Chapter 0774: The Christmas Eve Party(Two-in-One)

Previously, Natsume had worked as a Teacher at a Trainer Academy affiliated with Celadon University.

This time, Professor Oak invited Natsume to take up a position in Alola, both because of his deep strategic skills and solid Pokémon knowledge.

Besides, this newly crowned legend had just come through a battle of the ages.

He certainly needed a relaxing job, and Alola’s sunshine and beaches—a true chance to recover.

Thinking back...

“I guess I’m still a student… Does it make sense for me to be Principal…” Natsume scratched his head.

Never mind, since it’s a request from Professor Oak—and I really do love the warm, energetic island atmosphere of Alola.

As long as I don’t have to deal with Ultra Beasts or lead an earth defense squad against alien invaders, even better…

Lumiose City, December 24th—Christmas Eve. Light snow.

The weather had turned cold, flakes drifting down from the sky.

Natsume wore thicker clothing, feeling even more eager to close the café for a while and travel to Alola with Moe-Moe!

The timing was set for early January, right after the end of the Lumiose Conference—Natsume had already accepted the Lumiose City Tournament Committee’s invitation to attend the semifinals and finals as a special guest commentator.

By then, the appearance of a Champion was certain to cause a stir among the audience.

After the super demon god incident, this Champion’s popularity in Lumiose City far outshone the local Champion, Diantha...

Outside, the sky hung grey. Natsume glanced upward and said:

“Gengar, there’s going to be a party tonight. We can start getting ready.”

“Gengar~(￣▽￣)／”

A plump Gengar waved, wearing an apron and carefully setting out the tableware.

Cynthia wore an elegant black cashmere sweater, its cutouts at the collarbone and arms revealing snowy white skin.

She sat at the wooden table, hands wrapped around a mug, a notebook computer open in front of her. Blowing away the steam from her coffee, she sipped and said:

“Phew… Shauntal and Caitlin will be visiting too.”

“Are you sure Caitlin won’t blow up the café?” Natsume said anxiously.

“She won’t,” Cynthia chuckled. “I’ll keep an eye on her.”

Natsume thought for a bit. “Ash, Clemont and the others will come. Hoopa’s free tonight and will teleport over from Arche Valley... it’s going to be lively.”

“That phenomenon Professor Sycamore mentioned—Ash and his Greninja’s Bond Evolution—what do you think?” Cynthia’s beautiful gray eyes glanced over the cup’s steam toward Natsume.

“I do like Greninja.” Natsume paused, then said, “I hope Ash and his ninja frog can get a good result.”

“Why aren’t you competing in the Lumiose Conference this year?” Cynthia teased.

“The Kalos Baby Cup isn’t enough to interest me,” Natsume replied confidently.

There was a rustle at the shop entrance; both turned to look as the cat flap was pushed open and a snow-white Sylveon squeezed inside.

“Buu…” Sylveon huffed, “Sylveon! Phew…”

Sylveon shook its bows and ribbons, scattering melted snow, its bright blue eyes gazing innocently at Natsume.

“I know you’ve been soloing the bots at Prism Tower.”

At least it’s better than soloing the Gym Leaders… Natsume smiled wryly. “Take a break; food’s coming soon.”

“Sylveon~” Sylveon wiggled its pink-and-white ears, cutely baring tiny fangs.

If the AI Clembot was here, it would surely shout:

Don’t be fooled by that look! It’s a demon—a pink demon!

At the start of winter, Arcanine became the best helper for keeping the place warm, flooding the interior with sunlight and a cozy atmosphere.

And Arcanine didn’t even shed.

Togepi nestled against Arcanine’s soft belly fur, playing games; when tired, it would roll over and drift comfortably to sleep.

Arcanine, meanwhile, lay sprawled on the floor, a wise expression in its eyes, pondering the meaning of life.

Should I use Sacred Fire to burn the Rainbow Wing...?

If I burn it, Trainer could have an extra trump card, right…

Rainbow Wing: o(╥﹏╥)o

Blastoise withdrew, solid as a fortress. Victini sat atop the turtle shell, blissfully munching on macarons.

“Tyranitar…(￣～￣)” Tyranitar cracked down on pink diamonds, inspiration flashing in its mind.

The energy for Precipice Blades was finally charged!

And I think… my proficiency is greater than last time!

Darkrai drifted in from the backyard shade, speaking in a cold tone:

“Natsume, you still haven’t settled the rewards from last time…”

“I know, I know, I’ll have Rotom go full speed.”

Natsume turned toward the kitchen, about to use Rotom’s Berry Blender Form, but paused, staring at Darkrai.

“What are you looking at?” Darkrai wore a Santa hat, acting as icy as ever.

“Pfft… actually, it suits you.” Natsume struggled not to laugh. “Who gave it to you?”

