Chapter 0677: New Profession - Pokémon League Inspector（Three-in-One）

With the Tree of Beginning now connected to the café, Mew's visits became much more convenient.

Moreover, the life-infused energy radiating from the portal accelerated the growth of Blastoise's Revival Herbs in the courtyard.

Natsume pondered—why not just step through the portal and cultivate herbs directly inside the Tree?

What did this make his café now?

A training sanctuary was one thing, but a private dimension for growing miracle plants?

"The vibe's getting way too 'cultivation novel' lately..." Natsume muttered.

August 3rd, Tuesday - Lumiose City

Drizzling rain veiled the city as Prism Tower stood shrouded in gray.

Pressing its tiny face against the rain-streaked window, Victini stared blankly at the downpour.

"Stay in when it rains," Natsume said, tweaking Victini's V-shaped ears. "You can play games with Togepi."

"Victini?" Victini glanced back toward the courtyard hallway.

"Togepi doo-ee!(^▽^ )"

Togepi waved enthusiastically before scampering off with clumsy pitter-patter steps.

Come play~!

A warmth surged through Victini—who'd spent centuries isolated in Eindoak—as it bared tiny fangs and floated after.

"Victini~"

If only Jirachi were here too, Natsume thought. Another playmate for them.

The café quieted again. Wiping a glass behind the counter, Natsume poured himself sparkling water and surveyed the peaceful space.

Mew and Togepi played games in the backroom; other Pokémon stayed indoors due to the weather.

Alone in the front, the sudden absence of chaos brought unexpected tranquility.

Rain drummed steadily as Natsume sipped his drink.

Meant to reopen today... delayed again.

Profit was never the goal—this was his haven. A place to savor quiet moments, good food, and time with friends and Pokémon.

Pretentious? Maybe. But after battling Legendaries nonstop, didn't Champion Natsume deserve this?

"Keep the music playing!" he declared to the empty café.

Then—light bloomed.

Meloetta materialized, her ocean-blue hair cascading as she gripped her microphone-like crest.

Rain provided nature's rhythm as her crystal-clear melody filled the room.

"Meloetta~"

Startled at first, Natsume soon smiled, leaning back to listen.

Darkrai would've loved this, he mused. The shadow Pokémon had returned to Alamos Town temporarily, but its appreciation for Oración proved it had artistic taste.

A tug at his pants. Peering down, he saw a purple hand emerging from shadows, clutching a guitar neck.

"Gengar"

Accepting the neck, he pulled the full guitar from the darkness like unsheathing a sword.

"Gengar~" Gengar's crimson eyes gleamed mischievously from the void.

Not stealing Meloetta's spotlight today... You accompany her, Trainer~

Natsume raised an eyebrow at the guitar.

Seriously? The Reverse World's just storage now?

A substitute that knows Shadow Punch, stores Mega Blastoise cannons, AND hypnotizes? Sign me up.

Grabbing a stool, he strummed along to Meloetta's rainy-day serenade.

Drops kissed the Revival Herb leaves; mist curled off the eaves.

Bonds with Mythical Pokémon deepened...

And his love for Pokémon grew stronger still.

……

In the chat group, Green brought up the upcoming Vertress Conference.

"A trainer who usually only watches makeup programs suddenly cares about the Vertress Conference?" Blue Oak remarked.

"What, got a problem with that?" Green huffed.

"Erika-sister normally shares competition announcements, so Senior Blue Oak was just curious," Yellow mediated.

Silver: "Because Sister Green is setting up a stall in Hiun City."

"Bingo~ Correct answer! Bonus Evolutionary Stone coupon for you!" Green snapped her fingers with a grin.

Natsume's heart sank.

Green's running a stall at Vertress Conference again?

Oh no... If she keeps running into Team Rocket, even her makeup won't survive!

Gold scoffed. "The only thing anyone buys from you is counterfeit goods!"

Red silently agreed, giving Gold a nudge.

['The Battler' patted 'Gold' and said ' Gold rules!']

Gold laughed triumphantly. "Hahaha, screenshot saved!"

Red: ?

