Aaron, the Bug-type specialist.

Charizard nearly gave the poor kid PTSD.

According to Aaron’s own words:

“o(╥﹏╥)o That totally didn’t feel like Master Mustard’s playstyle! That Charizard was insane!”

Mustard’s account ranking soared, landing him at #2 in the world.

At that moment, the matchmaking screen spun.

Mustard, grinning from ear to ear, suddenly widened his eyes.

Leon: “What’s wrong?”

Mustard opened his mouth, his face looking odd: “Matched with someone I know…”

Leon turned to look at the screen.

The username looked vaguely familiar.

He remembered watching Raihan’s weather team get destroyed by Teacher Lu’s Tailwind tactics.

And now, he was up against Teacher Lu himself.

Even Leon, seeing Teacher Lu’s team, felt a tinge of curiosity.

“A Sandstorm team?” Leon glanced at Tyranitar.

His good friend Raihan was an expert at sandstorm strategies, and Leon had studied weather comps too.

But in the next second, Leon frowned slightly.

It wasn’t just a single weather team—this was…

“Sun-Sand team!” Leon was surprised.

This guy didn’t just research stall strategies… he studied weather comps too?

Even Raihan had two weather teams—Sandstorm and Rain.

But in terms of synergy and strength…

This Sun-Sand team was clearly better!

“Master,” Leon’s voice turned serious, “I might need to use my real team…”

“Huh?” Mustard blinked. “Not using the Dragon-Fighting lineup?”

“It’s a 6v4 pick anyway,” Leon grinned.

“Let the others lead first.”

The two avatar cards flickered.

In a flash, Leon felt like he was standing back on his familiar green battlefield.

And standing before him was a young man with a gentle smile and striking presence.

Both sides tossed out their Poké Balls at the same time.

“Go, Dragapult! Cinderace!”

A roaring sandstorm surged forth with unmatched power.

“Roooar—!” The fearsome Tyranitar raised a storm of swirling sand.

Lu Ye called out in a calm voice.

“Go, Tyranitar, Dusclops!”