Pokémon: Who let him leave Pallet Town?

Chapter 436 Champion's Long Staircase
The championship battle ended in a dramatic fashion.

Even when Natsume went on stage to accept his award, the audience was still in a daze.

I don't know about other things, but in future competitions, there will probably be another outrageous rule—not allowing opponents' Pokémon to Dynamax.

In the audience, Watari's eyes were tightly closed, and the veins on his forehead were throbbing.

He stood there motionless for several hours, until Natsume finished his acceptance speech.

"What's wrong with Mr. Watari?"

"I don't know, maybe they were just discouraged?"

Ash and Gary were whispering to each other in the back.

Watanabe's symptoms only improved when Natsume approached:
"I've discussed it with you, and we've decided to give you the chance to challenge the Four Heavenly Kings."

Upon hearing this, Du suddenly opened his eyes:

"really?"

"Of course it's true."

Natsume spread his hands.

"Awwww~"

Behind him, the giant Dragonite had its Dragon Fang on the pointed top of its head, and was holding Lance's Altaria in its mouth, spreading the latter's wings, seemingly intentionally imitating the appearance of a Mega Dragonite.

Watari glanced silently behind Natsume.

All the Pokémon that were injured in this battle have been healed by Nurse Joy.

"Here you go with this Challenger badge."

Natsume took out his prize from his pocket.

One is the Challenger Badge, which is proof that the champion of the competition is qualified to challenge the Four Heavenly Kings.

The other one is a small piece of amber with flame-like patterns.
Watari silently accepted the badge that Natsume handed him.

"Thank you," Watari said.

"It's nothing, just consider it a thank you gift for taking the blame for Dragion in Ink City last time."

Natsume waved his hand and quickly walked out of the venue.

He didn't have the time to challenge the Four Heavenly Kings.

The most pressing issue now is to find out what the amber is for after Sakaki wins the championship.
"Go to the steps."

Sakaki is a man of few words.

Steps?

Natsume was puzzled. He held the amber in his hand and walked straight toward the steps.

"Natsume-nii, what is this prize? Is it a souvenir?"

Along the way, everyone stared curiously at the amber in Natsume's hand.

Surprisingly, Professor Oak did not show much desire.

Even when Natsume looked at him, the other party directly stated the purpose of Natsume's trip.

"You're going to the steps, right?" Professor Oak smiled kindly.

Natsume won the championship, the Kanto region triumphed, and the Dynamax system is about to be widely adopted; he was in a very good mood.

"Grandpa, how did you know?"

Before Natsume could speak, Shigeru looked up at Professor Oak with curiosity.

"Of course! I've been a Silver Tournament champion before!"

As Professor Oak spoke, he pulled a photograph from his pocket.

"Wow, I never imagined Professor Oak was so cunning in his youth, what kind of teams did you train—ah!"

Before Xiaogang could finish speaking, he was hit on the head by Professor Oak.

"Ahem." Professor Oak coughed lightly, then continued:
"In short, those steps are just a legend, but there are always people who believe in miracles."

As he spoke, Professor Oak subtly glanced behind him.

Natsume also noticed that after he left, many audience members followed behind him.

Du, N, Ye Yue, and even Joey, Officer Jenny, and the trio—not one is missing.

Soon, the large group of people followed Natsume to the end of the steps.

The steps of Baiyin Mountain only extend to the halfway point, leading only to Baiyin Town.

Beyond that, there's nothing.

But in the legend of Silver Town, those who are recognized by the guardian deity of Silver Mountain can climb the "invisible" steps to the summit and receive the guardian deity's reward by using the token obtained from winning the competition.

Many people have climbed to the top using the power of Pokémon, but without exception, all they saw was the ordinary mountain view.

Some people don't believe in superstition and think that we should rely on human power itself.

Under the relentless attacks of some superhumans and climbing enthusiasts—people are absolutely convinced that there's a reason why a legend is a legend.

Only by climbing the invisible stairs step by step, relying solely on one's own physical strength, can one encounter the guardian spirit of Mt. Silver. Professor Oak explained all this to Natsume along the way.

Natsume looked strange.

So the reason he couldn't see that senior was because he was doing it the wrong way?

Can he do it?

"After all, he defeated Wataru, so his strength should be recognized."

The crowd behind him whispered among themselves.

The mountain wind howled, and Natsume silently reached the top of the steps, looking down into the abyss below.

Natsume stood with his hands behind his back, his expression enigmatic.

In reality, I was extremely panicked.

Can't use telekinesis?

How to do?
Invisible steps?

Should I just step on it?

What a joke!
"Pikapi!"

Suddenly, the middle-parted haircut jumped out from the red and white balls, and it grabbed Natsume's trouser leg as if it were jeering, pulling it forward with all its might.

"You want to scout ahead?"

Without hesitation, Natsume kicked out with a big kick!
"What a thoughtful P.E.K.K.A. who only cares about his trainer!"

Natsume's eyes welled up with tears.

"Pikakakakaka!"

The man with the middle parting was terrified; the scenery below the cliff was so beautiful that even his voice faltered.

Without hesitation, the man with the middle parting abruptly closed his eyes, intending to transfer the fall damage into his dream.

"boom!"

"Skin?"

The fall was too fast. The man with the middle parting carefully opened his eyes and saw a bright red staircase. Then, Natsume's big foot came flying towards him.

"Pickup!"

The man with the middle parting suddenly stood up.

To its astonishment, it discovered that at the end of the steps, an additional staircase constructed of flames extended outwards.

He didn't fall; he was caught by the steps!
"gone."

As Natsume passed by, he casually picked the other person up, held them in his arms, and climbed the steps one by one towards the top of the mountain.

"He did it!"

"After more than a decade, someone has actually done it again!"

Behind him, countless reporters pulled out their cameras, flashing their lights like machine guns.

Just as everyone's attention was focused on Natsume, three figures swiftly passed by.

"Hahaha, you idiot, meow!"

"That's right, that's right! Nobody took the opportunity to follow them!"

"The guardian spirit of the mountaintop, dedicated to Sakaki-sama—ah!!!"

The moment the trio stepped onto the fiery red stairs, the stairs seemed to vanish instantly, just like flames.

A feeling of weightlessness washed over them, and the trio plummeted downwards.

"Run~"

"Oh no, someone has fallen!" Joey exclaimed in alarm.

The trio's failure instantly dampened the enthusiasm of many who were eager to try.

It seems that only those who are recognized can climb the invisible ladder.

"Does anyone have Flying-type Pokémon? Please save them!" Officer Jenny shouted.

There was a few seconds of silence in the crowd.

Immediately, everyone's eyes turned to Du.

Why are you looking at me?

Watari blushed, but still pulled out the red and white ball without hesitation:

"Go, Salamence, Dragonite!"

Two figures flashed by like lightning, rescuing the trio in the blink of an eye.

"Mommy, Mommy, Mr. Lance's Pokémon are amazing! I've decided, I'm going to raise a Goooo from now on!"

Behind them, the little girl's familiar voice rang out again.
(End of this chapter)