Chapter 0678 Natsume-sensei: I Must Install Some Guardrails!（Three-in-One）

The roads in Kalos are numbered starting from 1, symbolizing the geographical isolation between Kalos Region and other regions.

Between Kanto Region and Johto Region lies only Mt. Silver - one can reach the other side by climbing the waterfall.

As for Touran Region and Unova Region, like the island-style Sinnoh Region, they require either boat or flight to access.

Natsume-sensei's itinerary involves taking a flight from Lumiose City to Kanto.

After completing league inspector duties, he'll transfer at Vermilion City to board the "S.S. Aqua" heading to Hoenn for home visits.

The Pokémon world, much like the real world, consists mostly of ocean.

In marine domains, besides the Sea God Kyogre, there's also the ocean current deity Lugia.

Thus while Kyogre appears dominant in its rivalry with Groudon, it's actually restrained by Lugia's influence.

If Natsume-sensei could find a suitable flying partner during this Kanto trip, navigating Hoenn's aquatic environments would become much more convenient.

……

August 5th, Thursday.

After the rain cleared in Lumiose City, brilliant sunlight illuminated Prism Tower, its glass surfaces refracting the light.

As Natsume prepared to depart, he tossed his luggage into Gengar's different dimension pocket dimension to retrieve upon arrival.

Delibird had left early for courier service work; Mew was napping inside the Tree of Beginning;

Darkrai was still slacking off in Alamos Town, clearly having adopted its Trainer's "Slack Off" personality.

Victini and Meloetta floated invisibly on either side of Natsume, resembling something like "left and right guardians."

Stepping out of the café, Natsume spotted a noblewoman walking her Furfrou when a Professor greeted her.

"Good morning, madam. You look even more radiant than yesterday. Seeing your and Furfrou's smiles truly brightens my day," Professor Sycamore said warmly.

"Professor, you're still such a charmer," the noblewoman chuckled behind her hand.

"Simply speaking from the heart."

Professor Sycamore's gaze shifted to Natsume, pausing briefly before excusing himself from the noblewoman.

With a gracious nod, the noblewoman continued walking her Furfrou.

Adjusting his purple dress shirt, Professor Sycamore approached Natsume.

"Truly living up to your 'People's Sweetheart' title, Professor Sycamore," Natsume teased.

"Haha, offering sincere compliments to women is simply gentlemanly etiquette," Professor Sycamore replied, stroking his stubble curiously. "Speaking of which, your café hasn't officially opened yet?"

"Just finished renovations and already have to travel," Natsume sighed. "Such is a Trainer's burden."

"With great ability comes great responsibility, haha. Alain's been traveling for training recently - even brought home a girlfriend last time," Professor Sycamore shared cheerfully.

"Alain's girlfriend?"

"A rookie from Hoenn Region. No idea how those two met."

"Would that be 'Mairin'?" Natsume recalled the anime plot.

"Eh? How did you know?"

"Heard Steven mention it before," Natsume said casually.

If memory served, anime Mairin looked about 13-14 years old?

Alain, you're really pushing legal boundaries here!

After pleasantries, Natsume headed to Lumiose City Airport, promising to visit the research institute for coffee next time.

At the airport, he unexpectedly encountered Bonnie and Clemont seeing him off.

"Goodbye Natsume-sensei~! And Togepi too!" Bonnie waved energetically.

"Take care," Natsume smiled.

"Togepi doo-ee~!" Togepi stood on tiptoes to wave back before scampering after Natsume.

The siblings watched Natsume-sensei depart, discussing on their way home:

"Brother, is it true Olympia is visiting Lumiose City soon?"

"Just a small psychic enthusiasts gathering. Why, you want to go?"

"Yes yes yes!" Bonnie's eyes sparkled.

"Hmm, might be feasible..." Clemont adjusted his round-framed glasses. "Could even witness Olympia's prophetic abilities."

"Prophecies? Can she predict what Pokémon I'll catch?"

"Obviously not trivial things like that! World-scale disasters or future scientific developments!" Clemont said proudly.

"Boring..." Bonnie pouted.

"Hmph, prophecy isn't scientifically sound anyway. I could calculate probabilities with my invention - 99% theoretical accuracy! Wait up Bonnie!"

Before takeoff, Natsume checked news feeds, noticing Lumiose City's trending headline:

[Anistar City Gym Leader Olympia visiting Lumiose City Psychic Users Club to share meditation techniques... Admission requirements...]

