Chapter 185:Lugia's Request! The Ceremony to Set Sail!

Lugia's Request! The Ceremony to Set Sail!

September 3rd, and the rain was still pouring from the sky.

Water dripped from the eaves, forming a curtain of rain.

Natsume looked at Serperior and said, “Serperior, I’m counting on you to take care of the Farm while I’m away.”

“Serperior~”

Serperior nodded slightly.

Since Natsume would be at sea for some time, he decided not to take all the powerful Pokémon from the Farm with him.

Serperior and Arcanine would stay behind.

Gardevoir stood by the door, holding an umbrella. Natsume stepped under it and walked toward the river.

“Kingdra~”

Kingdra waited there.

Natsume said to Kingdra, “Kingdra, you’ll come with us to escort Manaphy this time.”

“Kingdra~”

Kingdra was at Level 78, and on the sea, it could undoubtedly exert Champion-level battle strength. 

So, Natsume planned to bring Kingdra along too.

Beside Kingdra were Squirtle, Mudkip, and the others.

These little ones, after learning that Manaphy was leaving, insisted on joining the journey to the sea.

Natsume thought that bringing them along would likely add a lot of joy to the sea voyage.

This time, the Pokémon accompanying Natsume included not just Dragonite, Gardevoir, and Arcevee, but also a team of Water types: Kingdra, Milotic, Wishiwashi (School Form), Mudkip, Squirtle, Vaporeon, and Feraligatr.

It was practically a team-building trip for the Water-type Pokémon of the Farm.

“Everyone, it’s time to go.”

Onami took out her Poké Balls and recalled all her Pokémon.

“Houndoom~”

Houndoom came running over with Manaphy from a distance.

Natsume looked at Manaphy and asked, “Have you said goodbye to everyone?”

“Manaphy~”

Natsume picked Manaphy up. “Then let’s go.”

Onami asked curiously, “How are we going to get there?”

Natsume smiled at Onami. “Why, we’re flying, of course.”

As he spoke, Onami, along with Natsume and Gardevoir, began to float up.

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite flapped its wings, staying close to Natsume.

Experiencing flying for the first time, Onami seemed quite tense.

Natsume used Inner Focus to envelop her body and said, “Relax, you’ll come to love this feeling.”

Onami took a deep breath, holding tightly onto Natsume's hand, and looked at the Farm, which was shrinking below her. “This truly is an amazing experience.”

“Manaphy~”

Manaphy waved its hand.

Natsume smiled. “Let’s go!”

Rumble~

Amidst the thunder and rain, Natsume and the group instantly disappeared into the sky.

Minato-machi, the harbor!

The wind and waves were fierce today.

The harbor sky was covered with dense clouds, looking as if they might descend at any moment.

Thunder rumbled, and lightning danced among the dark clouds.

In such weather, even the Wingull and Wattrel on the seashore nestled quietly in their nests.

The boats in the harbor bobbed and rocked on the waves.

“This weather is awful.”

Watanabe stood on the shore, looking at the raging sea with a troubled expression. “Not fit for sailing at all.”

“Dragonite~”

From the sky came the call of Dragonite.

Watanabe looked up.

Dragonite suddenly accelerated, quickly descending in front of Watanabe and displaying its sudden stopping ability.

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite smiled and waved at Watanabe.

“Don’t scare me like that, Dragonite.”

Watanabe patted his chest. “An old uncle like me can’t handle such scares.”

“Dragonite~”

Behind Dragonite, Natsume and Onami arrived.

“So, everyone’s here, Natsume, the gym leader.”

Natsume shook hands with Watanabe and looked towards the sea, “The wind and waves are quite strong today.”

“Yes.”

Watanabe sighed, “The weather had been fine; not sure what happened. Yesterday evening, it suddenly started pouring rain again.”

“Manaphy~”

Manaphy looked eagerly at the sea, visibly excited.

It jumped out of Natsume’s arms and ran towards the sea.

Watanabe watched Manaphy, “Is that Manaphy? Wait, it’s pretty dangerous in the sea right now.”

Watanabe shouted nervously at Manaphy.

Onami laughed, “Don’t worry. Remember what kind of Pokémon Manaphy is.”

Watanabe paused, then chuckled as he tapped his forehead, “Ha, I must be losing it.”

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite jumped into the ocean with Manaphy.

“Manaphy~”

Manaphy’s little head emerged from the waves, rain and sea embracing its body.

Natsume watched Manaphy standing on the waves and smiling. “Indeed, Manaphy belongs to the sea.”

Simultaneously, Natsume noticed Manaphy’s experience bar rapidly filling up.

Manaphy’s level increased to 40 before the speed of increase began to slow down.