“Delibird,” answered Darkrai.

Delibird’s organization handed out quite a few Santa hats, which it carried in its bag for all its companions—one for each.

Natsume hadn’t received one, since they were for Pokémon only.

“Unfair, I want one too.” Like a child, Natsume went searching for Delibird in the courtyard.

After a while, Natsume slunk back inside.

“Didn’t Delibird give you one?” Cynthia looked up from her computer.

“Garchomp and Lucario were watching over—it, and I dared not ask.” Natsume admitted.

Cynthia smiled quietly and returned to the research paper on screen, gray eyes focused.

[Research on Totem Aura in Alola], authored by Professor Kukui.

The paper claimed that ordinary Pokémon could also use Totem Aura to increase their own strength—the origin might be linked to the Z-power of the island guardians...

The figure showed an Alola pseudo-legend, Totem Kommo-o.

Cynthia, chin propped on one hand, arms folded, stared at the Kommo-o on the screen, lost in thought.

Kommo-o is a great fit for my team… Too bad it can’t be a main.

The World Tournament is coming... Cynthia glanced sideways at Natsume, love and battle intent mixed in her eyes.

To win, I’ll have to take this seriously!

Natsume rubbed his chin, weighing the chances of soloing Garchomp.

The answer: if he wanted to die, he could try.

Natsume’s physical strength now equaled that of a Leader-level Pokémon in normal state.

Bruno subdued huge Onix bare-handed; with the boost from Sacred Ash, Natsume could do the same.

As for Ash and Red… Ash’s physique was likely even stronger than Red’s.

Natsume’s mind wandered:

“I wonder who’s stronger—Bewear or Ash at sumo wrestling…”

......

As evening approached, Natsume received a message from the Trio.

They’d been granted paid extended leave by Giovanni and planned, after one last job, to go “go straight” in Alola.

Natsume: “One last job, meaning…?”

Meowth grinned, “Of course it’s making some money at the Lumiose Conference, meow~”

Natsume was genuinely pleased—so as to help implement their plan, he reminded them:

“Don’t forget, Pokémon Showcase is also perfect for stalling!”

In the group chat.

Red, Blue, Yellow, and Green were gathered in Pallet Town, dining with Professor Oak.

Aunt Lorelei and best friend Misty went shopping together; Bruno was training deep in the forests; Koga had snuck back to Fuchsia Gym to watch over his daughter, Janine.

Grandma Agatha still hadn’t forgiven Professor Oak... though her journal was stuffed with Samuel Oak’s photos.

Flint and Aaron were off at Lucian’s place, joining the fun.

Lucian read a book while enduring their noisy gaming.

“Lucian, come play!” Flint shouted.

“Yeah, I even stole this strategy from Natsume-sensei—dirty and strong!” Aaron yelled.

Lucian sighed. Is this really how my rare day off will end…

Ash and company arrived at the café to attend the party and enjoy a dinner at Natsume’s place.

Just as they entered, warm air washed over them.

“Yes! It’s Arcanine!” Bonnie, with Dedenne perched on her head, ran right into Arcanine.

“Arcanine?(°ー°〃)” Arcanine lowered its head, looking at the little girl nestled in its mane.

Bonnie: “Hehe~ so warm…”

Dedenne’s face turned pale, raising its head—then seeing Arcanine’s toothy grin.

“Dedenne!?”

Intimidate activated.

Dedenne’s eyes spun in a daze; it rolled from Bonnie’s head, caught by Serena.

“All right, Bonnie, don’t make trouble for Natsume-sensei,” Clemont said.

Natsume, cooking at the bar’s open-air kitchen, said, “No trouble at all… order whatever you’d like.”

“Hoopa wants donuts!” Hoopa burst out from behind Ash, shouting loudly.

“Whoa!” Ash jumped. “Where’d you come from!”

Hoopa covered its mouth, giggling: “Hehe, did Hoopa scare you?”

“You did… so you’ve finished your training at Arche Valley, Hoopa,” Serena smiled.

“Of course~” Hoopa floated all around, “I came over for good food… Natsume, I want donuts!”

“Since you finally got my name right, I’ll make them for you.”

Natsume smiled. “Serena, there are some Poké Puffs made with Alcremie cream—they might inspire you. Ready to try?”

[Poké Puff making] is an important event in Pokémon Showcase.

Serena nodded seriously, smiling. “Please let me taste them, I’d be grateful~”

Cynthia looked up, gazing silently at Natsume.

“Ice cream, right? I’ll choose the flavor,” Natsume said.

Cynthia smiled softly and nodded in contentment.

Before dinner were a few desserts—Bonnie and Serena sampling Poké Puffs, their cheeks filled with tiny bubbles of happiness.

