Returning to their Saffron City home, Blastoise immediately conducted an aura sweep of the premises.

"Blastoise." Only after confirming no ambushes did it nod in approval.

Natsume-sensei facepalmed.

The winter sun shone warmly—perfect for airing out futons.

Rather than use the dryer, Natsume and Gengar hung the bedding in the yard.

The lawn bore patches of yellowed grass dotted with orchids.

"Blastoise..." Shades-wearing, one-handed watering can in grip, the tank Pokémon tended to flowers with mob boss elegance.

Natsume's eye twitched.

Its big-shot aura intensified post-evolution!

Up on the second-floor balcony...

Togepi had made a new friend.

It leaned against Arcanine while gaming, tiny feet kicking absently.

"Togepi doo-ee~~(o˘◡˘o)"

"Arcanine~" The Arcanine yawned dramatically—swallowing Togepi whole for half a second before pretending to nap.

"Togepi?" The confused egg Pokémon peered around.

Arcanine cracked one eye open, radiating smugness.

In the yard, Sirfetch'd watched Blastoise's intimidating drills.

"Sirfetch'd~! "

It trembled with righteous fury.

What happened to our slacker paradise?!

Despite the winter chill...

Sirfetch'd brandished its leek and resumed training.

Natsume did a double-take upon spotting this.

Since when do you train with Gengar?!

"Maintaining discipline gets harder every day..." He sighed deeply.

As for Blastoise's new tank—

Custom-ordered to accommodate its doubled size, requiring twice the Mystic Water.

(Regular Water Stones would suffice, but after their journey, Natsume felt Blastoise deserved luxury.)

Its territory now extended from bedroom to living room.

With Blastoise on guard, nighttime ambushes became impossible...

Wait. That's a bad thing?

Natsume flopped onto the balcony lounge chair beside Togepi.

A glance at his phone:

Mew's playtime had hit 48 hours.

Even Steven wasn't this hardcore!

"At least it can't get sleep-deprived..." He opened the group chat.

The Tree of Beginning incident hadn't gone unnoticed.

Under Gold's pestering, Steven casually mentioned:

[Three Regis] [Withering Tree] [Double Evolution] [Natsume-sensei saved me]

The reactions were... varied.

"T-that's... huge, right?" Yellow whispered.

Lt. Surge's expression sobered.

That power...

This is a Mentor's true strength?

"Damn terrifying," he muttered.

Blue Oak frowned deeply.

"Major" didn't cover it.

Compared to Gold and Silver facing Arceus—

—which was just one deity's trial—

The withering of the Tree of Beginning could have devastated Kalos—even summoned other regions' guardian deities.

Had that happened...

"Natsume-sensei." Blue Oak exhaled heavily in the chat. "Having you accompany Ash was the right call."

Like Blue, Red understood the catastrophe they'd narrowly avoided.

Thank Arceus for Steven and Natsume-sensei.

Though... Red sighed privately.

Challenging Natsume-sensei now would require months of recovery.

A man worthy of respect... and caution, Silver mused.

For some reason, it reminded him of his absent father.

Team Rocket's recent "industrial diversification" had seen many former members arrested.

Yet Lance himself hadn't pursued the shadowy figure behind it all.

Can I trust you... Father?

Green: [I'll just stay quiet.jpg]

Green: "Pretty sure my Blastoise and Natsume-sensei's aren't even the same species!"

Breeding prodigy Blue Oak deadpanned: "Maybe you're just bad at raising Pokémon."

"Maybe," Green smirked, "I suck at breeding, and you suck with women."

"..." Blue's composure shattered.

Gold: "POG! Mutual destruction!"

[Group member 'Gold' muted by admin 'Blue Oak' for 12 hours]

"Pfft—hedgehog boy's always in timeout!" Lt. Surge crowed.

[Group member 'Lt. Surge' muted by admin 'Red' for 12 hours]

"Classic Pallet Town duo..." Sabrina chuckled.

Natsume finally logged in, scrolling up before typing: "Wasn't as serious as Mr. Steven made it sound."

Ash: "Natsume-sensei saved me too!"

The Bondsmith.

Brock noticed Ash's new title. "You've grown, Ash."

Ash grinned fiercely, fists clenched.

"I won't embarrass Natsume-sensei at the Hoenn Conference!"

Natsume shrugged.

You couldn't if you tried... since you never win.

"Speaking of," Natsume asked resident Pokémon doctor Brock, "any alternatives to Full Restores?"

"They're not enough?"

"Not even close."

"Try Energy Root," Brock suggested. "Expensive, but powdered in tea, it's incredibly nourishing."

"Though... the bitterness strains friendship bonds."

"No issue there," Natsume said. "My Blastoise... has refined tastes. Prefers bitter flavors."

An image flashed through his mind:

Blastoise solemnly blowing steam off a cup of herbal tea...

Damn. Too accurate.

Sunbathing while chatting, occasionally warming his hands in Arcanine's fur—

Natsume sighed contentedly. "Perfect afternoon..."

Then his phone buzzed. A DM from Steven:

"Your thank-you gift should arrive shortly."

"Gift?" Natsume's stomach dropped.

What fresh madness is this?

Outside, a black sedan pulled up to his villa.

A white-gloved butler approached, flanked by stern bodyguards.

He presented an ornate wooden case.

"Mr. Natsume. From our president—with highest regards."

Natsume hesitated.

Steven had gifted stones before—Dusk Stones, Life Orbs... harmless enough.

But knowing Steven...

He opened the case warily. "Did he say what's inside?"

"Naturally."

The butler watched Natsume's reaction with deepening respect.

This trainer warranted a Mega Stone as tribute.

"President Steven wished you to have—"

Natsume's face paled.

Inside lay a gemstone shimmering with aquatic light—smooth as polished agate.

"—Blastoise's Mega Stone."

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