Thursday, January 7th.
Under the dim glow of night, the renovation team had just left.
"Sirfetch'd!" Sirfetch'd nodded in satisfaction.
Turns out training moves aren't that hard after all!
Natsu recalled Sirfetch'd's "Swords Dance" earlier and felt his eyelid twitch.
Different Pokémon executed "Swords Dance" in different ways.
But with Sirfetch'd's leek having such absurd range, it practically looked like "Brutal Swing."
Since when did "Swords Dance" deal damage?
That's like saying a Trainer's snarl can wake soone from sleep!
What if soone accused him—
"Natsu-sensei, I think your move is illegal!"
What then?!
Natsu's expression darkened before he finally nodded.
Don't ask. The answer is "bonding."
Even the team's resident slacker had now embarked on a house-wrecking journey.
Natsu and Sirfetch'd exchanged glances.
"Sirfetch'd?"
"It's nothing." Natsu rubbed his temples. "Just… didn't expect that."
Luckily, the damage wasn't too extensive.
Since Natsu was a regular client, the renovation captain didn't charge him.
But that just made the whole thing even more depressing.
In the dead of winter, only Cynthia could bring him so warmth.
The night before leaving for Touran,
Natsu logged on to play gas with Cynthia.
"By next week," Cynthia stifled a yawn, "I should have so free ti."
"League matters settled?"
"No, not at all." She was blunt.
Classic Cynthia. Natsu blinked. "Yet you still have ti to ga?"
Cynthia sat alone in her Eterna City villa, the silence broken only by the soft rustling of a Gastrodon scaling the wall.
She stroked the Glaceon in her lap. "Because I wanted to play."
"Miss , or miss the ga?"
A faint smile crossed Cynthia's flawless face, half-hidden by her golden hair.
"Miss playing gas with you."
"Should've just said that earlier." Natsu grinned.
"C'mon, log in. Let show you my Sun-Sand Team!"
...
After several rounds of Pokémon: Battle,
Natsu, unsurprisingly, lost.
And no, he wasn't going easy on her.
It's just that Venusaur's "Sleep Powder" kept missing—no one could salvage that.
"Classic you." Cynthia remarked.
"Again!" Natsu demanded.
That day, Natsu finally understood Gold's suffering.
Alright, fine. Next ti, I won't mute Gold.
"Should rest soon." Cynthia stretched lazily. "League business tomorrow."
Natsu humd in agreent, preparing to head to Tokyo with Lt. Surge.
"Goodnight." Cynthia said.
For so reason, Natsu smiled in the cold winter night.
After replying, he pocketed his phone.
The plan ahead?
Boarding the "S.S. Aqua" with Brock and Lt. Surge, bound for Tokyo.
Sailing under the moonlight did have a certain fishing-trip charm to it.
Natsu threw on a down jacket and headed for Vermilion City's port by train.
The mont he stepped outside, the biting night wind lashed at his face.
"Arcanine~! (｀0｀)" Arcanine's fiery mane billowed in the wind, its massive fra radiating warmth and security.
"Let's go!"
Natsu ruffled Arcanine's big head with a chuckle before climbing onto its back.
...
Vermilion City Port.
Lt. Surge stood bundled in a military-style parka while Brock kept his hands tucked in his sleeves.
The two n locked eyes.
After a long silence, Brock finally spoke: "...Pleasure to et you."
"You're not much of a talker, are ya?" Lt. Surge remarked.
"No... just cold." Brock squinted, his hands trembling slightly.
"Hahaha! And here we are about to sail through the night!"
Lt. Surge gave Brock's shoulder a hearty slap. "Might even run into a Gyarados out there!"
"...Let's hope not."
The rhythmic crash of waves carried to shore as the lighthouse beacon flickered in the distance.
"Oh, Natsu's here." Lt. Surge spotted Arcanine approaching.
"Natsu-sensei!" Brock greeted.
Natsu nodded in acknowledgnt.
His gaze shifted between Brock's stoic face and Lt. Surge's veteran deanor.
Natsu blinked.
Why does this feel increasingly familiar?!
Through the ocean mist, schools of glowing Tentacool could be seen drifting past.
Finneon, Gorebyss, Chinchou—the sea teed with Pokémon.
"Woo—" A ship's horn sounded.
Lt. Surge's "S.S. Aqua" officially set sail.
Customs procedures were handled by Captain Lt. Surge himself.
Standing on deck against the night breeze, Natsu cheerfully pulled out a fishing rod.
"Now this is what real n do—deep sea fishing!"
Lt. Surge puffed on a cigar and bood with laughter. "This old man's joining in too!"
As Brock watched them prepare to fish, he casually asked, "Natsu-sensei, the trip should take about two days, right?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Well... after the awards, I need to get back to Pewter Gym. Worried about Forrest and the others."
"They can probably take care of themselves," Natsu chuckled. "You're just being an overly concerned older brother."
Brock narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
"Oi oi, Natsu-sensei! Sothing big's biting!" Lt. Surge suddenly yelled.
Natsu glanced at his Super Rod.
Then at his [Fishing Lv4] skill.
"...Please don't tell it's actually a Gyarados."
Fortunately, Natsu-sensei's fears were unfounded.
A plump Magikarp flopped onto the deck, gave them the fin-equivalent of a middle finger, and promptly jumped back into the sea.
After hours of fishing, Natsu's only other catch was a Staryu.
"Gengar?" Gengar inspected the Staryu carefully before tossing it back upon confirming it wasn't edible.
At least the night passed without any "Jas' Evolution Kick" shenanigans.
"Natsu-sensei's fishing skills are truly remarkable," Brock offered diplomatically, coughing lightly.
If by remarkable, you an only catching Magikarp...
As for Lt. Surge—
"This ain't right," he scratched his head, muttering. "How co I ain't catching squat?"
Natsu side-eyed him. "Wow, going full 'skunked'? That's just sad."
Lt. Surge's face cycled through shades of red and white before growling, "Shut it! I'll dive in and grab one with my bare hands!"
"Wait no—that's really not necessary!"
Dawn painted the sky as Blastoise stood firm on the deck, ditating to the ocean's rhythm.
Morning light glinted off Sirfetch'd's leek.
"Sirfetch'd!" It began its daily training routine.
Brock slipped into the galley to prepare sandwiches for breakfast.
Natsu felt a surge of gratitude.
Having Brock as a travel companion is just too convenient!
In the distance, Tokyo Port ca into view.
Natsu planned to swing by Tokyo tropolitan University first before attending the evening award ceremony.
As for Lt. Surge and Brock... they'd be fine exploring on their own.
After docking and completing formalities,
Natsu gazed at the rising sun over the port and murmured, "Three months since I left Kanto..."
Three months—and many of his team's younger mbers had already reached master-level strength.
A bittersweet feeling washed over Natsu-sensei.
Trainer Natsu's Pokémon-raising skills really are maxed out...
When Natsu ntioned heading to campus first, both n nodded.
"Guest professor at Tokyo tropolitan University?" Brock asked.
"No," Natsu scratched his cheek. "Finance Departnt student."
Lt. Surge: "???"
"Anyway, let's et up tonight."
Checking the ti, Natsu looked skyward.
"First, I've got... uh... final exams to take!"
--------------------------------------
Enjoying the story? Get early access to 440 Advanced Chapters!
👉 Support now: patreon/PokemonStoryWeaver
--------------------------------------
User Comments
0 comments from readers