Pokémon: Who let him leave Pallet Town?

Chapter 504 Subduing Hoopa
"I'm so sorry, Miss Zhulan."

Natsume's tone was full of apology, or at least it sounded apologetic.

But Zhu Lan felt that these groups couldn't possibly have such feelings.

With her eyebrows slightly raised, Zhu Lan stared intently at Natsume, making Hu Pa, who was standing to the side, feel a little uneasy.

It seems it did something wrong.
Hupa nervously twisted his fingers.

"It was my partner who brought you here; it was due to my poor command."

Natsume remained unfazed, taking all the blame upon himself and giving Hoopa a reassuring look.

Hupa received the signal, blinked her big eyes, and her initial grievance instantly turned into gratitude and relief.

"Oh? What kind of Pokémon is it?"

Zhu Lan immediately became interested, and suddenly leaned closer, grabbed the handkerchief, and brought her bright eyes close.

"Hupa."

Hupa was startled by Zhulan's sudden close observation and floated back, her little face scrunched up as she looked nervously at Natsume, letting out a soft whimper for help.

Most people keep their distance from it; apart from its sister and grandfather, it has never been so close to other humans.

“Miss Takeran,” Natsume spoke at the right moment, his voice steady and calming, subtly drawing Takeran’s overly inquisitive gaze away.

He took half a step forward, standing between Hupa and Zhulan, forming an invisible barrier.

"Its name is Hoopa, a very special and ancient mythical Pokémon."

"The accident just now was because it was trying to use its abilities to find the strongest trainer. Obviously, when it was determining the strongest, it targeted you, the Sinnoh champion."

Natsume's explanation was clear and concise, explaining Hoopa's identity and intentions while subtly shifting Cynthia's attention from the awkward situation to the Pokémon themselves.

"Searching for the strongest trainer?" In Cynthia's violet eyes, the initial embarrassment and anger at being offended were quickly replaced by intense interest.

She temporarily ignored the discomfort caused by her ill-fitting coat and wet blonde hair.

His gaze passed over Natsume's broad shoulders and refocused on Hoopa, with the scrutinizing look characteristic of a mythologist.

This Pokémon's design looks like it's related to some mythology!
"Hoopa, the Mythical Pokémon," Cynthia repeated the name softly, her mind racing through fragments of related phrases from ancient Sinnoh texts and myths from other regions.

“This shape, these golden rings... I seem to have seen a similar totem on a stone rubbing from some ancient ruin.”

"Very ancient, possibly even earlier than most of the Pokémon history we currently know!"

Her voice rose slightly with excitement, the majesty of a champion temporarily receding, replaced by the pure enthusiasm of a scholar discovering a new continent.

“Yes,” Natsume nodded, a barely perceptible smile curving his lips.

He knows Zhu Lan too well; this powerful champion is also a true mythologist.

Distract her first, then take her home.

He stepped aside slightly to allow Zhu Lan to observe Hu Pa, but his body still maintained a subtle protective posture.

"But why search for the strongest trainer?"

After observing for a moment, Zhu Lan turned around and stared intently at Natsume.

"."

Distraction failed.

Natsume sighed helplessly.

"It is now facing a major turning point."

"It decided to no longer rely on the power of the past and wanted to become stronger through its own efforts, with the goal of surpassing the strongest version of itself in its perception."

"Therefore, it needs a trainer who can guide it."

Natsume gave a brief explanation.

"Rely on yourself. Surpass your strongest self?"

As the light in Zhu Lan's eyes intensified, so did her doubts.

"Never mind, Miss Zhulan, let me tell you the story of Huba."

Natsume had no choice but to unleash his ultimate weapon—

Emotion! Card!
Soon, Natsume briefly recounted his story from meeting Hoopa to the present.

"That's why it activated its ability to find the strongest trainer it believes can help it achieve its goal," Natsume said, shrugging.

"It's just that its ability was activated too directly, which ultimately led to this embarrassing little misunderstanding."

"I apologize again for this accident, Miss Zhulan."

Faced with Natsume's sincere apology, Takeran stood there stunned for a long time.

“It’s alright, little one.” Zhu Lan looked at Hu Pa with a hint of sympathy.

Upon seeing this, Hupa's eyes lit up, and his gaze toward Natsume became even more intense.

Natsume stared calmly at the bamboo orchid in front of him.

Sure enough, when facing those with a strong sense of justice, playing the emotional card can be incredibly effective.

Zhu Lan finally shifted her gaze from Hu Pa and returned it to Natsume's face.

She crossed her arms, her smug coat making her look a little awkward, but her eyes remained sharp.

She raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of amusement in her voice. "Mr. Natsume, your apologies always sound so sincere, but why does everything that involves you always end up being so...dramatic?"

She was implying something, clearly recalling the previous matter concerning the Dragon Sanctuary.

Natsume's apologetic expression remained unchanged, but his eyes were open and almost innocent: "Miss Takeran, this can only be described as a coincidence of fate, or a misunderstanding caused by Hoopa's overly eager feelings."

“I assure you, this was absolutely not my intention. However,” he changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over Hupa:

"Now that you're here, and seem to have developed a strong interest in Hoopa, why not take this opportunity to satisfy your thirst for knowledge as a scholar of mythology?"

