Under the admiring gazes of the surrounding Trainers, Natsume followed Gym Leader Takuya to the Tokyo Association's collection room.
"Professional Trainers can claim a corresponding Technical Machine every year," Takuya explained as he led the way. "Since you just passed the evaluation, you meet the requirements. I'll take you there now..." He glanced back. "I heard you'll be studying abroad in another league soon?"
Natsume corrected him, "Not studying abroad—I'm going to Instructors."
Takuya paused. "Which school?"
"Celadon University."
Takuya let out an "Oh," then suddenly stopped walking.
He stared at Natsume, who was casually looking around, and blinked.
Did… did he just say something unbelievable?
The collection room resembled a library.
Shelves were lined with various manuals, each labeled with summaries of Trainers' experiences.
After selecting a manual, one could also freely access related video materials—a very user-friendly system.
Natsume looked at the rows of manuals and broke into a cold sweat.
If he had to learn all of these… how much would it cost?!
"You can pick one move now," Takuya said, clearing his throat. "I recommend status-based moves—they suit your style..."
What kind of person do you think I am?!
Natsume internally complained before asking, "Uh… Gym Leader Takuya, can I skip the manuals and just take the money instead?"
Takuya nodded seriously.
"Right, of course… these beginner-level moves must be beneath you."
"Follow me!"
Watching Takuya stride ahead confidently, Natsume's expression turned odd.
Are we even talking about the same thing?
Unable to refuse Takuya's enthusiasm, Natsume eventually settled on the relatively cost-effective Snarl.
Snarl: A sudden roar that disrupts the opponent's focus, lowering their Special Attack.
This was a move Natsume often mentioned during his livestreams.
Incineroar's reputation as the "Universe's Strongest Pokémon" was partly due to this move.
Even Natsume himself frequently used Snarl.
That was why Natsume had immediately taken a liking to this particular manual.
"Hmm… it really does suit your Growlithe," Takuya praised. "Morning Sun and Snarl will let it hold its ground firmly."
Imagining his Growlithe letting out a mighty howl…
Yeah, it did sound pretty cool.
Natsume crossed his arms and nodded in rare agreement. "Yeah… it fits."
...
With the Professional evaluation complete, Natsume—who had originally come to crush some noobs—had successfully obtained his Beginner Badge.
As for Comrade Gengar, it had officially stepped into the realm of Professional Trainers. A cause for celebration!
[Ding! Achievement 'Professional Trainer' unlocked!]
[Reward: Random Gems ×3]
The System, which rarely made its presence known, suddenly chimed in.
Natsume's expression twisted.
Berries one day, gems the next… Are you the System from the Tohsaka family or something?
Still, free loot was free loot.
Two Fire Gems and one Psychic Gem—not bad at all.
"Gengar, open wide!"
Natsume casually tossed the gems into Gengar's waiting maw.
Hmph! Now that I'm rolling in dough, I don't even bat an eye at gems worth tens of thousands of Pokémon Coins anymore!
"Gengar~(￣～￣)"
Gengar picked its teeth with its tongue, looking every bit the rogue outlaw…
Or perhaps "ruffian" was the better term.
Staring at Gengar, Natsume fell into thought.
"Gengar's Hidden Power should be Fire-type, right?"
From the very beginning, Gengar had built its foundation on Will-O-Wisp.
After eating so many Fire-type gems…
Those pitch-black flames were practically stronger than most Fire-type Pokémon.
"Come to think of it, it's been a while since the house caught fire."
Natsume chuckled, recalling the time Gastly had summoned the fire department on its first day.
"My little one really has grown up!"
"Gengar!（`▽`)"
With Gengar in tow, Natsume returned to the Tokyo Association to bid farewell to President Shoya.
Shoya blinked in surprise. "That fast?"
Natsume shrugged. "It wasn't even Baby Cup level. If anything, this was slow."
"Ah, right…" Shoya nodded. "You were fighting in the Beginner division."