Green: "Hmm... Seems I won't need to intervene."

Lt. Surge: "Rest in peace, young man."

Natsume-sensei: "Well played, Gold."

Red adjusted his cap. "Gold. Training at Mt. Silver this afternoon. Don't be late."

"Oh, electric move drills, right?" Gold rolled up his sleeves. "I'm ready!"

Q: Who dares interrupt Red and Green's Mt. Silver training?

A: Eliminate one wrong answer—definitely not Yellow!

The conversation returned to normal thanks to the graceful Erika.

"None of Celadon's students are competing in Vertress," Erika noted, "but... I believe Ash is participating?"

"Correct," Brock said with closed eyes. "This is Ash's fifth League Tournament."

Lt. Surge whistled. "Five tries? That's insane."

Most trainers would've retired after five losses!

Oh wait—Ash is from Pallet Town. Explains why he's still going...

Ash scratched his head, unfazed. "Don't worry, I'll finally rank this time!"

"Um... Top 16 counts as ranking," Jasmine whispered.

Iris smirked. "My bet's on Top 8."

"Nonsense! Pikachu and I are making it to finals!" Ash declared.

Natsume stared at the sky.

With Ash's rookie-level Unova team and that "acting" Pikachu...

Well, whatever. Hope Professor Oak doesn't get a stroke hearing the results.

"@Natsume-sensei, when's the PTCG World Championship?" Aaron asked. "My Bug-type deck is ready to dominate!"

"Do none of you have jobs?" Natsume replied.

Cynthia smiled. "Sinnoh League workloads are light lately, so I gave them three days off."

You just wanted an excuse to slack off yourself!

Natsume coughed. The slacker culture in Sinnoh thrived, with only one hardworking Psychic-type Elite Four bearing the burden.

Compare Caitlin's psychic powers—destructive enough to level castles—to Lucian's: speed-reading, memorization, vast knowledge...

Now that's efficiency!

Flint grinned. "Volkner and I are hitting Sinnoh's Battle Zone for some matches. Anyone joining?"

Bruno nodded, chewing a Rage Candy. "Count me in."

Flint's habit of "fishing" at the Battle Zone? Learned from Natsume-sensei.

As for Bruno's Rage Candy—Team Rocket's premium selection, trusted by champions!

Lance, stealing a break during work, sipped tea and joined the chat.

As Kanto Champion, he cleared his throat and announced:

"@ALL, Kanto Gym Leaders—this year's League Inspector has been decided."

Inspectors oversaw and evaluated Gyms, wielding significant authority. To assess Leaders, their own strength had to be formidable.

Most Kanto Leaders were veterans, unfazed.

But Janine, who'd inherited her father Koga's Gym, nervously asked:

"Will the Inspector be strict? What happens if we fail?"

"Strict? Well... very," Lance said, recalling the "Baby Cup Slayer" title. "Failure means probation—no badges, no income."

Maylene sighed in relief.

Thank Arceus it's Kanto's turn.

If my Gym got suspended, Lucario and I would starve!

Blue Oak said calmly, "Just evaluate my B-team at Viridian Gym. Try not to blow the place up."

He'd heard stories about former Leader Giovanni returning to find his Gym literally demolished...

Natsume blinked.

Don't blow up Viridian Gym?

No promises!

With Leaders like Brock, Misty, and Sabrina, Natsume's job was simple: tour each Gym and... test the facilities.

The looks on their faces when he revealed his identity would be priceless.

But one Gym needed extra scrutiny—Lt. Surge's Vermilion Gym!

Losing to Ash in no-holds-barred battles is one thing, but Raichu losing to Pikachu?

Pathetic. Do better, Unova major!

Lance didn't reveal the Inspector's identity—that'd violate protocol.

But inviting Natsume was basically rigging the system... right?

Lance's expression darkened.

...Or am I about to set a new record for evaluation failures?!

……

The next day, the Unova Vertress Conference officially commenced, with Ash advancing to the Top 32 on the first day.

In this match, Ash faced his old rival Trip—only for Pikachu to activate "serious mode" and sweep all three opposing Pokémon.

