Chapter 133:The Arrival of Celebi?

Towada Lake, close to noon.

This is Natsume's second visit to this place.

The temperature here is much lower than in the south.

As Natsume and Dragonite flew over Towada Lake, they felt a slight chill.

Natsume checked the location on his phone.

The location was sent by Watanabe, who is still out fishing.

Watanabe seems to be in a showdown with that Wishiwashi.

Natsume said, “Dragonite, that's the river below.”

“Let’s land.”

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite flew down towards the river.

Watanabe's position is quite conspicuous; a sunshade stands brightly by the riverbank.

“Floatzel.”

Floatzel, beside Watanabe, noticed Dragonite and tapped Watanabe, then pointed to the sky.

Watanabe looked up and saw Dragonite descending towards him.

“This way.”

Watanabe shouted and waved his hand toward the sky.

“Dragonite.”

Dragonite landed.

Natsume jumped off Dragonite.

Natsume walked over to Watanabe and looked at the river water ahead, asking, “How's the harvest?”

The surface of the water is very calm, and a slightly cool breeze causes ripples to form on the water's surface.

On the opposite bank, a Tarountula hangs from a tree.

It curiously looks at Natsume and Dragonite.

Natsume smiled at the Tarountula and waved to it.

Watanabe rubbed his reddened eyes and said, “The harvest is okay.”

“It’s just that I haven't encountered that Wishiwashi again.”

“I’ve been waiting for a long time!”

Feeling frustrated as he spoke, Watanabe continued, “But honestly, I feel like that Wishiwashi was almost three meters long!”

“I’ve never seen a fish that big.”

Three meters?

Natsume thought to himself, if I ask you again tomorrow, it’ll probably be four meters.

Every fish that escapes from a fisherman seems to grow bigger.

Natsume said, “I’ll take a look and see if that Wishiwashi is still nearby.”

After saying that, Natsume released Gardevoir.

Together, Gardevoir and Natsume used Psychic to scan the entire river.

Unfortunately, there were no particularly large Wishiwashi in the river.

However, there were quite a few normally-sized Wishiwashi swimming around in this area.

Watanabe anxiously looked at Natsume and asked, “Is that Wishiwashi still here?”

Natsume shook his head slightly: “I didn’t find it.”

“Probably went somewhere else.”

Watanabe suddenly looked deflated and muttered, “Sigh, I should have gone all out back then.”

“Forget it, forget it. I’ll pack up and get some sleep. We’ll talk about it later.”

Watanabe quickly tidied up and prepared to crawl into his sleeping bag.

“Milotic, you come out too.”

Natsume released Milotic.

“Hmm?”

“Milotic?”

Watanabe, who had just been drowsy, immediately perked up upon seeing Natsume's Milotic.

“Milotic is so beautiful.”

Watanabe stared blankly at Milotic leaping into the river water and asked, “Do you think I could ever catch a Milotic in my lifetime?”

Natsume replied, “One should have dreams.”

Watanabe took a deep breath: “Alright, then I’ll cast one more line.”

Watanabe decided to make one last cast.

Natsume smiled and said, “I’ll take my leave now.”

“Sure.”

Watanabe waved his hand: “If you catch that Wishiwashi, remember to let me know.”

“Of course.”

It wasn’t far from here to Oranguru's cabin.

Natsume and Gardevoir walked along the river, with Milotic following in the water.

“Milotic, ask the Pokémon in the river if they know anything about that giant Wishiwashi.”

“Milotic~”

Milotic submerged into the water.

Natsume figured that the Wishiwashi should still be active in this area.

For such a large Wishiwashi, the chance of finding it is quite high if they search seriously.

“Everyone, come out too.”

Natsume took out his Poké Balls.

“Awooo~”

As soon as Arcanine came out of the Poké Ball, it excitedly shook its fiery red fur.

Arcanine howled at the sky.

Eevee, who was visiting this place for the first time, was very curious about the scenery around.

It looked around.

“Serperior~”

Serperior slightly flicked its tongue.

Serperior scanned the surroundings with a indifferent gaze. The wild Pokémon that were curiously observing Natsume’s group instantly ducked their heads.

Annihilape didn’t come out of its Poké Ball.

It wasn’t very interested in the surroundings.

“Awooo~”

Arcanine jumped around in front of Natsume.

Arcanine wanted to know where they should go first.

Natsume looked at Arcanine and said, “Let’s head to Oranguru’s cabin first.”

“Awooo~”

Arcanine immediately decided to scout ahead.

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite flew over Arcanine's head.

Dragonite was faster than Arcanine.

“Awooo!”

Arcanine howled at Dragonite and quickly chased after it.

The dragon and the dog quickly disappeared from Natsume's sight.

“These two guys.”

Natsume looked at their disappearing figures and sighed, “They really have a lot of energy.”

From the surface of the water, Milotic swam up.

Natsume looked at Milotic and asked, “What did you find out? Any news from the Pokémon in the water?”

