Chapter 0821: World Tournament—Registration Complete(Two-in-One)

April 20th, Wednesday.

Natsume walked out of the Principal’s office and glanced through the windows at the bright sunlight and the students laughing outside, feeling a twinge of nostalgia.

He had already set his new goal: persuading Jirachi to stay and planning a journey to the Galar Region to investigate the “Wishing Stars” and “cosmic energy” connected to Eternatus.

Right on cue, his three-month Alola contract was ending.

Natsume stepped down from his teaching job, became the school’s honorary Principal, and entrusted the students to Samson Oak and Professor Kukui.

Kukui followed him out, lingering at the door.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay just a bit longer?”

“Spring is perfect for traveling,” Natsume replied, “and if I stick around ‘til summer, I’ll probably never want to get moving again.”

He smiled and added, “Anyway, I promised Cynthia I’d join the World Championship... gotta start prepping.”

The World Tournament is a global battle fest open to every Trainer. The ranking system splits competitors into Poké Ball, Great Ball, Ultra Ball, and Master Ball tiers.

The top eight in the Master Ball tier are legendary—the “Eight Masters”—revered as the pinnacle of all Trainers.

This year’s World Tournament is scheduled for the second half of the year, hosted by Galar League, and featuring mechanics like Dynamax, Mega Evolution, and Z-Moves.

Natsume couldn’t wait to wreck Baby Cup again... (crossed out)

“The World Championship really is just around the corner,” Kukui grinned, throwing an arm around Natsume’s shoulder. “Anyway, you’re always welcome back in Alola.”

“You know I’ll be there for the Alola League Tournament,” Natsume promised. “Don’t forget to get a pro referee though, or everyone’ll be questioning whether the Alola League’s the real deal.”

That was something Kukui honestly hadn’t considered. He nodded seriously, “I’ll remember.”

Leaving the school behind,

Natsume stopped by the International Police’s Countermeasures Division to meet with Anabel and “Handsome.”

“I’m staying in Alola,” Anabel said with her no-nonsense demeanor. “I’ll be keeping a close eye on anything Ultra Beast-related and continuing to lead the Ultra Defense Team.”

“So... what about you, ‘Handsome’?” Natsume asked, glancing at him.

“Me? No orders from up top, and I haven’t decided yet,” Handsome laughed, scratching his stubble. “Might take a vacation and visit Lumiose City for a bit. Kinda miss Emma.”

“Really? Maybe we’ll travel together then. I’m headed for Lumiose City too,” Natsume smiled.

First, to see his Pokémon at the café again.

Second, the second ptcg World Championship is about to open, and the finals are in Lumiose City. Natsume would have to show up in person.

In truth, Natsume was the hands-off boss, but Oleana’s business skills were top notch—she handled the Pokémon Company flawlessly.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game (ptcg), thanks to two years of growth and holo-tech support, had built a huge player base.

In the Kalos Region, the holo caster had become the ultimate duel platform for ptcg—good for both broadcasting matches and real-deal holo-projection.

Meanwhile, in Galar, ptcg’s “Trainer Cards” were now even more popular than the League-issued “League Cards.”

Trainers competed to make custom Trainer Cards and to collect Gym Leaders’ cards. Influencers like Raihan and the model Nessa were big fans—Raihan even phoned the company to up his card’s rarity.

It was like a sports star phoning the game devs and asking them to max out his abilities—a pretty good sign of how trendy it was.

As one of Pokémon Company’s flagship products, the live, in-person second World Tournament meant a lot to Natsume-sensei.

He said his farewells to Anabel and Handsome.

Last stop, Natsume returned to his villa perched on the cliffs above Kala’e Bay, started packing his luggage, and got ready to travel tomorrow.

Looking back over his time in Alola: Sylveon, Blastoise, and Arcanine each reached “Battle Legend” status.

Togepi, blessed by Arceus, was just too lucky to even rate on the regular scale—so Natsume-sensei left it out of the official team ranking.

Rotom was legendary too—a legend in the kitchen, anyway.

At the bottom tier—Sirfetch’d and Tyranitar (affectionately called “Big Bro” and “Little Bro”).

Tyranitar was barely a year old, to have that kind of power already... pretty wild.

Seriously—a one-year-old.jpg.

Sirfetch’d, on the other hand—Natsume wasn’t sure of its real age, but it had to count as an “old duck.”

Natsume muttered to himself:

“For Tyranitar, maybe try having him eat Wishing Stars or meteorite chunks—push him even more toward the Groudon archetype.”

“As for Sirfetch’d, time to test his luck in Galar... maybe I’ll find a ‘Leek+10,’ a ‘Sharp Leek,’ or even a ‘Perfect Leek’...”

With Solgaleo’s help, Natsume’s “Ghostium Z” and “Darkinium Z” fused into his exclusive “Gengar Z.”

Afterwards, thanks to Aether Foundation rewards, Natsume-sensei received two more Z-Crystals. With Icium Z, that made a full set of all 18 Z-Crystals.

Natsume sat on the sofa, opening the case on his knees—inside, eighteen Z-Crystals gleamed in every color.

He could use them for Z-Moves, or keep them as mementos.

Click!

He snapped the case shut and mused, “Next up—registering for the World Tournament...”

“I’m a retired Champion now—do I still get an automatic Master Ball tier invite?”

