"Pokémon Hunter J?"
Natsu-sensei was taken aback.
This woman actually escaped from Lance?
Say what you will, but her ability to flee was truly impressive!
"She abandoned her subordinates and fled alone on Salance," Matori said grimly. "If left unchecked, she could cause even greater trouble..."
Natsu raised an eyebrow slightly, recalling the intel on Pokémon Hunter J.
In the Diamond and Pearl arc,
Pokémon Hunter J had forcibly awakened Regigigas and escaped unscathed from Pyramid King Brandon.
At the sa ti, she was one of the few purely evil characters in the ani.
Even idealists like Team Galactic's Cyrus or the romantically driven Team Flare's Lysandre—
These villainous leaders fought tirelessly for their visions of a better world.
But Pokémon hunters? They acted solely for personal gain.
This was also why Natsu had persuaded Giovanni to reform Team Rocket under the "Rainbow Initiative."
Evil like that deserved to be wiped out by anyone with the power to do so!
Natsu nodded lightly.
"I understand."
Hearing her ntor's tone, Matori tensed and quickly interjected:
"This matter doesn't require your attention! At worst, we can leave it to the League inspectors!"
"Are you doubting ?"
The icy tone made Matori shudder, as if she were facing the suit-clad Boss himself.
"N-No!"
She swallowed hard. "But… her strength—"
No matter how you looked at it, this was a Pokémon hunter capable of clashing with the Elite Four!
And in wilderness combat, her specialty…
Even for the ntor, there were risks.
"Relax. I know what I'm doing."
Natsu smiled faintly, a trace of solemnity in his voice.
"So things… I have to handle myself."
The mont he heard Pokémon hunters were adopting his strategies,
Natsu knew he had to go.
Even soone as formidable as Giovanni had to step in personally
when his Three Admins betrayed him.
Natsu was still far from Giovanni's level…
But.
He closed his eyes, recalling the day he first t Growlithe.
Back then, owth had translated the pup's wish:
"I want to be a hero… like my mother."
If bonds had been ford, if people called him "Natsu-sensei" with respect—
Then in many cases…
"Send her Pokémon data and predicted movents," Natsu said.
He had a reason to go.
"...Understood."
Matori felt an inexplicable stir in her chest. She pressed her thighs together, cheeks flushing as she adjusted her glasses fras and whispered:
"May fortune favor you in battle."
As Natsu pondered, the crackdowns continued across the regions.
The back-and-forth clashes resembled a large-scale final exam—
Testing strategies taught by the very sa "Natsu-sensei" both sides revered.
Among Team Rocket and the police stations,
Nearly every Officer Jenny would blush while studying the Beat Up Team tactics he pioneered.
Every Team Rocket grunt knew that in the shadows stood a ntor—
A guiding light like a rainbow, whose strength rivaled even a Champion's.
"I return… for those who can't."
For many things, he would go himself.
Because he was Natsu-sensei.
"Data received! Analyzing victory probability now, Rotom!"
Rotom's screen flickered rapidly, comparing team compositions and accounting for potential variables.
Natsu blinked. "You can even analyze this?!"
"Don't underestimate , Rotom!"
The Rotom Pokédex crossed its chanical arms, huffed, then spun midair:
"Beep… Analysis complete, Rotom!"
Mimicking Natsu's tone, it cleared its throat:
"How do you lose to a rookie!? I'd crush them effortlessly, Rotom!"
Natsu's expression turned odd. "Do I really sound like that?"
The little ones all stared at him, faces a mix of confusion and surprise.
"Ahem… Got it."
Natsu coughed into his fist, then reverted to his usual composed muttering:
"Pokémon Hunter J might not be Elite Four level, but she's close—"
"Since it's wilderness combat… Lead with Gengar's Hypnosis? Or just punch her outright?"
"Gengar!" Gengar grinned sharply before darting out of the room.
Monts later, it returned, arms piled high with chips, jelly, chocolate, and other snacks—all stuffed into its pocket dinsion.
"This isn't a field trip! Have so sense of danger, damn it!"
Natsu facepald, then suddenly added:
"...Actually, pack two bags of chips. And bring the cat teaser."
Pokémon Hunter J's signature tactic was her pistol, which fired petrifying "Disable" beams.
But Natsu was an old hand at dirty tactics.
Sylveon's cat teaser and "ntal Herb" could negate petrification.
Worst case, Sylveon could deploy "Misty Terrain" and rush Salance head-on—
A Fairy-type would teach that dragon its place.
Natsu looked up at the sky.
He had wilderness combat experience… probably.
But to be safe, he needed backup.
Last ti, during the King of Pokélantis incident, Moe-Moe! had been there to support him.
Now, Moe-Moe! was back at the League, and Steven was off mining sowhere…
"So, who's on break today…?"
Natsu stroked his chin—then his eyes lit up.
"I choose you, Lucian!"
Opening the chat group, Natsu-sensei privately ssaged Lucian:
"Cancel your vacation."
"Got a job for you!"
