Chapter 0610 Memories Are Pearls, Bonds Are Diamonds

Night deepened.

As the party neared its end, Professor Oak suggested a group photo.

"Every encounter, every battle, every bond..."

Professor Oak smiled warmly. "They all become precious pearls of memory!"

Ash's gaze met Infernape's.

Flames flickered across Infernape's armor as it murmured, "Infernape..."

Meeting Ash might have been its greatest fortune.

Lucario closed its eyes, recalling its former trainer Sir Aaron—remembering how it once saved the Tree of Beginning alongside a twice-evolved Squirtle.

Those memories still shone like pearls.

Standing beside Cynthia, Natsume whispered, "Feels a bit like goodbye, doesn't it?"

"That's how every League Tournament ends."

Cynthia's smile was gentle. "It marks the conclusion of a year's journey."

Natsume paused.

Whether Paul, Ash, or countless other trainers—they all shared the same goal: collecting eight badges to challenge the League.

Some stumbled at the badge threshold; others fell in preliminary rounds.

Yet new paths always awaited.

Because this world still held endless Pokémon and endless adventures.

As for me...

Natsume glanced at Cynthia's delicate profile before looking down at the eight minimized Poké Balls in his palm.

Quiet days with Moe-Moe! and the little ones were enough.

I, Natsume, want a peaceful life!

"Group photo time, Rotom~!" The Rotom Dex floated cheerfully before the crowd.

Meowth puffed its chest. "Meowth's photography skills are top-notch, meow!"

"Alright, alright." James chuckled, slinging an arm around Meowth. "Get in the shot!"

Wobbuffet popped out of its ball with a salute. "Wobbuffet!"

Beyond trainers and rangers, the Pokémon world teemed with painters, writers, and photographers.

Unova's Ghost-type Elite Four member Shauntal was a celebrated novelist, her works published by Lumiose Press and adored by Sister Lorelei.

As for photographers? That was Kalos Bug-type Leader Viola's specialty.

Natsume recalled the upcoming New Pokémon Snap release before the world shifted... He'd really wanted to play.

"Look here, Rotom!"

Click!

The Rotom Dex's camera flashed, prompting a chorus of protests.

"My bangs weren't ready!" Gold frantically pulled out a comb to fix his black fringe.

"No one's looking at you, Gold!" Crystal sighed beside him.

Ash turned to find Blue Oak's hand on his shoulder. "Blue Oak-senpai...?"

"Train at Viridian Gym before Unova," Blue Oak stated flatly, staring ahead. "No tardiness."

After a pause, Ash grinned. "No problem!!"

Bruno loomed at the back, chewing Natsume's special steamed buns with a gleam in his eyes.

Not quite Rage Candy Bars... but exceptional nonetheless!

Bruno: "Om! (￣～￣)"

Cynthia stood radiant in her white blouse, golden hair cascading down as her eyes curved into crescents.

Noticing her, Natsume called to the front, "Professor Oak, do the countdown!"

"Ah, right."

Professor Oak smiled warmly. "On three, Rotom!"

Click!

"Photo uploaded to group files, rotom!"

"Group... chat?" Cynthia tilted her head at Natsume.

He facepalmed.

Now was the perfect time to add Moe-Moe! to the chat!

This was it—the Sinnoh expansion unlocking the SSR-tier Trainer Dex!

"Inviting you now." Natsume pulled out his phone.

[Group Member 'Cabbage Ice Cream' joined the chat!]

Yellow: "Welcome~! ヽ(°▽°)ノ"

Lance raised an eyebrow. "Three regional Champions in one group now."

Wallace flicked his green hair. "Is this the World Tournament VIP lounge?"

Steven chuckled. "Saves us making a new chat for next year's championship."

With Leon and Natsume already acquainted, introductions were brief.

Steven's azure eyes gleamed as he mused:

Competing next year might outshine even gem hunting.

After all—

That top spot has my name on it.

Smirking, he returned to swinging his mining pick.

Natsume: "You guys have fun. Not my scene."

Cynthia giggled. "Called it."