“Manaphy~”

Manaphy’s song began to spread through the stormy waves.

Suddenly, an immensely powerful Inner Focus emanated from afar.

“Dragonite!”

Dragonite instantly became alert and soared from the sea.

Gardevoir instinctively positioned itself in front of Natsume.

Natsume looked forward.

Swish~

A massive wave suddenly rose above the sea.

The wave crashed heavily upon the surface.

A gigantic blue and white Pokémon suddenly appeared in Natsume’s sight.

It stood amidst the hurricane rain, gazing at Manaphy in the water.

It was Lugia!

“Manaphy~”

Manaphy sat on the waves, cheerfully waving at Lugia.

The two legends, one large and one small, faced each other in the hurricane rain.

Name: Lugia

Type: Psychic/Flying

Level: 101

Ability: Pressure

Individual Values: HP 31, Attack 31, Defense 31, Special Attack 31, Special Defense 31, Speed 31

Moves: Ancient Power, Recover, Extrasensory, Future Sight

Potential: Godly Level

Lugia seemed to be communicating with Manaphy.

Manaphy turned its head to look at Natsume.

“Manaphy~”

Natsume used Teleport to appear in front of Manaphy.

“Manaphy~”

Manaphy conveyed to Natsume that Lugia's child had been taken by humans.

Lugia hoped that Natsume could help retrieve its child.

Natsume looked up at Lugia.

The storm god among legends stood before him, exuding an incredible pressure.

Natsume had not expected that even before setting sail, Lugia would appear right in front of him.

“Lugia, who could possibly take your child in front of you?”

A somewhat androgynous voice echoed directly in Natsume's mind.

Lugia responded angrily, “It was a Pokémon covered in steel.”

“I’ve never seen a Pokémon like that.”

“Its strength is incredibly powerful.”

“But that isn’t its true strength.”

Lugia projected the appearance of that Pokémon for Natsume to see.

“Silvally?”

Natsume immediately recognized the Pokémon.

Surprised, Natsume exclaimed, “You lost to it?”

Lugia shot a displeased glare at Natsume. “If it were a real battle, I wouldn't have lost.”

"I see. So that group used little Lugia to threaten you?"

Lugia nodded.

Many people believe that legendary Pokémon from the legends do not have gender.

However, that isn’t the case.

Like Lugia, even though it is categorized as a genderless Pokémon, this simply means that determining the gender of legendary Pokémon is impossible.

After all, humans can’t study the gender differences of Pokémon like Lugia.

The fact that Lugia can have children already says a lot.

Therefore, a curious question suddenly arose in Natsume's mind.

He wondered who little Lugia's father was.

“It sleeps in the Origin Sea.”

Lugia answered Natsume's curiosity.

“That trio of origin birds requires the Ocean God’s power to maintain balance; otherwise, this world will fall into chaos.”

Natsume instantly understood.

“Are there any other questions?”

Natsume shook his head. “No, there aren’t.”

“Humans, bring back my child.”

After delivering this final statement, Lugia disappeared into the storm over the sea.

Remarkably, as soon as Lugia left, the dark clouds in the sky slowly dissipated, and the winds and waves calmed.

In the blink of an eye, the harbor transformed into a scene of clear skies and sunshine.

“Eh? What’s going on?”

Onami exclaimed, “Why did the hurricane suddenly stop?”

Natsume turned to look at Onami and Watanabe and asked, “Didn’t you see?”

“See what?”

Watanabe replied, puzzled. “I just saw the storm suddenly stop.”

Natsume murmured, “I see; it seems you were shielded from it.”

“Ah?”

Watanabe quickly asked, “What do you mean?”

Natsume explained, “Lugia came.”

“Lugia?”

“Huh?”

“Lugia!!!”

Watanabe’s eyes widened. “You mean Lugia?”

“It came?”

Natsume nodded. “Yes.”

“That Lugia lost its child and wanted me to help find it.”

“Anyway, I’ll make a phone call.”

Natsume didn’t know who had taken Lugia’s child.

But he was certain that since Lugia had a conflict with Silvally, the disturbance must be significant.

The Japan League definitely had already received the news.

Natsume planned to ask the League for help in finding little Lugia.

He dialed Ohtaka’s number.

“Natsume, the gym leader?”

Ohtaka answered Natsume’s call, sounding confused. “What’s up?”

“I need a favor.”

“A favor from me?”

Ohtaka asked, puzzled. “What is it?”

Natsume replied directly, “Lugia came to see me. It wants my help, but it’s a bit complicated.”

Ohtaka didn’t think Natsume was joking about such a matter.

His dream Pokémon was, after all, Lugia.

So, as soon as he heard Natsume mention Lugia, his tone quickly perked up.

Ohtaka said excitedly, “Wait a moment; I’ll be right there!”

