Pokémon: Who let him leave Pallet Town?

Chapter 449 The Holy Tower Returns
Natsume reached out his hand.

A long, crimson feather, shimmering with iridescent light, seemed to be lifted up by an invisible hand and slowly floated into the air.

The lingering power of Phoenix King's arrival had not yet dissipated, and the brilliance of the world still appeared dim.

This rising rainbow feather became the most eye-catching sphere of light.

Crystal clear, as if cast from seven-colored glass.

Countless eyes were instantly drawn to this tiny light, all looking upwards.

At the top of the tower, the dazzling golden light began to recede.

The enormous and magnificent full form of Ho-Oh was clearly revealed.

Golden feathers, a burning flame of life, and majestic phoenix eyes.

"Wow—"

A long, drawn-out phoenix cry rang out.

Phoenix King merely flapped its magnificent wings gracefully and very slightly.

An invisible force then guided the rising rainbow feather.

Rainbow Feather transformed into a soft beam of light, landing precisely and lightly on Phoenix King's noble head.

Finally, as if returning to its nest, it merges into the most dazzling feather on its forehead.

Disappear.

"Rainbow Feather!"

As a city where the faith in Ho-Oh has been passed down for generations, gasps of surprise immediately erupted from the crowd.

"That is a sacred relic that only rainbow warriors personally recognized by Lord Ho-Oh can possess!"

"Legend has it that if you return the rainbow feather that you gave away to Ho-Oh, you can make a wish to it!"

"Wait a minute... that person who threw the feather...wow, they look so familiar?!"

……

Whispers rose like a tide.

Countless inquiring, surprised, and awe-inspiring gazes instantly focused on Natsume in the center of the square.

Natsume's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed.

My palms were slightly sweaty.

He knows better than anyone.

This rainbow feather did not come from Ho-Oh's approval; it was a product of a system lottery.

Whether Phoenix King would admit it or not, he had absolutely no idea.

Fortunately.

The Phoenix King at the top of the tower did not immediately attack.

It simply lowered its noble head slightly and gently closed its phoenix eyes, which shone like molten gold.

A pure flame quietly rose from the spot on the forehead where the rainbow feather merged.

The flowing fire gently enveloped the feathers, as if performing some ancient verification.

soon.

The aura of Rainbow Feather completely dissipated, merging with the power of Ho-Oh itself.

Phoenix King opened its eyes again.

Those phoenix eyes, capable of seeing through everything, precisely locked onto Natsume beneath the tower.

The compassion that once looked down upon all living beings was gone from his eyes; in its place was a cold, scrutinizing sharpness.

"The Rainbow Feather I will send from the future"

A sharp, icy voice, yet carrying an undeniable authority, suddenly exploded in Natsume's mind!

"Why is it in your hands?"

Natsume froze.

His pupils dilated slightly in shock.

The Rainbow Feather to be sent out in the future?
Natsume's mind went blank for a moment.

"System, do you offer after-sales service?"

The system did not answer.

A sense of foreboding arose in Natsume's heart.

Seeing that Natsume remained silent, a clear hint of displeasure flashed across Phoenix King's majestic phoenix eyes.

It suddenly raised its noble head and let out a long roar that shook the heavens!

"唳——!!!!!!"

The roar was deafening!

With a roar, endless golden divine fire poured down from Phoenix King's body like a bursting dam!

moment.

The entire bell tower, which had just been gilded with holy golden light, was once again engulfed in towering golden flames!
"what happened?!"

"Ho-Oh is angry again?!"

"Is the Bell Tower going to be burned down again?!"

The crowd erupted in panicked screams and instantly descended into chaos.

however.

After a brief moment of panic, everyone was astonished to discover...

The towering golden flames that seemed capable of destroying everything did not cause the slightest scorching or damage to the bell tower!

Instead, it resembled the legendary "Thunder and Fire Alchemy Hall," a miraculous event.

Sacred flames flowed over every brick and stone of the tower.

The entire tower was coated with a layer of golden fire membrane that was even more magnificent, more eternal, and flowed with divine radiance!

"This...this is the Sacred Tower!"