“Milotic~”

Milotic said the water Pokémon informed it that there indeed lives a giant Wishiwashi dominator here.

Its strength is very strong.

No Water-type Pokémon here can compete with it.

Additionally, this Wishiwashi dominator often patrols the area nearby.

Because this entire water region is its territory.

“I see.”

Natsume nodded and said, “Now that we know its territory, we can move forward.”

“Let’s go to Oranguru’s cabin first.”

“Milotic~”

As Natsume and Milotic continued their conversation, a sudden startled scream echoed from not far away.

It was the cry of a Pokémon.

Rustle~

Natsume and Gardevoir looked ahead.

A Teddiursa came running out of the bushes in a panic.

“Beedrill!”

Behind Teddiursa, a group of Beedrill angrily chased after it.

“Beedrill!”

Pin Missile!

“Teddiursa!”

Teddiursa glanced back, its face turning pale in fear!

“Teddiursa!”

Teddiursa dashed forward with all its might, its body emitting a faint white glow.

Then, to Natsume's astonishment, Teddiursa took to the air in a low flight.

Teddiursa used Aerial Ace.

Splash~

Teddiursa dove straight into the river water.

“Beedrill!”

The Beedrill zipped past Natsume and Serperior.

“Beedrill!”

The Beedrill hovered above the river water and unleashed Pin Missile aimed at where Teddiursa had fallen.

Bam~

The surface of the water trembled.

A large splash of water erupted.

Teddiursa did not re-emerge.

“Beedrill!”

After circling the surface of the water for a while, the frustrated Beedrill finally flew off.

Natsume figured that, most likely, this group of Beedrill had their nest raided.

As soon as the Beedrill left...

Swish~

Teddiursa popped its head out of the river water.

“Teddiursa.”

Panting, Teddiursa started pushing the wild grass on the shore.

Teddiursa climbed up onto the bank and patted its chest.

That scared the life out of me!

Teddiursa happily sat down and then licked its palm.

“Teddiursa~”

Teddiursa looked delighted.

Though it was dangerous, it was worth it!

The honey made by Teddiursa is generally created from a mixture of fruit and pollen collected from Beedrill.

It would let the sweet honey seep into its palms, and when it wanted a taste, it would just lick its hands.

“Teddiursa, did you raid the Beedrill's nest?”

Curious, Natsume walked over and asked Teddiursa.

“Teddiursa.”

Teddiursa watched Natsume warily, quickly retreating and hiding back into the bushes.

“Teddiursa.”

Teddiursa slipped away from the bushes.

“What a cautious little guy.”

Natsume observed the departing figure of the Teddiursa and murmured, “But why isn’t it with an Ursaring?”

Oranguru's cabin.

“Long time no see, Yuuji.”

Oranguru stood behind the bar, setting two cups on the table.

Yuuji sat down at the bar with Chesnaught.

Jangmo-o followed behind Yuuji, curiously eyeing Oranguru.

Yuuji rubbed his somewhat weary face and said, “Uncle Oranguru, I’m afraid I’ll need your help this time.”

When Yuuji was young, this Oranguru had been here.

Oranguru used Psychic to draw juice from a barrel, then controlled it to flow into the cups.

“Relax; you’re way too tense.”

Yuuji clenched his fist: “It was me who took it to Hikari-jō.”

“But I didn’t bring it back.”

“I don’t have the right to rest, at least not until I find it.”

Oranguru looked at Yuuji and slightly shook its head.

“It’s not your fault.”

“Going to Hikari-jō was its choice.”

As Oranguru spoke, it poured some juice into a bowl for the squatting Jangmo-o, then placed the bowl beside it.

“Jangmo-o.”

Jangmo-o tilted its head, curiously looking at the bowl of red juice.

“Go ahead and eat, child.”

Oranguru smiled at Jangmo-o.

Jangmo-o lowered its head and began to enjoy the juice given to it by Oranguru.

As Jangmo-o ate, it discreetly stole glances at the treehouse in front of it.

The first impression this place gave Jangmo-o was tranquility.

Baskets hung from the ceiling, gently swaying.

Inside, two Volbeat rested.

Two Emolga sleeping soundly beside the bar were in a comfortable slumber.

Oranguru settled into a lounge chair behind the bar.

It fanned itself gently: “Celebi is the guardian deity of the forest, but also a child of the forest.”

“It will return to this place.”

“Celebi protects the forest, and the forest will protect it.”

Yuuji sighed: “I hope so too.”

“I’m just worried that after so much time without finding it, what might happen…”

“Sawsbuck~”

Outside, a Sawsbuck called out.

A smile appeared on Yuuji's face: “That’s Yuki's Sawsbuck, isn’t it?”

Oranguru nodded slightly.

Outside, cheerful footsteps approached.

Yuki lifted the curtain made of banana leaves and walked in.

She looked at the middle-aged man sitting at the bar and said happily, “Dad, what brings you here so suddenly today?”

“And Chesnaught.”

“You seem even stronger now.”

