Pokémon: Who let him leave Pallet Town?

Chapter 377 The Dragon Messenger's Crossing
“Mr. Watari, it’s no use for you to back out now. I’ve already recorded it.”

Du turned around and looked at the person who had spoken.

In a daze, he seemed to see Natsume's shadow in the other person.

"Wait a minute, I'll compensate you with all your badges, how about that!"

Du's face broke out in a cold sweat.

Upon hearing the badge, the trainers immediately became much quieter.

But when they thought of Natsume's teaching that "only advance, never retreat," the group started shouting again:

"No, what about the time we've lost these past few days?"

"Yes, you wasted more than a week of preparation time. I didn't win the championship because of you!"

"Maybe my future wife will be someone I miss because of this one week!"

Crossing: “.”

He couldn't take it anymore; he felt as if he were facing a dozen Natsume's at the same time.

After a long while, Du's veins bulged, and he gritted his teeth, saying:

"I will make up for the time you wasted. Meet here at eight o'clock tomorrow morning, and I will take you to the Holy Land!"

Upon hearing this, the previously noisy commotion immediately vanished.

"Sanctuary? Is it the Dragon Sanctuary in Blacksmith City?" a trainer asked doubtfully.

"Without a doubt, I am the young master of the Dragon Clan." Du said, waving his cloak.

Inside the cloak, a dragon-shaped family crest is embroidered.

"Then, can we catch the Pokémon from the Dragon Sanctuary?"

As soon as the questioner finished speaking, all the trainers looked at Wataru with gleaming eyes.

There are many Dragon-type Pokémon in the Dragon Sanctuary.

Since very few people have ever gone in to catch Pokémon, the Pokémon inside are generally of very high level.

If you can capture just one, it will be a significant boost to your chances in the upcoming Silver Tournament.

"Okay, but with my authority, I can only take you in for eight hours." Du closed his eyes.

"Do you have any more questions? If not, meet here at eight o'clock tomorrow morning." Du opened his eyes, feeling relieved.

"I have some doubts, may I go?"

A familiar voice sounded from behind.

Wataru turned his head sharply and, as expected, saw Natsume's figure.

"I knew it was you!"

Wataru pointed at the giant Dragonite behind Natsume, his finger trembling.

"It's nothing, just consider it a favor I owe you." Natsume said, patting Wataru on the shoulder, and continued:
"From now on, when you come to my academy, you can choose any position you like!"

"Really?"

“Really!” Natsume said with certainty.

Wataru stared at Natsume's serious expression, and he subconsciously frowned.

Hmm, something feels off.

"Oh dear, Young Master Du, you've come back again!"

A rough voice rang out, and Kabu appeared.

"Have all the troublemakers outside been dealt with?"

Kabu glanced behind Wataru and saw that the trainers, who had been indignant, were leaving one by one, satisfied.

"As expected of Young Master Du!" Kabu stepped forward with a handkerchief, ready to welcome Du and give him a warm welcome.

"Xiao Zhuang hasn't returned yet?"

He glanced around the dojo and frowned.

"She should be at the power plant; we ran into her on our way here."

Natsume's voice rang out.

"Okay. When Xiaozhuang comes back, remember to have her come to the Holy Domain."

Watari bowed his head and gave instructions to Kabu.

"Wow, you've been away for over a week, and now you're back but not at the dojo. Isn't that a bit much?"

Ash and his friends followed them outside and heard Lance's voice.

"There's nothing we can do about it," Kabu explained to Watari.

"This time, the Dragon Tamer Clan's Dragon Tamer handover ceremony has begun again." "The reason Miss went out in such a hurry this time is because the Mini Dragon participating in the competition ran away from home."

Everyone nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

"You're here to challenge the gym, let's go."

As he spoke, Du walked towards the door.

"You were also a Dragon Tamer before."

Natsume's gaze drifted almost imperceptibly towards Watanabe's cloak.

Heading into the inner courtyard, in the living room we passed through first, there were several portraits of old men hanging on the wall, all of whom, like Du, wore the same cloak.

"Yes." Du nodded silently.

"Mr. Lance, is the identity of the Dragon Messenger changed every year?" Ash looked at the portraits curiously, his gaze finally settling on Lance.

"No," Du shook his head and said.
"From the age of twelve, members of the Dragon-Riding Clan can participate in the annual Dragon-Riding Envoy handover ceremony. The winner will receive the title of Dragon-Riding Envoy and a blessed Dragon-Riding Cloak."

As he spoke, Du waved the cloak behind him.

"By the way, Young Master Du was a champion from the age of twelve until he was no longer able to participate in the tournament after the age of 22."

Kabu's voice rang out.

"So, Miss Xiaozhuang was the winner of last year's competition?" Xiaoxia asked tentatively.

Kabu looked slightly embarrassed and didn't reply.

"That girl's strength is lacking." Du didn't mince words, shaking his head, and continued:
"Her cloak was a replica that I begged her to use as a template for, and she commissioned a craftsman to make it."

As Du spoke, a look of disappointment flashed across his face:
"If you want this honor, you should strive for it, instead of wearing a fake to satisfy your vanity."

"Hehehe, I think Miss Xiaozhuang isn't doing this out of vanity." Xiaoxia revealed a gossipy smile.

Soon, the group passed through the inner courtyard and arrived at the previous battlefield.

"Mr. Du, are you going to take Miss Xiaozhuang's place and test us?"

Ash excitedly moved closer to Lance.

"Do not."

Watari shook his head.

"I will not interfere in Xiaozhuang's affairs."

"Didn't you just interfere?" Natsume looked at the other person strangely.

After a moment of silence, Wataru didn't reply, but instead pointed to the giant Dragonite behind Natsume and said:
"I just happened to be passing by and came to pick something up. You can challenge me however you want."

"Everything will proceed according to Xiaozhuang's plan."

"Ouch!!!"

Daikai Ryu patted its chest menacingly.

Seeing this, Du nodded and prepared to go to the side room next door.

However, the next second, he saw the giant dragon roar twice, then run to the base of a large tree and start digging in the soil.

A short while later, the other party came over carrying a large pile of dusty badges.

"Ouch!"

He stuffed all the badges into Natsume's arms at once.

Du's lips twitched, but he ignored it.

Giving badges directly is useless; only badges that are registered in the computer system are considered valid badges.

The pointed tip on the top of the dragon's head twitched.

"Woo!"

She huffed and puffed as she ran into a small house not far away. A moment later, she pulled out a laptop and shoved it into Kabu's arms. Kabu hugged the laptop and rolled around on the ground several times before regaining his balance.

"Ooooooo!"

Daikai Ryuu frowned; she was already sweating from the exercise.

As the blood-dripping scarlet ghost face drew closer, Kabu's heart skipped a beat.

"What...what is she going to do?"

"I don't know, maybe they're threatening you to register the badge for me."

Natsume leaned closer in strangely and touched the large dragon's forehead.

That's strange, don't you say you can't understand human speech?

But judging from her reaction just now, Dragonite not only understood what Lance was saying, but also responded according to her own thinking.

(End of this chapter)