Night fell. Sandgem Town was silent.
Cynthia sat cross-legged on the sofa, gripping a ga controller with intense focus.
On-screen was Plants vs. Zombies. Cynthia strategically placed four "potato" Seedots around her "landmine" Exeggcute.
A classic four-protect-one strategy—taught to her by Natsu.
Natsu leaned against the adjacent sofa, flipping through Professor Oak's senryū collection with one hand while stroking the Sylveon in his lap.
"Sirfetch'd is still practicing its sword swings this late."
Cynthia glanced over curiously. "Training a new move?"
"Hard Style." Natsu sighed. "Sirfetch'd has always been this diligent."
Cynthia nodded thoughtfully.
Natsu reminded her, "Use Morelull for night maps. Sunkern won't cut it."
『A huge wave of zombies is approaching.』
Cynthia narrowed her eyes, radiating lethal intent as she deployed her elegant Lilligant. A dazzling Leaf Blade sliced the Cofagrigus clean in half.
Natsu observed Cynthia's white-knuckled grip on the controller with quiet amusent.
Yet another adorable quirk discovered.
After a few more rounds—this ti with an "ice team" composition that failed to freeze even once—Natsu mused to himself:
"Turns out, beyond the law of conservation of luck... there's also such a thing as innate luck ceilings."
Exhausted from travel, Cynthia retired early.
Natsu, who'd planned to contact International Police the next day, was surprised by an incoming call from "Handso."
Staring at the caller ID, Natsu blinked.
"When did I save his number?"
Probably during the Silver incident last year... Scratching his head, he answered.
"I can hear you. Please speak."
The aged man in a brown trench coat—Investigation Chief 'Handso'—got straight to the point:
"Mr. Police Consultant… We may require your assistance for this operation."
Handso still rembered his first eting with Natsu.
Back then, he had been the one to invite Natsu to join the organization… Yet within a year, the man had beco his direct superior.
Handso felt a delicate mood, but his attitude remained optimistic.
After all, the police consultant's strength was undeniable. If he joined the mission, the success rate would skyrocket!
"What's in it for ?" Natsu's interest was piqued.
"Uh…" Handso hesitated before replying, "Our investigation suggests this volcanic eruption is linked to the destabilization of the Volcano Crest."
He continued, "Headquarters has increased the mission's reward and designated it as a Second-Class rit… It could aid in promotions."
'A promotion in the International Police…'
Natsu stroked his chin.
Police ranks didn't matter much—Team Rocket was a legitimate organization now. Still, having extra connections never hurt.
Lance also held a title in the International Police… Maybe he could recruit a few more Officer Jennys under his wing.
But… this incident was likely tied to Heatran. Caution was necessary.
"Flint's part of this operation too, right?" Natsu recalled Cynthia's words and asked.
Handso stiffened slightly, further impressed by the police consultant's intel.
"Correct. The mission team currently consists of myself and Elite Four Flint. What are your thoughts…?"
Maybe I'll let Flint take the frontline while Blastoise snipes from the back?
After a mont's consideration, Natsu said, "I do have ti lately… But shouldn't we request more funding?"
"Huh?" Handso was taken aback.
"Not for myself, of course. But I must consider my subordinates."
Natsu spoke solemnly, "Besides, Elite Four Flint is a genius Trainer who conquered the Champion League! Adequate funding is only logical, don't you agree?"
Handso vaguely sensed sothing amiss but nodded anyway.
"Absolutely…"
"I don't need it. As a Trainer, upholding justice is my duty."
Natsu waved dismissively. "But you—and Elite Four Flint—are top-tier experts!"
"You get what I an?" Natsu said gravely.
"No need to explain further."
Handso was deeply moved. "I'll clarify the stakes to Finance. This isn't personal greed—it's to resolve the crisis swiftly!"
Natsu nodded in satisfaction. "Oh, and I'll handle the funds. My Rotom's good with accounting."
"Understood!"
The request was reasonable. After all, Natsu was only a part-ti consultant.
With a Champion and an Elite Four participating, the International Police should show their appreciation.
As for positions…
Natsu recalled that forr Frontier Brain Lila, who later joined the International Police due to amnesia, even beca Counterasures HQ Director.
As for 'Handso'… From Diamond and Pearl all the way to Sun and Moon, he remained active—yet his rank never budged.
But Handso himself never complained.
He was an officer who ceaselessly pursued justice, never faltering even after losing his partner…
In that regard, he shared similarities with Lance and Alder.
"A perfect tool… no, a perfect subordinate!" Natsu mused.
According to Handso, the mission would begin tomorrow afternoon.
By then, Moe-Moe! would also return to the Sinnoh League, relieving the overworked Lucian.
"A two-day weekend, but a full day's wasted on travel."
Natsu sighed. Such was the plight of commuting.
Knock knock knock—
Cynthia aggressively rapped on the headboard. Natsu glanced up at the ceiling.
"Are you cosplaying Eromanga-sensei…?"
In a delicate mood, Natsu texted: "What do you want for a midnight snack?"
