Natsume stood frozen for a long moment.

"You're sure… your President didn't mix things up?"

"You jest," the butler said kindly. "The President specifically instructed me to deliver this to you personally."

"It's also to express gratitude for your kindness toward him."

Kindness?

Logically speaking, shouldn't I be the one thanking Steven?

Natsume blinked in surprise.

But then it hit him… Without Blastoise and Lucario fighting side by side…

Even Steven would've faced immense danger during the Tree of Beginning crisis.

And this Blastoise Mega Stone… must have been specially prepared by Steven…

Natsume's mood turned delicate.

Prepared specifically to screw me over?!

Mega Evolution takes a heavy toll on Pokémon.

That kind of strain usually relies on emotions, Aura, or other special energies—things a Pokémon Center can't just heal.

The mere thought of the training costs for Mega Evolution made Natsume shudder.

Fortunately.

Besides a Mega Stone, Mega Evolution also requires a Key Stone to activate.

[Badges Collected: (6/8)]

[Mission Reward: Key Stone]

Even though the System's mission reward—that glaringly obvious Key Stone—was practically taunting him…

As long as he didn't collect all the Badges, the risk of obtaining the Mega Stone was still low… probably.

Natsume stroked his chin, deep in thought.

What if he did get the Key Stone?

Knowing his Blastoise's personality, it'd probably master Mega Evolution overnight…

And by then, no amount of Full Restores or Energy Roots would save him!

Playing it safe, Natsume said solemnly, "Mr. Butler, please take the Mega Stone back. I can't accept it."

The butler looked surprised. "Are you… still unsatisfied with this gift?"

Seeing Natsume's conflicted expression, the butler nodded understandingly. "Don't worry. If you need anything else, I can consult the President."

After all, this was the President's benefactor. The butler smiled. "Even if it's two Mega Stones, just say the word. I'll relay it to the President for his approval!"

Natsume's expression shifted.

Mr. Butler, you're digging your own grave here!

Two Mega Stones… Knowing Steven's collection, he might actually prepare Gengar's too!?

And for Steven, this was just standard procedure.

In the XY arc, Steven had gifted an eight-figure Sceptile Mega Stone to Hoenn's rookie Trainer, Sawyer.

That kind of generosity was nearly unheard of in the Pokémon world.

Looking at it that way… accepting one Blastoise Mega Stone might not be so bad.

Still. Natsume frowned slightly.

During the Tree of Beginning mission, he'd also received help from Steven.

Taking a Mega Stone for free just didn't sit right.

Natsume sighed. "A gift is too extravagant… Could you ask Mr. Steven if I could buy it at a friendly discount instead?"

"That way, it'd still count as his way of thanking me."

"Understood." The butler bowed respectfully.

This gentleman clearly stood on equal footing with President Steven as a Trainer.

Reciprocity was just another way to strengthen their bond.

When the butler called the President…

Steven immediately grasped the situation.

"Ah." Steven frowned slightly. "My oversight…"

Natsume-sensei was, after all, a Contestant with Champion-level strength in the Touran Region.

Gifting a Mega Stone to a rookie and offering a friendly discount to a fellow Champion were two entirely different matters.

Just like how if he gave a Mega Stone to Wallace, Wallace would return the gesture.

Even if unnecessary… it was simply proper etiquette.

Thinking this, Steven smiled and nodded.

In the end, the Blastoise Mega Stone—originally priced at a staggering 40 million Pokémon Coins—

Was purchased by Natsume-sensei for a "friendship discount" of 8 million Pokémon Coins.

Thankfully, recent Pokémon Company Card sales had been strong…

So even with his modest savings, Natsume-sensei could afford it.

Even so, Natsume-sensei sucked in a sharp breath.

An 80% discount was an absolute steal…

So why did it feel like the Tree of Beginning trip had left him bleeding out internally!?

Not only had Blastoise evolved… now even its Mega Stone was ready?

At least there was no Key Stone yet.

Natsume wiped his cold sweat.

No need to worry about Blastoise suddenly Mega Evolving and blowing up the house…

"Gotta keep making money…"

Another step closer to selling himself to the Sinnoh Champion.

Natsume rubbed his temples.

He glanced down at the pristine blue Mega Stone in the wooden box.

A familiar wave of exhaustion washed over him.

In the dead of winter, Natsume-sensei's hands and feet were ice-cold.

January 5th, Tuesday. Clear skies. Freezing outside.

After returning from the Tree of Beginning…

Bought Blastoise's Mega Stone from Steven at a friendly discount.

