"Let me remind you—Dynamax Bands are useless in the Kanto region, at least until something like Galar particles becomes widespread here."
"Natsume, stop contacting me for every little thing."
At the base of Mt. Moon, Professor Magnolia and Professor Oak were giving final instructions to Natsumeand her group.
"Alright, Professor Magnolia, we're heading out," Natsume replied, deliberately ignoring the earlier reminder.
"Make sure to keep in touch with my granddaughter!"
This time, the Dynamax transformation of the Poké Ball Rotom was merely an accident.
And the research at Mt. Moon had now been completely taken over by Professors Oak and Magnolia.
It likely wouldn't take more than a year before they reached some preliminary conclusions.
In the meantime, Natsume planned to participate in the Kanto Pokémon League.
While earning prize money, she also wanted to build up a reputation and maybe attract some investors.
"Hey… how much farther to Cerulean City?"
On the way, Misty looked a bit awkward and hesitant.
"No problem. If it's urgent, just find a patch of grass. Have Ash keep watch for you so a Caterpie doesn't sneak up like last time."
Natsume didn't even look back, casually fiddling with the Great Ball in her hand.
"What are you talking about!? That's not it at all!"
Misty still wanted to say more, but her tone suddenly weakened:
"Um… can we not go to Cerulean City right away? Like, Vermilion Gym is pretty close from here too..."
Natsume rejected her coldly:
"No. We're going to Cerulean Gym. I can get a badge there."
Misty: "…"
"That Trainer looks strong! I want to battle him!"
Ash's eyes lit up as he rushed toward a passing Trainer, Pikachu in his arms.
"System, begin today's battle data collection."
[Ding! Target: Ash Ketchum. Data recording initiated.]
Natsume had already discovered three days ago that the system had issued an SSS-rank long-term mission: Collect Data for Synchronization of Game Mechanics with Reality.
The mission was divided into three modules:
Reality vs. Virtual Battles — like Natsume's battle with Brock and James.
Reality vs. Reality Battles — standard Pokémon Trainer battles.
Virtual vs. Virtual Battles — this one she didn't quite understand yet; perhaps the system hadn't unlocked it.
For each type, uploading just one instance per day was enough to earn a reward.
The system's game arena mechanic could only be used once a day, so Natsume wasn't about to waste it recklessly.
Instead, she simply logged Ash's battles—Reality vs. Reality—and claimed a scratch-off ticket as her reward.
[Ding! Battle complete. Reality vs. Reality Battle Data +1. Congratulations, you received: Poké Ball Scratch-Off Ticket ×1.]
Upon hearing the notification in her mind, Natsume lowered her gaze again and returned her focus to the Great Ball in her hand.
The Great Ball was significantly better in performance than a standard Poké Ball. A Rotom possessed in a Great Ball would be much stronger than the one in a Poké Ball.
More importantly, even though Poké Ball Rotom had Electric and Psychic typing, its three special moves were all of typeless category.
The only typeless move Natsume knew of was Struggle, and that only existed in the games—used when all PP of a Pokémon's moves were depleted.
To increase the power of typeless moves, the only solution Natsume could think of was to improve the quality of the Poké Ball.
However, the circuits for Great Balls were far more complex than those of standard Poké Balls. Natsume didn't have many on hand, so she spent the past few days manually sketching circuit patterns onto one with a pen.
Her main reason for rushing to Cerulean City—aside from getting a free badge—was to stock up on Great Balls and Ultra Balls at the department store.
"Battle's done! Let's hurry up. We should reach Cerulean before sundown."
Brock called out to Ash from a distance.
"Jeez, that battle ended so fast…" Misty muttered like a frustrated housewife, giving Ash a sideways glare.
"Huh? You used to complain my battles wasted time."
"Pika?"
Ash threw on his jacket, confused, along with his two Pikachu—one on each shoulder.
"Natsume, what's wrong with Misty?"
Even someone as dense as Ash noticed her weird mood.
"No idea. Maybe you didn't stand guard for her when she needed the bathroom."
"Really? Misty, next time I'll—ow!"
A huge lump swelled on Ash's head.
"Stop believing everything Natsume says!"
Misty couldn't hold it in anymore. After a long pause, she flung her backpack over her shoulder like she'd made up her mind:
"Hmph! Fine! Nothing to be afraid of—let's just go!"
Cerulean City – Pokémon Center
"Misty, why aren't you coming in?"
"Ahaha, I'll wait outside… just for a bit…"
Misty's eyes kept flicking nervously toward the inside of the Pokémon Center.
"Weird. Pikachu, Brock, let's head in."
The moment Brock stepped inside, his eyes locked on a certain figure like radar.
"Beautiful lady! Please, may I know your name?!"
Brock zoomed over at lightning speed and threw himself at the feet of a blonde woman.
"Brock! What are you doing?!"
"Pika—!"
"Ahaha…"
The blonde woman froze for a second, then looked toward the entrance—right where Misty had been standing just moments ago.
Celadon Department Store
While Natsume was frantically stocking up on Great Balls and Ultra Balls, she felt someone tugging at her sleeve.
A thief!?
Her gaze sharpened instantly and she took off running:
"Help! Someone's trying to rob me!"
Screaming like a banshee, she perfectly executed a textbook misdirection.
"What are you yelling about?! It's me!"
Behind her, Misty's face was beet red, attracting stares from all around.
"Misty? Weren't you with Ash and the others at the Pokémon Center?"
Natsume looked confused.
"Uh, I just thought… maybe you couldn't carry everything by yourself."
Misty's eyes wandered as she offered an awkward excuse. But the next second,Natsume's eyes lit up:
"You knew?! That's amazing! Come with me!"
She grabbed Misty and dragged her toward the electronics section.
"Why are you buying a refrigerator!? What is wrong with you!? And a microwave? A TV? NONE of this is useful for traveling!"
On the street, Misty was struggling to push two shopping carts filled with home appliances—everything from fridges and TVs to microwaves and hair dryers.
Natsume licked an ice cream cone up front, then glanced back, realizing it was a bit unfair.
She tore off another ice cream and offered it to Misty.
"Here. It's on me."
Misty: "…"
Does it look like she has hands right now?
"Seriously, how are you okay with making a child carry all this stuff?!"
A vein bulged on Misty's forehead. A red flash streaked past her vision.
"Actually, I'm the weakest one here."
Natsume said with a straight face.
According to system measurements, Misty's strength was 0.3 Ashes, or six times greater than Natsume's.
Sigh, the curse of a frail body…
"You… you…!" Misty was so mad she couldn't even form a sentence.
"Here, I'll hold the ice cream for you. Just hang in there till we get to the Pokémon Center."
Natsume didn't want to spend time building circuits from scratch, so she bought the appliances to tear apart and salvage the circuit boards.
Misty angrily chomped at the ice cream Natsume held up to her.
Clunk!
The sound of teeth hitting nothing rang out—she bit air.
"Huh? Looks like something's happening up ahead—Officer Jenny's even here."
Natsume's figure blinked away into the crowd.
"Aaaahh! Natsumeee—!"