Saturday, November 10th.
With luggage packed, Natsume and his little ones prepared to depart.
Aside from taking three days off from livestreaming, Pokémon Company was running smoothly under Oleana's management.
Oleana had suggested Natsume establish a branch in Kanto to expand overseas operations.
While the proposal was tempting, it required a hefty investment.
Natsume seemingly wealthy but actually drowning in debt—felt a complicated mix of emotions.
Starting from games only to end up in the red?
Still, every little bit counted.
Livestreaming, games, and other ventures weren't things Natsume-sensei planned to abandon.
The weather was clear, with wisps of clouds drifting across the blue sky.
Natsume pulled his suitcase while Gengar floated behind him, heading to the airport.
"Sylveon~"
Sylveon sat elegantly on the suitcase, pouting.
Can't ride on Trainer's shoulder... unhappy~ (?`~′?)
The trip to Kanto wasn't long—just four or five hours.
Given that this was a parallel world, it differed slightly from the one in Natsume's memories.
Once on the plane, Natsume closed his eyes to rest.
Gengar, meanwhile, licked its meal tray clean before pulling an ice-cold cola from its bottomless stomach, taking a satisfied sip.
"Gengar! (*≧▽≦)"
Time flew by, and Natsume was jolted awake by his phone's vibration alarm.
"Are we there yet?" Natsume yawned. "Let's go, Gengar."
"Gengar!" Natsume nodded, pressing its face against the window as the ground grew closer, its eyes sparkling with excitement.
New Trainers, new Gyms... here I come! （`▽`)
...
Kanto, Viridian City.
Under the clear blue sky, a nimble Pidgeot soared overhead.
A girl with a yellow ponytail checked her bearings before hopping on her bike and pedaling toward Goldenrod City.
Glancing at her phone, Yellow typed: "Natsume-sensei, have you arrived yet?"
Goldenrod City Airport.
Natsume, lugging his suitcase with Gengar floating behind him, nervously scanned his surroundings.
"Just landed. Heading to the terminal now."
"Ah, I'll be right there!"
Yellow hurriedly shouted before speeding off on her bike.
Meanwhile, Natsume's expression turned odd.
A green-haired Officer Jenny, her skirt slightly shortened, approached with a smile.
Beside her stood a man in a brown trench coat—none other than International Police Agent Handsome.
The sheer scale of the welcome made a drop of sweat roll down Natsume's forehead.
Meowth and the others should be fine... right?
...
Inside Goldenrod City Airport, the marble floors gleamed under the bright lights.
A suspicious trio crouched behind a corner, peering out.
"Where's the Executive?"
"That's him right there, meow."
"Why is he being questioned by Officer Jenny?!"
James panicked. "We have to save the Executive!"
"Idiot!"
Jessie smacked James on the head.
"That's the same Jenny from our last training exercise! She and the Executive go way back!"
"Really, meow?"
Meowth tilted its head.
"Wait, Jessie, how can you even tell, meow?"
Jessie smirked proudly. "Women naturally pay attention to each other's fashion choices."
"That Officer Jenny deliberately shortened her skirt—of course I'd notice!"
"I see..."
"SOOONANSU—" Wobbuffet popped out, only to be frantically shoved back by the trio.
"Not now!!"
"Did you hear something?"
Officer Jenny, mid-conversation with Natsume-sensei, glanced around.
"Probably just a tourist dropping something!"
Natsume chuckled awkwardly, shooting a glance toward the corner.
Classic trench coats, hats, sunglasses... not even bothering to change their hair color.
How is this disguise supposed to fool anyone?!
You three seriously thought you could just waltz in like this?!
Agent Handsome, clad in his brown trench coat, shook Natsume's hand.
"Finally caught you!"
"Huh?"
"Ahem—Occupational diseases."
Handsome coughed. "What I meant was, welcome to Kanto!"
"Thanks, but you really didn't have to come all this way," Natsume said.
"Nonsense! You're practically one of us!" Handsome laughed.
Jenny blinked in surprise. "Natsume-sensei is part of the International Police?"
"Yep."
Handsome stroked his chin. "In fact, his rank is two levels above mine."
Ever since Natsume's Tailwind video was released internally, the International Police had held him in high regard.
Handsome's mood was complicated.
At this rate, the recruit he brought in might end up becoming his boss...
Jenny from Celadon City stared at Natsume in awe.
No wonder Natsume-sensei created the 'Beat Up Strategy'...
His International Police background must've played a role.
"Awroo!"
Growlithe, recognizing Jenny, wagged its tail and affectionately nuzzled her leg.
"Is this...?"
Jenny looked questioningly at Natsume.
