The sky darkened.
Natsume steadied himself, preparing to bid farewell to Professor Rowan.
Helping Natsume-sensei complete his registration had been Professor Rowan's goodwill.
Natsume wouldn't actually hold a grudge.
But certain names might just earn another mark in his mental notebook…
"Let me show you around the backyard once more."
Professor Rowan stroked his mustache, his voice low. "If needed, you can leave your Pokémon here to acclimate."
Typically, when a Trainer carries more than six Pokémon, they'd deposit the extras at a local research institute.
But Natsume was also a decent chef (allegedly)…
With his current team of seven, the only real risk was property damage—otherwise, he could manage just fine.
"No need, Professor Rowan."
Natsume smiled, then asked curiously, "Does the nearby hillside count as part of the backyard?"
Professor Rowan nodded.
"From here to the base of Mount Coronet, all fall under the institute's care. Rangers patrol regularly."
Rangers, first introduced in Diamond and Pearl, were a specialized role with their own spin-off games.
Unlike Officer Jenny's police force, Rangers excelled in wilderness combat, curbing poaching effectively.
They also handled wild Pokémon outbreaks and herd conflicts.
A vast facility like Rowan Research Institute naturally employed such personnel.
"So Ash didn't actually need to release his Pidgeot."
Natsume paused mid-thought. "Wait, that wasn't a release—it was a 'wait here until I finish my business'…"
Sinnoh's days were short, its nights long.
By six in the evening, darkness had already swallowed the outdoors.
Professor Rowan offered to let Natsume stay for dinner.
But Sylveon tugged Natsume's sleeve with its ribbon, eyes darting toward the exit:
"Sylveon~"
As if! Institute Pokéblocks could never compare to homemade meals!
"Then, until next time."
Professor Rowan chuckled before suddenly remembering something. "Ah, Natsume… This year's research conference is in Canalave City. Would you consider joining my project team?"
Professor Rowan's former assistant had been Mr. Berlitz of Sinnoh.
His daughter, Platinum Berlitz, was one of Sinnoh's special edition protagonists.
But Platinum was still too young to assist a Professor.
Cynthia, a mythologist, had recommended Natsume to Rowan—specifically praising his linguistic skills.
Rowan himself held Natsume in high regard.
If Cynthia's claims hold water… he mused.
With Natsume onboard, a gold award this year might not be impossible…
Natsume's expression twitched.
A research quest just popped up, and now you pull this?!
If slacking off could still net a gold award, what then?!
"Professor, I'm not really cut out for research…" Natsume declined politely.
Professor Rowan nodded understandingly.
With his talents as a Trainer… his ambitions surely lay elsewhere.
Cynthia, too, had once paused her scholarly work to challenge the Champion League.
Perhaps Natsume aimed for the Elite Four—or even the Champion title itself…
Rowan didn't press further, smiling warmly.
"Then, best of luck in your league challenge!"
Natsume exhaled in relief. After saying his goodbyes, he turned.
"Let's go, Gengar. Time to head home."
"Gengar~!"
Though challenging the league wasn't his main goal…
For now, staying far from academia seemed wise.
Natsume stepped out of the institute, his emotions tangled, footsteps heavy.
Professor Rowan watched his retreating figure, lost in thought.
Scholar and Trainer—the duality reminded him of Cynthia.
"Natsume studies Ancient Language, correct?"
Rowan recalled Cynthia's remarks, murmuring to himself.
"If he expands into Sinnoh's mythological legends…"
"Who knows what breakthroughs might follow…"
...
Sinnoh, Sunyshore City
The city flickered between light and darkness, its power grid failing.
Cynthia simply turned off the lights and lit a candle.
Bathed in its glow, she focused intently.
Balancing league duties with her upcoming conference paper.
"Random ruins' stone tablets… Eterna City's murals…"
Her fingertips traced the pages until they brushed a small, handwritten note.
Recognizing it, she allowed herself a faint smile.
Then returned to work.
The candle cast shadows over her draft—where the author field seemed to list two names…
...
The visit to Professor Rowan's concluded.
The System finally came online after a long absence, only to deliver a heavy blow right off the bat.
Still, with such an Expertise-heavy task, the chances of completing it were slim—no need to worry too much...
Stepping out of the Research Institute,
Natsume looked up at the sky.
A deep violet nightscape, dotted with stars.
