Chapter 157:Secret Realm Mission! The Gyarados Swarm!

Kiko looked up at the sky in mild terror.

“What is this?”

She caught a glimpse of the sea in the torn sky!

The sea was in the sky!

At that moment, water from the sky was pouring into the valley.

Rumble rumble~

Purple lightning flashed constantly.

The sky was overcast with dark clouds.

Strong winds rustled the surrounding leaves.

They were swept up into the sky by the powerful gusts.

On the ground, the water surged violently, quickly rising to everyone's calves.

Swish~

Bang!

A bolt of purple lightning struck down again.

Under the fading light, a red-eyed Tentacool suddenly appeared.

Tentacool is a Pokémon that lives in shallow seas.

This Tentacool happened to emerge right in front of Sho.

Tentacool looked at Sho and immediately used Water Gun.

Bang!

The impact of Water Gun knocked him into the water of the valley.

Just moments ago, the water had only reached his calves, but at the instant he fell, it submerged him completely.

The rising water quickly surged, and within a few breaths, the sea pouring into the valley had already reached their waists.

“Cough, cough.”

Sho panicked as he stood up. “Charmander, quick, attack it!”

However, Charmander didn’t launch an attack as he hoped.

At that moment, Charmander was wildly firing Ember in the water, its eyes glowing red.

Bang!

Swampert quickly swam over.

It knocked out the Tentacool with a punch and swiftly lifted the wet Charmander up.

“Charmander!”

The red-eyed Charmander swiped at Swampert with its claw.

Kiyomasa struggled to make his way over from not far away.

He shouted urgently, “If you have Pokémon with abilities like Own Tempo or Magic Guard that can resist the effects of the secret realm, please return your Pokémon to their Poké Balls immediately!”

All the Pokémon that appeared due to the space-time distortion were essentially in a state of confusion.

They would attack all life forms around them.

As for the Pokémon that were unfortunate enough to be enveloped by the space-time distortion, there was a certain chance they would fall into a state of confusion.

The lower their strength, the weaker their willpower, and the greater their chance of becoming confused.

They couldn’t withstand the Psyshock caused by the sudden distortion of space.

A Poké Ball is a sealed space; it acts like a safe little world, so it can protect Pokémon.

Additionally, Pokémon with the Own Tempo ability are naturally immune to confusion.

Magic Guard is even more remarkable; aside from being harmed by direct attack moves, they generally won't suffer from negative effects.

So, even within the secret realm, they won't be harmed.

Another similar ability is Torkoal's White Smoke.

Fortunately, Mikoharu's Torkoal has the ability of White Smoke.

Unfortunately, at that moment, her Torkoal was almost drowning.

“Torkoal!”

Torkoal struggled in the water, flailing its legs desperately.

“Jigglypuff!”

Beside Torkoal, Jigglypuff floated on the water's surface, looking distressed.

“Come back, Jigglypuff!”

“Quick, get in here, Torkoal!”

Kiko and Mikoharu hurriedly recalled their Pokémon.

Whoosh~

A large wave crashed in.

Kiko and Mikoharu were instantly knocked underwater.

Kiko was a decent swimmer.

She steadied herself, with the water already up to her neck.

“Grab my hand.”

Kiko clutched onto a floating piece of driftwood and then pulled Mikoharu's arm.

“Cough, cough.”

Mikoharu awkwardly clung to the driftwood. “I never thought the first time I’d taste seawater would be here.”

“Come back, Charmander!”

As Sho took out his Poké Ball to recall Charmander, the incoming tide knocked the Poké Ball from his hand.

“Teacher! My Poké Ball! My ball got swept away!”

Sho shouted in a panic.

Whoosh~

Another large wave hit.

“Help, help!”

Sho was also swept away by the water.

“Damn it!”

Kiyomasa cursed, realizing he couldn’t save them.

“Everyone, quickly make your way to the valley exit!”

Kiyomasa shouted urgently to the group.

Crack~ Rumble rumble~

Another bolt of purple lightning struck down.

“Gyarados~”

At the mouth of the valley, a Gyarados emerged from the water.

“Damn!”

Kiyomasa looked at his Swampert beside him. “Are you okay, Swampert?”

“Swampert!”

Swampert shook its head vigorously, feeling agitated by the effects of the space-time distortion.

“Swampert!”

With a roar, Swampert leaped out of the water's surface.

Bang!

Ice Punch struck Gyarados!

Aomori City, Secret Realm Association.

“It has been confirmed that a space-time distortion has appeared in Aoi District.”

The detection personnel from the Aomori City secret realm department reported with a grim expression: “Additionally, all signals from first-year students at Hokkaido College have disappeared, suspected to be caught up in the space-time distortion!”

“What did you say?”

The department head, who had been sitting down, jumped to his feet upon hearing that last part.

“Quickly contact Takekawa Gym Leader and ask him to help!”

