A secluded pub in the commercial street outside Manaro Arena.
Morden was holding a bottle, eyes drooping.
If it weren't for him always looking like this when drunk, Natsuhiko would have thought he was actually drunk.
"Mr. Morden."
Natsuhiko sat opposite him and ordered a glass of mineral water.
"'Trick' belongs to a Pokémon's mental and willful actions, while some techniques are related to the Pokémon's physical actions," Morden suddenly said.
Natsuhiko was momentarily stunned.
He quickly realized that Morden was talking about the behavior of the Alola Meow Boss during the recent battle.
"So even if Boss Meow uses 'Trick,' as long as it hasn't been fully executed successfully, it won't affect 'Clap Attack'?" Natsuhiko asked.
Earlier, Morden's Boss Meow first used "Trick," but the "Clap Attack" still managed to put Togekiss into a 'Wither' state.
"No, the influence is actually significant. With the will disrupted, Togekiss enters the 'Wither' state for much shorter than under normal circumstances."
Morden took a sip of alcohol and calmly explained to Natsuhiko.
Continuing, "Of course, that's also because Boss Meow hasn't trained enough. If trained skillfully enough, achieving compatibility between 'Trick' and 'Clap Attack' isn't impossible."
Could Morden's real main Pokémon, that Alola Meow Boss, truly achieve that balance… Natsuhiko internally mused.
He watched as Morden touched his old police uniform.
After a while, he pulled out a worn notebook.
He pushed it in front of Natsuhiko.
"These are some insights I wrote down during training in that aspect. It's useless to me, so I'll give it to you."
His expression while speaking looked like he was casually throwing away something to Natsuhiko, indifferent.
But Natsuhiko dared not underestimate it.
The emblematic techniques and training secrets of an Elite Trainer, possibly even with Elite Four strength, aren't common at all.
In most cases, such items are considered family treasures.
Many who've established their accomplishments and received respectable status in the league find these more precious than any item when forming their family.
Did Morden just casually give it to me?
Natsuhiko casually flipped through a few pages and glanced at them.
He discovered it contained not only training methods for "Trick," but also many other detailed aspects.
Details on battles and training alike.
Natsuhiko pursed his lips, neither declining nor hesitating.
He quickly packed it away.
Seeing Natsuhiko's actions, Morden grinned.
His straightforwardness matched Morden's taste.
Natsuhiko didn't care about others' opinions; he grabbed what's offered once it was within reach.
"Why?" Natsuhiko asked again.
Morden gave him a sideways glance and slowly said, "Nothing much, just felt your tactical skills could use this. Your Togekiss's execution of 'Trick' is too slow, too many loopholes."
Natsuhiko was speechless.
To anyone unaware, they might have thought Morden won the recent battle instead of him.
Yet, Morden did have the qualification to comment.
"It's just an aside; mainly, it regards another matter."
"Hm?"
"I'm entrusting you to take care of someone." Morden said thoughtfully, looking at the bottle in his hand.
"Who?"
"Acerola, a young girl slightly younger than you."
Acerola?
The memory flashed of the young girl he encountered last time in the Alola Region, the girl who carried Mimikyu and would become a Ghost Type Elite Four there.
"Wait, Mr. Morden, are you leaving the Alola Region?" Natsuhiko asked.
"Not yet."
"Then..."
"The future is uncertain." Morden grinned wryly.
"In the future, I probably won't be in the Alola Region. Though I'm attached to the 'UB Countermeasures Department,' I'm a 'Special Recruitment,' I don't need to stay in the Alola Region all the time," Natsuhiko said.
Morden shrugged.
"It's okay; I just mentioned it casually, not intending to have you stay in the Alola Region all the time."
He continued drinking, adding:
"Just help when you can; Acerola is strong-willed herself and doesn't need you like a bodyguard following her all the time."
That's much simpler.
"Alright, if I can help, I won't just stand by."
Morden nodded.
"How much do you know about the Ultimate Beast and Ultimate Cave?"
"A bit," Natsuhiko contemplated before answering.
"Just a bit?"
Slowly standing up, stretching, his body crackling, "It's fine. Thanks for listening to me ramble for so long."
"Go home and sleep."
With that, he wobbly walked out, sandals flapping.
Natsuhiko sat in his spot without moving.
Squinting, he fell into contemplation.
...
...
Typed on the keyboard.
After typing the last word, Natsuhiko published the paper "A Brief Discussion of Fairy-Type Attribute Characteristics and Known Techniques."
In just a few seconds.
The comments exceeded a hundred.
He delivered what he promised.
That night, he published the paper.
After today's broadcast of the battle between him and Morden, all opposition and skepticism online vanished as if harmonized instantly.
There it was.