"You're not going back?"
"Yeah, I've got what I wanted. Now it's time to enjoy happy days of adventure with my sister." Gerwin shook his head like a rattle drum.
"Then I'm off."
Natsuhiko nodded and summoned Sharpedo.
He approached Saint Anus under the cover of night.
With the full support of Binina and others, and the full-speed sailing of the "Pink Pudgy," they finally caught up with the Saint Anus after a day's time.
After all, the Saint Anus is a cruise ship meant for tourism, and for comfort, it doesn't sail very fast.
Watching Natsuhiko disappear into the dense night, Binina and Gerwin watched him leave.
"Sister, he's already far away." Gerwin reminded in a strange tone.
"Hmm." Binina nodded slightly.
'I wonder what kind of person Natsuka's teacher is... I should find a chance to ask those old geezers... But lending such a powerful Shining Charizard to a junior, they might not even know...'
"Sister seems a little reluctant." Gerwin whispered to the sailors beside him.
They all agreed.
As Natsuhiko approached the Saint Anus, he was immediately detected by sailors on heightened alert.
"Who are you?!" An experienced old sailor in a blue-and-white striped short-sleeve shirt warily eyed Natsuhiko.
Natsuhiko raised his hand, holding his boarding ticket.
"Sir, sneaking in through a window in the middle of the night isn't quite normal, is it?" The old sailor didn't relax his guard despite the evidence Natsuhiko presented.
After the last attack incident, security measures on the Saint Anus had been upgraded to the highest level.
"I just felt too stuffy and took a stroll." Natsuhiko shrugged.
"That explanation seems a bit far-fetched, sir." The old sailor held a Pokeball in his hand.
"I have a way to prove..."
Natsuhiko had just opened his mouth to speak—he had, of course, left some preparations before leaving, just in case this situation arose.
But before he could say anything, he saw a small head peeking out from a distant corridor.
Clear eyes twinkled mischievously.
"Meiyu." Natsuhiko waved to her.
It was Meiyu, the little girl who lived next door with the elderly man.
Before leaving, Natsuhiko had specifically given them some warnings, and it seemed they hadn't been affected.
Hearing Natsuhiko call her, Meiyu hesitated a bit, then walked over shyly.
"Uncle... Togepi big brother," Meiyu murmured softly, her little hands nervously twisting her clothes.
Natsuhiko squatted down and gently patted her head. "Good girl."
Then he looked at the old sailor, "Will this prove my identity?"
The old sailor glanced at Natsuhiko, then at the innocent-looking little girl, Meiyu.
He recognized this little girl and had seen her many times.
With such pure-eyed innocence, she surely wouldn't lie.
The old sailor slowly put away his Pokeball and advised Natsuhiko, "Don't leave the ship at night again. This sea area isn't safe. It'll be much safer after we leave this area."
"Okay, thank you."
The old sailor also patted Meiyu's head. "Little girl, don't run around at night, okay?"
"Okay." Meiyu stuck out her tongue, looking down.
After speaking, the old sailor resumed his patrol.
Watching him leave, Natsuhiko then turned to Meiyu.
The little one's appearance had saved him a lot of trouble. Otherwise, despite his preparations, proving identity would be quite bothersome.
"Little Meiyu, where's your grandpa?"
"Grandpa..."
Talking about her grandpa, Meiyu finally reacted and quickly bowed to Natsuhiko. "Togepi big brother, I'll come find you to play next time."
As soon as she finished speaking, she ran joyfully back to her room.
Natsuhiko watched her adorable manner and shook his head with a smile.
"Togepi big brother, such a nickname..."
If any acquaintances knew, they'd surely find it amusing.
Swiping his key card, he returned to his long-missed room.
He tossed out a Pokeball to summon his Pokémon and flopped onto the soft bed.
He hadn't slept in a bed for a long time.
With Pokémon by his side, he didn't worry about his safety and soon fell into a deep sleep.
He was truly exhausted, his mind constantly running on overdrive lately.
To figure out the island's situation, to help his Pokémon defeat the powerful foe Druddigon, to identify the Pokémon's shortcomings and adjust them...
He's human; he has limits and needs rest.
"Togetic."
As soon as Togetic emerged, its little eyes darted around.
It wasn't a Togepi anymore. Its appearance and state had changed significantly, but its mischievous heart remained unchanged.
"Togetic."
Togetic giggled, covering its mouth.
Its little eyes glanced at the exhausted Natsuhiko, who had quickly fallen asleep.
With a gentle flip of its hand, a paintbrush unknowingly appeared in its palm.
Beedrill watched Togetic's playful antics. It intended to stop it but finally decided to let it be.
Togetic had restrained itself for a long time on the island; it should be allowed to release its nature a bit...
With that thought, it settled on the wall.
Abra, floating nearby, kept fiddling with its Buddha Beads.
"Abra," it murmured softly to itself.
It went back to being the weakest among Natsuhiko's three main Pokémon.
"Abra." Clenching its fist, blue light swirled in its eyes, full of determination.
It had to work harder to avoid being a burden.
Closing its eyes, various scriptures appeared in its mind as it mumbled incomprehensible words.
Abra didn't notice the pink fragment within its psychic power flickering, seemingly ready to fully integrate into its abilities.
...
...
On a remote, unknown island somewhere in the ocean.
A battered Black Tide collapsed at a cave entrance.
Soon, several people dressed like pirates, with an "α" symbol embroidered on their clothes, carried him inside.
The group's medical skills weren't shabby; Black Tide quickly regained basic consciousness, though full physical recovery would take some time.
As for recovering his strength, that would take even longer.
"Tide."
In the pitch-darkness, a rough voice called out.
"Leader." Black Tide tried to get up but was held back.
"What's the situation?"
"Leader, I think our plan needs a change... We might not get that reward..." Black Tide gave up struggling but spoke gravely.
"Oh?"
Black Tide then recounted his experiences, especially concerning Natsuhiko and the Shining Charizard.
"Shining Charizard?"
But the leader of Black Tide knew much more than Black Tide, even some information the alliance deliberately suppressed or concealed.
"The situation isn't as simple as you think," the leader said slowly. "But we don't need to involve ourselves this time. Rest up."
That heavy hand patted Black Tide's shoulder again.
...
...
Several days later.
"Passengers, passengers, we have arrived at Kaina City in the Hoenn Region. This stop lasts for seven days. Please return to the ship on time."
The broadcast repeated the announcement three times.