Chapter 186:The Setting of Silvally ~ The First Day at Sea

“Natsume, where’s Lugia?”

As soon as Ohtaka saw Natsume, he hurriedly called out.

Natsume replied as he watched Ohtaka jump onto the deck from Corviknight, “Lugia has already left.”

“Damn it.”

Ohtaka immediately looked dejected. “I missed it again.”

“There are so many people in the world who have seen Lugia; what difference does it make if I’m not one of them?”

Natsume smiled at the gloomy Ohtaka. “You’ll have another chance.”

The middle level of Lapras No. 1 looked very businesslike.

It had aquariums filled with Water-type Pokémon.

There were leather sofas, a large TV, and even a two-way glass that allowed one to see the underwater world.

Standing in front of the glass, one could clearly view the underwater scenery.

Ohtaka collected himself and said, “Let’s talk business first.”

“You mentioned that Lugia came to ask for your help. What’s that all about?”

Natsume briefly recounted the situation about Lugia coming to him.

After that, Natsume continued, “While Manaphy was preparing to go to sea, that group suddenly captured little Lugia.”

“I believe their true intention is to use Lugia’s power to obtain Manaphy.”

“After all, with a legendary Pokémon like Lugia, you can’t borrow their power without their acknowledgment.”

Ohtaka replied to Natsume, “You’re right.”

Natsume asked, “Do you have any more intel on that artificial Pokémon?”

Ohtaka said, “I do know some information about it.”

“Silvally was once developed through funding from Future Technology as a Pokémon capable of countering legendary Pokémon.”

Natsume raised his eyebrows in surprise. “A Pokémon that can stand up to legendary Pokémon?”

“Exactly.”

Ohtaka explained, “Silvally is equipped with eighteen energy card slots.”

“Each slot holds remarkably powerful type cartridges.”

“To put it this way, do you know about the high-tech weapon known as a nuclear bomb developed by the United States of America?”

“Nuclear bomb?”

Natsume asked curiously, “Are you saying Silvally has eighteen nuclear bombs inside?”

“To be precise, it has eighteen bombs containing type energy.”

“Actually, our rangers’ intelligence agency learned about the recent conflict between Lugia and Silvally at sea.”

“According to reports from the investigators on-site, there was a substantial amount of Dark-type energy residuals left in the water.”

“We suspect that the Silvally at that time might have been carrying Dark-type bombs.”

After hearing Ohtaka’s explanation, Natsume couldn’t help but marvel once again at the wonders of technology.

This world's Silvally was far more terrifying than the one Natsume had come to know from the storyline.

It was no wonder Lugia said that it did not belong to its power.

In a way, that Silvally was like a walking nuclear weapon.

After thinking for a moment, Natsume looked at Ohtaka and said, “Since you were able to find out all this, you must have some leads as well, right?”

The overall strength of the Japan League ranks among the top three in this world, so their intelligence agency must be quite capable.

Ohtaka replied directly, “The organization currently controlling this Silvally is called Trident.”

“It was founded by the former Elite Four of the Unova League, Brando.”

“Little Lugia is definitely being watched over by Trident now.”

Natsume, after hearing this, asked, “Do you need my help?”

Ohtaka responded, “Not for now.”

“However, once we find out where little Lugia is imprisoned, we will need your assistance.”

Ohtaka continued, “In the meantime, I’m counting on you to take care of Manaphy.”

“Trident’s people shouldn’t act directly just yet.”

“Because they also need Manaphy to locate the Temple of the Sea first.”

“Manaphy~”

Manaphy appeared outside the glass window.

It tapped on the glass with its fins.

Natsume smiled and waved back at Manaphy, then stood up from the sofa. “Then I’ll leave the search for little Lugia to you.”

“Sounds good.”

Natsume and Ohtaka returned to the deck.

“Come out, Corviknight.”

Ohtaka released his Corviknight, mounted it, and left the area.

“Manaphy~”

Manaphy jumped out of the water’s surface and waved at Natsume.

“I’m coming.”

Natsume acknowledged and then removed his clothing and jumped into the water.

“Milotic~”

Milotic and Squirtle swam over to Natsume’s side.

Natsume looked out at the vast sea and said, “Manaphy, let’s set out.”

“Manaphy~”

The Temple of the Sea did not have a fixed location.

It floated around in the sea.

Manaphy could sense the temple's whereabouts.

Therefore, it swam continuously toward the current position of the temple.

Natsume accompanied Manaphy as they traveled through the sea.

Dragon Boat No. 1 followed behind.

Natsume looked back to see that the harbor of Minato-machi had already disappeared from view.

The number of Water-type Pokémon around them was also increasing.

Glub, glub~

Amid the sounds of splashing water, a large school of Remoraid swam past the sides of the ship.

The Remoraid school gathered around Natsume and Manaphy.

After traveling a distance with the Remoraid, a swarm of Luvdisc surrounded Natsume and the others.