"Olympia's coming to Lumiose City?"

A sense of urgency rose in Natsume's heart.

This Ms. Olympia was Kalos's Psychic-type Gym Leader, with her specialty being "prophecy." She had once predicted that Ash would reach the pinnacle of the Lumiose Conference.

Judging by the results, this Psychic User's ability wasn't so much "prophecy" as it was "jinxing."

More importantly, Natsume had yet to obtain Olympia's Psychic Badge, and it was one of only two remaining badges left in Kalos.

Once he collected all eight badges, the day of that awkward dance wouldn't be far off!

"Good thing I'm leaving Lumiose City early..."

Natsume let out a sigh of relief.

Otherwise, Gengar might just go and secure the Psychic Badge all on its own!

"Gengar? (￣～￣)"

Gengar munched on an in-flight hamburger, sipping from a soda straw, before glancing over.

"Never mind—hey, that's my burger!"

"Gengar~(⊙~⊙)" (All gone, ate it all~)

……

As the largest city in Kanto, Saffron City was a bustling hub with seamless transportation and the iconic landmark—Silph Co. Headquarters.

The Pokémon Company occupied the same office building, where colorful balloons for the "PTCG World Championship" could be seen floating outside.

Natsume briefly considered mooching a meal at the company cafeteria but decided against it, opting instead to release Arcanine from its Luxury Ball.

"Come on, let’s go mooch some food at Saffron Gym!" Natsume called out.

"Gengar! ヾ(≧▽≦*)o" Gengar cheered, waving its tiny hands excitedly.

They could enjoy the soda from Saffron Gym’s vending machine again!

Sabrina wasn’t at the gym today. Instead, Natsume was greeted by Sabrina’s father, who was acting as the interim Gym Leader.

Lunch was a home-cooked meal prepared by Sabrina’s father—surprisingly delicious.

"Ah, I heard the League sent new inspectors. I’m not sure if I’ll pass the evaluation," Sabrina’s father fretted.

After finishing his free meal, Natsume reassured him, "Don’t worry. Saffron Gym will pass with flying colors. After all, I’ve personally inspected the facilities..."

"Huh?" Sabrina’s father looked puzzled.

"Never mind… By the way, how’s the training program business?"

"Thanks to you and Gengar," Sabrina’s father smiled. "Many students sign up just to learn from Champion Gengar."

"Gengar! ~(￣▽￣)~" Gengar handed Natsume an ice-cold cola.

Natsume accepted it graciously.

The middle-aged man continued wistfully, "Lately, I’ve noticed my daughter seems much brighter… As a child, she bore too much pressure. Perhaps her Psychic abilities were more of a burden than a gift. Thankfully, you and Gengar helped guide her..."

Well, I am technically Team Rocket’s mentor, after all.

Natsume sipped his cola, exchanged a few more pleasantries, then bid the man farewell.

Leaving Saffron Gym, he headed toward the meeting point with the League inspectors.

Saffron City’s skyline was dense with skyscrapers. Along the way, he passed one of Cynthia’s villas—a place he’d stayed at for several months.

Currently, Natsume owned residences in every major region… except Hoenn.

Likewise, he had VIP access to renovation teams everywhere… except Hoenn.

Lost in thought, Natsume pushed open the doors of the Pokémon Center.

Instantly, the eyes of every Trainer inside snapped toward the strikingly handsome young man.

The world seemed to freeze for a split second before hushed whispers broke out:

"Is that… Natsume-sensei?"

"I can’t believe we’re seeing him in person in Saffron City!"

"Well, Saffron is the Pokémon Company’s headquarters..."

Though preoccupied with their injured Pokémon, the Trainers still shot respectful glances his way.

Guided by a Chansey pushing a cart, Natsume entered a private meeting room.

"Huh… It’s pretty spacious in here."

As Natsume surveyed the furnishings, a soft click sounded behind him—the door had been locked.

Natsume blinked, then realized.

Wait… Is this a wild battle setup?!

Even as a Champion, he’d rarely encountered special battle formats like this.

Instead of panicking, he felt a surge of excitement.

If I get Victini to buff me, maybe I can even deal damage myself!

Just then, a League inspector wearing sunglasses stepped through a side door, removing them with a smile.

"Natsume-sensei, it’s been a while."

"Viridian City’s Joy?!" Natsume blurted out.