Compared to Saffron City's neon-lit streets, the rural Starry Sky here felt far clearer.
Natsume took a deep breath of the damp, fresh air and tossed a Poké Ball:
"Come on out, Arcanine!"
The nighttime chill instantly melted away under the warmth of the Fire-type Pokémon.
"Arcanine~(｀0｀)" Arcanine let out a proud roar, the tips of its mane faintly glowing red.
Natsume scruffed its fur. "Quiet! People are sleeping—you'll get us complaints!"
Heh, what's the point of a Bike? They still need me to get around!
"Alright, let's head back for a midnight snack!"
With a rumbling growl, Arcanine stretched its powerful limbs and dashed into the night, its fiery figure cutting through the darkness...
...
February 23, Monday, Clear
The morning mist gradually dissolved under the rising sun.
"Blastoise…ヾ(■_■)"
Blastoise carried a watering can, inspecting the plants in the Yard before nodding in approval.
"Sylveon! (〝▼皿▼)"
Sylveon slipped out through the Cat flap, eager to greet the nearby Wild Pokémon first.
Natsume stood on the second-floor Balcony, stretching alongside Gengar.
"Third set of calisthenics!"
The Rotom Pokédex played a nonsensical instructional voiceover.
"Gengar!!"
Gengar strained to touch its toes, sweating bullets before finally giving up.
"Togepi doo-ee~ヾ????"
Meanwhile, Togepi happily circled Gengar and Natsume.
Sirfetch'd trailed behind, Leek in hand, frantic: "Sirfetch'd!!"
Slow down! What if you trip?!
Natsume blinked. "Oh… right, it's your turn to babysit today?"
"Gengar!" Gengar grinned, flashing sharp teeth, radiating 'day off' energy.
Amid the chaos of Togepi and Sirfetch'd,
Natsume gazed at the shimmering Beach in the distance, feeling at ease.
By his count, this was his third day since moving to Sinnoh.
The rural life in Sandgem Town was growing on him—so different from Tokyo or Saffron City.
More importantly,
Sandgem Town had no Gym. The nearest one, in Oreburgh City, was two hours away. No need to worry about Gym Leaders showing up uninvited...
"Another perfectly peaceful day!" Natsume mused cheerfully.
Beep beep beep—
"Incoming call, Rotom~!"
Natsume glanced at the screen, then answered the video call with mild surprise.
Purple-haired Team Rocket Secretary Matori appeared on-screen.
Just had to jinx it. Natsume sighed. "What's up?"
Matori hesitated. "I heard you've arrived in Sinnoh?"
Natsume had only signed for a Rocket Delivery package yesterday. He nodded.
"Well…"
She cleared her throat awkwardly.
"Those three idiots apparently came to Sinnoh for some 'research'..."
"I can't reach them. If you run into them, please… keep them in line."
Natsume paused.
Those three are in Sinnoh too?
And not for Pikachu—but for TCG research to boost Ptcg profits?!
Touched, Natsume declared solemnly:
"Don't worry. I'll steer them back on the right path!"
Why chase Pikachu?
If they'd just worked hard from the start, they'd have made a fortune by now!
Matori was taken aback by his conviction. Adjusting her round Glasses frames, she coughed.
"There's… one more thing."
"Yeah?"
"Lately, Boss Giovanni has been acting… strange."
After a long pause, she decided to report to her Mentor:
"He locks himself in his Room a lot. And there's… Persian noises inside."
Natsume: ???
Maybe he's filming a cat vlog?
It sounded innocent, but the way she said it made it seem… not innocent.
"Did he ask you how to upload videos online?" Natsume asked.
"Huh?"
Matori blinked. "Like a Team Rocket address? He hasn't mentioned anything."
"Never mind. Later!"
Natsume coughed, opting to leave her in the dark.
He still hadn't forgotten the stink bomb incident.
After all, he bore no ill will toward Cynthia, Professor Oak, or even Boss Giovanni…
Matori: ???
Why do you seem to know Boss Giovanni better than I do?
Am I about to lose my job?!
Natsume: "Oh, send me the Meowth Coin's GPS coordinates."
He recalled James owning several Villas in Sinnoh.
One of them was likely Team Rocket's local base.
With the coordinates, he could just knock on their door…
Matori gave a half-hearted "Mm." Then Natsume added:
"What's Team Rocket's current mission in Sinnoh?"
