Chapter 260: Chapter 0260: Friends from Afar Shall Be... Welcomed?
Thursday, November 26th.
Gladion, the aristocratic young master from Alola, completed his enrollment procedures and notified Natsume-sensei.
"Hmm... so where are you staying?" Natsume asked.
"I've rented a place in Celadon City, not far from school," Gladion replied.
"Train hard, and if you have any questions, seek advice from Professor Erika. I have high hopes for you," Natsume said.
Traveling alone through Kanto, Gladion felt a surge of warmth in his heart.
"Understood," Gladion responded firmly.
Hanging up the phone, Natsume thought to himself.
Including Giselle,
the three students participating in the competition were almost assembled.
With Gladion's strength... securing victory for Celadon School shouldn't be a problem.
This way, it would at least justify Principal Earl Dervish's kindness.
Leaning against the headboard, Natsume nodded in satisfaction.
Glancing around the room—
"Arcanine~" The fluffy Arcanine sprawled on the bedroom carpet, panting adorably with its tongue out.
Of course, this was just a facade.
Last night, the hyperactive husky howled incessantly until 4 AM.
Natsume suspected that if Gengar hadn't returned from training and hit Arcanine with Hypnosis,
this guy would've pulled all-nighters regularly.
Fortunately, today was a day off. The midday sun lazily streamed into the room.
Peeling back the covers, Natsume spotted an oval-shaped egg rolling around.
Togepi cheerfully popped out its limbs: "Togepi doo-ee~!"
You found me!
"If you want to play hide-and-seek, go with Arcanine."
Dark circles under his eyes, Natsume patted Togepi's tiny head.
"I need to catch up on some more sleep."
"Togepi!" Puffing its cheeks, Togepi obediently stood up.
Gripping the edge of the bed, it carefully stretched a foot toward the floor.
For Togepi, the distance was daunting.
"Togepi doo-ee..." Life wasn't easy, Togepi sighed.
"Togepi?" Suddenly, Togepi felt itself levitating.
Looking back, it saw Natsume holding it.
"Fine, but only half an hour," Natsume relented.
"Togepi doo-ee! (Yay~!)"
A faint blue glow flickered at Togepi's fingertips.
Natsume's expression shifted slightly.
A soothing floral fragrance filled the air.
As the blue light seeped into him, his fatigue noticeably lessened.
「Command・Aromatherapy」
Relieved that today's move wasn't something like "Rock Smash," Natsume exhaled.
Perhaps, to some extent, a Pokémon's own will influenced the execution of 「Command」.
The so-called "heart's intent" from Sword Art Online might have parallels in the Pokémon world.
Feeling guilty for misjudging Togepi, Natsume smiled apologetically. "Thanks, little one."
"Togepi doo-ee~(????.????)"
Inside the fish tank,
Squirtle floated serenely in azure liquid, deep in meditation.
Theoretically, with Mystic Water and Water Stone powder added... this "medicinal bath" was worth millions.
Channeling its inner cultivation protagonist, Squirtle contemplated the 「Dark Pulse」 technique acquired from Karen.
All things possessed aura—different auras gave rise to moves of varying attributes.
Yet the typeless aura itself could harmonize with other energies.
For instance, merging Dark Pulse with Aura Sphere.
As this realization dawned, Squirtle's eyes gleamed with enlightenment.
Natsume must've wanted me to master this!
"Squirtle!"
Had Natsume understood Pokémon speech, he might've choked.
You absolute madlad—trying to master a murderous Aura Sphere?!
But oblivious Natsume-sensei glanced at the meditating Squirtle and smiled approvingly.
It seems... with Togepi around, even the seniors are growing in their own ways!
...
Approaching noon, Gengar would soon head out to flirt with Sabrina.
Wait no—to work part-time at Saffron Gym.
Preparing lunch for the little ones, Natsume-sensei also crafted a new batch of kibble.
Specially formulated for Arcanine.
Post-evolution, Arcanine's appetite had doubled, licking its bowl clean daily.
Natsume mixed defense-boosting 「Ganlon Berry」 with special defense-enhancing 「Apicot Berry」,
then added Sweet Honey to create a tangy-sweet kibble.
Staring at the finished product,
Natsume instinctively reached out, then paused with a wry expression.
Surely... surely he wasn't about to steal Arcanine's food.
Though the ingredients were human-edible berries, finances hadn't sunk that low yet...
"Sylveon~"
Basking in the midday sun, Sylveon nudged a yarn ball toward Togepi.
Clutching the ball, Togepi scampered to Natsume and proudly presented it.
"Sylveon..." Sylveon slumped in defeat.
After playing Pokémon Trading Card Game with Togepi,
Natsume checked the buzzing chat group.
The first message that caught his eye was from Gold.
"Natsume-sensei, I'm coming to Kanto to visit!" Gold announced.
"Over my dead body!" Natsume shot back.
"It's Togebo—wants to meet Togepi," Gold scratched his head. "Just one night? I'll pay rent."
"Rent's unnecessary. I just want to fulfill Togebo's wish," Natsume nodded.
(Of course, charging was a joke.)
Friends from afar—shall be welcomed with competitive spirit.
Wait... wasn't there a different saying?
"Kanto's got plenty of festivals lately,"
Green scrolled through his memo pad—a log of tournament schedules for his merchant travels.
"Nearest one... this Saturday, a big fishing competition with awesome prizes."
"Fishing competition!!" Yellow instantly ignited with passion.
"I've got skills too," Gold blew his bangs. "Winning's no problem!"
"What are the prizes?" Natsume finally showed interest.
No bragging—with [Fishing Lv3], he could rival top-tier professionals.
Though no match for masters like Yellow or Lana,
crushing Gold for a consolation prize? Easy!
"Dive Ball, premium fishing rod set, Mystic Water..."
Green gasped at his memo. "Mystic Water?! This'll draw crowds!"
"I shall compete as well," Brock interjected, eyes serenely closed.
The chat froze.
Jasmine timidly asked, "Brock-san... aren't you a Rock-type Gym Leader?"
(During the Kanto-Johto gym challenges, she'd battled Brock once.)
A Rock specialist joining a fishing tournament? The mismatch was jarring!
Brock coughed awkwardly. "Truthfully, the prize money's quite substantial..."
Natsume nodded empathetically. "Relatable!"
"Oh?"
Brock's eyes sharpened—another moment of manly camaraderie with Natsume!
"Then I'll register Natsume-sensei. I follow the event organizers."
Green confirmed, "You're definitely competing?"
Saturday... after Friday's classes, he could make it.
Natsume affirmed, "Absolutely, thanks!"
"See you all Saturday then," Gold said.
Even Yellow burned with rare competitiveness.
In this domain, I too have pride!
Meanwhile, training at Seafoam Islands—
Misty, Cerulean City's Water-type Gym Leader, pondered.
Wasn't the fishing competition held in Cerulean?
"Hmm... this must be part of Natsume-sensei's itinerary."
Misty nodded decisively. "Better warn my sisters to prepare."
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