The sun dipped below the horizon, casting golden ripples across the ocean as Wingull cried overhead.
Natsume turned away, preparing to bid Lance farewell.
"Leaving so soon?" Lance asked. "You're in Hoenn—might as well pick up some souvenirs."
Natsume considered it, then nodded. "What about you, Mr. Lance?"
The red-haired man adjusted his cape with a sigh. "Overtime."
"There's still cleanup, coordinating the officers..." He rubbed his temples. "Just a mountain of work."
Natsume blinked.
Honestly, you and a certain Galar Champion would have a lot to talk about.
But the messy aftermath? That was best left to professionals like Lance—the "Criminal Crusher."
Under the blushing gazes of nearby Officer Jennys, Natsume and Gengar set off for Rustboro City.
"That's… the famous Natsume-sensei, right?" one Jenny whispered.
"Even more handsome than the photos in our manuals!"
"My cousin in Celadon knows him! Should I ask for his number?"
"Don't bother," an older Jenny cut in. "From what I hear… Natsume-sensei's already taken. Even the Joys gave up."
The Jennys wilted—then channeled their frustration into grim determination.
Criminals, your judgment day has come!
...
"You three okay?"
Natsume opened the communicator to Team Rocket's grinning faces.
"Better than ever, meow!" Meowth rubbed its paws.
"Arbok and Weezing are fine," Jessie laughed. "Their friends are back in the forest!"
"And… we picked up a new teammate." James tossed a Poké Ball.
A spiky Cacnea—also known as "Desert Naiad"—latched onto James' face like a facehugger.
"OW! Get off, Cacnea!"
Natsume coughed at the surreal sight.
Come to think of it, all of James' Pokémon seem obsessed with his head…
In the anime, this Cacnea had gone to Gardenia.
But no matter—Gardenia was in the group chat. No "Ash's Pidgeot" decade-long disappearances here.
"She's so quiet… I almost forgot Gardenia was in the chat," Natsume muttered.
"Should we continue your mission?" the trio asked.
Natsume nodded, then called Matori for a Hoenn update.
"Magma and Aqua remnants are everywhere," she reported. "That's why Hoenn's so unstable."
"Lord Giovanni scoffs at them… but absorbing them would please him."
Natsume pondered.
Magma's Maxie and Aqua's Archie should already be out of the picture.
Letting Team Rocket expand into Hoenn made sense…
But the image of Team Rainbow Rocket made his eye twitch.
Did I accidentally create something terrifying?
"...But they're the villains."
Natsume chuckled to himself.
"I, Natsume-sensei, am an International Police inspector—a model citizen!"
By evening, Natsume and Gengar reached Rustboro City—a tech hub draped in greenery, home to Devon Corp.'s towering headquarters.
Rich kid Steven… some people have all the luck.
As guests, they were treated by the local Gym Leader, Roxanne, who gifted Hoenn's signature Lava Cookies.
Theoretically, next time Gengar paralyzed someone, they could munch these instead of Cheri Berries.
"Gengar! (￣～￣)" Gengar crunched happily.
As they left the Gym (after Sylveon solo'd Roxanne), the twin-tailed Leader waved tearfully. "Safe travels…"
Natsume patted her shoulder. "Don't worry. You're not the first, and won't be the last."
"Who else…?" Roxanne blushed.
"Sabrina's Saffron Gym?"
Roxanne brightened. "Oh! Then it's fine! Come back anytime, Natsume-sensei!"
If even Sabrina lost, I'm in good company!
"Sylveon~o(｀^｀)o"
Natsume glanced at the ribbon on his arm, then down at Sylveon's smug expression.
Roxanne was average for a Leader… yet Sylveon had swept her Gym effortlessly.
By that standard, Sylveon had already reached a level beyond typical Leaders—what could be called "Master-tier" in strength.
Natsume's expression turned complicated.
Every morning, you laze in bed with me...
How did you get this strong?!
The winter night was cold. Natsume pulled his coat tighter and muttered, "My standing in this household is precarious..."
Looking at his current team:
Top Tier: Gengar, Sylveon, and Squirtle.
If Squirtle evolved into Blastoise and tapped into its Aura potential, it might even surpass Gengar temporarily.
Mid Tier: Arcanine and Natsume himself.
After all, in wild battles, the Trainer's own strength mattered too.
Bottom Tier: Sirfetch'd and Togepi.
...Probably Sirfetch'd was stronger? Maybe?
Natsume coughed awkwardly. "It's fine... Reaching Elite Four level will take at least three to five years!"
Besides, if he had an Elite Four-caliber Arcanine lounging at home...
One grocery run, and the house might be a crater when I return.
"Arcanine~ (O_o)??" Arcanine tilted its big head, eyes blank with confusion.
"Never mind..." Natsume scratched under its chin.
"Let's head back to Saffron City. We've got a trip coming up!"
...
December 27th, Friday - Saffron City
Morning frost condensed on the windowpanes.
Natsume lifted the blanket to find Sylveon snoozing softly, its gentle "Sylveon~" snores filling the air.
It was still early—Togepi had curled back into its eggshell, nestled against the pillow.
"Arcanine~" Arcanine lay sprawled on the rug, its golden mane radiating warmth and comfort.
Natsume carefully slipped out of bed, careful not to disturb them.
From the fish tank, Squirtle's eyes snapped open—only to close again when it recognized Natsume.
The corner of Natsume's mouth twitched.
I bet you weren't even sleeping. Just meditating on your Aura, weren't you?
Breakfast in the Natsume household usually consisted of Pokéblocks and homemade dishes tailored to the little ones' tastes.
The stew pot hissed softly, steam curling upward.
