Pokémon: Who let him leave Pallet Town?

Chapter 511 What kind of romance mission?
Just then, Shaka pushed open the door and entered.

"for you."

As he spoke, the once-glamorous storage bag was returned untouched.

"Where is the expert report I requested?"

"What kind of report?" Shaka looked at Natsume curiously.

"If you don't give me some added value, how am I supposed to scam him?" Natsume waved his hand.

"Oh, my friend who does appraisals said that the highest grade is the one that has nothing at all."

“Is that so?” Natsume nodded thoughtfully.

Daiwu: "."

Who are you trying to scam? Him?
Through the screen, Daigo watched as Natsume openly stuffed a bunch of "stones" into that fancy storage bag.

"Alright, young master Daigo, you can give me some of your Devon Corporation shares now."

Natsume shook the storage bag in his hand.

"What is that?" Daigo asked directly, his curiosity evident.

"This is a fragment of the meteorite that fell from the Hoenn region."

Natsume stopped hiding his true feelings and became straightforward.

Upon hearing this, a hint of interest clearly appeared in Daigo's eyes.

"Shares? You're joking, right? Does Devon Corporation have a Rotom development program recently?"

Natsume suddenly mentioned it.

"Is Mr. Natsume continuing to develop Rotom and needs a new Rotom?"

Daigo understood immediately.

Daigo stared at the bag of meteorite fragments, his eyes burning with such fervor they could almost melt the screen.

He nodded without hesitation: "Shares are out of the question, but Devon has indeed been working on Rotom's projects."

He then changed the subject, his tone carrying a hint of realistic helplessness:
"However, Mr. Natsume, it is very difficult to cultivate Rotoms with high talent and high compatibility. Their emotions are extremely unstable, and the success rate of existing fusion technology is very low. In the short term, we are afraid that we will not be able to provide you with a satisfactory product."

This is precisely Devon's current predicament.

Different electronic products require different Rotom "specialties".

For example, the drone Rotom primarily needs the Speed ​​talent, while characters like the mobile phone Rotom may need the Special Attack talent more.

Each Rotom aims for versatility, which is clearly unsustainable in terms of cost.

Developing one's "special skills" is the key to success.

However, Devon is currently stuck at this stage.

Upon hearing this, Natsume frowned slightly.

He desperately needs a good Rotom to handle the institute's complicated affairs, but it seems that this approach is not feasible for the time being.

"Alright, let's agree on that for now."

"Here's the meteorite. In return, you owe me three top-tier Rotoms. Put it on your tab." Natsume shook the bag, thus finalizing the agreement.

Just then, the door to the Pokémon Center was gently pushed open.

A striking figure quietly walked in.

She was dressed in an exquisite dress, her long golden hair flowing smoothly over her shoulders, but her fair face carried a hint of tension that was unusual and difficult to detect.

"It's Miss Catharia."

"Is he here to challenge Natsume for the championship?"

Although the "heat" of Natsume's Book of Friends has passed, many trainers passing by still take the opportunity to visit the Pokémon Center in Odd Dragon City to see the newly crowned League Champion.

Cattleya mentally rehearsed the steps for finding the person in the "Champion Challenge Strategy" she had in mind.

Her gaze swept quickly across the area, finally settling on the corner of the dining area. The moment it touched Natsume, it lowered slightly as if burned, then forced itself to lift up again.

She carefully held a Pokémon egg covered with strange spiral patterns in her hands, her fingertips turning slightly white from the pressure.

Ignoring the curious glances from the others in the room, she walked straight toward Natsume, her pace a little faster than usual.

After standing in front of Natsume, she took a deep breath, as if she had made a great decision, before slightly extending her hands that were holding the egg forward.

"Here, take this."

Her voice was softer than usual, almost with a slight tremor, her eyes darting around, not daring to look directly at Natsume's surprised expression, and a very faint pink blush creeping up her fair ears.

After saying that, she gently placed the mysterious Pokémon egg, which emitted a faint glow, on the table in front of Natsume.

How did she know I was here?

Natsume cast an inquiring glance at Takako.

