Pokémon: Who told him to come out of Pallet Town!

Chapter 28: Cerulean City

"Let me warn you first, the Max Bracers are useless in the Kanto region, at least until something like Galar Particles becomes widespread."

"Natsume, stop contacting me all the time, even if it's just for no reason."

At the foot of Mount Tsukimi, Professor Magnolia and Professor Oak gave Natsume and his group some instructions.

"Okay, Dr. Mulan, we'll be going now." Natsume selectively ignored him.

"Remember to keep in touch with my granddaughter!"

......

This time, Rotom's Dynamax was just an accident.

Meanwhile, the research at Tsukimiyama was taken over entirely by Dr. Oki and Dr. Magnolia.

It is estimated that a preliminary conclusion should be reached within a year.

In the long period leading up to this, Natsume planned to participate in the Kanto region's league tournament.

While receiving the prize money, I also wanted to build a reputation and see if I could attract investment or something.

"Um, how far is it from Cerulean City?"

On the way, Xiaoxia had something she was reluctant to talk about.

"It's okay. If you're in a hurry, you can find some tall grass and ask Ash to keep watch for you. That way, you won't encounter Caterpie like last time."

Natsume didn't even turn his head, continuing to fiddle with the Super Ball in his hand.

"What nonsense are you talking about? That's not it!"

Xiaoxia wanted to say something more, but suddenly her voice weakened:

"Um, could we skip Cerulean City for now? Vermilion City Gym is pretty close by, for example."

Natsume refused without hesitation: "No, you can get the badge if you go to the Cerulean Gym."

Xiaoxia: "......"

"That trainer looks really strong, I'm going to challenge him!"

On the way, Ash's eyes lit up, and he rushed towards a passerby with two Pikachu in his arms.

"System, collect today's match data."

[Ding! Collection target: Ash Ketchum, unlocked.]

Three days ago, Natsume discovered the system's announcement regarding the "SSS-level Long-Term Project: Data Collection on the Adaptation of Gamification Rules to Reality."

This task actually has three modules:

The battle between reality and virtuality, which is Natsume's previous battle with Kojiro and Gon.

Reality vs. reality battles, which are just regular Pokémon battles.

Virtual vs. virtual battles—Natsume still doesn't understand what the system means by this; it's probably a feature that hasn't been enabled yet.

You can get a reward for completing any one of these three tasks each day.

Natsume wouldn't use the game area rule, which only allows one game session per day, carelessly.

After all, in a way, that's a trump card.

Anyway, by collecting data from Ash's real-world battles every day, he also earns a scratch-off lottery ticket.

[Ding! Battle ended. Reality vs. Reality battle data added +1. Congratulations, host, you have obtained a Red and White Ball Scratch Card x1.]

Hearing the voice in his mind, Natsume lowered his eyes and focused his attention back on the Super Ball in his hand.

The performance of the Super Ball is much better than that of the Red and White Ball. If a Super Ball Rotom is made, it should be much more powerful than the Red and White Ball Rotom.

Most importantly, although Rotom is an Electric/Psychic Pokémon, all three of its special moves are non-elemental.

Natsume only knows one move with no attribute – "Struggle," and it's a move that only exists in the game; it only appears when all of a Pokémon's moves have used up their PP.

For skills without any attribute, the only way Natsume could think of to increase their strength was to continuously improve the quality of the Poké Balls.

However, the circuit design of the Super Ball is much more difficult than that of the Red and White Ball. Natsume doesn't have many in stock, so these past few days he has been using the Super Ball in his hand to draw the planned circuits on its surface with a pen.

The main reason he's in such a hurry to go to Cerulean City, besides getting the free badges, is to "stock up" on Ultra Balls and High Balls at the department store.

"We're done fighting. Let's hurry up and get to Cerulean City before dark."

Xiao Gang called out to Xiao Zhi, who was not far away.

"Seriously, why did this match end so quickly?"

Xiaoxia, like a wronged wife, grumbled to herself while glancing sideways at Xiaozhi.