Silence. The room above stayed quiet.
Cynthia sat cross-legged on her bed, arms folded, her brow furrowed in indecision.
Perfect. No more disturbances. Excellent!
Natsu ntally applauded his own quick thinking.
Still, he headed to the kitchen, muttering:
"Spoiling you… No glowing cuisine tonight. Instant noodles it is!"
"Gengar~!" The purple fatty sprawled across the counter, its chubby Doduo-like cheeks begging to be pinched.
"You want so too?" Natsu side-eyed it.
"Gengar! (≧ω≦)/"
"Make it yourself."
Natsu grinned. "And while you're at it, whip up a portion for too. With egg and sausage."
"Gengar~ (○｀ 3′○)"
...
The next morning.
Pushing open the door to the living room, Natsu was greeted by the chaotic electronic sounds of a ga. Cynthia sat on the sofa, controller in hand:
"Morning," she said, glancing back.
Natsu gave a slight nod, then sniffed the air curiously. "What's that sll?"
"Toast."
"You made it with Rotom?"
A faint blush colored Cynthia's cheeks as she nodded lightly.
Natsu's eyes widened as he walked to the dining table.
On a pristine porcelain plate lay perfectly golden slices of toast, accompanied by a jar of jam.
It's not burnt?! Natsu was genuinely shocked.
"Try it," Cynthia said, twisting around on the sofa to rest her arms on the backrest, a small smile playing on her lips.
Natsu: (￣～￣)
"How is it?"
He chewed slowly, a touch moved.
This toast… tastes exactly like toast should!
"Honestly," Natsu said, "I regret eating this."
"Oh?" Cynthia murmured.
"Because I might never taste toast this magnificent again."
"Magnificent?" She tilted her head at the odd praise.
"Bravo! Subarashii! A masterpiece!" Natsu clapped.
Cynthia rolled her eyes and turned back to her ga.
"Togepi doo-ee~︿(￣︶￣)︿ "
Togepi sat beside her, clutching a handheld console, a giant bottle of cola and a bag of chips within reach.
"It really is good," Natsu said with a smile.
Cynthia's lips curved faintly, though she said nothing.
Settling at the table, Natsu munched on the toast and idly opened the chat group.
The morning crowd was sparse. Clair, who hadn't spoken in ages, had posted:
"@Lance, a Dragon-type Trainer from Unova showed up at Blackthorn Gym today. Seriously skilled."
Lance, clocked in at 8 AM sharp in his cape, sipping tea, replied:
"Unova does have its share of Dragon specialists… What about it?"
"Nothing," Clair said. "Just thought you should know."
"Ah." Lance nodded to himself. "Trainer's their na?"
"Iris," Clair answered promptly.
The chat fell silent again.
Clair gritted her teeth, cursing her cousin inwardly—This guy, can't he even keep a conversation going?!
Ash, seizing the gym challenge topic, suddenly burst in:
"I made it to Sunyshore City this morning!"
"If things go well, I'll get the Beacon Badge today! Let's do our best, Pikachu!"
"Pikachu~!"
A voice ssage played Pikachu's cheerful cry. Natsu typed:
"Good luck."
"Speaking of which~" Fantina tapped her chin. "I just got back from Sunyshore yesterday… Rumor has it Flint of the Elite Four is there too."
Ash's excitent was palpable: "Does that an I can battle both of them?!"
Old Man Wattson laughed heartily:
"Ash, my boy, Volkner's no pushover. That Electric-type master makes even this old man admit defeat!"
"Tch." Lt. Surge scoffed. "They say he's Elite Four-level. The rumors get wilder every year. Ash, rookie, make sure to wipe that smirk off his face!"
Ash scratched his head awkwardly. "I'll, uh, do my best… haha."
Natsu's brow arched.
I don't think Lt. Surge would lose to Volkner…
But Volkner does have Elite Four-caliber skill. He and Flint are close, yet Flint—a Fire-type specialist—can't even gain an edge against him.
Then again, Volkner's notoriously lazy. Weak Trainers bore him, so he hands out badges for free. Newbies actually have a better shot at the Beacon Badge.
"Which ans I'm guaranteed to win!"
Natsu smirked to himself. My battle footage with Bruno's still trending. He wouldn't dare insult by just handing a badge, right?
Unless he plans to mail it to !?
His grin widened.
anwhile, Ash stepped into the Sunyshore Gym, spotting Beacon Badges carelessly strewn about.
Flint, his red afro bouncing, blinked in surprise. "Hey, a challenger right as I was about to leave!"
Volkner—bearing an uncanny resemblance to a certain fourth-gen protagonist—slouched in his chair, arms draped over his knees. He lifted his head lazily.
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town!" Ash declared. "I want a full-power battle!"
Volkner's eyes flickered with interest before a smirk tugged at his lips.
"Not bad. That's a good look in your eyes."
Flint, hands stuffed in his pockets, grinned broadly.
"Once this gym match wraps up… I'll et up with the International Police. Plenty of ti!"
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