Night had fallen by the time Blue Oak returned to the Oak Research Institute, his backpack slung over one shoulder after a full day of training with Red on Mt. Silver.
Professor Oak (slurping noodles): "Oh, you're back~"
Blue Oak (sighing): "Stop using a Bunsen burner to cook instant noodles. Don't you have assistants who can cook?"
Professor Oak (chuckling): "They worked hard all afternoon, so I let them leave early."
His expression then turned serious.
"Blue Oak… I met that Trainer you recommended."
Blue Oak (raising an eyebrow): "And?"
Professor Oak (thoughtful): "A seasoned, decisive battler. His strategic instincts and reflexes… rival any Champion I've ever seen."
"And the bond he shares with his Pokémon…"
Sylveon only stays with those it truly trusts.
And that Gengar—its fighting spirit burned as fiercely as a Charizard's flame.
Professor Oak (smiling): "You've befriended quite the remarkable Trainer."
Blue Oak (deadpan): "...Your noodles are getting cold."
Professor Oak (panicking): "Ah! I was too busy talking—!"
Blue Oak slid his hands into his pockets, deep in thought.
"So… he passed your evaluation?"
He'd never underestimated Natsume-sensei's strength—not after seeing Red's respect for him, or his stalemate with Lance.
In Blue Oak's eyes, Natsume-sensei was at least his equal… if not stronger.
After all, even now, Natsume-sensei had yet to reveal his full hand.
Professor Oak (nodding): "Yes. I gave him the special Pokédex."
Though unsurprised, Blue Oak was still curious.
"What was the test?"
Professor Oak (grinning): "A double battle. And—ha!—I lost!"
Blue Oak blinked.
His grandfather might be past his prime, but he was once Kanto's undisputed Champion.
If he'd used Dragonite and Kangaskhan, even Blue Oak wouldn't have been confident of victory.
Professor Oak (exhaling): "This old man gave it his all, too."
He'd resisted the drowsiness from Yawn with sheer willpower, but in the end…
"I still lost." He laughed ruefully.
He tried his hardest… and still lost?
Blue Oak (muttering): "I see…"
His estimation of Natsume-sensei rose yet again.
Blue Oak (narrowing his eyes): "One more thing. What's Natsume-sensei's specialty?"
Even Red couldn't pin down Natsume-sensei's true strength.
Ruby from Hoenn claimed he was a top-tier Coordinator.
Brock praised his breeding skills.
Only Professor Oak's discerning eye could provide the answer.
Professor Oak (firmly): "Strategy."
Blue Oak froze.
All those other talents… were just hobbies?!
Professor Oak (frowning): "During our battle, he predicted my commands, used Gengar for misdirection, and stayed calm under pressure to clinch victory with Ally Switch."
"If I had to define him… 'Strategist' fits best."
Blue Oak (nodding slowly): "Strategy, huh…"
Considering Natsume-sensei's battle tactics—both demonstrated and self-created—the title was fitting.
More importantly, compared to titles like "The Communicator" or "The Hatcher," "Strategy" had direct combat applications.
Though reluctant to admit it…
Blue Oak felt a flicker of envy.
This was praise on par with "The Battler" Red!
Blue Oak (softly): "Well… it is Natsume-sensei."
He turned away, waving dismissively.
Decision made. His eyes burned with renewed determination.
I'll drag Gold back to Mt. Silver for more training!
Professor Oak (calling out): "Wait! That Ash Ketchum kid—you're still in touch, right?"
Thanks to Natsume-sensei's "Tailwind" strategy, Blue Oak was technically Ash's mentor.
As the group's "reliable senior," he'd trained Yellow and Silver before.
But Ash? That reckless rookie was his biggest headache.
Blue Oak (flatly): "Yeah. He's prepping for the Ever Grande Conference. Should be back in Pallet Town soon."
Professor Oak (serious): "Good. When he returns, ask if he'd take the special Pokédex evaluation."