These Water-type Pokémon were welcoming Manaphy and escorting it forward.

Time flowed gently with the currents.

The azure sea gradually took on a golden hue as the sun set.

Manaphy sprang from the reflection of the sunset and then fell back into the ocean.

At that moment, Natsume was already on the deck.

He lay on a lounge chair, enjoying the sunset over the sea.

“What a beautiful view.”

Watanabe walked over to Natsume and said, “Natsume, the gym leader, judging by our current route, Manaphy should pass through the waters of the island country and then enter the Pacific Ocean.”

Natsume replied casually, “Ohtaka has already contacted the Pokémon League in the island country.”

“We just need to pass through normally.”

Watanabe nodded. “Then there shouldn't be any issues.”

“Everyone, it’s time to eat!”

Onami shouted to Natsume and Watanabe, holding a Rotom.

Most of the ship's tasks were handled by Rotom.

Cleaning, cooking, and navigating.

As an Electric Pokémon, Rotom was incredibly intelligent and had strong learning abilities, allowing it to manage many affairs.

Many people were grateful to those who had developed the correct way to use Rotom!

Today’s meal was seafood shabu-shabu.

“Natsume, the gym leader, I wonder if you’ve ever tried this.”

Watanabe cheerfully brought over a case of fruit beer and handed a bottle to Natsume.

Natsume took it and checked the alcohol content.

The beer was 11% alcohol, and a Shuckle was printed on the bottle.

Natsume curiously asked, “Is this beer made from juice produced by Shuckle?”

“Exactly.”

Natsume was among the first to try this world’s fruit beer.

He poured the beer from the bottle into a glass.

White foam floated on top, resembling waves.

Natsume took a sip.

“How is it?”

Watanabe looked at Natsume expectantly.

Natsume smiled and said, “It’s refreshing and has no bitterness; it’s pretty good.”

“Haha, I knew it.”

Watanabe said, “By the way, doesn’t Natsume, the gym leader, have any Shuckle on his Farm?”

“Not yet.”

Natsume looked at Gardevoir and said, “Gardevoir, could you chill this for me?”

Gardevoir crouched slightly beside Natsume.

Icy Wind~

“Thanks.”

Watanabe then suggested, “Since Natsume, the gym leader, has such a large orchard, I think you could consider raising a few Shuckle.”

“Speaking of which, I have a friend who specializes in breeding Shuckle.”

“If you’re interested, I can take you there to pick some out.”

Natsume smiled. “That would be great.”

“After delivering Manaphy, let’s go check it out.”

Natsume had thought about getting a few Shuckle before, but unfortunately, he had never encountered any in the wilderness.

Of course, this was also because Natsume hadn’t specifically gone looking for that type of Pokémon.

Watanabe clearly was the type of person who became more talkative after having some drinks.

At this moment, he began analyzing the strength of the Japan Elite Four and Champion with Natsume.

“Listen to me.”

“I really think you could challenge the Champion of the Eastern Region.”

Watanabe elaborated little by little, “I feel like our Eastern Region Elite Four aren’t as strong as your Dragonite.”

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite was sitting on the deck, mouth open, taking a bite of Slowpoke’s tail that had been cooked in the Shabu-shabu.

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite wiped its mouth and looked at Watanabe with approval.

“Let’s start with Minamiyou; his strongest Pokémon is a Quaquaval.”

“However, I think that Pokémon doesn’t look very smart.”

“I believe your Dragonite could take it down with just one Thunder Punch.”

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite nodded while eating.

“And then there’s Koushin. I don’t even want to talk about him.”

“During a battle two years ago over a secret realm at sea, he actually lost to a woman from the island country.”

“His father is the Champion of the Eastern Region.”

“If I had been there, I definitely would have sent out Tropius first.”

Onami, sitting next to Natsume, sighed, “My uncle is like that; he loves talking about Champion battles whenever he drinks.”

Natsume smiled. “That’s okay.”

“It’s actually quite interesting to hear him talk about it.”

As Watanabe continued, he unexpectedly began reminiscing about the past.

“Back in the day, I actually wanted to be a Trainer too.”

“But unfortunately, my older sister, Onami’s mother, got there first.”

“So, I had to inherit the family business.”

“Otherwise, I feel like I would at least be a regional-level gym leader by now.”

After Watanabe finished speaking, he reached to grab a beer.

He was rummaging through the beer box.

“Hm?”

Watanabe looked down, puzzled.

“Burp~”

Squirtle lay inside and let out a big burp.

“Squirtle~”

With a blush on its face, Squirtle wobbled out of the box.

Natsume stared at Squirtle in surprise.

“When did you get in there, Squirtle?”

“Squirtle~”

Squirtle had originally come over to grab a bite to eat.

However, it saw Watanabe constantly drinking that beverage and became curious, so it opened a bottle for itself.

“Squirtle~”

Squirtle thought it was quite tasty.