With that, Ohtaka hung up the phone.

Just as the call ended, Ohtaka quickly called back, “Where are you right now?”

“At the harbor in Minato-machi.”

“I’m on my way, coming right now!”

As soon as the storm calmed down, the Wingull by the seaside were the first to soar into the sea.

They glided over the ocean, riding the sea breeze.

Fishing boats in the harbor also began to move.

They didn’t set sail immediately but instead formed a large circle on the water.

“What are they doing?”

Natsume looked over in that direction.

“This is the ceremony for everyone going to sea,” Watanabe explained. “Whenever the storms cease, the fishermen gather to offer a battle of Water-type Pokémon to the Ocean God.”

“We hope to pray for a safe voyage and return without encountering any storms.”

Natsume understood. “I see.”

“Let’s board the ship.”

Watanabe’s boat resembled a giant Lapras, with the ship's bow shaped like one.

The name of the ship was written on the side: Lapras No. 1.

Watanabe led Natsume to the deck, explaining, “This ship has three levels.”

“The deck level is the activity area, with a pool, a diving platform, and most importantly, a fishing area.”

“The middle level is the living area, which contains the dormitories and the captain’s cabin.”

“The bottom level is for supplies, where we keep equipment and even a submarine.”

Watanabe looked at Natsume and asked, “Want to check it out first?”

Natsume took out a Poké Ball. “Let’s wait. I want to see the battle here first.”

As Natsume spoke, he released his Poké Balls.

“Alright, everyone, let’s all come out.”

At that moment, the waters of the harbor were filled with various Water-type Pokémon.

Poliwrath, Corsola, and Mantine.

These Water-type Pokémon, like the nearby boats, spontaneously formed a circle.

“Squirtle~”

As soon as Squirtle and the others emerged from their Poké Balls, they excitedly looked around.

“Squirtle~”

Aside from the Squirtles from the Farm, there were also others from different trainers.

Seeing their companions made the Squirtles very happy.

“Milotic~”

Milotic stayed by Natsume’s side and didn’t go into the water.

Even so, it still attracted a lot of attention.

Natsume looked at Milotic and smiled, “Looks lively here, huh?”

“Milotic~”

Bam~ Bam~ Bam~

Suddenly, the sound of drums echoed.

A Ludicolo was playing the drums.

Watanabe looked at Natsume with excitement and said, “This must be your first time participating in such an event?”

Natsume nodded. “It truly is my first time.”

“Then pay attention; something spectacular is about to happen!”

“Floatzel~”

At that moment, Watanabe’s Floatzel and Onami’s Pokémon jumped into the water.

The drumming stopped.

Watanabe, Onami, and everyone around them shouted in unison, “Water Gun!”

Whoosh~

The circle of Water-type Pokémon simultaneously unleashed their Water Gun moves toward the center point high above.

Streams of Water Gun shot into the air, creating huge splashes.

They intertwined, forming a curtain of water rising from the ocean.

“Come out, Sharpedo!”

“We’re in, Barraskewda!”

Two beams of red light cut through the water curtain.

Bam~

The two Water-type Pokémon splashed into the sea together.

“Wow.”

Natsume exclaimed, “This really feels like a celebration!”

Watanabe laughed, “This is nothing yet.”

“When New Year comes, you should join us for the Ocean God Festival.”

“By then, every Trainer with Water-type Pokémon from the entire city will be here.”

“Thousands of Water-type Pokémon using Water Gun together toward the sky will be truly spectacular!”

The Squirtles from the Farm looked extremely excited at that moment.

They joined the other Pokémon, cheering for the two in the water.

Bang!

Ludicolo struck the drums again.

The two Trainers on the boat immediately ordered at the same time, “Barraskewda, Aqua Jet!”

“Sharpedo, Aqua Jet!”

Water enveloped the bodies of the two Pokémon.

They surged across the surface of the water toward each other.

Bam~

Sharpedo and Barraskewda collided forcefully.

The water surged~

Sharpedo’s strength and speed seemed slightly inferior to Barraskewda’s.

Its Trainer quickly adjusted tactics: “Sharpedo, use Rock Tomb!”

“Barraskewda, Whirlpool!”

Blocks of massive boulders tumbled toward Barraskewda.

Above Barraskewda’s body, a Water Whirlpool formed.

Bam~

With an explosion sound, the calm sea breeze swept in.

Wingull and Wattrel soared above the surface with their cries.

Natsume leaned on the railing, watching the battle at sea alongside Gardevoir.

At that moment, Arcevee transformed into Vaporeon and jumped into the water with Dragonite.

They, along with the surrounding Pokémon and the crowd, joyfully cheered and encouraged the two battling Pokémon.