Chapter 120: One of the Growlithe is Brock

The missing Diglett was known to have a peculiar personality.

It often remained in its own world, prone to drifting away from the team.

Natsume took out a device resembling a mine detector.

The device was strapped to his back; he held a long rod, with a large disc hovering above the ground and a green indicator light constantly on.

Giselle tried to help but was refused by Natsume.

Too close, the devices would interfere with each other.

"Nothing… I can't find it at all?" Natsume muttered in confusion.

This instrument was specifically designed to locate addresses, with a detection range many times greater than his telekinesis.

Since Diglett live on the surface layer, they should be easy to detect.

Yet in front of Natsume, it seemed there was nothing.

To avoid disturbing him, all the Diglett hung back, and even Ash's group walked quietly.

The Diglett's dark eyes were filled with expectation.

That day, it had been this researcher who took the lead and prevented the dam's construction.

He must be reliable.

Beep beep beep!

Suddenly, the device flashed a piercing red light.

"Found it?" Natsume looked doubtful.

The Diglett swarmed toward him, discovering a small puddle in front of Natsume.

"…"

Sensing Natsume might not be as reliable as imagined, the Digtrio called over the others, forming groups of three to begin the search.

"Huh? Why are the Diglett spreading out?" Ash noticed that the Diglett who had been following them were gone.

"Of course, they need to spread out," Natsume's voice came.

"They're not only looking for the missing Diglett but also scouting for a new habitat."

Doo-doo-doo~ The device in Natsume's hand glowed bright red, vibrating intensely.

"Could there really be a Diglett in that puddle?" Giselle leaned closer.

"I don't think so," Natsume replied, glancing toward the distance as the puddle trembled.

The device worked by sending detection waves; depending on the settings, the waves would bounce back upon hitting something.

Sometimes, the disturbance wasn't underground.

Rumble!

Pebbles jumped as vibrations on the ground became visible.

"There!" Brock pointed to the distance.

Along the horizon, a herd of brown bull-like Pokémon charged forward.

"Wow, what's that!"

Ash quickly dodged and pulled out his Pokédex:

Tauros, the Wild Bull Pokémon. Energetic and relentless; once it starts running, it won't stop until it hits something.

"Wow, looks dangerous."

Misty backed even further.

"So many Tauros… could we have reached the Safari Zone?" Brock realized.

"Safari Zone?" Ash and Misty turned to look at him.

"It's a natural reserve for wild Pokémon," Brock explained.

"Generally, Pokémon here live in herds."

As he spoke, a group of ostrich-like Pokémon charged past.

Doduo, a two-headed Pokémon with strong legs, excellent runners. Some ranchs on the plains use them to carry goods.

"Doduo! Ah!" Ash stared at the Pokédex, then realized he was already knocked back by one.

Hmph, don't block my way. If you get in my way, I'm not paying your hospital bills!

Behind the Doduo herd, a young man sat atop a Dodrio, glancing at Ash with a sideways stare.

"Hey, who are you—cough cough!"

Misty wanted to argue, but the man drove his Dodrio, kicking up a cloud of dust as he left.

"This person is so rude; even a wild herd of Tauros is calmer than his Doduo herd," Brock frowned, watching the figure disappear.

Not far away, Natsume thoughtfully put away his device.

The earlier commotion seemed caused by the tremors from the Tauros and Doduo charging across the ground.

"Everyone!"

A red-and-white figure flashed by, and a Rapidash, flames erupting from its body, stopped in front of the group.

A beautiful girl held its reins.

Rio. Behind the Rapidash followed a Growlithe.

Ponyta, the Fire Horse Pokémon. Exceptional stamina for long-distance running.

Ash's Pokédex chimed in immediately.

"Hello, my name is Lara. I'm part of the Laramie Ranch living around here. Have you seen my herd of Tauros?"

Lara asked for help from the group.

"Yes, we saw them. I'll take you there," Brock said, shoving the Growlithe aside with a playful push.

Rio?

The Growlithe looked at him strangely, sensing a sudden challenge to its position.

"Oh, thank you," Lara smiled lightly, causing Brock to blush slightly.

"No problem, no problem!"

Saying this, Brock charged off toward the direction the Tauros had gone.

"Running off with a stranger just like that… what is he doing?" Misty frowned.

"Natsume, what is the Laramie Ranch?" Ash asked, turning as Natsume approached with his device.

"You mean them? I believe they are a local indigenous group," Natsume tilted his head, recalling information.

"The Laramie Ranch is dedicated to raising Pokémon in harmony with nature. When the League planned the urban and rural areas, they divided this region into Crimson City and the Safari Zone. Some of the Laramie remained here, living a nomadic lifestyle, while others moved into Crimson City."

Natsume pointed to the plains behind them.

"Specifically, we are in the Laramie nomadic area; the true Safari Zone lies further back."

"I see," Ash nodded, looking enlightened.

The next second, Natsume handed him a device.

"Don't just stand there; come help," he said, giving a detector each to Misty and Giselle.

"Mr. Natsume, didn't you say traditional ground wave detectors would interfere with each other?" Giselle asked, puzzled.

"Could this be some advanced device?" Misty peered over.

"No, I just don't like seeing you idle," Natsume said, placing a detector on the ground and leaning against a nearby rock.

"Then we'll take turns," Giselle suggested.

Everyone nodded and spent the afternoon searching in shifts.

As the sun set, the group collapsed, exhausted.

"Still nothing," Misty said, sipping water.

"Hey, my detector's vibrating! It's vibrating!" Ash's eyes lit up as if he'd struck gold.

"Nonsense, the rocks are vibrating too," Misty said, glancing at him weakly.

He really was full of energy.

"Maybe Brock and the others have returned," Giselle said, looking into the distance.

In the sunset, a herd of Tauros thundered across the plains.

A Ponyta led at the front, while two small black shapes moved around, guiding the herd's direction.

"What are those?" Misty asked, pointing at the black shapes.

"That," Natsume said, taking out a telescope, "are Growlithe. The Laramie Ranch usually raises them to help manage Tauros or Doduo herds."

"Those two black shapes are Growlithe… wait, one of them is Brock," Natsume added, pausing in surprise.

Brock's physique was enviable even to Natsume.

Whoosh! Lara passed over the group with the Tauros herd.

"Let's go, everyone," Brock said, stopping to catch his breath.

"Lara said there's a Laramie evening gathering over there, and we can rest at her home today," Brock said excitedly.

You can read more (around 100+ free chapters) of Natsume's adventure ad-free at [https://ravenarchives.com/book/pokemon-who-let-him-leave-pallet-town]. Bulk uploads is a mess here, so updates here might be irregular.