Upgrading the Pokédex wasn't an issue…
But had the Research Institute recently received a new batch of Electrode?
Explosions could be heard every other day… almost as frequent as Ash's Pikachu using Thunderbolt.
Natsume couldn't help but recall the scene when Professor Oak entrusted Pikachu to Ash and tanked a Thunderbolt with his bare body.
Suddenly, it clicked.
Almost forgot—Professor Oak was a true Pallet physique!
"I'll head over now."
Natsume asked, "How long will the Pokédex upgrade take?"
"Pretty quick. If you'd like, we can even tweak the exterior design."
The special Pokédex Natsume carried had a classic orange-red color scheme.
Though Gengar usually held onto it for easy reference during training.
If possible… slapping some stickers or changing its skin would be nice.
"I should arrive by afternoon."
"Sounds good. Just coordinate with Crystal then."
After scheduling with Professor Oak, Natsume hung up.
A sense of anticipation bubbled up.
Wonder how the upgraded Pokédex would perform.
Surely, anything from Professor Oak would be top-tier. With more detailed data, safety in the wild would skyrocket.
All in all, Natsume was quite satisfied with Professor Oak's congratulatory gift.
"Let's go, Gengar." Natsume grinned.
"Time to upgrade your Pokédex!"
"Gengar! (`▽′)"
Hooray, better training ahead!
"Togepi doo-ee~ ヾ" Togepi, who had been curled up in its eggshell, suddenly popped its head out.
If possible, I'd like my phone upgraded too~
Then I'd never lose to Mew in games again! (`^′)
Even the lucky charm Togepi had its off days—usually when Natsume spectated its matches.
Some players crumbled under pressure when watched.
But Natsume-sensei was the type who thrived with an audience…
Outside, the weather was clear, wisps of clouds drifting across the blue sky.
From the bustling Saffron City to the lush suburbs, the chirps of Pidgey filled the air.
"Arcanine~!" The goofy dog howled, its Intimidate aura sending wild Pokémon scrambling.
To Natsume-sensei, Arcanine might be a bit silly.
But at least it saved on Repels and avoided pointless "rookie NPC" battles…
Mounting his beloved Arcanine, Natsume rode in style, snippets of chatter carried by the wind.
"Gah… that's the Indigo Plateau Conference Champion!"
"Run! Rumor has it he loves crushing newbies!"
"Damn it, my Caterpie hasn't evolved yet… Don't bully the weak!"
Natsume had heard whispers of his "fisherman" reputation.
But let's be real—he'd joined the Baby Cup with a rookie team.
Besides…
He was the last to know he'd even signed up!
The picturesque village came into view—Pallet Town was just ahead.
But Oak's Research Institute, nestled in the back hills, was still a distance away.
Natsume slowed Arcanine's pace and checked his phone.
In the chat group…
Ash, currently at the Battle Frontier, was already struggling in his first match.
The livestream in the group showed Ash's battle in real time.
"Wait, there's a livestream?" Natsume asked, intrigued.
"Scott's idea, apparently."
Ruby explained, "To boost popularity, he arranged aerial footage using Rotom drones for Ash's challenge."
Scott, the Frontier's owner, was a business genius.
Ash had accepted his invitation to participate.
"That's Frontier Brain Noland, right?"
Lorelei adjusted her red glasses, eyeing the Articuno on-screen. "I remember his Articuno."
"Ash wins this," Blue Oak stated calmly.
Natsume took a closer look.
Ash had sent out… a Charizard?
Fire-type against Ice-type?!
Since when did Ash understand type matchups?!
Natsume-sensei stared in shock, slowly realizing Ash was terrifyingly strong during the Frontier arc.
Blue Oak smirked coldly.
All those hours drilling type charts into him paid off!
On-screen, the battered, furious Charizard's claws glowed white. The classic Seismic Toss strategy unfolded—Charizard gripped Articuno's wings, dragging it down in a crash.
BOOM!
Even through the livestream, the arena trembled.
Natsume blinked.
Wasn't that the "crow riding a plane" move?!
Charizard staggered to its feet, roaring triumphantly. The "old flame" had slain a legend.
"Damn, that was hype!" Gold pumped his fist. "Senior Red, Mt. Silver this afternoon!"
"Sure." Red nodded, smiling. "Ash fought well."
Lance rubbed his chin, puzzled.
A Fire-type move wasn't needed? Seismic Toss beat Articuno?
Maybe I should try that against Lorelei next time…
"I won!"
Ash rushed into the chat, ecstatic. "I won!"
Blue Oak nodded. "Keep it up."
"(Thumbs up) x3. Get to a Pokémon Center!" Natsume laughed.
Ash scratched his head, grinning, then hurried off with Charizard.
After learning type advantages from Natsume-sensei and Blue Oak…
The "dense kid" chuckled.
So satisfying!
"Oh, and… keep Charizard with you."
Natsume added, "Instead of releasing it to Charicific Valley, why not conquer the Frontier together?"
The chat had discussed "Charicific Valley" before.
"Huh?" Ash glanced at Charizard, now on a hospital gurney.
Charizard lay motionless, scars covering its body.
When their eyes met, Charizard huffed and looked away.
"Alright." Ash clenched his fist, extending a hand toward Charizard. "Let's do this together, Charizard!"
"Charizard!!" Flames engulfed Ash, leaving him sooty.
Nurse Joy panicked, grabbing her radio. "Prepare the ER!"
A beat later, she paused.
"…Never mind. seems unharmed."
...
Meanwhile.
Natsume had arrived at Oak's Research Institute.
From afar, a stampeding Tauros herd kicked up dust clouds.
Closing his phone, Natsume gazed skyward.
By Sinnoh, Ash's team would be nearly complete.
Pikachu, Charizard, Sceptile, Infernape, Snorlax… plus a Lucario from Cameran Palace.
Even without Greninja, his battle strength wouldn't lag far behind.
Natsume: "…Holy crap! What if I can't even beat Ash now?!"
"Gengar~ ︿(￣︶￣)︿" Gengar side-eyed Natsume, shrugging.
Pathetic, really~
Well, Ash's name was already in the notebook.
"Once we reach Sinnoh…"
Natsume nodded thoughtfully. "A friendly match on equal footing sounds fair."
"Gengar?"
"Not the Baby Cup—just a friendly!" Natsume clarified.
A message popped up from Professor Oak's assistant, Crystal: "Natsume-sensei, where are you?"
"Already at the institute's entrance."
"I'll meet you!"
Soon, Crystal—wearing a round hat and overalls—emerged.
"Natsume-sensei, Professor Oak's in the backyard."
Having just resolved a Rotom explosion incident, Crystal sighed in relief and smiled.
"I'll take you there!"
--------------------------------------
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