Takekawa was a regional-level Gym Leader.

Sakura City was not far from Aomori City.

Normally, when such a secret realm appeared, the regional-level gym leader would immediately launch a rescue.

The detection personnel quietly reminded, “It seems that Takekawa Gym Leader is with Natsume Gym Leader.”

“Ah, then quickly contact Natsume Gym Leader!”

“Understood!”

Towada Lake, inside Oranguru's cabin.

“One juice, with ice.”

At that moment, Natsume was sitting at the bar in the cabin.

Gardevoir was sitting next to Natsume. “Me too~”

“Flabébé~”

Flabébé echoed.

Oranguru nodded slightly. “Just a moment.”

Returning to Oranguru's cabin felt like visiting a familiar old establishment for Natsume.

The cozy atmosphere and the familiar customers, along with their Pokémon.

“Pikachu~”

Two Pikachu ran in from outside.

Following them, Yuki walked in.

“Natsume Gym Leader?”

Yuki looked surprised to see Natsume suddenly inside.

Natsume waved his hand. “What a coincidence.”

“Not at all.”

Yuki sat down next to Natsume. “I basically come here every day.”

As Yuki spoke, she took out a boxed meal and placed it on the table.

“This is my cafeteria and resting camp.”

“I'll have an apple juice.”

Oranguru brought over the juice that Natsume ordered and then began making the apple juice that Yuki requested.

“Is Natsume Gym Leader free these days?”

Natsume shrugged. “Not just recently; in fact, I’m pretty free most of the time.”

Yuki laughed. “It’s good to be free; if the Gym Leader is free, it means nothing major is happening.”

“Want to try?”

Yuuji presented a piece of cooked steak to Natsume's mouth.

“Did you make this yourself?”

Natsume took a bite without hesitation.

Yuki nodded slightly. “Yeah, it’s pretty tasty, right?”

Suddenly, Zing~

Just as Natsume was about to respond, his phone rang.

The caller was an unknown number, with a notification below it.

Aomori City, Secret Realm Observation Department.

Natsume pressed to answer.

“Natsume Gym Leader, this is the Secret Realm Observation Department in Aomori City.”

“We’ve detected strong spatial fluctuations in Aoi District, and it has been confirmed that a space-time distortion has occurred.”

“There is a large amount of seawater appearing within the space, and we suspect that an ocean-type secret realm is likely to emerge inside.”

“Additionally, all the first-year students from Hokkaido College have been caught up in the space-time distortion.”

“We have named this space-time distortion: Forest Sea.”

Upon hearing this, Natsume's expression became serious.

“What’s wrong?”

Yuki asked, looking at Natsume in confusion.

“There’s trouble in Aoi District.”

Natsume stood up. “I need to go check it out.”

After speaking, he swiftly returned Flabébé to its Poké Ball, and with Gardevoir, they instantly vanished from the spot.

In the forest outside.

Natsume opened the portal back to the farm.

As soon as he returned to the farm, Natsume opened the teleportation portal to Aoi District.

Meanwhile, Gardevoir’s psychic connection linked up with the high-level Pokémon in the farm.

“Dragonite?”

In the greenhouse of Springy Mushroom, Dragonite heard Gardevoir's voice and quickly flew out, flapping its wings.

“Milotic~”

From the river, Milotic surfaced from the water.

“Kabutops~”

Two Kabutops walked out of the water onto the shore, rushing toward Natsume.

“Glaceon~”

In the underground ice cave, Glaceon immediately ran over.

“Eevee.”

Arcevee greeted it.

They all ran toward Natsume.

In the battle arena below the gym.

“Sirfetch'd!”

The Sirfetch'd that had been battling suddenly stopped.

Sirfetch'd turned and exited the battle arena.

Not just Sirfetch'd, Infernape, Heracross, and Annihilape also rushed toward the gym on the mountain.

“What’s going on?”

Challengers in the gym looked at the Rotom referee in confusion.

“Rotom, due to special circumstances, all gym battles today have been suspended.”

The Rotom referee explained to the surrounding tourists.

“Ah, why?”

“That’s right! I specifically came to watch the gym battle.”

“This is so sudden, isn’t it?”

“Can you tell us what happened?”

Rotom shook its head and explained, “Sorry, Rotom, but you’ll have to wait for Natsume Gym Leader to return to find out.”

“Special circumstances?”

The challenger frowned and said, “For something that would make a regional-level gym leader like Natsume step in personally, it must either be a major case or capture a dangerous trainer, or…”

He looked up at Rotom and said, “Has a space-time distortion appeared?!”

“Also in Hokkaido?”

The Rotom referee reiterated, “Rotom, for specific details, please wait for Natsume Gym Leader to return.”

On the mountain farm.

Natsume looked at the approaching Dragonite and Serperior and said, “Our mission is to rescue people first, then locate the entrance to the secret realm within the space-time distortion.”