“Chesnaught~”

Chesnaught smiled and scratched its head.

“Wow.”

Yuki suddenly exclaimed, “Is this Jangmo-o?”

“Dad, is this your Pokémon?”

Yuuji shook his head slightly: “Not mine.”

“I took it from Makototaka by force.”

“By force?”

Yuki crouched down in front of Jangmo-o.

“Jangmo-o!”

Jangmo-o took a step back and let out a warning growl at Yuki.

“That’s a bit fierce.”

Seeing this, Yuki also stepped back.

“Is this child captured illegally by Makototaka?”

Yuuji turned slightly as he looked at Yuki and Jangmo-o, shaking his head: “I’m not sure about that.”

“I just saw it locked in an iron cage, so I took it away.”

“As for how to deal with it, I haven't figured that out yet.”

Yuki looked a bit worried: “Will it be taken back by Makototaka?”

Yuuji shrugged: “I just need to find this Jangmo-o a Trainer as soon as possible.”

“The only problem now is that this child is indeed hard to get along with.”

Yuuji said, feeling a bit of a headache: “Finding a Trainer that it will recognize won’t be an easy task.”

Just then, outside in the trees.

“Dragonite~”

“Awooo~”

Two loud roars sounded, coming closer.

“What’s that?”

Yuuji stood up, surprised as he looked outside: “Is that the sounds of Dragonite and Arcanine?”

As an experienced ranger, Yuuji could identify most Pokémon solely by their sounds.

Whoosh~

A strong gust of wind swept past outside the trees.

Dragonite landed in front of the door.

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite waved happily at Arcanine behind it and then lifted the leafy curtain.

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite walked into the treehouse, cheerfully greeting Oranguru and Yuki.

Oranguru looked at the plump Dragonite and said, “Oh, it's you, Dragonite.”

“Is it just you and Arcanine today?”

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite shook its head.

Natsume and Serperior are coming in behind.

As Dragonite spoke, it noticed the Jangmo-o lying on the ground.

“Dragonite?”

Dragonite crouched down and curiously poked Jangmo-o's face.

“Jangmo-o!”

Jangmo-o showed a hint of annoyance and opened its mouth to snap at Dragonite’s finger.

Jangmo-o bit down hard but felt like it had bitten into something hard.

“Dragonite~”

Dragonite pulled Jangmo-o up with its finger, looking at it with a smile.

Dragonite thought this little guy was pretty cute, but it didn't seem very fun.

“Awooo~”

At that moment, Arcanine jumped in.

Dragonite tossed Jangmo-o to Arcanine.

“Jangmo-o.”

Jangmo-o flailed in the air, trying to stabilize itself.

Arcanine opened its mouth and bit down on Jangmo-o.

Jangmo-o froze at the sight of Arcanine holding it in its mouth.

Arcanine set Jangmo-o down on the ground and curiously tapped the giant heart-shaped scales on Jangmo-o's head with its paw.

The corner of Jangmo-o's mouth twitched.

Did these two think of him as some sort of pet toy?

Jangmo-o was getting frustrated.

“Jangmo-o!”

Jangmo-o used Tackle.

Smack!

Arcanine blocked it with one paw.

“Dragonite, Arcanine, you don’t need to bully Jangmo-o.”

Yuki stepped forward.

“Awooo~”

Arcanine wagged its tail and pulled back its paw.

“Jangmo-o.”

At that moment, Jangmo-o was still trying to charge forward.

Once Arcanine retracted its paw, Jangmo-o shot straight out of the treehouse.

Yuuji wondered, “Do you know these two Pokémon?”

“They belong to Natsume, the Gym Leader.”

Yuki petted the soft fur on Arcanine's back.

“Natsume, the Gym Leader?”

“The one from Morimachi?”

Yuki nodded: “Yeah, Dad, do you know him?”

Yuuji nodded slightly: “I’ve heard Ohtaka mention him.”

Yuuji walked over to the entrance of the treehouse.

“Jangmo-o, are you alright?”

At that moment, Jangmo-o was sitting on the platform at the entrance of the treehouse, its gaze fixed ahead.

The light shining was a bit blinding.

Yuuji squinted at the figure walking toward him.

In the dappled shade, a gentle youth walked with Gardevoir, moving through the patterns of light and shadow.

They were chatting and laughing.

Proud Serperior and the Pokémon known as the most beautiful, Milotic, followed at their sides.

An Eevee led the way.

It bounced towards a flying bug, occasionally looking back.

“Dragonite~”

From behind Yuuji, Dragonite and Yuki also came out.

Dragonite waved enthusiastically at Natsume.

“Coming, coming.”

Natsume smiled back at Dragonite.

Suddenly, the space in front of Natsume shook.

A thin, withered figure suddenly emerged from a crack in the sky.

Natsume instinctively reached out to catch it, and when he focused his gaze, he saw...

“???

“Celebi?!”

Natsume stared in bewilderment at the small green Pokémon that had suddenly appeared in his hand.