In the kitchen, Natsume and Gengar waited in companionable silence.
Then, in the quiet of the morning, his phone buzzed.
[Cabbage Ice Cream]: Good morning.
[Natsume-sensei]: Up this early?
"I told you," Cynthia's smiling face appeared on screen. "Skill Swap. My Ability is 'Early Bird' now."
Natsume blinked. "Then does that make me 'Slow Start' or 'Truant'?"
Cynthia's smile softened. "More like 'Scrappy.'"
So I'm feisty, huh?
He glanced outside. The forecast had mentioned morning flurries, and the sky hung heavy with clouds.
A small smile crept onto Natsume's face as he murmured, "I can't wait for the new year to come..."
...
Sinnoh - Eterna City
The historic city, famous for its statues of the Temporal and Spatial Dragons, basked in quiet grandeur.
A golden-haired beauty in a black trench coat closed her book, marking the end of her research for the day.
"Haaah..." Cynthia exhaled softly before turning to the short-haired woman behind her. "Let's go. We're done for today."
Her companion—elegant behind oversized sunglasses—nodded. "Aren't you going to disguise yourself before shopping?"
"The locals already know me here."
Unlike a certain "poster boy" from the boonies, Cynthia carried none of the pretenses of a Champion.
"Shopping first, then back to the League tonight," she sighed. "I'd much rather laze around all day."
Diantha chuckled. "There's value in ritual. New clothes can lift the spirit."
Cynthia hummed noncommittally. Whether due to natural grace or sheer indecisiveness, her wardrobe consisted mostly of that same black trench coat.
The boutiques of Eterna City favored retro tailoring—a style Diantha adored.
As they strolled through the charming streets, Diantha explained, "This year, Kalos fashion is all about vintage revival—"
Cynthia only half-listened, her gaze drifting toward the menswear display in a nearby window.
Diantha paused, considering. "Men's styles can suit women too, you know."
Cynthia didn't respond, mentally comparing the coat to someone's proportions.
...He's taller, though.
After a long moment of deliberation—the struggle of someone chronically indecisive—she finally pushed the shop door open.
"I'll take that one, please."
...
December 28th, Monday
Early that morning, a package from Cynthia arrived at Natsume's doorstep.
Inside lay a soft, checkered wool coat from some high-end brand Natsume didn't recognize (but which screamed expensive).
He opened a video call, surprised.
"For me?"
"Obviously."
"How long did you spend picking it out?"
"...Not long."
Natsume was genuinely touched.
Not long?
Yeah, right.
He could practically see it—Cynthia standing frozen before the shop window from afternoon till dusk.
His lips pressed together briefly.
Living is worth it for Cynthia alone.
"Actually... Diantha helped me choose," Cynthia admitted sheepishly. "Otherwise, I might still be deciding tomorrow."
"Next time, I'll pick for you."
"Mmm..." After an agonized pause, she nodded, cheeks pink.
Wait—does that mean she'll wear whatever I choose?!
Hell yeah! Natsume pumped his fist.
Bunny ears first!
Come to think of it, had he not brought it up, Cynthia might have completely forgotten about the 5-million Pokédollar debt.
Natsume sighed wistfully.
In this cold winter, only a Cynthia and Sylveon bring me warmth...
With New Year's approaching, Cynthia busied herself preparing the Sinnoh League's tournament schedule.
After ending the call, Natsume gazed skyward, mentally organizing his own plans.
His promise to Professor Oak wouldn't come due until after the holidays.
Until then?
He returned to his simple life of "walking the duck and spoiling the dog."
...
Afternoon - P1 Grand Prix Results
The new P1 Fighting Grand Prix champion had been crowned.
News spread like wildfire across fighting tournament forums—even reaching their group chat.
"@Natsume-sensei, this year's P1 champion is your apprentice," Auntie Lorelei announced.
Natsume blinked. "Bea?"
"Indeed." Lorelei shared a clip of Bea's victory speech.
The young girl stood frozen, championship belt in hand, cheeks burning red.
When asked for comments, she'd only managed to whisper Natsume's name.
Online reactions exploded:
"Natsume chickened out!"
"He's letting his apprentice prove herself!"
Throwing the match wouldn't be Natsume's style—but competing seriously would've eliminated Bea.
Withdrawing was the only way to truly test her growth.
"His apprentice won—why doubt him now?"
"Face it, he's scared of losing to her!"
Then Bruno's public challenge silenced all critics.
The Fighting-type Elite Four had formally challenged Natsume as an equal.
And Bruno wouldn't waste time on weaklings—
Meaning Natsume had simply outgrown the tournament!
"Natsume-sensei sends apprentice to baby cups now?"
"He's gotten arrogant!"
"P1's belt is cool but the prize money's weak..."
"My childhood ends seeing Natsume-sensei dismiss baby cups!"
Scrolling through forums, Natsume frowned. "What's this about Bruno's challenge?"
"Ignore that musclehead," Lorelei said flatly. "He challenges every Elite Four."
Natsume looked skyward.
In special editions, Red had fallen to Lorelei's ambush after accepting Bruno's challenge.
So this is a Kanto Elite Four tradition?
"Bruno's moved beyond human opponents," Lance coughed. "Now he hunts giant Onix."
Right... the man's basically a human Pokémon.
Half an Hour Later
Bea called, stammering her thanks.
"You earned this," Natsume smiled. "Keep walking the fighting path."
Her eyes shone.
Walk the path... until I can challenge him at its peak.
Was this her master's true lesson?
Perhaps, like Bruno, he'd already reached Elite Four strength—or beyond.
Bea's fist clenched.
"I'll catch up to you... no matter what!"
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