Natsume-sensei's brow arched.

Baby Cup domination counts as winning!

Ruby smirked. "Wallace-senpai, when are you adding Mrs. Sensei? Then we'd have two power couples!"

Us, Natsume-sensei and Cynthia...

Wonder how Red-senpai and Yellow are doing? Probably imminent!

Lorelei blinked. "Another what now?"

Sapphire gasped. "Eh?! Lorelei-nee doesn't know?!"

During the Tanabata Jirachi incident, they'd already suspected the two Champions' relationship.

Now? They were practically official!

Lorelei: "Know WHAT??"

Gold grinned. "Wait, I wasn't the last to find out?"

[Group Member 'Gold' was muted for 30 days by Admin 'Lorelei'.]

Lance crossed his arms. "Now that you mention it..."

Lorelei: (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

"Some truths," Green said gently, "are kinder left unknown, Lorelei-nee."

Lorelei: o(╥﹏╥)o

The group photo joined the Kanto album in the chat.

Silver saved the image, fingers hesitating over 'send'.

[Upload: 100%]

"Hey, move it!" Gold called ahead.

Tucking his phone away, Silver followed. "Coming."

Under Lily of the Valley's starry sky, the group dispersed to soft Vivillon melodies.

"Gengar~!" Grinning, Gengar produced a microphone.

Natsume paled.

"Meowth, use Taunt!"

Meowth wailed, "Meowth can't learn that, meow~!"

"Rotom—Trick!"

Trick: Swaps held items.

"Gengar?" It shrugged at the Choice Scarf now in its hand.

"Gengar~ ︿(￣︶￣)︿"

Encore postponed!

……

Team Rocket's New Island Base

Giovanni sat on the sofa, absently stroking the Persian in his lap.

"Meeoww~~" Persian rolled onto its back, exposing its belly on the plush carpet.

Yet Giovanni's attention remained fixed on the projected photograph before him.

Staring at the red-haired youth in the image, a rare warmth flickered in Giovanni's eyes.

This photo had been sent to him personally by Silver.

After the Michina Town incident, the ice between them had finally melted.

But Silver still refused to inherit the reborn Team Rocket—

While Giovanni himself couldn't bring himself to abandon it entirely.

"It's time..."

Leaning back against the sofa, the wrinkles on his face softened as he murmured to himself.

When he dialed Matori's line, his voice emerged hoarse and low—the unmistakable tone of an underworld godfather.

"Matori, connect me to the Mentor."

"Understood." Matori's reply was reverent.

Late at night

Matori had expected Natsume-sensei to see the call tomorrow at earliest.

To her surprise, he picked up almost immediately, sounding puzzled: "Matori?"

"Boss Giovanni wishes to speak with you."

"No need for bonuses! Just throw a few small goals my way!" Natsume waved dismissively.

Matori: "...This concerns something more significant than bonuses."

Hearing her grave tone, Natsume's stomach dropped.

Was Boss Giovanni's old injury acting up? Was he dying?!

What about my year-end bonus then?!

Natsume: "Patch him through immediately!"

Beep—

"Natsume... It's been a while."

In the holographic projection, Giovanni crossed his legs, his voice a deep rumble.

Seeing him apparently healthy, Natsume nodded. "What's this about?"

"I've given it much thought since we last met."

The room fell silent as Giovanni deliberated before asking quietly:

"Would you... consider taking over this new Team Rocket?"

Natsume: "..."

Natsume: "...Say what now? My hearing must be going."

"For you to lead this organization."

Giovanni's voice grated like gravel. "To inherit... Team Rainbow Rocket."

Natsume's expression twisted with complexity.

So you're rushing to retire and play house with your kid?!

The name "Team Rainbow Rocket" was something Natsume-sensei had considered back when proposing the Rainbow Initiative.

Giovanni had ultimately adopted it—

Transforming the ultimate evil organization into what amounted to a Dad on a Field Trip program...

The invitation didn't surprise him.

"My current position suits me fine," Natsume said. "You know I value freedom."