"It's Lord Ho-Oh! Lord Ho-Oh personally descended with divine fire, acknowledging the new Bell Tower we just built!!"

"Ho-Oh! Ho-Oh is really back! It acknowledges us!!!"

The wave of ecstasy instantly washed away the previous fear!
Excited shouts echoed through the sky!

Countless gazes filled with gratitude, admiration, and even fanaticism once again focused on Natsume.

He waved the lost bell! He offered up the crucial Rainbow Feather!
He is the one who brings miracles!

In full view.

Natsume felt immense pressure, as if those burning gazes were piercing through his back.

People only regarded him as the rainbow hero favored by Ho-Oh.

Only he knows.

He had no way of explaining the origin of that rainbow feather!

In the sky.

The five dancers, carrying the divine fire of the Phoenix King, descended slowly to the ground amidst cheers and adoration from countless onlookers, as if bathed in rosy light.

"Mr. Natsume—hmm?"

Sakura's face flushed with excitement and gratitude as she joyfully tried to run forward to thank Natsume.

however.

Just as she approached the area around Natsume.

A gentle yet incredibly resolute force of repulsion arose out of nowhere!

It made it impossible for her to move an inch, as if she had bumped into an invisible wall.

Natsume turned around in surprise.

That's when I discovered it.

The area around the bell tower base, extending about five meters backward from itself, was now enveloped in a faint yet incredibly sacred golden halo.

Isolated from the noisy world outside.

"This is?"

Cherry blossoms looked at the pine needles beside them, puzzled.

Song Ye's expression was complex, filled with deep awe.

He paused, swallowed back the words "realm of the gods," and changed his explanation:

"This is an ancient ritual from a thousand years ago."

"Ordinary believers can only admire from the outside."

"Only those who are close to Lord Phoenix are allowed to enter this golden light range."

His gaze fell on the tightly closed tower door, and his voice was low.

As for inside the tower... only...

The words have not yet fallen.

"Clang-!"

A heavy, muffled thud.

Before Natsume stood the massive, tightly closed tower gate, carved with ancient patterns, which moved without any wind!

It slowly and heavily opens inward.

Inside the door, a deep gold and red hue filled the air, exuding a sacred aura.

It was as if it was silently urging Natsume to come in.

"Next, Natsume!"

The sound of pine needles rang out.

An object traced a graceful arc in the air and landed precisely in Natsume's outstretched palm.

It feels warm to the touch and shimmers with light.

It was another one—a transparent bell!

"Is this... the other half of the bell?"

Natsume looked at the transparent bell in his hand, which was almost identical to the one before, and looked up at Matsuba in surprise.

He remembered it clearly.

The transparent bell that he won in the competition was provided by Song Ye.

He was still puzzled at the time.

The bells that supposedly awakened the Phoenix King should be a pair.

He faced Natsume's questioning gaze.

Song Ye slowly closed his eyes, a complex emotion flashing across his face.

Finally, he nodded solemnly, as if in tacit agreement.

Without words, everything is understood.

"Ok!"

Natsume took a deep breath and made no more hesitation.

He gripped the two transparent bells in his hands and turned around.

Without looking back, he stepped through the tower gate that radiated a sacred aura and a scorching heat.

Behind him, Matsuba's gaze followed Natsume's retreating figure intently, her expression extremely complex.

Although he was not a direct descendant of the priest who betrayed the Phoenix King back then.

But in the end, there is still some connection flowing in our blood.

Over the years, he has followed in Ho-Oh's footsteps, longing for forgiveness.

Every year during the sacrificial ceremony, he would try to wave that transparent bell.
Without exception, the result was the same.

All efforts were in vain, like stones sinking into the sea.

"He...he was summoned by Lord Phoenix himself?!"

Outside the tower.

Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed on Natsume's resolute back.

Until his figure completely disappeared into the sacred golden-red light inside the tower.

"boom--!"

The heavy tower door slammed shut the moment Natsume entered!
It was as if they were being pushed by an invisible giant hand.

Perfect fit.

It separated the inner and outer worlds.

(End of this chapter)