"...Saffron City’s Joy."

"...Same difference."

Even Aura readings barely distinguished them. Only a true connoisseur could tell every Joy and Jenny apart.

The atmosphere turned slightly awkward as the woman introduced herself:

"I’m the inspector Mr. Lance mentioned. I’m here to formally hand over League inspector duties… and discuss your potential partner Pokémon."

"I get that, but why lock the door?" Natsume asked.

"To keep you from shouting and drawing attention."

Natsume: ?

"It’s about the partner Pokémon," Joy said seriously. "What I’m about to tell you might shock you—it involves the Legendary domain."

Natsume perked up immediately. "Don’t worry. I’m professionally trained, especially in Legendary matters!"

No one understands Legendary Pokémon better than Natsume-sensei!

"Alright then… Do you recognize this?"

Miss Joy opened her palm, revealing a small, ancient-looking flute—clearly an artifact from another era.

Natsume wracked his brain. Rayquaza? Arceus?

This plain little flute can’t possibly be for the Eon Duo, right?!

Natsume's gaze fell upon the ancient flute, and he froze as descriptive text materialized before his eyes:

[Eon Flute: Can summon an Eon Pokémon from anywhere to ride, Mega Evolve, and soar through the skies. (Note: The summoned Pokémon is not one you've caught.)]

The... Eon Flute?!

Natsume stood completely stunned.

Why would this Joy suddenly produce such a priceless artifact?

This was like talking to some random NPC only to discover he was Hoenn Champion Steven, who then immediately gifted you a Mega Stone—

The odds of that were lower than missing four Hydro Pumps in a row!

"I came across this by chance..." Joy reminisced. "At a shrine in Hoenn, an elderly woman entrusted this flute to me. She said playing it could let you hear someone's soul."

"I brought it to Sinnoh, where I met my partner—"

She left the sentence unfinished, studying Natsume's expression. "You seem to have already guessed which Pokémon it is?"

Natsume's expression turned complicated.

So this Miss Joy's partner was Latias?!

No wonder Lance called it an "exceptional flying partner"...

Was there any ride more luxurious than an Eon Pokémon?

(Well... Reshiram, for one.)

But since Latias was Joy's partner, Natsume had no ulterior motives.

"My apologies... I wasn't aware you'd already bonded with Latias."

Natsume chose his words carefully. "I assumed I'd be paired with a Trainerless Pokémon..."

"I didn't catch Latias. It simply chose to accompany me."

Miss Joy met his gaze seriously. "Considering Latias' wishes, meeting an outstanding Trainer is its desire too."

Natsume fell silent.

Back when Suicune still had its prestige intact before being "nerfed" in the anime, it had single-handedly swept nearly eight Gyms. Neither Eusine nor Misty had earned its recognition—yet it willingly followed Crystal.

Trainers choose Pokémon, but Pokémon also choose their Trainers.

Just like how Tobias' Latios was never technically caught, yet still fought by his side...

Wait a minute.

A vague memory surfaced in Natsume's mind.

"You met Latias in Sinnoh?"

"Correct."

"And its brother is currently traveling with a human Trainer?"

Miss Joy looked startled—as if Natsume-sensei had some clairvoyant ability—before nodding.

"Battling like its brother... that is Latias' wish."

Natsume's expression grew even more complex.

Now I get it...

This Miss Joy from Saffron City is the same inspector Joy from Pokémon DP!

Partnered with Latias, she evaluated Brock's Pewter Gym—

And appearing in DP just like Tobias' Latios, this Latias clearly corresponds to his!

Latios and Latias aren't unique—they travel in herds, often in pairs.

For example, the movies featured a red and blue duo where the red one bonded with Ash.

Meanwhile, Tobias' anime Latios wasn't the same one.

The Latias summoned by the [Eon Flute] isn't bound to protect Alto Mare. It makes perfect sense for it to follow Miss Joy...

"Natsume-sensei?" Joy called softly as he zoned out.

Ahem... "I think I understand now," Natsume said. "Latias wants to compete in battles, so Lance referred me?"

"Exactly." Joy smiled. "Don't you need a flying partner? If you play this [Eon Flute], you might earn Latias' acknowledgment."

"That may be so..."

Natsume sighed deeply.

"But Latias is too small—I can't install guardrails on it!"

Miss Joy and the (invisible) Latias both froze.

"G-Guardrails?!"

...