Aunt Delia's spirited cheering from the stands even made it into the tournament coverage.

As for Trip… people are dumbfounded.

Natsume vaguely recalled this year's champion: a Ranger who bred six different Eeveelutions.

Ash's final placement remained uncertain, but his next opponent was none other than the legendary "comedy contestant" Cameron.

This Cameron was infamous for:

Forgetting Poké Balls (battling 5v6)

Having his Riolu evolve into Lucario at 1 HP for a clutch reversal

Natsume didn't dislike Cameron—that Riolu's evolution proved their bond.

But by the rule of "comedy contestants never win seriously"...

Well... good luck, Ash.

That Evening

During a video call with Cynthia, Natsume discussed his upcoming Kanto trip.

"If you need transport, I can lend you my private jet," Cynthia offered, gray eyes earnest.

"Wouldn't that be... improper?"

"You're afraid of heights. The League's partner might not suit you," she pointed out.

Such... such patronage!

Natsume knew Skyla (Mistralton's Gym Leader) piloted a cargo plane, and Wallace's high-tech sports car could fly—at terrifying prices.

Steeling himself, Natsume insisted: "Don't decide for me. I'll respond after seeing the League's Pokémon."

"Fine~" Cynthia smiled. "But what if it's an extremely fast Flying-type?"

Extremely fast?!

Natsume paled, his fear of heights resurfacing.

"The League... wouldn't be that generous, right?"

……

Viridian City, Kanto League.

A pink-haired woman in black attire stepped out of the Pokémon Inspection Bureau, removing her sunglasses to reveal the familiar face of Nurse Joy.

Once a Saffron City nurse, now promoted to Senior League Inspector—dubbed the "Ace of Aces."

Her rapid rise traced back to a flute she'd casually played, catching the attention of a Legendary Pokémon.

Passing the austere Viridian Gym, Joy sighed at the notice on its door:

"Honestly... delegating challenges to Pokémon again?"

Much like Natsume's Pokémon challenging Gyms autonomously—

Blue Oak's team now managed his Gym in his stead.

Typical Viridian Gym tradition... no Leader ever stays put!

Pausing outside, Joy gazed at the clear blue sky, recalling her encounters with Natsume-sensei.

A year ago, she'd been a trainee teaching Chansey Minimize and other dubious tactics... yet somehow ascended to inspector.

Their few meetings included her immature idea of having Chansey knock him out cold...

"Should've just drugged him..." Joy mused, resting a cheek on her hand.

(Not seriously, of course.)

Today, she sought her partner's counsel.

Entering the Gym's quiet corner, she released a Poké Ball:

"Come, Latias."

A red beam materialized into a sleek, jet-like form—crimson-and-white feathers glinting, orange eyes luminous as they met Joy's.

"Latias~" Latias nuzzled her cheek affectionately.

Technically, Latias merely lodged in the Ball.

It stayed for fun, akin to Entei with Blaine or Suicune with Misty—never caught, but cooperative.

Their bond transcended training: they were confidantes.

"Latias," Joy began, "you once mentioned wanting to battle like your brother. I've pondered it deeply."

"My skills can't showcase your strength... nor should I chain you here."

"So I'd like to introduce a Trainer. One with grit, tactical brilliance, and a kind heart."

She smiled. "Feels like matchmaking... but will you meet him?"

"Latias..." Latias floated pensively.

Though gentle, this Latias shared its species' playful daring—

Like the Emerald Latias that adored battles and strategy.

To it, fighting alongside a worthy Trainer would be an honor.

Finally, it nodded. "Latias?"

«How do you know his heart is pure?»

The telepathic voice, girlish and melodic, echoed in Joy's mind.

Young and untrained in shapeshifting, Latias could still sense souls.

Joy produced an ancient flute.

"Remember this?"

Latias' eyes crinkled joyfully. "La-ti!"

«Yes! Its song was beautiful!»

"They say Unova's Celestial Tower bell reveals one's essence when rung."

Joy explained. "This Azure Flute works similarly—it discerns a Trainer's spirit."

Gently stroking Latias' forehead, she added:

"And that... is part of his evaluation."