One day had passed since Sunyshore Gym's open tournament. Footage from the event was already trending across major video platforms, drawing
One day had passed since Sunyshore Gym's open tournament.
Footage from the event was already trending across major video platforms, drawing countless viewers.
In this open tournament, Volkner—hailed as "Sinnoh's Strongest Leader"—had only awarded badges to three individuals:
Natsume-sensei, Ash, and Tobias.
Of course, many believed Volkner's subsequent losses were due to Natsume-sensei defeating his main team earlier.
Natsume suspected Volkner had intentionally gone easy on Ash to stop the kid from pestering him constantly.
After all… Volkner still wanted to challenge Flint to a proper 1v1 manly showdown.
The most dazzling performance of the tournament belonged to Natsume-sensei's Sirfetch'd.
Even Ash's golden-flamed Infernape and Tobias's Rhyperior couldn't compare to the shock of Sirfetch'd's "eyes-closed instant KO."
Overnight, Sirfetch'd gained hordes of followers online—
"Old… Old Duck Followers?"
Natsume pursed his lips, though this did provide valuable intel.
In Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl, Tobias's remaining four Pokémon (aside from Darkrai and Latios) remained unknown.
Some netizens joked they were just four Magikarp… severely underestimating this "Legendary Pokémon Man" who'd traveled through multiple leagues.
According to Tobias, losing to Viridian Gym's Blue Oak had inspired him to catch a Rhyperior.
"Guess Viridian Gym really is hell mode for trainers…" Natsume mused.
After collecting eight badges, Tobias began preparing for the Lily of the Valley Conference.
Ash, thanks to Volkner's subtle leniency, also secured his qualification.
Neither realized they were heading for a "scripted battle"—Ash was too busy obsessing over crushing his "destined rival," Paul.
Meanwhile, Natsume remained at Sunyshore Gym.
Between charging Little Rotom and teaching Larvitar to "dance"...
April 29, Thursday
Gloomy rain clouds loomed over Sunyshore City, the port waters churning uneasily.
Suddenly—
A blinding thunderbolt split the sky, followed by a deafening roar.
Volkner stared at the trembling gym, swallowing hard as he turned to Flint:
"You sure Natsume-sensei is just… training?"
Flint scratched his head, recalling Natsume-sensei's explanation.
"You told him to go wild, didn't you?"
Volkner fell silent. "Guess… I underestimated a Champion Pokémon's training intensity…"
Inside the gym, Natsume gazed at the ominous storm clouds with mixed feelings.
This was Wallace's Rain Dance technique—amplified by Sunyshore's coastal water energy and Blastoise's Soul Dew. Such high-quality training grounds were rare!
As thunder rumbled, the little ones stared skyward.
Crack—
A lightning strike startled Larvitar into a Stomping Tantrum, splitting the floor open.
"Larvitar!" Larvitar blinked at the fissure, then guiltily at Natsume.
"Ahem. We'll apologize to Volkner later," Natsume said.
"Larvitar!" Nodding earnestly, Larvitar snapped off a chunk of debris and munched it like chocolate.
Natsume: "…"
Might as well wreck more before apologizing?
In just two days, Larvitar had mastered Stomping Tantrum"from Giovanni's Techniques.
Its Dragon Dance training also showed progress.
The little dinosaur's clumsy hopping was… admittedly cute.
(As long as it wasn't practicing at home. Hence this Sunyshore trip.)
BOOM—
As dark clouds churned, Natsume side-eyed Blastoise—its aura vaporizing into mist behind sunglasses.
Then, squinting at the apocalyptic sky, he muttered:
"This isn't Rain Dance… It's Kyogre's Primordial Sea!"
...
During Natsume's three-day stay in Sunyshore City...
Preparations for Pokémon's release were in full swing.
Slated for early May, chat group members eagerly awaited their copies.
After all, seeing game characters modeled after themselves was... surreal.
Even Leon from Galar called, cheerfully offering to endorse it
"Honestly?" Leon scratched his cheek with a laugh. "The league's short on funding, so I'm hunting sponsors!"
Natsume currently supervising Gengar's training blinked. "So you want a Pokémon Company logo on your cape?"
"Exactly!"
Though dubious about its effectiveness, Natsume had Oleana approve the sponsorship.
Leon would promote Pokémon across Galar—a smart investment given Natsume-sensei's popularity there and Leon's influence.
Hanging up, Natsume mused: "Leon and Steven... what contrasting Champions."
One directionally challenged, the other globe-trotting for gems; one broke enough to endorse products, the other a trust-fund heir.
Their only commonalities? Champion-tier conviction... and love for Pokémon.
On "being broke," Natsume and Leon bonded deeply—
Leon could easily earn millions in endorsements, yet poured everything into Galar's infrastructure.
As for Natsume... he too was "invested in infrastructure" (cough).
In the chat group, Crystal said:
"@Natsume-sensei, Professor Oak is looking for you."