Steven (crossed out)…

Gold (thought hard, crossed out)…

…

"Blastoise…"

Blastoise squinted one eye, holding the azure-blue gem up to the sunlight.

Even without Mega Evolution…

The special energy contained within the Mega Stone offered significant benefits to Pokémon.

Natsume rubbed his chin, recalling scenes from the TV series where Pokémon wore Mega Stones.

Just like how Trainers had Key Stone accessories, Pokémon had their own ways of carrying Mega Stones.

For example, Sawyer's Sceptile wore its Mega Stone as a scarf—stylish as hell.

Meanwhile, the Water-type Elite Four member Siebold's Blastoise strapped its Mega Stone to its forehead, looking kinda goofy…

Natsume considered how his own Blastoise could wear the Mega Stone.

Maybe string it together with a few Everstones, placing the Mega Stone in the center as a necklace.

That way, there'd be no risk of accidental Mega Evolution…

And the Everstones could help stabilize Blastoise's overwhelming Aura of Ripple.

Natsume looked up at the sky.

An image flashed in his mind—Blastoise wearing a string of Everstones, Focus Energy pulsing as it threw a punch—

"Holy crap, that's just Akuma!?" (Note: Street Fighter reference)

"Blastoise…" Gazing at the Mega Stone, Blastoise gave a solemn nod.

I understand Natsume's intentions now.

We must train steadily… and grow even stronger!

...

The new oversized fish tank had arrived at Natsume's home.

Placed in the living room, its glass revealed—

A gray turtle shell gleaming with the sharp metallic sheen of Iron Defense...

Natsume cleared his throat, regaining his composure.

"Anyway...it's not like I'll be getting Vermilion City's Gym Badge anytime soon."

He nodded to himself. "No need to worry about Mega Evolution for now."

"Gengar~" In the living room, Gengar sat wearing wise glasses, carefully studying Giovanni's Techniques.

Sylveon rested its head on Natsume's lap, twitching its long pink ears. "Sylveon~"

Natsume absentmindedly scrolled through the chat group.

With the League Tournament approaching, Ash had departed for Hoenn Region to compete in the Ever Grande Conference.

Sapphire mentioned Ash could train with her and Ruby's father, Norman.

Ash: "Really?!"

Sapphire laughed: "Of course! But Uncle Norman runs a tight ship—better brace yourself."

Ash: "No problem! I'm a Trainer from Pallet Town!"

Natsume blinked.

In every sense...Pallet Town Trainers are terrifyingly strong.

Come to think of it, Kanto's Indigo Plateau Conference would begin soon too.

"Gengar," Natsume called out, "let me borrow Giovanni's Techniques later. I need inspiration for the next stream's deck."

Just as Pokémon grew through battle experience...

Trainers needed constant study too.

When breeding Gengar, Natsume had pored over Koga's Toxic Manuscripts thoroughly.

Though he still remembered many competitive strategies...

Studying Giovanni's expertise might help develop new underhanded tactics.

"Gengar~"

Handing over the handwritten manual, Gengar dragged Sirfetch'd outside for more training.

"Sirfetch'd~~" Tears welled in Sirfetch'd's eyes.

I just want to sleep...but if I do, I'll get eaten! Life's too cruel!

Lounging on the sofa with Sylveon, Natsume occasionally nodded.

"I see...so that's how it works."

Beyond Ground-type Pokémon Contests, Giovanni's Techniques contained—

Mostly Giovanni's personal notes on Pokémon breeding methods.

Though it also included devastating moves like Earthquake and Earth Power...

Natsume stroked his chin.

The next stream's content is taking shape.

Last time with Cynthia, they'd streamed an entertainment-focused team composition.

But as Natsume-sensei's specialty, traditional strategy tutorials couldn't be neglected either.

He updated his stream's pinned message:

"New strategy tomorrow. Love you all - Natsume-sensei."

Instantly, starved fans flooded the comments:

"Natsume-sensei, you're finally back!"

"Hell yeah! Time to wreck some Gym Leaders again!"

"On this day, Natsume-sensei remembered his streaming account existed."

"Who's this male fan? Give the account back to Moe-Moe!"

Scrolling through comments, Natsume sighed.

The new year meant League Tournaments were preparing across regions.

As Sinnoh Champion, Cynthia couldn't avoid her responsibilities either.

Though the gaps seemed long...

Some tournaments were merely months apart.

Ambitious challengers could finish one regional League and immediately depart for the next.

"Honestly...Ash winning a championship might happen sooner than expected."

Natsume gazed at the ceiling.

This strategy stream will be a solo act again...

But perhaps that wasn't bad.

After all, "moe-moe" would only slow Natsume-sensei's command speed.