"No immediate decision is required."

Giovanni stroked Persian as he murmured, "I merely wished to make my stance clear..."

The Michina Town events had given Natsume-sensei new insight into Boss Giovanni—

A man who gave his full trust to those he deemed worthy, much like how he'd personally trained Red.

Natsume fell into thought.

He's really stepping down...

Not 'I could replace him'—there literally are no other candidates!

Yet the Team Rocket leadership truly belonged to only one man.

"I'll consider it."

Natsume's polite refusal segued into curiosity: "So you're still causing trou—ahem, operating in Unova?"

Giovanni answered without hesitation: "A temporary operation has been drafted."

"Codenamed—Project Storm!"

Natsume blinked.

In the BW anime, Giovanni had dispatched executives to Unova to capture the Forces of Nature trio.

That plan had been called Tempest—and executed by Giovanni himself.

"A Legendary-hunting Project Storm?"

Giovanni: "No... It ensures logistics systems remain operational during extreme weather. Hence the name."

Natsume: "..."

Never change, Boss Giovanni.

……

June 5th, Saturday

With the Lily of the Valley Conference concluded, the Champion League loomed on the horizon.

A post on the official forums became the day's hottest topic:

[Conference Champion Natsume Announces Participation in Champion League!]

"Here he comes—Natsume-sensei with his rookie team comp!"

"Forming a new team in just one year... terrifying!"

"This lineup might struggle against Champion Cynthia without calling reinforcements, no?"

"Beating the Elite Four doesn't necessarily mean challenging the Champion!"

"Right? Maybe he's proposing instead?"

"??? Something's wrong with you!"

"Bookmarking this to Guillotine you later!"

Compared to League Tournaments, the Champion League carried greater prestige and stricter rules.

The format: Six Pokémon, four selected for single battles—permitting rotations and Mega Evolution, but banning healing items.

This was practically an epic-level nerf to Blastoise.

Though Blastoise had just fought in the finals...

Gengar or Sylveon could take its place.

Regarding which Elite Four member to challenge, Natsume sought Cynthia's advice.

"Your Ground-type expertise..."

Cynthia tapped her chin thoughtfully. "With Granny Bertha retiring soon, challenging her would be logical."

Natsume: "But I don't plan to remain as a Sinnoh Elite Four."

Cynthia blinked, then murmured, "Meaning even if Lucian loses, it wouldn't matter..."

Natsume: "..."

Thank you, Lucian!

When I get married, you're definitely invited!

As Sinnoh's strongest Elite Four, Lucian had once defeated two of Cynthia's Pokémon before falling to Garchomp during his championship challenge.

Targeting Lucian was a win-win—

He could avoid overtime, and Gengar could stretch its limbs...

As for Flint, still scribbled in Natsume's notebook—

Plenty of time for tag-team battles with my wife-to-be, Volkner included!

……

"Natsume-sensei is challenging Lucian?!"

Flint clutched his face dramatically, wailing: "Why not me?!"

As the Fire-type Elite Four, Flint burned with an insatiable competitive spirit.

If challenged by Natsume-sensei, he'd be even more thrilled than the challenger himself...

"Choosing me, then..."

Lucian adjusted his burgundy suit, pushing up his frameless glasses with a faint smirk.

As Sinnoh's strongest Elite Four, Lucian shared that same hunger for battle—

Evident from his multiple Champion League attempts against Cynthia.

Without such drive, he'd never have endured overtime (scratch that)... nor earned his position as the fourth seat.

Lucian's glasses flashed.

Win = approved vacation. Lose = instant retirement.

Battling Natsume-sensei?

Heads I win, tails I don't lose.

……

By afternoon, news of Natsume challenging Psychic-type Elite Four Lucian spread like wildfire.

"He's targeting the strongest right away?!"

"Sinnoh's top Elite Four... Might as well call this a Youth Tournament!"

"Both Natsume-sensei and Elite Four Lucian excel at strategy. This could become a Trick Room mind game."

"Fast forward to Shadow Tag + Perish Song—Gengar toying with him!"