February 10th, Wednesday, Sunny.
According to Professor Oak,
he needed to return first to prepare the hardware for the Pokédex upgrade.
Natsu could just head to the Oak Research Institute once he got the notification.
Natsu wasn't too concerned.
After all, the Pokédex was Professor Oak's creation—following his instructions couldn't be wrong.
Still, the Professor Oak's muttered words during yesterday's farewell had left Natsu slightly uneasy.
Professor Oak: "Hopefully, that Pokédex won't explode again…"
Wait, the Pokédex can explode?!
Professor Oak, did you build this thing with a "Clemont Engine" or sothing?!
But trusting in the professor's expertise,
Natsu simply returned ho, collapsed onto his comfortable bed, and slept soundly.
The two-week-long Indigo Plateau Conference
had officially ended, yet discussions online continued to fernt.
People were starting to believe that this Trainer from Touran might truly possess Champion-level strength.
"No wonder Leon didn't seem like he was holding back during that Wyndon exhibition match!"
"Once you look into it, Natsu-sensei really has no flaws… aside from being shaless and a little devious."
"Baby Cup?! I only started following Natsu-sensei because of the Baby Cup!"
With a freshly rebuilt team,
Natsu-sensei had defeated other Trainers who had traveled across multiple regions with veteran lineups.
Strictly speaking, the other competitors might've had the advantage.
But his overwhelming command, breeding, and strategy made the rest feel like they were facing an unbeatable force.
And thanks to his solid reputation… even the defeated competitors ended up cheering for him.
"May Natsu-sensei beco a Legendary Trainer soon!"
"Go get 'em, Natsu-sensei! Sweep the next league too!"
"Ten-year fan here—Natsu-sensei's always dread of winning a championship. Hard work pays off!"
Scrolling through these comnts, Natsu was mixed emotions.
Are these people even making sense?!
Where's the mod? Mute that "ten-year fan" for !
Online, debates had even sprung up—
"Which league will Natsu-sensei head to next?"
...
Sinnoh, Canalave City, Lucian's Residence.
Aaron, with his green cowlick, Flint with his fiery red afro, and the purple-haired Lucian.
The three Elite Four mbers sat side by side on the sofa, rewatching the footage of Professor Natsu-sensei's Finals match.
From the perspective of the Elite Four… they were confident they could sweep the other tournant participants too.
But matching Natsu-sensei's effortless dominance? That was another story.
Who knew how much more battle strength those six Pokémon of his could unleash?
"Thoughts?" Lucian flipped a page in his book as he asked.
"I don't care where he goes," Aaron exclaid, "as long as it's not Sinnoh."
Flint scratched his head nervously. "Given his relationship with Cynthia—"
The three fell silent.
Him not coming to Sinnoh would be the real problem!
Aaron: "Oh no, am I getting kicked out of the Elite Four? o(╥﹏╥)o"
"Dammit, he'd challenge first!" Flint groaned.
Lucian adjusted his blue-rimd glasses, his eyes inexplicably moist.
No matter who it is…
Please, take my spot. I'm so overworked I'm going bald!
...
Touran, Tokyo tropolitan University.
Principal Hiroshi, his silver hair flowing, suddenly coughed violently while skimming through the day's Tokyo Evening News.
Had the Indigo Plateau Conference ended already without him noticing?
But that wasn't the real issue.
The real issue was the flood of comnts accompanying the article: "Greatest Champion in history," "The ultimate all-rounder."
And all of them… were describing Natsu?
That's my student!
He turns his back for one second, and the kid's already won a championship in another league?!
Hiroshi set down the newspaper, closed the lid of his teacup, and sank into deep thought.
He had considered the possibility of Natsu winning.
But not this soon. Not this decisively—a 6:0 sweep in the Finals.
The only explanation was that Natsu's strength far surpassed what he'd shown so far.
Combine that with his undefeated streak back in Touran…
"This kid," Hiroshi muttered, stunned.
"He really wasn't lying to ."
"He actually was Championship material?!"
[For Natsu, a League Championship may only be the beginning.Beyond that—the Elite Four, the Champion title, even the legendary Master Class…These might be the heights Natsu-sensei truly seeks.]
The above comntary ca from a guest columnist in the Tokyo Evening News.
When Natsu read it, he nearly choked.
Good grief, this reporter's moonlighting as a comntator too?!
Even he felt fired up reading that.
Wait, so I'm the Champion now?
"Gengar? (⊙~⊙)"*
Gengar, wrapped in a little blanket, flicked out its long crimson tongue, rolling a Toxic Orb around like a lollipop.
"Nothing," Natsu said, glancing at Gengar before pausing.
His enhanced Aura senses allowed him to perceive the shifts in Gengar's energy.
In just one day, the dark-purple aura—symbolizing its Ghost typing—had grown noticeably stronger…
The Reaper Cloth was clearly working.
Natsu nodded approvingly. "That blanket suits you."
"Gengar! (～￣▽￣)～"
Then, Natsu turned his attention back to the online discussions.
Sohow, without him realizing, his team had already reached the threshold of Elite Four-level strength.
It had to be those golden Pokéblocks they treated like candy, along with the endless supply of rare (and bizarre) Berries.
But… what about beyond the Elite Four?
That realm of power wasn't sothing Natsu could reach through training alone.
Even the Pokéblocks' effects had diminished as his team grew stronger.
"…Don't tell ."
Natsu looked up at the sky.
"I'd have to befriend Legendary Pokémon and leech off their power?"
He quickly coughed and shook his head.
No, that's unnecessary.
In this dangerous Pokémon world, playing it safe was the smarter move.
Besides, getting stronger was never Natsu-sensei's real goal.
A peaceful, leisurely life—that was the priority.
Stretching back on the sofa, Natsu scrolled through his phone.
Ash had gone off to train with Blue Oak to prepare for the Battle Frontier.
Frontier Brain Brandon's Regi trio would be tough, but if he went easy, Ash would clear the challenge without much trouble.
This period was crucial for Ash's growth, too.
Natsu looked forward to seeing how much more polished the Aura warrior would beco…
Aside from the upcoming ga release by Pokémon Company, Natsu had no other commitnts.
After a hectic few weeks, he finally had ti to relax.
As he stroked Sylveon's snowy fur, about to invite Cynthia for a ga—
Buzz.
A text arrived—a congratulatory ssage from Boss Giovanni.
'Congratulations on the win.' Just a few simple words.
In return, Natsu sent a photo from last night's party, including Silver.
Giovanni: (Thumbs up) *3
Natsu-sensei: Using such an old-man emoji? Really?
Giovanni: Works fine. (Smile)
Sohow, the vibe had shifted from Godfather to Grandpa…
Just as Natsu was pondering this strange shift, his phone rang again.
"Hello, Professor Oak?"
BOOM!
An explosion rattled the call. Natsu stiffened. "Are you okay?!"
"Hah! N-No problem at all!"
Professor Oak laughed nervously, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Just… fixed a hardware issue."
"Co by the lab whenever. I'll upgrade your Pokédex!"
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