Just a bit dizzy.

Watanabe lifted Squirtle with a grin and said, “Who would have thought, little Squirtle?”

“You’re a bit of a drunkard, huh?”

“Squirtle!”

As Watanabe shook Squirtle in his hand, Squirtle suddenly covered its mouth.

“Whoa!”

Bam~

The yellow Water Gun, mixed with alcohol, shot out suddenly, striking Watanabe on the head.

Watanabe and the chair behind him fell to the deck from the impact of the Water Gun.

“Squirtle~”

Squirtle wiped its mouth,

Feeling much better now.

Natsume hurried over and asked, “Are you alright?”

Watanabe looked a bit dazed.

“I’m fine, just feeling a bit dizzy.”

After saying that, Watanabe really fainted.

Natsume quickly used Eternity Power on Watanabe.

“Squirtle.”

This startled Squirtle.

Squirtle rushed forward, shaking Watanabe’s body.

“Squirtle.”

Don’t die, don’t die.

Natsume chuckled, “Stop shaking him; don’t worry, he won’t die.”

“Whoa!”

At that moment, Watanabe was truly awakened by Squirtle’s shaking.

As he opened his eyes, he exclaimed and immediately threw up all over Squirtle.

“Squirtle”

Squirtle froze in shock.

“Ugh.”

Watanabe looked at Squirtle and said, “I guess we’re even now, Squirtle.”

“Squirtle!”

Squirtle, angry, butted its head into Watanabe’s stomach.

“Whoa!”

Watanabe widened his eyes and promptly threw up even more.

Natsume and Onami quickly stepped back.

It was too much to look at.

“Floatzel!”

Floatzel walked over helplessly.

“Floatzel.”

Floatzel first pulled Squirtle aside and then hoisted Watanabe, carrying him inside.

Natsume looked at Onami and asked, “Is this okay?”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Onami explained to Natsume, “Floatzel often takes care of my drunk uncle; it knows what to do.”

Natsume watched Watanabe and Floatzel's retreating figures and remarked, “This is the true essence of how humans and Pokémon care for and support each other.”

“Squirtle!”

Squirtle, looking quite pitiful, ran toward Manaphy and the others in the deck pool.

“Manaphy!”

Manaphy quickly jumped out of the pool, looking at Squirtle in alarm.

“Squirtle.”

Squirtle glanced back at Natsume.

“Cough, cough.”

Natsume said, “Squirtle, you should take a bath first.”

With that, Natsume waved his hand.

Whoosh~

Squirtle was tossed into the sea by Natsume.

Splash, splash, splash~

The dirt on Squirtle was washed away.

“Squirtle~”

Squirtle was brought back to Natsume.

“Squirtle.”

Squirtle sniffed its body and found it was odor-free now.

Natsume said, “Alright, go play.”

“Squirtle~”

Excited, Squirtle ran back toward Manaphy and the others.

“Manaphy~”

Manaphy backed away.

“Mudkip.”

Mudkip also retreated.

“Squirtle.”

Squirtle looked up at Dragonite.

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite soared into the sky.

“Squirtle!”

Squirtle called out and then dashed toward Manaphy and the others.

“Manaphy!”

Manaphy and the others immediately started to chase each other around the pool, frolicking and playing.

Natsume watched this lively scene with a smile, holding a bottle of fruit beer, and then reclined back on the lounge chair on the deck.

In the sky, the moon had risen above the sea.

The starlight scattered across the endless sea like tiny diamonds, shimmering as the waves rose and fell, creating a dance of light.

In the deep night, the Milky Way stretched across the sky, echoing the surface of the water.

Mysterious, beautiful, and grand.

It felt dreamlike.

The boat swayed gently beneath him.

The sounds of Squirtle and Manaphy chasing each other filled his ears.

He didn’t want to move; not at all.

Natsume adjusted his position. “Gardevoir, let’s sleep here tonight.”

Gardevoir lay down beside Natsume.

Natsume reached out to hug Gardevoir, feeling her soft, delicate form.

“Gardevoir, let me touch your leg.”

Gardevoir slightly raised her legs, allowing Natsume to gently move his hand up and down her thigh.

“You two look like lovers on vacation,” Onami teased from the side. “I’m really envious.”

Natsume turned to Onami and smiled. “Lovers? This is my main wife.”

Hearing this, Gardevoir blushed.

Whoosh~

Gardevoir used Teleport.

Natsume blinked and looked at Onami. “You scared my Gardevoir away!”

Onami was taken aback and said, “You’re the one who scared her off!”

“Just enjoy the breeze here; I’ll head inside.”

Natsume sighed and redirected his gaze back to the sea.

In the distance, a Mantine leaped from the water's surface.

The tired Manaphy and the others were now lying in the pool, fast asleep.

Gardevoir reappeared on the deck using Teleport, then gently draped the blanket over Natsume.

Gardevoir whispered, “Good night.”