Chapter 299: The Decaying Shield

Barry looked somewhat surprised at Celebi floating in mid-air, then turned his gaze to Gardevoir, who was standing outside the field watching.

After a moment of thought, Barry looked at Scorbunny and said, "Attacking humans isn’t acceptable."

"Little one, aren’t you going to apologize?"

"Scorbunny!"

Scorbunny turned its head away, showing no intention of apologizing.

"Such a disobedient child."

Barry sighed, then took out a Poké Ball. "Come on out, Rillaboom."

Click~

The Poké Ball opened, and with a flash of red light, a wild-looking Rillaboom appeared.

It placed the large drum it carried on the ground in front of it, then turned its attention to Scorbunny.

"Scorbunny."

Scorbunny immediately looked nervous.

Barry said calmly, "Rillaboom, teach this naughty little rabbit a small lesson."

"Celebi."

Celebi quickly stepped in front of Scorbunny.

Whoosh~

A cool breeze blew.

Rillaboom didn’t move.

"Celebi?"

Celebi looked confused, then glanced toward the edge of the field.

At that moment, Gardevoir was calmly watching Rillaboom.

Its powerful psychic energy had completely immobilized Rillaboom.

Barry also turned his head, slightly alarmed as he looked at Gardevoir.

Barry thought to himself, "This level of power... it’s terrifying."

Inside the Hyde Research Institute

Natsume looked at Dr. Hyde and said, "However, if you’re just coming to visit, you’re more than welcome."

As Natsume spoke, he suddenly glanced outside and said, "Hold on, I need to step out for a moment."

With that, Natsume disappeared in an instant.

"Dr. Hyde."

At the entrance, an assistant hurried over.

"What is it?"

"Mr. Barry is back."

"He’s back?"

Dr. Hyde was slightly stunned, then looked toward where Natsume had disappeared and muttered, "Did Gym Leader Natsume leave suddenly because of a conflict with Mr. Barry?"

"Let’s go outside."

Outside the Research Institute

Natsume’s figure appeared instantly.

"Celebi."

Celebi, seeing Natsume suddenly appear, immediately relaxed and flew onto Natsume’s shoulder.

Natsume scratched Celebi’s chin and smiled. "What’s wrong, little one?"

"Celebi."

Celebi pointed at Scorbunny, then at the boy who had stopped crying, and finally at Barry.

"I see."

Through Celebi’s explanation, Natsume roughly understood what had happened outside.

In short, it was just a childish dispute over a game.

Barry, meanwhile, looked at Natsume with a smile. "Gym Leader Natsume, my apologies. I didn’t realize this Scorbunny was already your Pokémon."

Gardevoir glanced at Barry, then used telepathy to communicate with Natsume.

This man harbors some malice toward you.

Natsume looked at the middle-aged man in front of him.

Barry had a strong, rugged appearance, carrying a single-strap bag, much like his Rillaboom.

Natsume then scanned Rillaboom’s data.

Name: Rillaboom
Type: Grass
Level: 69
Ability: Overgrow
Moves: Drum Beating, Grassy Terrain... Boomburst, Solar Blade
Potential: Elite Four

This Rillaboom’s strength was quite impressive.

Natsume looked at Barry. "Do you know me?"

Barry smiled. "Of course. Gym Leader Natsume from the East. I think there are very few people in this world who don’t know you."

Shake~ Click~

At that moment, the Poké Ball containing Zacian on Natsume’s belt suddenly opened on its own.

Natsume looked at Zacian. "What’s wrong?"

Zacian sniffed the air, then looked at Barry. "I sense the presence of the shield on him."

"The shield?"

Natsume looked at Barry in surprise.

Natsume asked directly, "Do you have the shield related to Zamazenta?"

Barry’s eyes gleamed as he looked at Zacian, then he replied confidently, "Yes."

Without hiding anything, he pulled out a worn-out shield from his bag.

The shield was missing a corner and bore many marks as if it had been struck by swords.

Barry explained, "This shield is the legendary artifact said to control Zamazenta."

"Don’t let its appearance fool you. According to tests, this shield contains incredible power."

Barry smiled. "Of course, since Gym Leader Natsume already has Zacian, I’m sure you’re aware of all this."

"By the way, we might end up fighting side by side soon."

Natsume raised an eyebrow.

"Fighting side by side?"

"What do you mean?"

Barry said, "Haven’t you heard the prophecy?"

"Legend says that when the world faces a crisis, warriors wielding a sword and a shield will appear."

"Together with the awakened Sword King Zacian and Shield King Zamazenta, they will defeat the darkness!"

Barry pointed at Natsume and smiled. "Clearly, Gym Leader Natsume is the legendary Sword Warrior."

"As for the Shield Warrior..."

Barry shook the shield in his hand.

"Mr. Natsume, Mr. Barry."

Dr. Hyde and Saoirse had come out by now.

Barry waved his hand. "Dr. Hyde, I hope my companions haven’t caused you any trouble."

"Not at all."

Dr. Hyde glanced at Natsume, then at Barry. "It’s getting late."

"If you don’t mind, why don’t Barry and Gym Leader Natsume join us for dinner?"

Natsume shifted his gaze from Barry to Dr. Hyde. "Then, I’ll trouble you."

Barry, watching Natsume’s back, finally relaxed his tense nerves.

"That was nerve-wracking."

Barry thought to himself.

Rillaboom walked up to Barry, showing concern.

Barry shook his head slightly.

"Scorbunny."

Saoirse looked at Scorbunny with exasperation. "Really, now your health report won’t be done in time."

Barry looked at Saoirse. "So, this Scorbunny isn’t Gym Leader Natsume’s Pokémon?"

Saoirse shook her head. "No, why?"

Barry chuckled. "Then I must have misunderstood. I thought this Scorbunny belonged to Gym Leader Natsume."

"Celebi~"

Celebi tugged on Natsume’s clothes, then pointed at Scorbunny, who was following behind...