"Huh? Didn't you always complain that I was wasting travel time by fighting?"

"Pikachu?"

Ash put on his coat, and together with the two Pikachu on his shoulders, they looked at Misty with puzzled expressions.

"Natsume-nii, what happened to Kasumi?"

Even a straight man like Xiaozhi noticed that Xiaoxia's emotions were a bit off.

"I don't know, maybe you didn't keep watch for her when she went to the toilet."

"Is that so, Xia? Then I'll do it next time—ah!"

A big bump appeared on Xiao Zhi's head.

"Don't believe everything Natsume says!"

Xiaoxia could no longer bear it. After a long while, she slung her backpack over her shoulder, as if she had made up her mind:

"Hmph, whatever, there's nothing to be afraid of, I'll go!"

......

......

Cerulean City, Pokémon Center.

"Xiaoxia, why don't you come in?"

"Haha, I'll wait a bit, just a bit."

Xiaoxia's gaze drifted guiltily towards the Pokémon Center.

"That's strange, Pikachu, Brock, let's go inside first."

As soon as he entered, Xiao Gang, like a radar, locked onto a figure.

"Beautiful lady, please tell me your name!"

Xiao Gang returned at lightning speed, bowing down before a blonde woman.

"Xiao Gang, what are you doing?"

"Skin--"

"Haha..."

The blonde woman was taken aback, then looked towards the entrance of the Pokémon Center, where Misty had just stood.

Poco Department Store.

Natsume, who was frantically buying up Super Balls and Advanced Balls, felt someone tugging at the hem of his clothes.

Thief!?

Natsume's gaze darkened, then he abruptly ran away.

"Help! Someone is stealing my things!"

The sound of ghosts wailing and howling rang out, and Natsume used a textbook-perfect method to handle it.

"What are you yelling about! It's me!"

Behind her, Xiaoxia covered her face, her cheeks flushed, and many people around looked over.

"Xiaoxia? Didn't you go to the Pokémon Center with Xiaozhi and the others?"

Natsume looked at her strangely.

"Uh... um, I was worried that you, uh, that you wouldn't be able to carry things."

Xia's eyes darted around as she came up with a lame excuse, but to her surprise, Natsume's eyes lit up the next second:

"How did you know! Thank you so much, come with me!"

With that, Natsume pulled Kasumi towards the electronics section...

......

"Why did you buy a refrigerator? Are you crazy? And a microwave and a TV? Which of those is suitable for travel?!"

On the street, Xiaoxia was struggling to pull two large shopping carts.

The shopping cart was piled high with appliances, from large items like refrigerators and televisions to small items like microwave ovens and hair dryers.

Natsume was licking ice cream in front of him when he thought about it and realized it was a bit unfair.

So he tore off an ice cream for Xiaoxia as well.

"Here, have some."

Xiaoxia: "......"

Do you see she has hands?

"How could you, an adult, make a kid like me carry things...?"

Xiaoxia's forehead veins bulged, and a red line flashed across her forehead.

Actually, I'm the weakest.

Natsume looked at Kasumi and said in a serious tone.

According to the system's survey, Xiaoxia's strength is 0.3 times that of his, which is 6 times!

Sigh, the pain from wearing these clothes.

"You, you, you..." Seeing Natsume shamelessly admit it, Kasumi was so angry that she couldn't speak.

"Here, take this ice cream. It'll be a bit of a hassle, but it'll be fine once it's moved to the Pokémon Center."

Natsume was too lazy to make the circuits himself, so he bought these electrical appliances, disassembled them, and the circuit boards inside should be enough for him to use for a while.

Seeing Natsume offer her the ice cream, Kasumi took a vicious bite.

"throat!"

The sound of teeth clashing rang out, and Xiaoxia bit down on nothing.

"Huh? Something seems to have happened up ahead. Even Officer Jenny is here."

Natsume flashed and disappeared into the crowd in front of him.

"Ahhhh, Natsume—"