Pokémon: Who let him leave Pallet Town?

Chapter 183 The Champion!

"Spray flames!"

The fifth time, Natsume beckoned, and flames and lightning intertwined.

"Pica-"

Pikachu has fallen!

The broadcast finally stopped with that damned "we withstood the attack," and Natsume breathed a sigh of relief.

[The character has fallen!]

The moment Pikachu fell, Zapdos Egg also tilted and rolled to the ground.

"Pikachu is unable to battle, and Egg is unable to battle!"

"The winner of this match is—Natsume!"

It wasn't until the referee announced the result of the match that Natsume snapped out of his daze.

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

If I hadn't told him, he would have thought it was a programming competition.

Fortunately, he still came out on top.

"You've already tried your best, Pikachu—ugh!"

Before Ash could finish speaking, Natsume sealed his mouth shut.

Natsume-san, what are you doing?
Ash looked at Natsume with a resentful expression.

"Don't say anything, wait for me to leave first."

Natsume waved his hand, dismantling the battlefield.

He was genuinely afraid that after Ash finished speaking, Pikachu would stand up again in the next second, carrying with it the bonds of friendship and memories of its partners.

[Humans and Bonds: Cleric class collection progress 45%; please provide more battle information.]

"Zilla—"

A red light flashed from Natsume's waist.

A man with a middle parting appeared on the field, holding a half-eaten blue orange.

It angrily circled the field, finally fixing its gaze on Ash.

"Pickup!"

The guy with the middle parting angrily jumped onto Ash's shoulder and slapped him across the face.

After pulling its crumpled blanket out of Ash's mouth, it went to Natsume's side, patted the Poké Ball, and returned to its own.

"Friendship first, competition second. Please, both players, shake hands!"

Narusuke's voice rang out at just the right moment.

"Congratulations, Natsume-nii!"

Xiao Zhi reached out his hand.

"I've made up my mind. From now on, you'll be the dean of Sunshine Academy, and I'll be a hands-off manager."

"what?"

Xiaozhi looked confused.

"Let me congratulate Natsume on winning the championship of this Quartz Tournament!"

"Kacha, kacha——"

All around, countless lights flashed, and the television screen froze on the moment Natsume and Satoshi shook hands.
"Mr. Natsume, what are your thoughts and feelings about winning the championship this time?"

"I think you absolutely need a Pokémon to battle," Natsume said seriously.

"Mr. Natsume, because you sent Pokémon eggs to battle, I heard that the Pokémon Protection Association threatened to blacklist you. What do you think about this?"

"Blocked? Didn't they issue arrest warrants for me a couple of years ago?" Natsume asked, puzzled.

"Mr. Natsume, as someone who is both a Pokémon trainer and a researcher, what are your thoughts on the relationship between these two professions?"

Seeing that a reporter had finally asked a relevant question, Natsume's eyes lit up, and he took the microphone handed to him:
"To thoroughly implement the requirements for high-quality development of the Pokémon industry in the new era and fully leverage the synergistic effect of the two core professions of Pokémon Trainer and Researcher, I would like to offer the following suggestions on deepening professional exchange and mutual promotion, and building a new talent training system:"

"First, the professional barriers between Pokémon trainers and researchers have long restricted the deep integration of ecological research and practical combat techniques. Research shows that the Pokémon behavior data accumulated by trainers through practical combat is of great value for the study of the evolutionary chain."

Natsume began recounting his prepared speech, then suddenly changed the subject:
"These two professions should complement each other, however!"

"I've found that the vast majority of related colleges don't seem to realize the advantages of interdisciplinary collaboration and its crucial role in cultivating trainers."

Natsume shifted the focus to the academy issue and began to get down to business:
"Therefore, I have decided to establish a research institute in the future, with a new model and new ideas." "Mr. Natsume, could you elaborate?"

The reporters, who had been drowsy, suddenly perked up.

Natsume took the microphone again:

"My research institute will adhere to the implementation path of mutual promotion and development, which can be specifically implemented through the construction of a data sharing repository."

"The establishment of this research institute is not only an innovation of the traditional education model, but also a key vehicle for realizing the vision of 'humans and Pokémon coexisting and prospering'."

After saying that, the reporters looked at each other in bewilderment.

Even though they don't understand much, we still try our best to find topics to talk about.

"Mr. Natsume, this isn't something one person can do alone. Have you secured any investment?"

a reporter asked.

“Good question. We have received strategic support from organizations such as Oki Research Institute, Tokiwa Biochemical Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and Tokiwa Rocket Co., Ltd. regarding resource security measures.”

Natsume paused, then continued:

"New students are provided with a customized Pokédex upon enrollment, which integrates battle data collection, move analysis, Pokémon language translation and other functions."

Natsume, without blushing or panting, made empty promises.

That determined gaze and fair complexion immediately gave viewers the impression that he was an idealistic, pragmatic, and capable young man!

"Pokémon language translation?"

A reporter quickly handed him a microphone.

"Yes, I will be launching the relevant software in the next few months. Currently, it only supports the Kanto region, but I will gradually update the Pokémon language translation function for other regions in the future."

This time, Natsume isn't just making empty promises.

Meowth has actually uploaded almost all the Pokémon languages ​​from the Kanto region.

He just needs to go back and create a software framework, find someone to refine and beautify it, and it'll be ready to go to market.

The reporters were somewhat disappointed; they could clearly sense that Natsume seemed to be using them as a form of advertising.

Natsume didn't say anything about dreams, inspiration, or motivational quotes.

Suddenly, their gazes shifted and they fixed their attention on Xiao Zhi.

Kids this age should be able to say something by now, right?
"Ahem, hello everyone, I'm Ash from Pallet Town."

"My dream is to one day be admitted to Sunshine Academy, founded by Mr. Natsume. Sunshine Academy is a..."

Ash made no attempt to hide his feelings, took out his Pokédex, and began to recite the article Natsume had sent him.

Reporters: "."

By the time the press conference ended, it was already evening.

Natsume returns to the Pokémon Center and finds everyone gathered around the communicator.

Upon closer inspection, it was Professor Oak's face.

"Wow, that's great! One champion and one runner-up!"

Professor Oak beamed with joy upon seeing Natsume approaching.

"It's a pity about that kid Xiao Mao. If he had been lucky, maybe all three of the top spots would have been taken by people from our Zhenxin Town."

Professor Oak sighed and shook his head as he spoke.

"Professor Oak, don't say that. Gary went home after watching the match, and I bet he's off training hard!"

Xiao Zhi added.

"He might be able to achieve a good ranking in the Chengdu League. If that doesn't work, he'll have no choice but to come back and do research with me."

Professor Oak waved his hand.

"The Chengdu Alliance?" Xiao Zhi's eyes lit up.

"It's equivalent to the Quartz Conference in the Chengdu area," Natsume explained.

"Oh! I want to participate!" Ash exclaimed excitedly.

"It's still early. You need to do something for me in the next two months."

Professor Oak took a sip of tea and continued:
"Dr. Uchim from the Orange Islands has discovered a precious gem that is of great research value. Go and retrieve it for me."

(End of this chapter)