Pokémon: Who let him leave Pallet Town?

Chapter 227 Hall of Victory
"Natsume-san!"

Two weeks later, on a late afternoon, Natsume received a call from Satoshi.

"Is there a problem?"

"Natsume-nii, I've arrived."

Ash's voice suddenly weakened, and he stared blankly at Natsume.

"Ash, what's wrong?"

Xiaoxia curiously peeked out.

"Pfft-"

Upon seeing Natsume, Kasumi covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.

It was morning. Natsume was wearing pajamas, with a shiny head and a small wooden bowl in his hand.

Most importantly, Natsume's side was shrouded in smoke, and upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the other person's head was like a humidifier, constantly emitting water vapor.

Behind Natsume stood a huge Dragonite.

"Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh."

The giant dragon hovered its claws over Natsume's head, and each time it came into contact with the heat, it would let out a whimper.

"Mr. Natsume, are you cosplaying as a monk? You'd look more professional with this instead."

Xiao Jian took out a small notebook with tourist landmarks written on it, opened a page with a sketch, and carefully pointed the bowl depicted on it at Xiao Zhi's camera.

"What are you looking for me for?"

Natsume picked up his rice bowl and quickly shoveled the rice and food away.
"Natsume-nii, I'm going to challenge the Orange Alliance!"

Xiao Zhi suddenly appeared and pushed Xiao Jian and Xiao Xia away.

Before Natsume left last time, he told Ash to remember to contact him before challenging the Orange League.

"Have you arrived at Citrus Island?"

Natsume was somewhat surprised; Ash's speed was a few days faster than he had expected.

"Yes, we are right outside the Hall of Victory!"

As Ash spoke, he held up his Pokédex and pointed the camera at the Hall of Victory in front of him.

A building resembling the ancient Roman Colosseum has appeared.

The overall structure presents a magnificent circular form, with a grand scale that gives people a sense of solemnity and grandeur.

At the entrance to the Hall of Victory, two enormous statues of Dragonite stand.

"Natsume-san, I heard that the top trainer here also has a Dragonite, and it's an ace!"

As Ash spoke, he quickly ran forward, pointed the Pokédex at the statue, and gave it a close-up shot.

“Yes, we also inquired and found out that Dragonite is very popular on this island and is regarded as a guardian deity by everyone,” Misty said.

"I heard that Mr. Natsume also has a Dragonite. If he were here, he would definitely be very popular!"

Xiao Jian's voice followed.

As soon as he finished speaking, he noticed that Xiaozhi and Xiaoxia's expressions were a little off.

"Uh, what did I say wrong?" Xiao Jian shrank his neck.

"Natsume-nii, Natsume-nii, please tell me why you're forbidden from setting foot on Citrus Island!"

Ash was very curious and remembered what Natsume had told them before they set off: he had also challenged the Orange League before.

In Ash's memory, Natsume had no decent Pokémon besides Rotom since he arrived in Pallet Town!

How did the opponent launch the challenge?
“Yeah, yeah, maybe if you bring your Dragonite here now, Natsume, they'll let you on the island,” Misty nodded.

"You'll see when you go inside. There are my handprints there after I won the championship."

As Natsume spoke, he pointed to the Hall of Victory.

"Okay, let's go in now!"

Ash took the lead and arrived at the door first.

A quick glance inside reveals a layout resembling a museum.

However, the items on those display stands were not anything valuable.

Instead, they were plaster casts, each covered with various handprints.

"What's on display here are souvenirs of the trainers and their Pokémon who have won the Orange League Winners Cup throughout the ages."

"This includes photos, handprints, or footprints, to recognize their achievements."

The sound rang out, and an old man dressed as a butler came out, carrying a plate with dignified elegance.

The plate was covered with a white cloth, making people curious about what was inside.

"Hello, I am..."

"His name is Gutt, he's an attendant in the Hall of Victory, and he'll be trying to sell you souvenirs with Dragonite handprints on them." Ash's Pokédex buzzed, and Natsume beat him to it, revealing the old man's name, identity, and even his intentions.

"."

Gutt paused for a moment before realizing that the three tourists in front of him might have come prepared.

He put down the plaster cast with the Dragonite's handprint on it, and was about to say something when Ash spoke first:
"Hello, Grandpa Gutt! I'm Ash from Pallet Town, and I'm the trainer who's taking on the Orange League this time!"

"Oh?" Gutt's eyes lit up, and he picked up the plate again.

"Since you're a challenger, I think you need Dragonite's protection even more. Come on, young man, buy a Dragonite handprint!"

"Dragonite Handprint, how much does that cost?" Xiaoxia asked curiously.

Gutt abruptly pulled the white object off the tray, revealing a pile of stone slabs inside.

On each plaster slab, there is a claw mark dented.

“So that’s how it is”

Xiao Zhi picked up a stone slab thoughtfully and asked, "How much is this?"

“One million per piece.” Gutt pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses.

"Huh? So expensive!" Xiao Zhi exclaimed.

"Wait a minute, we were recommended by someone we know, can't you give us a discount?"

Misty snatched Ash's Pokédex and pointed the screen at Guru.

Upon seeing Natsume, Gutt's eye twitched slightly.

"Two million per piece now."

"."

"Do you know Natsume-san?" Ash asked Gutt curiously.

Gutt glanced at him and said:
"Come with me."

Following Guter, the group soon arrived at a booth.

"It's a victory commemoration for Natsume-san!"

Upon seeing the photo, Xiao Zhi exclaimed with delight.

"But why is it that everyone else takes photos with their Pokémon, while Natsume's photos only show him?"

Xiaoxia noticed something strange.

They left their Pokémon handprints, so why not take a photo together?

"Because Mr. Natsume's team is on loan."

"Rent?" Ash looked at Gutt with a puzzled expression.

"Are we still able to rent a team?"

This was the first time Xiao Zhi had ever heard of this thing.

"Of course you can. There are so many tactics in Pokémon battles. No trainer has the time or energy to raise dozens or hundreds of Pokémon suitable for battle and experience all the tactics."

Xiao Jian's voice suddenly rang out, and he explained:

"Therefore, some people discovered the market potential here and started Pokémon team rental companies."

"It contains various well-trained and sophisticated Pokémon teams."

"This way, trainers who are feeling lost can quickly find out which system or tactical approach is best suited to their fighting style by renting different teams from different systems to battle."

"By consciously training Pokémon according to a tactical system that suits their own fighting style, trainers can avoid many detours."

"The alliance provides substantial support to these companies and also facilitates collaborations with surrounding research institutes."

"Who knows, if I get into one of these companies and do well, I might even be able to get in touch with the research institute!"

Xiao Jian was beaming. Before he met Xiao Zhi, he had considered whether he should go to a Pokémon rental company to find a job.

"However," Xiao Jian paused, then continued;
"Rented Pokémon may obey you, but the bond and synergy between the Pokémon and its trainer are practically nonexistent."

"It's truly remarkable that Mr. Natsume was able to defeat the top trainer here!"

Upon hearing this, Ash looked at Natsume with admiration and quickly asked:

"Natsume-nii, what team did you rent?!"

“Yes, there are handprints there. You can see for yourselves.” Natsume pointed to the stone slab behind the photo.

"Hmm, let me see." Xiao Jian stepped forward and began to examine it.

"These handprints are—"

"Venusaur, Skarmory, Chansey, Milotic, and Quagsire."

As he spoke, Xiao Jian's voice grew softer and softer.

(End of this chapter)