Natsume paused: "What's it about?"
"Something about researching Archaic Script, I think," Crystal replied.
Natsume went 'Oh': "I'm returning to Sandgem Town today. I'll contact Professor Oak later."
Hearing Natsume-sensei was returning today, Flint silently breathed relief for Volkner while secretly opening a Sinnoh map.
The nearest gym to Sandgem Town... was Oreburgh Gym.
Flint couldn't help but mourn for Roark in his heart.
"Ha! That Raichu wasn't so tough after all!"
Lt. Surge—who'd rage-quit earlier—caught the battle replay during the ferry's day off.
Watching Raichu get one-shot, he laughed in the chat group.
"Critical hits happen," Brock said mildly.
"One-strike victories embody the hard style!" Bruno declared.
"Pretty sure Sirfetch'd could one-shot your Raichu too, Lt. Surge," Ash added bluntly.
Gold: "LMAO, my thoughts exactly!"
Silver stayed silent but agreed internally.
"Ash never lies," Sabrina noted, black hair swaying—omitting the unspoken because he's incapable of deceit.
"Face reality, Lt. Surge."
Lt. Surge: "..."
We were colleagues! Must you roast me?!
Was this bullying just because he was less popular than Volkner?
Roxie from Poison Notes interjected earnestly: "Lt. Surge's trap albums were ahead of their time!"
Lt. Surge suddenly felt touched.
Whitney: "So... outdated?" (Message deleted)
Crack.
The sound of a shattered heart.
Lt. Surge stormed out—only the open sea could heal a man's wounds.
Natsume chuckled, pocketing his phone.
He bid farewell to the visibly traumatized Gym Leader Volkner.
"Leaving already, Natsume-sensei?"
"Yep. See you around!"
Volkner watched his retreating back, then the gym's wrecked interior, and wanted to cry.
Why did I invite him?... Should've just stayed a recluse!
...
Natsume pushed his Rotom Bike toward the open-air train platform on Sunyshore City's outskirts.
The small dashboard showed a full charge—Rotom had enjoyed these past few days of nonstop charging.
With half an hour until the next train, Natsume called Professor Oak.
On the other end, the professor was tending to Ash's newly caught Gible when it suddenly chomped down on his hand.
"Let go! Blue Oak, help!"
"Gible!" Gible giggled, eyes scrunched in delight.
Blue Oak leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, as Alakazam lifted Gible with Confusion.
"Ash actually caught a pseudo-legendary?" Blue remarked, surprised.
"That boy may lack talent, but he has a knack for encountering rare Pokémon," Professor Oak said, expertly bandaging his hand.
Compared to Red, Green, and Blue—who'd all won league championships—Ash's consistent losses did suggest... limitations.
Blue Oak raised an eyebrow.
Then again, maybe Ash's talent lay in no-holds-barred battles instead...
"Ah, Natsume's calling."
Ever the seasoned Champion, Professor Oak answered unfazed, his bitten hand miraculously functional. Natsume's face appeared on screen.
"Good afternoon, Professor Oak."
"Remember Professor Hale? The one researching ancient scripts?"
Professor Oak cut to the chase. "He's invited you to Johto's Ruins of Alph to study Unown."
"I've also notified Johto's Pokédex holders—Gold and Silver will assist you!"
Natsume blinked. "I'm just a researcher, though."
Says the guy who won a gold medal at the Research Conference...
Professor Oak coughed. "I initially considered my student, Professor Elm."
"But ancient texts aren't his specialty. You were the only qualified candidate."
He smiled. "Do this for me, and I'll owe you one!"
A chill ran down Natsume's spine.
"No debts necessary," Natsume said hastily. "I'll go as a favor."
Touched, Professor Oak beamed.
"No rush—the expedition's next month."
"Just give me advance notice," Natsume agreed.
"One more thing."
Professor Oak added, "About your Snow Team article... My friend Pryce had some feedback."
"He said if you're serious about ice-type moves, visit him in Mahogany Town. He'll 'teach you what real hail looks like.'"
Natsume paled. "That... doesn't sound friendly!"
Professor Oak laughed. "He's all bark. Deep down, he appreciates kindness."
"Trust me, he never goes all-out against trainers he respects!"
Natsume's expression soured.
If Pryce did go all-out... game over.
Only reckless prodigies like Red, Giovanni, or Gold stood a chance against him.
In Special Editions, Pryce—the Johto villain—had single-handedly fought Kanto and Johto.
Yet beneath that icy exterior lurked a lonely old man.
For now, Natsume had no plans to disturb him...
If Pryce deemed his Snow Team trash and gifted Blastoise some ice-type TMs, Natsume-sensei might just short-circuit on the spot.
"Back to Sandgem Town first," Natsume muttered.
"The expedition can wait."
"Besides, Johto's the perfect place to lay low from Arceus..."