Night had fallen by the ti 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 t that Trainer you recomnded."
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 fla.
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 Natsu-sensei's strength—not after seeing Red's respect for him, or his stalemate with Lance.
In Blue Oak's eyes, Natsu-sensei was at least his equal… if not stronger.
After all, even now, Natsu-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 pri, 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 Natsu-sensei rose yet again.
Blue Oak (narrowing his eyes): "One more thing. What's Natsu-sensei's specialty?"
Even Red couldn't pin down Natsu-sensei's true strength.
Ruby from Hoenn claid 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 Natsu-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 Natsu-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 Natsu-sensei's "Tailwind" strategy, Blue Oak was technically Ash's ntor.
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 of you and Red!"
Blue Oak (waving): "I'll ask."
...
anwhile, Natsu was on a train back to Goldenrod City.
"Gengar!"
The Ghost-type peered curiously at the Pokédex in Natsu's hands.
Natsu: "Let check this first."
He examined the special device closely.
[Special Edition Pokédex: Handcrafted by Professor Oak. Extrely rare, with enhanced functions. (Though 'enhanced' is debatable.)]
Natsu: "???"
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 ans stacked discounts!
Free food and lodging!!
As for the ideals the Pokédex represented…
Natsu couldn't deny the newfound sense of responsibility.
Now I'm officially part of the "big shots" club.
No more awkward monts at group dinners!
Natsu (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 Shaless" 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…
Natsu (coughing): "I never use Ally Switch."*
Way too cheap. Gotta delete that move later.
With the train still hours from its destination, Natsu set Sylveon on his lap, idly playing with its ribbon as he scrolled through ssages.
"Sylveon! (#｀皿｀)"
The chat group was in chaos.
Gold (shouting): "Natsu-sensei beca 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 Natsu-sensei do it in one afternoon?!"
Lance (curious): "What was the test?"
Blue Oak: "A double battle. Natsu-sensei won."
The group fell silent.
Yellow (posting a Squirtle ): [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 Natsu-sensei could match him, beating a veteran was no surprise.
Green (excited): "What was Professor Oak's assessnt?!"
This was pri gossip material.
Even Green had been thrilled with her "The Evolver" title—coming from Professor Oak, it carried weight.
Natsu (sweating): "Please don't be sothing weird…"
Blue Oak: "'The Strategist.'"
Crystal (admiring): "Natsu-sensei… took strategy to another level."
Natsu blinked.
Steven (lurking): "That's a cool title."
Yellow: ヾ(??°??°??)???? Natsu-sensei rocks~~
Wattson (laughing): "@Natsu-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 tornted by Natsu-sensei's tactics for so long, he couldn't stay silent.
Sure, dirty strategies count as strategy…
But Natsu-sensei takes it too far!
Natsu-sensei (smug): "I'll take that as a complint!"
Gold: "?"
Steven: "?"
Erika: "?"
...
Reading the responses, Natsu 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 stemd from that "Ally Switch" play.
Even Professor Oak got outplayed.
What a gloriously busted move.
Grinning, Natsu patted his own shoulder.
Looking cool, .
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