Chapter 28. Cerulean City
"I'll warn you first.
A Dynamax Band is useless in Kanto—at least until something like Galar particles becomes widespread."
"Natsume, don't contact me so often for no reason."
At the foot of Mt. Moon, Professor Magnolia and Professor Oak offered instructions to Natsume's group.
"Got it, Professor Magnolia.
We're heading out now."
Natsume selectively ignored the rest.
"Remember to stay in touch with my granddaughter!"
This time, Poké Ball Rotom's Dynamax was just an accident.
And the Mt. Moon research had now been fully handed over to Professor Oak and Professor Magnolia.
It probably wouldn't take even a year before there were preliminary findings.
During the long stretch before that, Natsume planned to go compete in the Kanto League Conference.
While collecting prize money, he'd make a name for himself and see if he could pull in some investment.
"Um, how far is it to Cerulean City?"
On the road, Misty had an awkward problem she didn't want to say outright.
"It's fine.
If it's urgent, find a patch of tall grass and have Ash keep lookout for you.
That way a Caterpie won't pop out like last time."
Natsume didn't look back, fiddling with the Great Ball in his hand.
"What are you even talking about?
That's not it!"
Misty wanted to say more, but her tone suddenly weakened.
"Could we maybe not go to Cerulean City just yet?
Like, Vermilion Gym is pretty close from here, too."
Natsume refused without mercy.
"No.
Go to the Cerulean Gym and you can claim the Badge."
Misty: "…"
"That Trainer looks strong.
I'm going to challenge him!"
On the road, Ash's eyes lit up.
Hugging two Pikachu, he bolted toward a passerby.
"System, record today's battle data."
[Ding! Collection target: Ash Ketchum. Activated.]
Three days ago, Natsume had discovered that the system's SSS-Class Long-Term Project: Game-Rule and Reality Adaptation Data Collection actually had three modules.
Reality vs. virtual battle—like Natsume's previous fights against Brock and James.
Reality vs. reality battle—which meant ordinary Pokémon battles.
Virtual vs. virtual battle—Natsume still didn't understand what the system meant here.
Maybe that feature hadn't unlocked yet.
Of these three tasks, recording any one of them per day would earn a reward.
He wouldn't casually burn the daily use of the Game Rule Field.
After all, in a sense, that was also a trump card.
Anyway, by recording one of Ash's reality-vs-reality battles each day, he could still bring in a scratchcard.
[Ding! Battle complete. Reality-vs-reality battle data +1. Congratulations to the host for obtaining a Poké Ball scratchcard ×1.]
Hearing the voice in his mind, Natsume lowered his gaze and sank his focus back into the Great Ball in his hand.
A Great Ball's performance was far better than a Poké Ball's.
If he made a Great Ball Rotom, it should be much stronger than Poké Ball Rotom.
More importantly, although Poké Ball Rotom was Electric + Psychic, its three special moves were all typeless.
For typeless moves, Natsume only knew one—"Struggle," and that existed only in the games, appearing when a Pokémon had exhausted all PP.
To power up typeless moves, the only method Natsume could think of was to keep improving the quality of the Poké Ball.
It was just that inscribing a circuit on a Great Ball was much harder than on a Poké Ball.
He didn't have any stock on hand, either.
These past few days, all he could do was take this one Great Ball and use a pen to sketch the planned circuitry on its surface.
His rush to Cerulean City wasn't only for the free Badge.
He also wanted to stock up at the department store on Great Balls and Ultra Balls.
"All done.
Let's get moving and try to reach Cerulean City before dark."
Brock waved to Ash in the distance.
"Seriously, why did this battle end so quickly today?"
Misty, like a put-upon wife, grumbled at the side while sneaking a sidelong glance at Ash.
"Huh?
Weren't you always complaining that my battles waste travel time?"
"Pika?"
Putting on his jacket, Ash and the two Pikachu on his shoulders looked at Misty with three faces full of confusion.
"Natsume, what's with Misty?"
Even a straight-arrow like Ash noticed Misty's mood was off.
"No idea.
Maybe when she went to the bathroom, you didn't keep watch for her."
"If that's it, Misty, then next time I—ow!"
A big lump swelled up on Ash's head.
"Don't just believe everything Natsume says!"
Misty had reached her limit.
After a moment, she slung her backpack onto one shoulder as if making up her mind.
"Hmph.
Forget it.
Nothing to be scared of.
Let's go then!"
Cerulean City, Pokémon Center.
"Misty, why aren't you going in?"
"Ahaha, um, I'll wait a bit.
Just a bit."
Misty's eyes guiltily darted toward the inside of the Pokémon Center.
"How strange.
Pikachu, Brock, let's go in first."
The moment they stepped in, Brock locked onto a figure like a radar.
"Beautiful lady, please, you must tell me your name!"
Brock slid in at lightspeed and prostrated himself before a blonde woman.
"Brock, what are you doing?"
"Pii—"
"Ahaha—"
The blonde woman blinked, then looked toward the Pokémon Center's entrance—the spot where Misty had been standing earlier.
Department store.
While he was frantically stocking up on Great Balls and Ultra Balls, Natsume felt someone tugging at the hem of his clothes.
A thief!?
Natsume's eyes went cold, and then he bolted.
"Help!
Someone's trying to steal my stuff!"
His wailing rang out as Natsume executed a textbook response.
"What are you screaming for!
It's me!"
Behind him, Misty covered her face, cheeks burning red, as quite a few people turned to look.
"Misty?
Weren't you going to the Pokémon Center with Ash and the others?"
Natsume looked at her in puzzlement.
"Uh-hm, I was worried you—uh—worried you couldn't carry everything."
Misty's eyes skittered away as she came up with a lame excuse—only for Natsume's eyes to light up the next second.
"You knew!
Thanks so much.
Come with me!"
Saying that, Natsume pulled Misty toward the electronics section.
"Why are you buying a refrigerator?
Are you out of your mind?
And a microwave and a television?
Which of these can you even use while traveling?!"
Out on the street, Misty struggled to haul two large shopping carts.
Piled on the carts was a mountain of appliances—big as refrigerators and televisions, small as a microwave and a hair dryer.
Up front, Natsume licked his ice cream.
Feeling that was a bit heartless, he tore open another ice cream for Misty.
"Here.
Have one."
Misty: "…"
Do you see any free hands here?
"Seriously, how can you, an adult, make a kid carry your stuff…"
A vein bulged on Misty's forehead, and a red line practically zipped past.
"Actually, I'm the weakest one here."
Natsume looked at Misty with a perfectly straight face.
According to the system's scan, Misty's strength measured 0.3—six times his!
Sigh.
The pain of a transplanted body.
"Y-you—"
Seeing Natsume shamelessly admit it, Misty was too angry to get words out.
"Here, I'll hold the ice cream for you.
Just tough it out a little longer.
Once we get it all to the Pokémon Center, we're done."
Natsume couldn't be bothered to fabricate his own circuitry, so he bought these appliances to strip for parts.
The circuit boards inside should last him a while.
Seeing the ice cream brought up to her lips, Misty took a fierce bite.
"Clack!"
Teeth clicked together.
Misty bit air.
"Huh?
Looks like something's happening up ahead.
Officer Jenny's even here."
Natsume slipped into the crowd ahead in a blink.
"Aaaaah—Natsume—"
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