"Hoopa's story may fill some gaps in your research on ancient mythological Pokémon."

Natsume felt completely at ease. He had explained everything that needed to be explained, and a few more pleasantries would suffice to send her on her way.

Zhu Lan remained silent for a few seconds, her eyes shifting between Natsume's open face and the curious yet nervous Hoopa. A subtle tension filled the air.

Jiaozi watched from the side, keenly sensing an unusual atmosphere. She glanced at Natsume, then at the powerful yet slightly disheveled Zhulan, and subconsciously pursed her lips.

Finally, Zhu Lan sighed softly, a sigh that carried a hint of resignation, yet also a barely perceptible, stirred fighting spirit.

“Mr. Natsume, you always have a way.”

She loosened her arms, her posture slightly more relaxed. "Alright, I'll accept your explanation for this accident, and also for the sake of Hoopa's rare awareness."

Zhu Lan raised her head, her bright eyes looking directly at Natsume.

In that subtle, almost electric silence where their eyes met, Huba tilted her head, looked at Natsume, then at Ran, and suddenly spoke up with great joy, breaking the strange atmosphere:
"Hoopa caught the strongest trainer! Natsume is also Hoopa's friend! So, Hoopa, Natsume, and the strongest trainer, can the three of us get stronger together? And... um... get married like in the stories?"

"Pfft—" Jiaozi almost spat out the water he had just drunk and quickly covered his mouth.

Bamboo Orchid: "."

For the first time, a fleeting, extremely subtle stiffness appeared on Natsume's smile.

What kinds of stories do you read?
"Alright, Huba, let's take Miss Zhulan home first. She hasn't put on her clothes yet."

Natsume winked at Hupa.

"Oh"

Hoopa was a little disappointed; it seemed it had said the wrong thing again.

"Mr. Natsume, until we meet again. Don't forget our collaboration."

"I'll be coming to inspect the academy when it's completed!"

Zhu Lan waved her hand and disappeared into the golden ring.

"Hupa seems to have failed miserably."

After seeing Zhu Lan off, Hu Pa lay listlessly on the dining table, looking like a disheveled man with a middle parting.

"The strongest trainers aren't easy to find."

"Furthermore, trust and synergy are needed between trainers and Pokémon; it's not as simple as just picking up any existing, powerful trainer."

Natsume sat back down in his seat.

"What should we do then?" Hoopa's little face fell again.

Natsume looked at it, a "you finally got to the point" smile on his face. He cleared his throat and straightened his back:

"Far away, yet so close!"

Hoopa blinked his big eyes, looking at Natsume with a puzzled expression.

Natsume pointed to himself, his tone carrying just the right amount of confidence:
"Look at me, Natsume."

"The current champion of the United League, the real deal."

"You've commanded the Unleashed form of Pokémon, as well as other powerful Pokémon; you're very experienced."

"He helped you revive your sister and settle your grandfather; he is a friend you can trust."

“More importantly,” Natsume leaned closer, lowering his voice, his tone carrying a hint of exclusive knowledge;
“I know the potential of your ‘parallel and equal’ divine office, and I know how to help you tap into your own power, rather than simply relying on the power of others.”

"Is there anyone in this world who understands you better than me, or who is more suitable to be your trainer?"

Hoopa was stunned. It tilted its little head and carefully examined Natsume, its big eyes sparkling with thought.

What Natsume said seems to make a lot of sense!

They have the strength to win the championship!

He commanded the liberation of Hupa, yes!
Yes, he is a friend that Hoopa trusts!

He even knows how to help Hoopa become stronger!
And he was right in front of me!

The more Hupa thought about it, the more she felt it made sense, and the hesitation on her little face was gradually replaced by excitement.

"That's right!" Hupa clapped her hands suddenly, making the gold rings jingle.

"Natsume is the most powerful trainer! The trainer Hoopa is looking for is Natsume!"

It happily flew around Natsume once, then stopped in front of him, stretched out its little hand, and pointed to the Poké Ball hanging on Natsume's waist.

"Natsume, would you like to be Hoopa's trainer?" Hoopa's voice was filled with anticipation and a hint of nervousness.

Become!

Natsume was secretly delighted, but maintained a gentle smile on his face.

“Of course I’m willing.” He nodded without hesitation and took a brand new, metallic red and white ball from his waist.

He gently pressed the button, and the Poké Ball grew larger, aiming at Hoopa, which was floating in the air.

"So, Hoopa, are you ready?"

"Yes!" Hoopa nodded vigorously, his face filled with unprecedented seriousness and anticipation. "Hoopa is ready!"

Natsume gently tapped the Poké Ball on Hoopa's forehead.

Ding!
A crisp sound effect of taming rang out.

The gentle red light enveloped the small purple figure. Hoopa offered no resistance, a smile on its face, before transforming into a streak of light and being sucked into the Poké Ball.

The Poké Ball wobbled slightly in Natsume's hand, then fell completely silent.

The center button illuminates with a steady glow.

Natsume looked at the Poké Ball that had quieted down in his hand, a satisfied smile curving his lips.

Flicker
No, it's about win-win cooperation!
He gently stroked the smooth surface of the Poké Ball and whispered:

"Welcome to the team, Hoopa! Let's become stronger together!"

As if in response, the Poké Ball flickered slightly.

(End of this chapter)