Blue Oak (smirking): "So you've got your eye on him after all."
Professor Oak (laughing): "He reminds me of you and Red!"
Blue Oak (waving): "I'll ask."
...
Meanwhile, Natsume was on a train back to Goldenrod City.
"Gengar!"
The Ghost-type peered curiously at the Pokédex in Natsume's hands.
Natsume: "Let me check this first."
He examined the special device closely.
[Special Edition Pokédex: Handcrafted by Professor Oak. Extremely rare, with enhanced functions. (Though 'enhanced' is debatable.)]
Natsume: "???"
You've been quiet for days, and now you're being tsundere?!
Symbolism aside, the perks were undeniable.
Research revealed that Pokédex holders enjoyed shop discounts and free stays at Pokémon Centers.
A special edition probably means stacked discounts!
Free food and lodging!!
As for the ideals the Pokédex represented…
Natsume couldn't deny the newfound sense of responsibility.
Now I'm officially part of the "big shots" club.
No more awkward moments at group dinners!
Natsume (musing): "I should have a title too…"
He'd forgotten to ask Professor Oak in the rush.
Every holder had one—like Red's "The Battler," which sounded impossibly cool in battle.
Please don't let mine be "The Shameless" or "The Cursed."
His face twisted.
Stantler's Hypnosis had a 30% accuracy, max. Yet it still put Sylveon to sleep.
Am I secretly a luck-vampire?
And that last-minute "Ally Switch" play…
Natsume (coughing): "I never use Ally Switch."*
Way too cheap. Gotta delete that move later.
With the train still hours from its destination, Natsume set Sylveon on his lap, idly playing with its ribbon as he scrolled through messages.
"Sylveon! (#｀皿｀)"
The chat group was in chaos.
Gold (shouting): "Natsume-sensei became a Pokédex Holder?!"
Crystal (exasperated): "Do you have to yell? Professor Oak personally invited him and handed him the Pokédex after the evaluation."
Gold (wailing): "I begged that old man for years! How'd Natsume-sensei do it in one afternoon?!"
Lance (curious): "What was the test?"
Blue Oak: "A double battle. Natsume-sensei won."
The group fell silent.
Yellow (posting a Squirtle meme): [I'm too scared to speak.jpg]
Erika: "Professor Oak was Kanto's Champion once…"
Lorelei: "And the one who dethroned Grandma Agatha."
Lance (nodding): "Makes sense."
If Natsume-sensei could match him, beating a veteran was no surprise.
Green (excited): "What was Professor Oak's assessment?!"
This was prime gossip material.
Even Green had been thrilled with her "The Evolver" title—coming from Professor Oak, it carried weight.
Natsume (sweating): "Please don't be something weird…"
Blue Oak: "'The Strategist.'"
Crystal (admiring): "Natsume-sensei… took strategy to another level."
Natsume blinked.
Steven (lurking): "That's a cool title."
Yellow: ヾ(??°??°??)???? Natsume-sensei rocks~~
Wattson (laughing): "@Natsume-sensei, now that's style!"
Even Sabrina, Team Rocket's high-ranking executive, felt a flicker of respect.
To earn such praise from Professor Oak…
Gold (grumbling): "Cool? More like 'The Dirty Trickster'!"
After being tormented by Natsume-sensei's tactics for so long, he couldn't stay silent.
Sure, dirty strategies count as strategy…
But Natsume-sensei takes it too far!
Natsume-sensei (smug): "I'll take that as a compliment!"
Gold: "?"
Steven: "?"
Erika: "?"
...
Reading the responses, Natsume coughed into his fist.
Well… at least it's a proper title.
But my list of weird titles keeps growing!
He tried counting them, then gave up with a sigh.
"Too many to keep track of…"
The title likely stemmed from that "Ally Switch" play.
Even Professor Oak got outplayed.
What a gloriously busted move.
Grinning, Natsume patted his own shoulder.
Looking cool, me.
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