Armed with Giovanni's Techniques and fresh strategies...

Natsume smirked.

Even a Champion wouldn't stand a chance.

...

January 6th, Wednesday.

After returning from the Tree of Beginning, Natsume made a trip back to Celadon School.

With finals approaching, every department had begun their end-of-term evaluations.

Wally and Gladion had each returned to Hoenn and Alola.

The top student in their year, unsurprisingly, was Giselle.

"Natsume-sensei, we heard you're streaming a new strategy tonight!"

The moment class ended, students swarmed around Natsume.

"What is it? Hypnosis? Ally Switch?"

Natsume side-eyed the particularly eager student and coughed. "Tune in and find out... And do your homework, or I'll ban your accounts one by one!"

The student stuck out their tongue, while a Yu-Gi-Oh! enthusiast piped up, "Natsume-sensei, when's Pokémon Legendary launching? I already pre-ordered the card packs!"

Natsume raised an eyebrow.

Damn... With that level of dedication, it's a shame you're not playing professionally.

Leaving the classroom, he exchanged greetings with Erika, who smiled and said, "Natsume-sensei, the League Tournament runs from late January to early February—it might overlap with the Lunar New Year."

"If you plan to compete..." she added kindly, "you might want to return to Touran first to sort things out."

"Hmm..." Natsume rubbed his chin and nodded. "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

The Natsume family had a tradition of traveling during the New Year, and his parents were currently on their round-the-world honeymoon.

Even if the dates clashed, it wouldn't be a big deal.

Though ideally, he wouldn't have to compete at all...

The thought of completing the mission—

Obtaining the Key Stone and witnessing Blastoise's Mega Evolution—made him shudder.

Natsume: "Gotta go buy more Everstones!"

He called back the little ones from their training room demolition session.

With Gengar off working part-time at Saffron Gym,

Sirfetch'd had been left in charge of guiding the team today.

Despite being the weakest, it bore the burden of leadership.

Once again, the slacker 'Leek Pancake' let out a weary sigh...

Riding Arcanine, Natsume swung by Saffron Gym to pick up Gengar after its shift.

Back home,

Natsume tied on an apron and cooked dinner for the little ones.

"Togepi, no chips before dinner!"

"Togepi~~" Togepi clung to the chip bag, putting on its best pitiful face.

"Ugh..." Natsume massaged his temples.

Even with my god-tier cooking skills... I still can't solve the pre-dinner snack crisis!

Thankfully, Togepi eventually relented with a reluctant nod.

After bidding farewell to their little friend Mew, it trotted off to join the others for mealtime.

"Mew~~"

Back in the Tree of Beginning,

Mew watched as Togepi's status went offline.

Glancing at the empty Friends List, its face fell.

Then, clicking open Pokémon: Auto Chess, it dove back into the grind, resuming its quest for Ranked King...

After dinner,

Blastoise lounged in its massive fish tank, blowing lazy bubbles.

The specialized Mega Stone clearly improved water quality far better than a mere Water Stone ever could.

Natsume sighed. "At least I don't have to buy extra Water Stones anymore..."

At 7 PM sharp, Natsume-sensei launched the stream.

Instantly, fans flooded the chat like a school of hungry Magikarp.

"Wait, today's a solo act?!"

"Nooo, where's Moe-Moe?! My heart can't take this!"

"This isn't a chill stream? Holy crap—new strategy? We're getting a slaughterfest!"

Natsume skimmed the chat and suddenly coughed. "Thanks to 'Cabbage Ice Cream' for the ten Super Rockets... Ahem!"

The chat exploded.

"Look at that grin! He's loving this!"

"Natsume-sensei, you've lost your way!"

"WHAT? Natsume-sensei actually has female fans?!"

Since it was a private account following only one streamer, it didn't cause much of a stir.

Meanwhile, Cynthia finished reviewing her documents,

Opened her laptop, and smiled, resting her chin on her hands as she settled in.

Back on stream, Natsume clicked the [Match] button.

Currently, Natsume-sensei ranked fourth worldwide.

The top three were Grinding King Caitlin, Isle of Armor's Mustard, and the undisputed #1: Steven.

As the matchmaking wheel spun, Natsume-sensei found himself paired against Mustard again.

"RIP! When will Mustard finally hit #1?!"

"Last time they fought, Natsume-sensei wrecked him. Easy clap."

"What's his team this time? Dragon-Fighting team?"

Given Mustard's Fighting-type specialization, Kommo-o fit his usual battle style.

But Natsume frowned.

"Why's there a lone Charizard in his lineup?"

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