Standing nearby, Takuya's expression turned complicated.
President, he steamrolled the Professional division first!
This level of strength and efficiency…
Natsume, you can't seriously claim you're not Master-level, can you?
...
The visa process went smoothly.
Thanks to some friendly negotiations (read: backdoor dealings) with President Shoya, Natsume received his Kanto visa that very night.
Each of his little ones got their own travel documents too—no exceptions.
Though, given how strict the Galar Region's Pokémon visa requirements are, you'd think they were afraid of stowaways…
Gym Leader Takuya, upon learning of Natsume's imminent departure, seemed reluctant to see him go.
His way of showing it? Closing the gym for three days and throwing a grand feast.
"Finally getting rid of this brat, hahaha!"
Of course, such thoughts remained strictly internal.
In his official speech, Takuya declared:
"Tonight, we bid farewell to an outstanding, exceptional young Trainer—one who has transcended petty pursuits."
"I have no doubt he will bring even greater surprises to the Kanto League."
"Let us join hands and celebrate this joyous occasion… Pfft!"
His students broke into a cold sweat.
Leader, you're totally laughing inside, aren't you?!
Meanwhile, Natsume-sensei returned home to pack.
He didn't have that much stuff, but figuring out where to start was a challenge.
Sylveon's hamster wheel was definitely coming.
Gengar's dumbbells looked heavy as hell, but when Natsume lifted them, they felt surprisingly light.
"Holy crap, have I gotten this strong?!"
He instinctively touched his hairline.
Still safe.
Then, he checked the mirror in the bathroom.
Hmm… six-pack still intact.
Wait, that's not the point.
Maybe it was all the Liechi Berries he'd eaten, or maybe it was carrying around a 25kg Sylveon every day—
But his arm strength had visibly improved.
"Could it be…"
Natsume's eyes widened.
"Am I… a Super Tokyo Man?!"
[Ding! System assessment: Host's physique is 'slightly stronger weakling' tier.]
"Shut up! Don't ruin my daydreaming!"
"Squirtle. ヾ(■_■)"
Squirtle walked out of the bedroom, cradling its beloved fish tank.
Moving is dangerous business. How could I leave my precious tank behind?
Their eyes met.
Natsume saw nothing but sincerity in Squirtle's gaze.
"Fine…"
He sighed. "Gengar's bottomless stomach can probably fit the luggage anyway."
"Gengar???" Gengar tilted its head in confusion.
After a busy day of packing, night finally fell.
Wiping his sweat, Natsume smiled at Togepi, who was fanning him with a free promotional fan from a real estate agency.
"Thanks for the help~"
"Togepi doo-ee~ ヾ(●｀｀●)"
"Growlithe~~(｀0｀)!!"
Growlithe raced past, practicing its newly learned Snarl.
"Cut that out!"
Natsume grabbed it mid-run and rubbed its head in frustration.
...
That night, during his livestream, Natsume announced a short hiatus.
"Natsume-sensei is pulling another vanishing act! Tragedy!"
"Roasted pigeon tastes delicious~~"
Natsume coughed. "Don't worry, just three days. When I'm back, I'll explain a new strategy."
"Holy crap, worth it!"
"Another research trip?"
"Teaching at Celadon University," Natsume said. "Might drop by Professor Oak's place too."
The chat exploded with laughter.
"Natsume-sensei's comedy hour!"
"It's true—I'm the employment contract!"
But when Natsume-sensei actually held up the contract on camera…
The entire livestream fell silent.
Holy sh—
That stings!
Natsume-sensei… is actually a Master?! And he's really going to Kanto?!
In that moment—
Whether it was Team Rocket members, International Police officers, or the Jennys and Joys who idolized Natsume-sensei—
Everyone received the same news:
Natsume will be arriving at Goldenrod City Airport in two days.
Undercurrents stirred.
The same thought arose in countless minds:
We have to meet him in person!
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