Ding-dong… the bell chimed.

“Gengar~” Gengar floated over and opened the door, peering up at the two figures standing in the snowy night.

Shauntal, in thick black tights and a purple scarf, pushed up her round-framed glasses, a bit nervous. “We’re late… so sorry...”

Caitlin was a head shorter than Shauntal, but her high white hat evened the gap; her golden curls reached her ankles and her expression was distant, as if half-awake:

“Good evening… Gengar.”

“Gengar! ヽ(￣▽￣)?” Gengar greeted them. Please, come in.

The two Elite Four entered the café, instantly feeling the dense pulse of energy.

Caitlin was slightly on edge, keeping a wary eye on Natsume.

But with Cynthia reassuring her, Caitlin looked down, then reluctantly glanced at Natsume.

He really is an outstanding Trainer—and he’s a Battle Legend.

I guess... I’ll grudgingly approve this marriage… hmm…

Shauntal pulled out her memo for interviews.

“Natsume-sensei, can you tell the story of Hoopa again? I want to include it in my writing!”

“Uh…”

Given the Champion’s high-stakes exploits, there was definitely plenty of material.

Natsume: “First, you’d need to know which Legendary Pokémon were present at the time—so I’ll need to grab my journal...”

Natsume glanced at his journal—then slowly closed it.

“What’s wrong?” Shauntal asked.

Only one name was written in the journal.

Natsume: “Nothing, I’ll tell you the story about Primal Groudon—I mean, the one who can’t fly…”

The night deepened, snow falling over the gardens.

Once again, everyone was amazed by Natsume’s cooking.

As the party drew to a close, Sirfetch’d stood on a low stool, washing dishes and humming softly:

“Sirfetch’d~( -'`-)”

Happy duck Getting ready for Alola vacation

Greninja stood by, arms folded, quietly watching Sirfetch’d, his face stoic.

What an intimidating presence.

I wonder how different my own strength is compared to this senior... But...

Greninja’s gaze grew sharp.

I still want to try.

I want to challenge Senior—to practice swordplay!

“Greninja!” Greninja called to Ash.

“Greninja...”

Ash looked at his partner, momentarily surprised; then he smiled: “I get it—you mean it too!”

“Greninja!” Greninja nodded fiercely, his stare blazing.

“Champion Cynthia, Natsume-sensei…”

Ash clenched his fists, his eyes shining. “Could you and Greninja have a training match with me? Please!”

Seeking out strong opponents is the best way to truly master Bond Evolution.

In the anime, Ash and Bond Ninja challenged Champion Diantha and nearly beat her.

Granted, there was some… suspicion she went easy on them.

But Diantha’s performance really was a bit odd…

“Challenging us straight away… that’s just like Ash,” Natsume thought. “Definitely his style.”

“A fully mastered Bond Evolution Greninja, huh.”

Cynthia smiled slightly. “In my team, Garchomp’s battle style is similar to Greninja’s—but she’s too destructive and not much help at guiding others.”

Natsume’s eyelid twitched, sensing danger.

“You’d better challenge Natsume-sensei,” Cynthia said. “I’m curious to see what makes this Bond Evolution so extraordinary.”

Ash and Greninja turned to look at Natsume-sensei.

Even Moe-Moe! has spoken… anyway, it’s only rookies…

Natsume sighed.

“All right, I accept your battle request.”

“But,” Natsume said seriously, “my guidance will be very strict, so prepare yourself.”

“Thank you, Natsume-sensei!” Ash replied earnestly.

Natsume turned and headed for the courtyard. “Come with me.”

Snowflakes fluttered through the night as Natsume gazed up.

Since this is a training match, I don’t want to seriously injure Greninja—but I’d like to play a mentoring role...

There are two Pokémon on my team suitable for this.

One is Togepi; but with the recent strengthening from Arceus, I’m worried its Metronome might shatter Greninja.

Natsume shut his eyes for a moment.

A swordmaster seasoned in a thousand battles, and a senior who could offer sound guidance…

“I choose you! Sirfetch’d!” Natsume called.

“Sirfetch’d?! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ” Sirfetch’d was flabbergasted.

Not me—not me—you’ve got the wrong duck!

Natsume tossed the Premier Ball; a red light flickered, and Sirfetch’d found himself standing in the arena, lost and confused.

He looked up; Greninja folded his arms, face stern. “Greninja!”

Senior—please, teach me!

“Even if it’s a rookie, never go easy!” Natsume sensed.

“Sirfetch’d! (′︿‵)” Sirfetch’d grasped his leek and shield, calm and unhurried.

I wasn’t planning on going easy either, duck...

“Beep… Refereed by me—”

Rotom raised his flag high, then slashed it down:

“Battle begins, Rotom!”