Natsume gave Shoko a general rundown of his ideas and even had his Rotom run a few tests according to her experimental design.
By the time they wrapped up the entire process, the sky had darkened—it was nearing dusk.
"I'm heading out now. Let's keep in touch."
"Take care, Senior Natsume!"
At the entrance of the Pewter City Science Museum, Shoko bowed deeply to Natsume's departing figure.
Behind her stood several of her research colleagues from the museum, all watching Shoko with envy.
This kid had the least experience among them, but by the looks of it, he might actually be the first to graduate and obtain an official Pokémon League research certification!
Though envious, everyone remained confident in their own paths.
When Mr. Natsume left, he said that if there were any future academic exchanges, he'd invite them all to join.
He had taken contact information from nearly every researcher present—it clearly wasn't just a polite gesture.
A future Pokémon Professor hosting a symposium? No way would they miss that kind of opportunity.And surely, a new Professor would need assistants, right?
After bidding farewell to everyone at the museum, Natsume returned straight to the Pokémon Center and immediately called Professor Oak.
Soon, the image of a disheveled old man with dark circles under his eyes and bedhead—as if he hadn't slept in two days—appeared on the screen.
"Natsume? You again!"
Click!
Professor Oak hung up instantly, sparing himself the headache.
Natsume scratched his head, thinking maybe the professor missed him because he'd been away too long. So, he dialed again.
"Alright, spit it out—what is it this time? Let me be clear: I absolutely, definitely, absolutely will not be helping you revise another paper."
Professor Oak wore a look of total resignation. His usually kind eyes now resembled a red-eyed Gastly—downright terrifying.
Natsume cleared his throat."Ahem, I sent you a Wishing Star."
"You what? A Wishing Star?! Where did you get that?!"
The fatigue vanished from Oak's face, replaced by pure shock.
"Someone gave it to me. Said they found it on Mt. Moon."
"Found it in Kanto?" Oak's expression turned extremely serious. "Natsume, do you know why Wishing Stars have only ever been discovered in the Galar region?"
"Yes—because they're drawn in by Galar Particles. The Wishing Stars' trajectories shift toward Galar when they fall."
"Exactly. But if someone found one on Mt. Moon…"
Professor Oak trailed off, then stared intently at Natsume.
"That could mean Mt. Moon contains something similar to Galar Particles?"
Natsume gave a strange look and picked up the thread.
In fact, when he'd heard from Takeo that the Wishing Star was found at Mt. Moon, this possibility had already crossed his mind.
But since Mt. Moon didn't show any abnormal phenomena—and giant Pokémon had been appearing elsewhere—he leaned more toward the idea that the Wishing Star had landed in some part of Kanto, then ended up at Mt. Moon by coincidence, where Takeo found it.
"Natsume, good work! I'll apply to the League to organize a research team to investigate Mt. Moon."
Professor Oak's excitement was obvious—he knew exactly what this Wishing Star could mean.
If it was legitimate, then the Kanto region could very well become the second region, after Galar, to implement Dynamax!
Natsume nodded in agreement.
Having the League send investigators was a good thing. If they found any clues, he could get the info from Professor Oak easily, which would definitely help with the system's mission to decode the secret of the giant Pokémon.
"Oh right, Professor Oak—"
Natsume added, "That Wishing Star I sent you is about the size of a fist."
"A fist?!"Oak was stunned. Then he added, "Kid, your luck is insane! You only need a shard the size of a fingernail to make a Dynamax Band!"
"Exactly," Natsume nodded. "So, keep half of the Wishing Star as evidence. Use the other half to ask Professor Magnolia in Galar for help—have her make as many Dynamax Bands as she can from it."
"Done. No problem!"
Overjoyed by the news, even Professor Oak's voice became full of energy.
"Natsume! I got the Boulder Badge!"
Just as the call ended, Ash's voice rang out from outside.
Natsume turned around and saw three figures approaching.
"Hmph, don't get cocky. Brock let you win," Misty muttered, not missing her chance to take Ash down a notch.
"Brock?"
Natsume looked at the squinty-eyed boy following behind Ash.
"Natsume, guess what—Takeo's actually Brock's dad! He handed over the Gym to Brock, and now Brock's joining our journey!"
Ash explained enthusiastically.
"Huh, that's great."
Natsume feigned ignorance, though he felt a little disappointed to have missed out on the drama of a family reunion.
"Hello, I'm Brock. My dream is to become the world's greatest Pokémon Breeder!"
Brock extended a hand and gave Natsume a formal self-introduction.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Natsume. I plan to start a Pokémon Academy someday—if I ever invite you to teach, don't turn me down."
Natsume smiled as he shook Brock's hand.
"Huh? Natsume, you're opening an academy? Can we join too?"
Ash and Misty looked at him, wide-eyed with curiosity.
"You'll be Gatekeeper No. 1, and you'll be Gatekeeper No. 2."
Natsume gave them each a playful flick on the forehead.
"Hey! Don't underestimate me—I'm going to be a Pokémon Master!"
"Yeah! And I'm going to be the Water-type Pokémon Master!"
The two protested loudly, but just as they were about to say more, they saw Natsume sling his bag over his shoulder.
"Let's go. Time to head out."
"Huh? It's already this late—shouldn't we rest for the night first?"
Even the ever-energetic Ash was a bit surprised by Natsume's sudden decision.
"I think he's planning to head to Mt. Moon," Brock chimed in thoughtfully.
"What's that got to do with leaving now?" Ash and Misty turned to look at him in unison.
"Mt. Moon is most magical at night. It takes about two days on foot from Pewter City to get there. Considering the time we'll spend resting, if we leave now, we'll arrive exactly three nights from now."
Brock explained like a seasoned guide.
"Exactly. Let's move."Natsume's voice came from ahead—he was already waiting at the door.
The Wishing Star situation was important. The League would act fast. Three days should time things perfectly.
Natsume ran the numbers in his head.
"Alright! No time to waste! Let's see what makes Mt. Moon so mysterious!"
Ash slung on his backpack with renewed energy and followed after Natsume.
"Wait for me! I need to grab my stuff!"
Misty, shouldering her bag, ran after them as well.
"Not bad at all," Brock said with a faint smile as he watched the group's backs, then followed them out.
Just as they stepped outside the Pokémon Center, Natsume suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Hmm—he had the nagging feeling that he'd forgotten something.
Had he?
"Pika—CHU!"
From the back courtyard, a Pikachu's frustrated shriek echoed from its party throne.
Oh right—his Pikachu!
Natsume smacked his forehead.