Chapter 229:Return to the Lake Island

"Jigglypuff~."

The alarm sounded from a pink phone adorned with a Jigglypuff charm on the nightstand.

Kiko sat up, rubbing her eyes, and turned off the alarm.

"Why are you up so early today?"

Natsume stood in front of the wardrobe, pulling out a jacket, looking somewhat surprised at Kiko, who had just sat up.

"Because I need to exercise early, or I'll really gain weight."

Kiko pinched the flesh around her waist as she spoke. "My abs are almost gone."

Natsume chuckled. "Keep it up."

As he spoke, he drew back the curtains.

The morning sun streamed through the window, brightening the previously dim room.

"I have something to take care of, so I'll head out first."

"Alright~"

Kiko sat up, pulling the blanket over her partially exposed chest. "You go ahead. I need to change."

"I'll go for a run later."

Although Kiko and Natsume had long since unlocked various intimate moments, she still felt shy about changing clothes in front of him.

The peculiar thoughts of a girl.

"Sure."

Natsume closed the curtains again and then left the room.

Gardevoir was sitting in the living room, reading a book, with a cup of freshly brewed black tea beside her.

Natsume, too lazy to make his own, naturally picked up Gardevoir's cup.

"Good morning, Gardevoir."

Gardevoir stood up. "Good morning, Natsume."

"Indeedee~"

At the dining table, Indeedee had already served breakfast.

Today's menu was egg crepes, a local specialty.

Natsume grabbed a crepe, stuffed it into his mouth, and then headed outside.

"Let's head straight there."

"After we finish, we can come back, and maybe take Tinkatink to the Tinkatink factory in Tokyo this afternoon."

Natsume and Gardevoir discussed the day's plans.

The morning breeze was growing cooler; after all, it was already October.

Outside, Infernape and Heracross, each with a berry in their mouths, were running from the direction of the orchard toward the base of the mountain.

"Infernape, Heracross, wait up."

Natsume called out to them.

"Infernape~"

Infernape took the berry out of its mouth and ran over to Natsume.

Natsume looked at Infernape and Heracross. "Today, you're coming with me to challenge a gym out of town."

"Infernape~"

Hearing this, Infernape and Heracross quickly stuffed the berries into their mouths and swallowed them.

"No need to rush that much."

"But since you're ready, let's go."

"Infernape~"

Great Britain, Lake Island.

Although Lake Island has "island" in its name, it's actually connected to Great Britain.

It's just that Lake Island is surrounded by the sea on three sides, and the inland area is separated by a forest. On the map, it looks like an island, and with its many lakes, the name stuck.

Lake Island doesn't have towering skyscrapers.

It retains a traditional architectural style, with houses mostly built of red bricks, their white walls adorned with various flowers and plants.

Each house here has its own garden.

In the gardens, you can see small Pokémon moving about, and people gathering for parties.

Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves.

The village paths are paved with asphalt, looking very tidy.

The environment of Lake Island is quite pleasant, attracting many tourists.

Thus, foreigners like Natsume don't draw much curiosity here.

"Baa~"

A group of Wooloo walked down the asphalt road, and pedestrians stopped to let them pass.

"There are a lot of Wooloo here."

Natsume remarked to Gardevoir beside him. "Should we raise a few sheep on our farm?"

Gardevoir replied softly, "Misaki's family has plenty of sheep."

"True."

Natsume laughed. "Speaking of which, we've been saying we'd visit the Kushiro Wetlands again, but we still haven't gone."

Gardevoir suggested, "How about we go after the hearty grains on the farm are harvested?"

"Sounds good. Let's do that."

They strolled leisurely along the path.

Ahead stood a castle-like building.

That castle was Natsume's next destination: the Lake Gym.

Before Natsume even arrived, he could see a dark red whirlpool rising above the gym.

Clearly, a Dynamax gym battle was underway.

"Hurry, hurry, it's already started."

Just then, an urgent voice came from behind Natsume.

A black-haired young man, carrying a backpack, was pulling along two friends.

"Treecko~"

At his feet, a Treecko was pacing in place.

"Hey, don't rush. Lake Island already announced that there are three gym battles today."

"Exactly, we'll definitely make it."

"What do you know?"

The black-haired young man turned to his two blond friends. "Today's challenger is from the Japan League, and his name is Natsume."

"I bet it's that Natsume, the gym leader."

"Why would a gym leader from your country come here for a gym challenge? Maybe it's just a coincidence?"

The black-haired young man insisted, "That's why we need to hurry and find out."

As he spoke, he noticed Natsume and Gardevoir walking ahead, who had just turned around.

Natsume smiled slightly at him and then continued forward with Gardevoir.

"Hey, why did you stop?"

The blond man asked, puzzled.

"Were you looking at that Gardevoir?"

"Speaking of which, that Gardevoir has such a graceful presence. It's quite captivating."

"Honestly, I've always wanted to marry a Gardevoir. I envy him."

Thud~ Thud~

The black-haired young man suddenly knocked their heads.

"Hey, why did you hit us?"

The black-haired young man exclaimed excitedly, "Show some respect. That's Natsume, the gym leader."

"I can't believe it's really him."

Natsume, hearing the conversation behind him, sighed. "As expected, wherever there are people, there are Japan League folks."

Ahead, the Lake Island gym came into view.

Natsume walked through the grand entrance, adorned with carvings of various Pokémon.

Inside the castle was the Dynamax Battle Arena.

On the arena, a middle-aged man in formal attire waved his hand. "Let's end this battle!"

"Max Darkness!"

Boom.