The night gradually deepened, the forest quiet except for the chirping of a Kricketune.
Ash and Paul's first battle had co to an end.
It seed Ash had chased after Paul, heading deeper into the woods.
"He was just here a second ago, and now he's gone."
Natsu glanced around, trying to spot Ash, then gritted his teeth.
"No way. He's gotta pay for my bike!"
The bike Moe-Moe! gave him hadn't even lasted three days before Pikachu's Thunderbolt fried it.
Damn vehicle destroyer!
"Gengar~ (￣▽￣)／" Gengar tugged at Natsu's sleeve, pulling out the [Damaged Bike] from his pocket.
Natsu turned to see Rotom's screen flickering with data, analyzing the situation matter-of-factly.
"Scanning… Repair success rate estimated at 99%, Rotom!"
"That's way too low?!"
Natsu's face darkened. "Maybe I should use another bike as a backup first, then fix Moe-Moe!'s later?"
As everyone knew, using lower-tier items as fodder before an upgrade increased the chances of success.
The [Rotom Bike] was at least a 12-tier item… What if the repair failed and it got wrecked even worse?
"Guess there's only one option."
Natsu muttered to himself. "I'll have to ask Togepi to run the errand for …"
He glanced once more at the charred remains of the bike.
Then, scanning the empty surroundings, his eye twitched.
This wasn't just a hit-and-run. This was a full-on felony hit-and-run!
Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you are good at physique, you reckless idiot!
Opening the Chat Group and setting up a small black room for Ash.
But just then, Ash and Pikachu's voices called out from the distance. "Natsu-sensei!"
"Pikachu~!"
Natsu remained expressionless.
His gaze flicked to the bike at his feet, the ssage clear.
Ash stiffened, breaking into a nervous sweat.
"Uh… s-sorry, Natsu-sensei!"
He imdiately bowed.
"I'll call my mom and have her send the money!"
Battles between trainers sotis involved wagering pocket money.
Ash, despite being perpetually broke, had a decent stash of allowance saved up with Delia.
"Should've said so earlier!" Natsu sighed in relief—thankfully, he still had the receipt. He handed it to Ash.
"Here. It's not too expensive. Just this much."
Ash took the receipt, scanned it, and broke into a cold sweat.
"Uh…"
Natsu had expected this. His heart sank.
Realistically, he couldn't actually march over to Delia's and demand repaynt.
For now, a 24-hour chat ban and forcing Ash to copy type charts would suffice.
Next ti, though… He'd drag the kid's mom into this personally!
"Wait!"
A realization struck Natsu. "I can just get owth and the others to fix the bike!"
With those three around, no piece of tech was beyond saving.
Luckily, he still had their contact info.
Repair costs? Slashed to zero!
Natsu nodded, satisfied.
"Natsu-sensei…?"
Ash watched his suddenly cheerful teacher with unease.
"Nothing."
Natsu smiled, most of his anger already dissipated. He patted Ash's shoulder.
"Let's hit up the Pokémon Center first and get Pikachu patched up."
Ash nodded, hesitating before speaking again.
"Actually… I caught one of the Pokémon that guy released…"
"Huh?" Natsu blinked in surprise.
Wait, had Chimchar already joined the team?!
This was Ash's future Sinnoh ace—the one that would sweep three opponents in a row!
"Yeah, this Chimchar."
Ash tossed a Poké Ball, and out erged a small, scarred Chimchar, peering nervously at Natsu.
That look instantly reminded Natsu of the wild Eevee he'd caught long ago.
Back then, the lonely little Eevee had found a new life.
And so had he.
"Here."
Natsu crouched, handing Chimchar an Oran Berry Pokéblock. He patted its head with a smile.
"You're gonna grow up real strong, you know."
"Chimchar?" It tilted its head, confused.
"Believe him, Chimchar!" Ash grinned. "Natsu-sensei's eye for talent is as good as the 'Breeding Prodigy's'!"
Natsu paused.
My eye for talent… Wasn't that just picking slackers?
Ah, well. Minor details.
Clearing his throat, Natsu smiled at Chimchar.
"I'll be waiting to see the day you beco strong. And I bet it won't take long."
Chimchar froze. The fla on its tail flared, its eyes burning with determination as it nodded firmly.
Then it chomped down on the Pokéblock—and imdiately stiffened.
"Chimchar! o(╥﹏╥)o"
What is this? It slls so good!
...
Thanks to Ash's chronic "get lost and stumble into plot" syndro, Natsu kept a safe ter's distance, ready to bolt at the first sign of danger.
Ash could tank Legendary Pokémon attacks bare-handed—why worry about him?
The forest was silent, darkness thick around them, the exit glowing faintly ahead.
Ash absentmindedly crushed a twig underfoot before speaking quietly.
"Natsu-sensei…"
"Yeah?"
"I've been thinking… about what Paul said earlier."
Ash scratched his head, frustrated. "I think… he might've been right. My strategies are kinda childish."
"Maybe." Ash kicked a pebble, gaze flickering. "Maybe his way has so rit too…"
Natsu shrugged.
Diamond and Pearl was where Ash grew the most.
Beyond his supernatural durability, he was still just a teenager.
Having a rival with completely opposite ideals to push him forward wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
"Ash."
"Huh?"
Ash looked up, confused, at Natsu's broad back.
"All the strategies I've used so far have been cold, ta, ranked-climbing team comps."
Natsu watched a dozing Starly on a branch, picturing Paul studying battle footage obsessively.
His voice was calm but firm.
"IVs, EVs, base stats… Part of battling is about who has the Pokémon better suited for it."
Ash muttered, "That's… Paul's philosophy."
"But!"
Natsu turned, his gaze deep, like a teacher guiding a lost student.
"Follow Pachirisu, Shadow Tag Gothitelle, Feint Hitmontop… Even weaker Pokémon can make it to the World Championship finals."
"Becoming world champion with the Pokémon you love most."
Natsu smiled. "Isn't that the best thing?"
Ash turned, locking eyes with Pikachu for a long mont before shouting:
"That's why I'd never force Pikachu to evolve against its will!"
(Because Light Ball Pikachu has higher base stats than Raichu—)
Natsu internally facepald, coughing.
"Anyway, I'm planning to stream so new strategy videos soon."
"This ti… I'll use Pokémon that seem weak at first glance, with low base stats."
He t Ash's eyes seriously.
"Hope it gives you and Paul sothing to think about."
In the quiet forest, even the rustling leaves sounded clear.
Ash's cheeks flushed slightly as he nodded hard.
"Got it, Natsu-sensei!"
Why are you blushing?! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
Don't think dressing up as "Satoko" will get you out of paying for my bike!
Just as Natsu's expression turned complicated, Ash clutched his stomach, grinning sheepishly.
"Heh."
"My place is nearby, not far from here."
Natsu sighed.
"Stay the night. You can challenge the gym tomorrow."
"Yes!"
Ash's cheer echoed through the trees.
Natsu-sensei's cooking… Finally, he'd get to taste it again! (ˉ﹃ˉ)
Natsu walked ahead, tone utterly deadpan.
"Co on. Tonight, I'm treating you to BBQ."
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