Natsume rubbed his chin. “Better call President Masaru and ask.”

……

Victory Road, Touran League.

President Masaru was surprised to get a call from Natsume—and, recalling Natsume’s exploits as Alola Champion, answered right away.

Natsume got straight to the point:

“Chairman, quick question: what’s the process for signing up in the Master Ball tier at the World Tournament?”

President Masaru considered for a moment, then said,

“You can’t apply for Master Ball tier online. You have to submit the paperwork to the Tournament Committee, and they’ll review it. If you’ve made the Master Ball tier before, it’s a lot easier to qualify again—though, if I recall, you haven’t competed at the World Tournament before?”

“No... I haven’t.”

“That’s okay—there are special rules...”

Natsume listened patiently as President Masaru explained the details, and felt like the Master Ball tier application was ridiculously complicated.

“Wouldn’t it be easier to just start in the Ultra Ball tier and play my way up?” Natsume asked.

“In theory, yes, but...” President Masaru hesitated.

Having a “Battle Legend” start from Ultra Ball might be overkill...

“I’ll just start at Ultra Ball, then!”

Natsume laughed. “It’s a good way to help train up the next generation of Trainers, too.”

President Masaru paused, surprised.

As one of just a handful of “Battle Legends,” he could easily skip the whole process and go straight to Master Ball tier.

But... Natsume seemed to be especially attached to Ultra Ball tier?

Most top Gym Leaders and some Elite Four-level Trainers clustered in Ultra Ball. Why wouldn’t Natsume just jump to Master Ball and take on the Champions?

After thinking for a second, President Masaru realized:

Like before, he’s probably built up a fresh new team.

Going straight to Master Ball would mean fighting every top-tier Trainer and Champion right away—a lot of pressure.

If he started in Ultra Ball, he could work his way up and let the new team really shine.

“I get it,” President Masaru said, no longer arguing. “I’ll take care of your Ultra Ball registration.”

“You’ll have maybe three or four extra battles compared to the direct skip, but I’m confident those won’t be a problem for you or your new Pokémon.”

Honestly, Tyranitar could cruise through Ultra Ball without breaking a sweat.

“Then thanks, President Masaru,” Natsume said with a smile.

“Don’t mention it. I’m looking forward to seeing your run at the World Tournament.”

Registration for the World Tournament’s Ultra Ball tier—complete.

Natsume remembered: Volkner and Flint both ranked high in Ultra Ball tier.

Both are Elite Four-grade Trainers... yeah, I can just let Rotom handle them.

He packed the rest of his gear—but just then, a long-lost notification sound rang in his mind.

[Ding! Detected Major Quest: “World Tournament”]

[Objective: Place among the top eight (“Eight Masters”) at the World Tournament.]

[Quest Reward: Dimensional ∞ Energy Chip x1]

Who are you, anyway? And why are you messing with my head?

Natsume muttered his complaint, then felt a surge of curiosity.

That “Dimensional ∞ Energy Chip” is a device from “Origin Gem,” one of Devon Corporation’s advanced technologies. It uses ∞ energy to power dimensional transfer equipment—supposedly able to teleport objects, or even energy, to something like Mega Blastoise.

Devon Corp tried to use ∞ energy to teleport away a massive meteorite—Steven Stone was on the project. The “Successor,” Zinnia, ended up wrecking the plan, and Rayquaza destroyed the meteorite instead.

Natsume felt like he was getting closer to the truth about those mysterious “berry stands.” But to confirm his theory, he’d have to make it to the World Tournament.

Next morning.

Natsume, traveling solo, wheeled his suitcase to Hau’oli City Airport.

Except... Kukui, along with Lillie, Lana, Mallow, Kiawe, Sophocles, and Ash, were already waiting for him.

“I told you not to tell them!” Natsume sighed helplessly.

“You can say that,” Kukui laughed, “but you know there’s no way we’d let you leave without a sendoff!”

The students stood in a row, eyes uncertain and glistening with tears.

“Alright,” Natsume said gently. “Time for goodbyes.”

The students crowded close, throwing their arms around Natsume, voices trembling. “Teacher…”

Natsume smiled, patting their heads. Sunlight streamed through the glass—overhead, a golden Solgaleo streaked across the sky, shedding a blazing trail.

As he walked away, suitcase in hand, Natsume turned one last time to look back at Kukui and the others waving.

“Alola!” Ash called out.

“Alola!” the students echoed.

No matter where or when, that joyful greeting always stirs something special inside you.

With a smile, Natsume softly replied,

“Alola.”

……

Lily of the Valley Island, Sinnoh League.

Cynthia’s gray eyes flickered as she held her phone, musing,

“Investigating Galar’s mythology...”

“That’s right,” said Sonia, on the other end, her lab coat bright white and her smile cheerful.

“You’re a top Pokémon world mythology scholar, and Natsume-sensei is an expert in ancient languages.”

“I heard he’s headed to Galar soon, so I wanted to invite you both to take part in a Galar mythology project.”

“Of course, we’ll offer suitable rewards—including Wishing Stars.”

Cynthia listened patiently, then pondered aloud,

“As much as I’d love to, my own knowledge of Galar mythology is a little shallow... Where’s the best place to start?”

“First, the stone tablets in Turffield... and the legend that’s been passed down through Galar, about the two heroes who saved the region.”

Sonia’s voice softened.

“It’s called—the Darkest Day.”