“If anyone feels off mentally, please notify me immediately.”

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite thumped its chest.

A mere secret realm? No problem!

“Well then, let’s go.”

After saying this, Natsume led everyone into the teleportation portal to Aoi District.

Rumble rumble~

As Natsume and his group emerged from the portal, they heard the booming thunder.

From the outside, the space-time distortion looked like a massive black barrier.

It seemed to encase an area like half of an eggshell.

Inside the space, purple gas wafted throughout.

Above the space, seawater was pouring into the valley and flowing toward the outer edge of the space-time distortion.

Natsume whispered, “What an incredible sight.”

Notice: Triggered Rescue Mission

Task Requirements: Help all trapped people and Pokémon escape the enveloping range of the space-time distortion.

Quest Reward: All Pokémon on the farm level up by one; treasure draw 1; Rare Candy 1

Triggering Secret Realm Exploration Mission

Task Requirement One: Capture ten types of Water type Pokémon within the secret realm.

Task Requirement Two: Find the secret realm ruler and defeat it.

Quest Reward: Secret realm.

“Natsume, the energy field outside the space-time distortion is too chaotic. I can't teleport directly inside.”

Gardevoir looked at Natsume.

Natsume tried to use Inner Focus to sense the edge of the barrier-like space-time distortion.

As soon as his Inner Focus touched the area, Natsume felt a strange sense that the space here was stretching infinitely.

He had the illusion that something very close was actually very far away.

“Then we won't use teleportation.”

“Let’s go in directly.”

After Natsume said this, he led the group of Pokémon and flew into the space-time distortion.

Bang!

Aqua Tail!

Swampert was knocked away by Gyarados.

“Swampert.”

Swampert landed somewhat awkwardly in the water, sending up huge splashes.

On the surface of the water in the valley.

“Dewgong, use Ice Beam again!”

A professional trainer commanded his Dewgong.

“Dewgong~”

Dewgong shot Ice Beam at the floating ice in the water again.

The ice began to expand.

Many students were already standing on top.

“Tangrowth, Vine Whip!”

He called to Tangrowth beside him.

“Tangrowth~”

Tangrowth stood on the floating ice.

Its vines shot into the water, wrapping around a student’s waist and pulling him toward the ice.

“Sudowoodo~”

Sudowoodo leaned over the edge of the ice and helped pull the student up.

“Wow.”

The student who had just been pulled up immediately lay down on the ice, spitting out a large amount of seawater.

“I’m alive! I’m alive!”

“Thank you, Sudowoodo.”

“Sudowoodo~”

Sudowoodo shook its head and then looked worriedly into the water below.

At that moment, an unusual number of Arrokuda appeared underwater.

They were continually crashing into the ice floe.

“Sudowoodo, use Rock Tomb.”

Chigen ordered, “Drive them away.”

“Sudowoodo~”

Surrounding Sudowoodo, a mass of rocks began to condense.

Bang, bang, bam~

The rocks smashed down toward the Arrokuda in the water.

“Gyarados~”

The roar of Gyarados echoed once again.

“Sudowoodo!”

This startled Sudowoodo.

In fear, Sudowoodo turned around.

The Gyarados that had been battling with Swampert had now targeted them.

“No way.”

Mikoharu, who was crouched at the edge of the ice floe preparing to climb up, swallowed hard. “We can’t be this unlucky, can we?”

“Gyarados~”

A tremendous energy began to condense into a glowing sphere in Gyarados’s mouth.

This was the charging build-up for Hyper Beam!

At the critical moment, Swampert charged in again.

“Swampert!”

Swampert grabbed Gyarados and hurled it toward the surface of the water.

At this moment, the water in the valley had already reached a depth of four meters.

“We're saved.”

Mikoharu sighed with relief.

“Come up quickly.”

As Kiko stood on the ice floe, reaching out to pull Mikoharu up, a Barraskewda swiftly swam near the bottom of the ice floe.

Liquidation!

Bang!

“Ah!”

With a scream, the ice floe that Dewgong had just created exploded.

The rushing water pushed Kiko and Mikoharu in different directions.

Everyone on the ice floe, including Pokémon, fell into the water.

“Everyone, don’t panic! Hold onto the ice floes on the surface!”

Dewgong's trainer shouted anxiously.

The water surged and shook.

“Kiko!”

Mikoharu suddenly screamed in terror toward Kiko.

Turning back, Kiko saw a group of Gyarados raising their heads with fierce expressions.

Not just one, but a swarm of Gyarados emerged from the water!

Boom~

Kiko’s mind went blank.

“Gyarados!”

The Gyarados let out a simultaneous roar of anger!

“Scatter, quickly scatter!”

On the water surface, Chigen shouted desperately.

Kiko stared blankly at the group of Gyarados behind her, unable to move.

“Dragonite, Ice Punch!”

The familiar voice of the speaker rang out.