After a long pause, Lucian replied with a "beep beep beep."
[ Lucian: You're coming too!? (crying)]
[ Natsu-sensei: What do you an? (scratching his head)]
Lucian's hands trembled as he adjusted his glasses fras.
I'm supposed to be off today!
First, Kanto Champion Lance—
Now, Natsu-sensei, who was on par with Lance!
Could he refuse? Please, just this once?
He was just an ordinary, overworked Psychic-type Elite Four mber who finally got a day off!
...
Ten Minutes Earlier
"Then, I shall take my leave."
Lucian elegantly closed his book, adjusted his glasses, and smiled:
"Ash, I look forward to facing you in the Champion League."
Ash nodded vigorously. "You definitely will, Senior Lucian!"
Such a reckless yet passionate young man.
A faint smile crossed Lucian's lips as his sharp gaze seed to see right through everything behind his lenses.
With seniors like Natsu around, Ash would surely grow quickly.
"Espeon~"
Suddenly, the light-purple Espeon lifted its head and gently brushed Lucian with its slender tail.
"Hm?"
Following its gaze, Lucian noticed his silenced phone lighting up.
[Lance: Vacation's over. Need you for a mission.]
"Urk..." A rare crack appeared in Lucian's calm expression.
"Senior Lucian?" Ash looked at him curiously.
"It's nothing."
Forcing a smile, Lucian typed his reply:
[Lucian: Champion Lance, I'm on leave today...]
"I know."
Lance sighed helplessly. "That's exactly why I'm asking you. You're free."
Lucian: ???
Even overti needs to comply with labor laws!
Since when do Elite Four-level trainers not get vacations?!
Lance briefly explained the situation regarding Pokémon Hunter J and frowned:
"Snowpoint City is in Sinnoh. As a Sinnoh Elite Four, you'd know the area better than ."
"My sources heard from poachers that they have another operation planned there."
"There's still cleanup here," Lance said slowly, "and since you're in the group chat and on vacation... you're the only one available."
After a mont of silence, Lucian frowned slightly. "Understood."
The matter was urgent, and Lucian had always despised Pokémon hunters.
His vacation might be ruined again, but surely he could make up for it later with compensatory leave... right?
"By the way, where's Champion Cynthia?" Lucian asked.
Recalling Cynthia single-handedly decimating an entire squad, Lance answered with complicated emotions:
"Trust ... you don't want to disturb her right now."
"Got it." 'Old Know-It-All' Lucian nodded imdiately. "She's probably in the middle of a killing spree."
"Glad you understand."
Lance nodded righteously. "Don't worry, the League will compensate you properly afterward!"
Yeah right, you shady official!
Lucian complained internally but replied with a smile:
"Then leave this matter to ."
...
After accepting the mission, Lucian rubbed his temples and stood up to leave the Pokémon Center.
"Senior Lucian, where are you going?" Ash asked in surprise.
"Snowpoint City." Lucian's voice turned icy. "There are so Pokémon hunters to deal with."
Ash's eyes lit up as he jumped to his feet. "Senior Lucian, I'll co too!"
"You really shouldn't..."
"But Snowpoint City has a Gym, right? Perfect for earning another badge!"
Ash grinned. "Don't worry, I won't get in your way!"
With that, he dashed outside and turned to wave at Lucian:
"Hurry, Senior Lucian, or we'll miss the train!"
Lucian's hand, still adjusting his glasses, trembled slightly.
For a mont, it was as if soone was yelling at him: "Hurry up, or you'll be late for overti!"
Taking a deep breath, Lucian steadied himself and glanced at his phone.
Natsu-sensei: Vacation's over.
Natsu-sensei: Need you for a mission!
Lucian's expression cracked: (ꐦ°᷄д°᷅)
"Senior... Lucian?" Ash asked cautiously.
"It's nothing."
Lucian smiled gently.
"But..." Ash gulped.
Your eyes have lost all light!!
"Eliminate emotions... beco heartless..."
Muttering to himself, Lucian slowly walked toward the train.
First Lance's mission... then Natsu-sensei's...
Suddenly, Lucian froze as he realized sothing.
"Wait... Natsu-sensei's mission is also about Pokémon Hunter J?"
His frown instantly turned into delight.
Does that an if I take her down, I can go ho and rest?!
Damn you, Pokémon Hunter J—today's your last day!
Ash yelled: "Senior Lucian, the train's the other way!"
Lucian stopped, composed himself, and pushed up his glasses with one finger.
"Ash," he said solemnly, "this mission will be dangerous. Prepare yourself."
Ash blinked, exchanged glances with Pikachu on his shoulder, and shouted:
"No danger scares !"
Lucian smiled faintly.
This boy may be Natsu-sensei's student, but he's still too green.
He has no idea how brutal real battles can be...
However. Lucian placed a hand on Ash's shoulder and grinned:
"Our job is just to intercept."
"Intercept?" Ash looked confused.
"Because—"
Adjusting his glasses, Lucian's eyes glead with confident reassurance:
"Natsu-sensei will be joining us!"
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