"The one you entrusted to me," Natsume confirmed.
Natsume-sensei's Growlithe had originally come from Celadon City's police station.
Since Celadon wasn't far from Goldenrod, Jenny had come to greet them personally.
"I almost didn't recognize it."
Jenny patted Growlithe before standing at attention.
"In any case... Natsume-sensei, on behalf of the Jenny family in Kanto, welcome."
"The Joys also send their regards—they're a bit tied up at the moment."
Jenny smiled. "We hope you have a wonderful journey!"
Natsume's expression was strained.
It's already plenty memorable...
If any more people show up, this is going to spiral out of control!
As Natsume pondered this, an elegant figure in a kimono approached, hands folded gracefully.
"Natsume-sensei."
Erika, her short hair adorned with a hairpin, smiled warmly. "Welcome to Kanto."
"What do we do?!"
Watching the crowd around Natsume grow, the Team Rocket trio broke into a cold sweat.
"If we don't step forward, we'll fail the mission!"
"W-Wait a bit longer!"
James stammered. "At least until Officer Jenny leaves!"
"I can't take it anymore! If this keeps up, the Executive's cover will be blown!"
Jessie gritted her teeth, about to charge forward before Meowth and James yanked her back.
"If you go out there, you'll be the one exposing him, meow!"
"Yeah! With Jessie's intelligence, you'll just make things worse for Natsume-sensei!"
"What did you say?!"
Jessie's eye twitched as her voice rose an octave. "Eek! E-Executive!"
Meowth and James froze.
Turning slowly, they were met with a chilling sight.
Long black hair, a purple blouse, and an icy demeanor.
Sabrina—former Executive of Team Rocket.
"What are you three doing here?" she asked coldly.
"We're here to... w-welcome Natsume-sensei!" James stuttered.
Sabrina's sharp gaze bore into them.
The overwhelming pressure made sweat pour down their backs.
Memories of Natsume-sensei's kind smile flashed through their minds.
We had it so good under him...
"I'm no longer an Executive."
Sabrina tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Natsume is."
With Team Rocket lying low, appointing a new Executive so publicly...
Had Boss Giovanni already decided to hand Kanto's operations to Natsume?
Not necessarily a bad thing...
A faint smile crossed Sabrina's lips as she strode forward. "Follow me."
"Huh?" The trio blinked.
"Weren't you going to greet Natsume-sensei?"
Sabrina raised an eyebrow. "Let's go together."
...
Thankfully, the situation didn't spiral out of control.
Erika and Officer Jenny from Celadon City hit it off, chatting amiably.
Though Detective Handsome was left out, he struck up a conversation with Natsume.
"By the way, if you spot any Team Rocket activity, let me know."
Handsome said gravely. "I'm tracking Giovanni's movements."
Natsume declared righteously, "Of course! It's my duty!"
Mid-conversation, a sharp aura made Erika frown.
Though they were in the same group chat...
She wasn't fond of Sabrina, who had once terrorized Kanto.
As Sabrina approached, Erika smiled sweetly. "I believe I mentioned I would handle the welcoming, Lord Sabrina?"
"Goldenrod City falls under my jurisdiction."
Sabrina replied flatly. "I have more authority here, Ms. Erika."
Ms. Erika?
Erika's smile grew even more serene.
"A Gym Leader neglecting her duties during work hours... As Kanto's leading representative, I believe I have the right to report this to the League."
"Go ahead."
Sabrina lazily adjusted her hair.
"Though I doubt some university lecturer is any better."
"Educating the next generation is vital to Kanto's strength."
"Running Confusion training camps—I think I'm more qualified to speak on that, no?"
Sparks flew between them, the air thick with tension.
"I-I should get going!"
Officer Jenny broke into a cold sweat before hastily retreating.
Detective Handsome gulped, eyeing the oddly dressed trio beside Sabrina.
Who even are these guys?
How are they surviving this killing intent?!
Though they appeared calm, beneath their disguises, the trio's legs were shaking violently.
This welcome mission...
Is a hundred times harder than stealing that twerp's Pikachu!
So scary! they screamed internally.
Caught in the crossfire, Natsume felt a chill down his spine.
If you're going to fight, take it outside!
More people are coming—clear some space first!
Wiping his sweat discreetly, Natsume checked his phone.
Yellow: Natsume-sensei, I got lost (′▽`〃)
Natsume-sensei: ???
Yellow: I was chatting with Butterfree in Viridian Forest and lost track of where I was going...
Natsume-sensei: [Speechless.jpg]
Yellow: Sorry, sorry! Just give me a little more time—I'll be there soon!
Natsume-sensei: It's fine, just focus on getting out of the forest first...
