Giselle's efficiency was astonishing. That very night her father contacted Natsume, and the deal was closed at one billion pokedollars in annual royalties.
Originally, it was five hundred million, but Giselle raised it to about one billion.
Making money really wasn't that hard.
Natsume noted that his annual income had now doubled.
"System, if my assets doubled every year, how long would it take to build the Ultimate Rotom?"
**Considering all factors, if the host's assets double annually, it would take about 26 years to accumulate the necessary funds.**
Natsume rubbed his temples.
Fine, maybe making money was hard.
He set his personal goal at ten years.
Within ten years, he needed to gather enough funds and materials to make a *God* Rotom.
Since he wanted to create a Rotom that surpassed the limits of the world, its vessel naturally couldn't be made of ordinary materials.
Natsume turned his eyes to treasures related to Legendary Pokémon.
Things like the Adamant Orb, Lustrous Orb, rusted Sword and Shield, Azure Flute.
Using those as energy nodes or even forging them directly into the body might… work?
He hadn't tried it, so he could only wait and see.
"Mr. Natsume, which room is yours?"
Giselle stepped out of her room across the hall, dressed in pajamas.
"This one." Natsume pointed behind him.
"Mr. Natsume, I have questions for you." Giselle smiled, clutching a pillow and notebook before slipping straight into his room.
Natsume glanced at her, then casually walked into her room instead.
Door closed, lock clicked in one smooth motion.
"Ah! Mr. Natsume!" Giselle's voice came from outside as she banged on the door.
"Read the book yourself." Natsume yawned, flipping his hand to reveal a Great Ball.
The past few days, thanks to Giselle's constant interruptions, he hadn't had the time to properly develop Great Ball Rotom.
[A-Rank: Charizard's Revenge]
[Subject] Charizard
The system had triggered the quest ever since Charmander agreed to eat again.
But there was no rush. It would still be a long time before that Charmander evolved into Charizard.
Natsume closed the system panel and stretched.
"Ah~ The closest research facility from here… should be Bill's Lighthouse, right?"
With the foundation already laid, the basic circuitry for Great Ball Rotom was nearly complete.
Now he just needed a proper laboratory.
Given his friendship with Bill, there was no doubt he would agree.
Yes, *definitely*.
The next day.
After saying farewell to Nurse Joy, the group once again set out on their journey.
"Strange, why aren't we in Vermilion City yet?" Misty groaned as she led the way.
"Mm… Cross Route 24, pass the next town, then through a beach, wade a river, climb a volcano, and defeat the unbeatable final boss—"
Brock suddenly stopped mid-sentence, handing his map to Natsume.
"Natsume, I think this is your video game walkthrough map."
"Thanks, Brock, I've been looking for that for days."
"Don't tell me you've been leading us with Natsume's game map this whole time!" Misty suddenly exploded, finally unable to bear it.
"Ahahaha…" Brock scratched his head awkwardly.
"Relax, Misty. We're still heading in the right general direction—toward Vermilion City."
Ash said, pulling out his Pokédex.
Ever since Natsume had called him through it, Ash had tinkered with the device.
He discovered that beyond video calls, his Pokédex could also check maps, scan item prices, and more.
Most importantly, it had Ash's favorite feature: **Custom Pokémon Introductions**.
**Bulbasaur, my favorite Pokémon. Bulbasaur, my favorite Pokémon.**
**Charmander, my favorite Pokémon. Charmander, my favorite Pokémon.**
**Pikachu, my favorite Pokémon.**
**Pidgeotto.**
**Butterfree.**
All along the road, Ash kept pressing his Pokédex, letting its voice echo nonstop.
"Stop showing off already! We know you caught Bulbasaur and Charmander!"
Misty, annoyed by the noise, shouted at Ash:
"And besides, how can you have so many *favorites*!"
"Huh? They really are my favorites!"
Like Pinocchio with a long nose, Ash's smug grin couldn't be hidden.
"Once I catch a Squirtle, I'll have all three starter Pokémon!"
Ash's face brimmed with excitement as he imagined tomorrow.
"Hmph, not to dampen your spirits, but catching a Squirtle isn't that easy."
Misty turned her head aside:
"Right, Natsume? You should know best—there's no way Squirtle lives anywhere near Vermilion City!"
"Not necessarily." Natsume shifted his gaze from the Great Ball in his hand.
He reached out, and the Rotom Phone that had been flying overhead, scouting the road, descended into his palm.
"Ash, your wish is about to come true."
Natsume suddenly turned, looking at Ash with a serious expression.
"Really, Natsume? You saw a Squirtle?"
Natsume nodded.
"Follow me."
Soon, the group trailed after Natsume.
Suddenly, Natsume stopped and stomped the ground at one spot.
"Alright, it's right here." He pointed toward an empty patch of land.
"Stand here, and soon you'll see Squirtle."
"Got it, Natsume!"
Ash, beaming with joy, stood exactly where Natsume pointed.
"He's messing with you, Ash!"
Misty tugged on Ash's ear, trying to snap him out of it.
"Natsume, I stood there just now, but no Squirtle showed up."
Ash looked at him in confusion.
"Not heavy enough." Natsume shook his head seriously.
"What does weight have to do with it? What if I join in?" Brock stepped up beside Ash.
Still, nothing happened.
"Pikachu, try standing on Ash's shoulder."
Natsume patted Pikachu on the head.
*Pika?*
Pikachu, puzzled, climbed onto Ash's shoulder.
Still nothing happened.
"You too, Midchu."
*Pika~*
The little round Pokémon yawned, climbing lazily onto Ash's other shoulder.
Still nothing happened.
The three stared strangely at Natsume.
"Just jump a little, and it'll work." Natsume said with a perfectly straight face.
Without hesitation, Ash started hopping up and down.
Misty's face flushed with anger:
"Ash, what are you jumping for? He's just messing—ahhhhhh!"
The ground beneath them suddenly collapsed, and Misty and the others screamed as they fell into a pit.
"Alright, Giselle, let's go." Natsume waved to Giselle beside him.
"Huh? Natsume, we're leaving? What about them?"
"They'll be fine. By tomorrow noon, they'll return to town with a whole group of Squirtle."
With that, Natsume was already heading toward the nearby town.
"Eh?" Giselle scratched her head, puzzled.
But she still chose to trust Natsume.
"Natsume! What are you doing!"
Inside the pit, Misty brushed the dust from her head and stood up, shouting upward.
"Natsume? Natsume?"
No reply. Misty froze.
"Strange… why would Natsume leave us down in this pit?"
"I don't know. But if Natsume did this, he must have a reason." Ash sat down on the ground.
"So, we just wait."
"How can you trust him this much!!!"
Misty used *Screech*.
*Squirt—*
*Squirtle, Squirtle!*
At the mouth of the pit, a rustling sound drew their attention.
Looking up, they saw a bunch of round little heads poking out, peering curiously at the three of them.
???
Misty was full of question marks.
Wait—there really are Squirtle.
You can read more (around 50+ free chapters) of Natsume's adventure ad-free at [https ://ravenarchives .com/book/pokemon-who-let-him-leave-pallet-town]. Bulk uploads is a mess here, so updates here might be irregular.