“Mr. Natsume, everyone in the Unova region knows that you can be found at the Pokémon Center in Odd Dragon City.”

As Jiaozi spoke, she took out her phone, which displayed a website address. Xia Mu leaned over to take a look, and the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

Goodness, this webpage is practically his personal archive!
"Height and weight Pokémon"

As he read it, his temple twitched. "...The Grand Tournament...Rumored Partner?"

"Rumored love interest?" Natsume was taken aback, his gaze fixed on the relevant link on the webpage.

"Cough cough."

A slightly abrupt cough came from the side.

She pouted slightly, her fair cheeks flushing even more from the stares of the crowd and the brief moment of being ignored. Her golden hair unconsciously curled around her fingertips, and her eyes held a hint of reproach for being left out and an imperceptible sense of grievance.

"Excuse me, Miss Cattleya!!!"

Jiaozi immediately realized what was happening and was about to apologize when her eyes suddenly caught sight of a glaring phrase on her phone screen—rumored love interest.

The accompanying photo shows a woman with flowing blonde hair and an ethereal气质 (qi zhi - a kind of refined elegance), who is none other than the woman standing before him!
Jiaozi's breath hitched slightly.

She glanced at Natsume instinctively, then quickly glanced at Cattleya.

A wave of indescribable bitterness surged into her heart, making her throat tighten.

She pursed her lips tightly, forcing herself to suppress her turbulent emotions.

No, I can't lose my composure, especially in front of outsiders. I can't embarrass Natsume.

Natsume also noticed the momentary stiffness in the proud child's expression and the slightly displeased look in Cattleya's eyes.

He scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and explained:

"Uh, Cattleya, don't pay attention to all that nonsense online."

Cattleya blinked her clear blue eyes, seemingly having no particular reaction to the term "rumored partner."

Or rather, her attention was completely occupied by something else.

She gently shook her head, her gaze returning to the Pokémon egg on the table, filled with pure anticipation and a hint of barely perceptible nervousness, and said softly:
"I didn't come here for that."

"I've heard that Dr. Natsume, you are an expert in Rotom research, a doctor in this field."

She paused, her pale fingers unconsciously tracing the edge of the table. Her voice softened, carrying a cautious inquiry and a heart full of anticipation:

"This...this is mine. I found it on purpose, a very special Rotom egg."

"I think it might help you? Here you go."

After she finished speaking, she raised her eyes, her beautiful eyes filled with tension and hope, staring intently at Natsume as if awaiting a crucial judgment, even her breathing became soft.

"Rotom's egg?!"

"We specifically sought them out?"

Natsume and Takako exclaimed in surprise almost simultaneously.

Natsume was a pure surprise and an unexpected turn of events; the problem that had been troubling him seemed to have taken an unexpected turn for the better.

The moment the prodigy heard the word Rotom, his tense nerves suddenly relaxed.

Looking at Cattleya's pure yet somewhat bewildered expression of expectation, she even felt a pang of guilt.

This superpowered king seems to simply admire Natsume's research abilities and want to give him a gift that can help.

"Since you've gone to so much trouble, then I'll accept it."

Natsume rubbed his hands together, somewhat excitedly.

The Eye of the Sky is about to be activated, and he needs to prepare a Rotom with good talent in advance.

Hearing Natsume's affirmation and gratitude, Cattleya's tense body finally relaxed, and a genuine, shy smile bloomed on her lips.

She nodded gently, her golden hair swaying as she whispered, "I'm glad I could help."

Jiaozi watched this scene silently, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

She was genuinely happy that Natsume had solved his problem, and was also touched by Cattleya's pure heart.

But deep down, that unique concern for Natsume and a slight sense of loss at not being able to help in the same way still quietly lingered.

She quietly put her phone away, and forcefully turned off the screen of the page about her rumored boyfriend.

But the next second.

"Um... there's one more thing. I'm here to take the test on the romance task that Mr. Natsume gave me."

Cattleya suddenly lowered her head shyly.

"Pfft!" The teacup that Natsume was holding fell to the ground.

"What kind of romance mission!?"

The proud boy turned around, glared at Natsume, and tears streamed down his face.

(End of this chapter)