Yellow scratched her head sheepishly. "Senior Red's Charizard is coming to pick me up~"
"Shouldn't take long now! (??▽??)"
Natsume was speechless.
You planned this, didn't you, Yellow?!
So Red from Mt. Silver did end up catching a Charizard...
Pondering this, Natsume looked up to see Sabrina and Erika still locked in their standoff.
"Are you expecting more guests?" Erika asked with a breezy smile.
"P-Probably."
"My Gym is closed today."
Sabrina crossed her arms, eyes shut. "I can wait."
"As can I~"
Meowth crept up behind Natsume and poked his side. "Executive, can we leave now, meow?"
"No way!" Natsume hissed. "None of you are getting away!"
"Eek!" The trio paled.
Detective Handsome coughed awkwardly. "Ahem, Inspector, I've got a case to handle—gotta run!"
As he hurried off, Meowth blinked.
"Executive... was he talking about you, meow?"
"Yes."
Natsume nodded.
"I'm actually a cop."
"Haha, good one, meow!"
"Yeah, what are the odds?!"
Though they laughed it off, sweat poured down their faces.
Something tells me the Executive's identity isn't as simple as it seems...
Realizing the stalemate wouldn't end soon, Meowth gritted its teeth.
Pulling Jessie and James aside, it whispered:
"Here's the plan, meow~~"
"Will that even work?!" Jessie eyed Meowth skeptically.
"If this backfires, we're toast," James fretted.
"Heh, this is our chance to prove our loyalty, meow!"
Meowth planted its paws on its hips. "If we save the Executive, he'll put in a good word with Boss Giovanni!"
"Hehehe."
The trio grinned in unison. "Such a wonderful feeling!"
...
Goldenrod City Airport.
The arrival of a Garchomp from the skies caused an uproar.
"Is that... the Sinnoh Champion?"
"Why is she here?!"
"This is the arrivals terminal—is some big-shot Trainer arriving?"
A golden-haired beauty in a Black trench coat recalled Garchomp with a flick of her wrist.
Her heels clicked against the floor, radiating undeniable presence.
Detective Handsome, mid-bite into his onigiri, nearly choked.
A ridiculous thought crossed his mind.
Don't tell me...
She's here for Natsume-sensei too?!
Inside the terminal, the familiar sound of heels made Natsume tense.
Backlit by the glaring sunlight, Cynthia strode forward, a Poké Ball clipped to her slender waist.
The sheer "axe murderer" aura made Natsume gulp.
I haven't even done anything...
Why am I so nervous?!
Sabrina and Erika exchanged glances, equally stunned.
Natsume-sensei...
Knows the Sinnoh Champion too?
As the sunlight streamed in, Cynthia stopped before Natsume.
Towering over him in her heels, she nodded.
"I'm late."
BOOM!
Suddenly, chaos erupted in the airport.
Jessie and James, clad in Team Rocket uniforms, cackled wildly.
"Hand over your Poké Balls!"
Amid the commotion, the three women's attention was successfully diverted.
The romantic tension dissipated instantly!
From behind a machine, Meowth gave Natsume a thumbs-up.
Executive...
We've done all we can!
Natsume's eyes grew misty.
Thank you, Team Rocket!
"Garchomp!"
Cynthia's golden hair billowed as she hurled a Poké Ball. "Dragon Rush!"
BOOM!
The ceiling was blasted open as the trio became shooting stars, screaming:
"WHAT A TERRIBLE FEEEEELING!"
Watching them vanish into the distance, Natsume wiped his sweat.
Even after taking a Dragon Rush head-on, they're fine...
At this point, you three aren't even human anymore!
...
Thanks to the trio's interference, the near-romantic crisis was averted.
Sabrina, finding the situation dull, excused herself to return to crushing newbies at her Gym.
Erika, ever the diplomat, smiled gracefully. "Then, I shall await your arrival at Celadon University."
"Don't worry." Natsume coughed. "I'll be there tomorrow!"
The once-bustling terminal fell silent.
Cynthia studied Natsume thoughtfully.
"What?"
"Just thinking... it's been a while."
"Hardly. Only 44 days."
Cynthia averted her gaze. "Let's get you settled first."
"Huh? I haven't booked a room yet."
"I did."
Cynthia said simply. "I own a private residence in Goldenrod City."
Natsume: ???
When I type a question mark...
It's not me who's wrong—it's you!
Stepping out of the airport, Natsume looked up at the sky, struck by a realization.
Is this...
The return of the Sinnoh champion to Kanto?!
...
Yellow was still en route to the airport.
"Red-senpai~ (′▽`〃)"
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