In the anime, the villainous Team Galactic had appeared here.
Team Rocket had played a key role in stopping them.
But in this shifted Worldline, Natsume hadn't heard any rumors about Team Galactic.
Still, he wanted confirmation.
"Let me check."
After a pause, Matori read aloud: "Objective one: Shift focus to tertiary industries to create jobs for Team Rocket members."
"Objective two: Promote innovation in energy and aerospace engineering—"
"Enough!" Natsume cut her off, rubbing his temples.
So in this timeline, Team Galactic's already dealt with.
Ash's solo Travels sometimes overlapped with anime plotlines.
But given Ash's Movie-level luck…
Running into Legendary Pokémon drama was practically inevitable.
Hanging up, Natsume shuddered.
"I cannot team up with Ash in Sinnoh. Gotta stay far away!"
...
Sinnoh Region, near Twinleaf Town.
"It's all Jessie's fault for dragging us to this wilderness, meow!"
"You're the ones who said following the twerp would lead us to an Executive!"
"I'm starving... so hungry..."
The trio trudged along dejectedly when suddenly, an expansive estate came into view.
"What a luxurious house, meow..."
James blinked in surprise. "Huh? That looks like my family's place."
"???"
Inside the manor, James picked up the landline and dialed the butler:
"Could you prepare a simple lunch, please..."
When an extravagant feast was laid out, Meowth gulped.
"This is way too fancy, meow..."
"James, don't tell me—!" Jessie gasped. "Is this entire estate yours?!"
"Not exactly."
James scratched his head. "This one's just a summer home. I stayed here as a kid... The estate across the hill belongs to some House of Berlitz or something."
Jessie and Meowth let out an "Oh."
By now, they were used to James being a rich heir.
Right now, their top priority was serving the Executive well and earning his recognition...
If they could strike it rich with Ptcg and snag Pikachu along the way—
The trio looked up at the sky, their minds conjuring up a scene:
[A shadowy figure extends a large hand, stroking Sylveon's head. Sylveon licks its paw, casting a haughty glance, as the Mentor's deep voice echoes:
"Jessie, James, Meowth—your performance has been outstanding. From this day forward, you are promoted to Captains!"]
"Feelin' good~~"
"Wobbuffet!"
Ding-dong—
The doorbell rang.
"Who'd visit at this hour, meow?" Meowth glanced at James, puzzled.
James paled instantly. "N-No way... Is it... Jessebelle?!"
"Who's Jessebelle?" Jessie asked around a mouthful of food.
The girl who looks exactly like you—James' fiancée, meow! Meowth internally groaned.
"Let's get out of here!" James shot to his feet.
"Is she that scary?" Jessie frowned.
"A hundred—no, a thousand times scarier than you!" James yelped.
"Uh, I don't think it's her, meow~"
Meowth dragged a chair to the window, climbed up, and peered outside—then froze.
"E-Executive?!"
"Executive?!" Jessie and James rushed to the window, gasping.
...
Natsume stepped into the hall as the trio swarmed him, fawning eagerly.
"Executive, you could've just called! No need to trouble yourself with a visit!"
"It's because I can't get through."
Natsume sighed. "Heard you were in Sinnoh, so I dropped by."
Of course. Even in a new region, these three idiots are unavoidable...
I told them to stop chasing Pikachu, but it clearly didn't work.
Guess they're just... Ash's eternal rookie exp?
"It's actually out of service!" James was shocked.
"Hurry up and ask Butler to top up the phone, meow!" Meowth pulled James' sleeve.
Natsume waved a hand. "As long as you're fine... I'll let you know if there's a good business opportunity."
"YES!" The trio snapped into a salute.
A Carnivine crept up behind James and happily engulfed his head.
"Cut it out, Carnivine! We have a guest!" James flailed.
Jessie and Meowth crossed their arms, utterly unfazed.
"By the way," Natsume said, equally accustomed, "have you reported to Boss Giovanni since arriving in Sinnoh?"
Jessie and Meowth shook their heads.
"Perfect."
Natsume called out, "James, mind if we borrow your video comms?"
"Mmph—sure!"
--------------------------------------
Enjoying the story? Get early access to 420+ Advanced Chapters!
👉 Support now: patreon.com/PokemonStoryWeaver
--------------------------------------