Thursday, January 7th.

Under the dim glow of night, the renovation team had just left.

"Sirfetch'd!" Sirfetch'd nodded in satisfaction.

Turns out training moves aren't that hard after all!

Natsume recalled Sirfetch'd's "Swords Dance" earlier and felt his eyelid twitch.

Different Pokémon executed "Swords Dance" in different ways.

But with Sirfetch'd's leek having such absurd range, it practically looked like "Brutal Swing."

Since when did "Swords Dance" deal damage?

That's like saying a Trainer's snarl can wake someone from sleep!

What if someone accused him—

"Natsume-sensei, I think your move is illegal!"

What then?!

Natsume's expression darkened before he finally nodded.

Don't ask. The answer is "bonding."

Even the team's resident slacker had now embarked on a house-wrecking journey.

Natsume and Sirfetch'd exchanged glances.

"Sirfetch'd?"

"It's nothing." Natsume rubbed his temples. "Just… didn't expect that."

Luckily, the damage wasn't too extensive.

Since Natsume was a regular client, the renovation captain didn't charge him.

But that just made the whole thing even more depressing.

In the dead of winter, only Cynthia could bring him some warmth.

The night before leaving for Touran,

Natsume logged on to play games with Cynthia.

"By next week," Cynthia stifled a yawn, "I should have some free time."

"League matters settled?"

"No, not at all." She was blunt.

Classic Cynthia. Natsume blinked. "Yet you still have time to game?"

Cynthia sat alone in her Eterna City villa, the silence broken only by the soft rustling of a Gastrodon scaling the wall.

She stroked the Glaceon in her lap. "Because I wanted to play."

"Miss me, or miss the game?"

A faint smile crossed Cynthia's flawless face, half-hidden by her golden hair.

"Miss playing games with you."

"Should've just said that earlier." Natsume grinned.

"C'mon, log in. Let me show you my Sun-Sand Team!"

...

After several rounds of Pokémon: Battle,

Natsume, unsurprisingly, lost.

And no, he wasn't going easy on her.

It's just that Venusaur's "Sleep Powder" kept missing—no one could salvage that.

"Classic you." Cynthia remarked.

"Again!" Natsume demanded.

That day, Natsume finally understood Gold's suffering.

Alright, fine. Next time, I won't mute Gold.

"Should rest soon." Cynthia stretched lazily. "League business tomorrow."

Natsume hummed in agreement, preparing to head to Tokyo with Lt. Surge.

"Goodnight." Cynthia said.

For some reason, Natsume smiled in the cold winter night.

After replying, he pocketed his phone.

The plan ahead?

Boarding the "S.S. Aqua" with Brock and Lt. Surge, bound for Tokyo.

Sailing under the moonlight did have a certain fishing-trip charm to it.

Natsume threw on a down jacket and headed for Vermilion City's port by train.

The moment he stepped outside, the biting night wind lashed at his face.

"Arcanine~! (｀0｀)" Arcanine's fiery mane billowed in the wind, its massive frame radiating warmth and security.

"Let's go!"

Natsume ruffled Arcanine's big head with a chuckle before climbing onto its back.

...

Vermilion City Port.

Lt. Surge stood bundled in a military-style parka while Brock kept his hands tucked in his sleeves.

The two men locked eyes.

After a long silence, Brock finally spoke: "...Pleasure to meet you."

"You're not much of a talker, are ya?" Lt. Surge remarked.

"No... just cold." Brock squinted, his hands trembling slightly.

"Hahaha! And here we are about to sail through the night!"

Lt. Surge gave Brock's shoulder a hearty slap. "Might even run into a Gyarados out there!"

"...Let's hope not."

The rhythmic crash of waves carried to shore as the lighthouse beacon flickered in the distance.

"Oh, Natsume's here." Lt. Surge spotted Arcanine approaching.

"Natsume-sensei!" Brock greeted.

Natsume nodded in acknowledgment.

His gaze shifted between Brock's stoic face and Lt. Surge's veteran demeanor.

Natsume blinked.

Why does this feel increasingly familiar?!

Through the ocean mist, schools of glowing Tentacool could be seen drifting past.

Finneon, Gorebyss, Chinchou—the sea teemed with Pokémon.

"Woo—" A ship's horn sounded.

Lt. Surge's "S.S. Aqua" officially set sail.

Customs procedures were handled by Captain Lt. Surge himself.

Standing on deck against the night breeze, Natsume cheerfully pulled out a fishing rod.

"Now this is what real men do—deep sea fishing!"

Lt. Surge puffed on a cigar and boomed with laughter. "This old man's joining in too!"

As Brock watched them prepare to fish, he casually asked, "Natsume-sensei, the trip should take about two days, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Well... after the awards, I need to get back to Pewter Gym. Worried about Forrest and the others."

"They can probably take care of themselves," Natsume chuckled. "You're just being an overly concerned older brother."

Brock narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

"Oi oi, Natsume-sensei! Something big's biting!" Lt. Surge suddenly yelled.

Natsume glanced at his Super Rod.

Then at his [Fishing Lv4] skill.

"...Please don't tell me it's actually a Gyarados."

Fortunately, Natsume-sensei's fears were unfounded.

A plump Magikarp flopped onto the deck, gave them the fin-equivalent of a middle finger, and promptly jumped back into the sea.

After hours of fishing, Natsume's only other catch was a Staryu.

"Gengar?" Gengar inspected the Staryu carefully before tossing it back upon confirming it wasn't edible.

At least the night passed without any "James' Evolution Kick" shenanigans.

"Natsume-sensei's fishing skills are truly remarkable," Brock offered diplomatically, coughing lightly.

If by remarkable, you mean only catching Magikarp...

As for Lt. Surge—

"This ain't right," he scratched his head, muttering. "How come I ain't catching squat?"

Natsume side-eyed him. "Wow, going full 'skunked'? That's just sad."

Lt. Surge's face cycled through shades of red and white before growling, "Shut it! I'll dive in and grab one with my bare hands!"

"Wait no—that's really not necessary!"

Dawn painted the sky as Blastoise stood firm on the deck, meditating to the ocean's rhythm.

Morning light glinted off Sirfetch'd's leek.

"Sirfetch'd!" It began its daily training routine.

Brock slipped into the galley to prepare sandwiches for breakfast.

Natsume felt a surge of gratitude.

Having Brock as a travel companion is just too convenient!

In the distance, Tokyo Port came into view.

Natsume planned to swing by Tokyo Metropolitan University first before attending the evening award ceremony.

As for Lt. Surge and Brock... they'd be fine exploring on their own.

After docking and completing formalities,

Natsume gazed at the rising sun over the port and murmured, "Three months since I left Kanto..."

Three months—and many of his team's younger members had already reached master-level strength.

A bittersweet feeling washed over Natsume-sensei.

Trainer Natsume's Pokémon-raising skills really are maxed out...

When Natsume mentioned heading to campus first, both men nodded.

"Guest professor at Tokyo Metropolitan University?" Brock asked.

"No," Natsume scratched his cheek. "Finance Department student."

Lt. Surge: "???"

"Anyway, let's meet up tonight."

Checking the time, Natsume looked skyward.

"First, I've got... uh... final exams to take!"

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