"Boys, look who I brought!!"
Drake laughed heartily at the group of sailors in front of him, drawing everyone's attention to Natsui.
Just as Drake had said, all of his sailors had indeed watched Natsui's competition videos before and discussed him more than once. Naturally, they weren't unfamiliar with Natsui's face.
Someone recognized him immediately, pointed at him, and shouted in surprise.
"My god, it's actually Natsui!!!"
"Eh? Why is he here!?"
"He came to Hoenn!?"
"Are you going to challenge the Ever Grande Conference!?"
The sailors surrounded Natsui instantly, blocking any escape. They looked him up and down with excited and delighted gazes. Some even reached out to touch his arm.
That cautious appearance seemed like the person before them wasn't a real person, but an illusion!
"He's alive!"
"Idiot, what are you saying? Of course he's alive!"
"Sorry, it's just unbelievable to see him in person!"
Everyone chimed in excitedly, overwhelming Misty.
She felt uncertain and suspicious, wondering to herself how Natsui had suddenly gained so many male fans. After all, based on Natsui's looks and Pokémon strength, he had always been very popular with little girls. Why was he now the center of attention among so many men?
Natsui shifted under their attention, feeling uneasy. He hadn't expected this level of enthusiasm—this was like when he'd returned to Kanto and met that rowdy biker gang, only sweatier and louder.
But compared to these sturdy sailors, Natsui thought, if possible, I'd actually prefer being surrounded by a group of beautiful girls rather than these people...
The man who just threw down the rope ladder spoke up at this time: "Welcome to our ship. May I ask if you are going to battle with the Captain?"
Hearing him mention battling, the sailors beside him became even more excited.
A battle between the man holding two regional championships and an Elite Four member must be very spectacular!
Seeing Natsui look at that man, Drake introduced him to Natsui: "His name is Moore. He is my number one disciple and also the first mate on my ship. He is a reliable man who accompanies me to roam the seas and excavate treasures everywhere!"
"Hello." Moore extended his hand. "I've watched your Silver and Indigo Conference matches. You're an amazing Trainer. It's an honor to meet you!"
No wonder he could be taken as a disciple by Drake and become the first mate. To the narrator, Moore, aside from being slightly tanned, appeared to have a good image and excellent temperament. The narrator also noted that his speech was very appropriate, indicating to them that Moore was a steady person.
"You flatter me." Natsui shook hands. "It was just a small trial before. Things went smoothly because the opponents weren't too strong."
Seeing the two finished exchanging pleasantries and seemed to have a good impression of each other, Drake nodded with satisfaction.
Drake, feeling his age, knew in his heart that he probably didn't have many years left. Even if he wouldn't admit it out loud, he was aware of it. His main motivation for bringing Natsui aboard wasn't just appreciation. The most important reason was letting Moore meet Natsui, paving the way for his disciple.
Who says men who want to conquer the sea only care about dreams and disregard worldly wisdom?
Look, isn't this very shrewd!
He waved his hand to signal the sailors back, coughed, and said, "There won't be any battle between us, so don't make a fuss. Natsui is my guest. Everyone, restrain yourselves and don't scare anyone!"
Hearing his words, those sailors indeed all settled down a bit.
Subsequently, under Drake's invitation and accompanied by Moore, Natsui, and Misty, they strolled around the deck a few times, genuinely feeling the historical heaviness of this five-masted sailing ship. It seemed even Misty understood a bit of its charm.
After they finished their tour of the ship, the group finally went into the cabin.
Here, only Natsui, Misty, Drake, and Moore remained. Without those sailors casting curious gazes on Natsui all the time, their conversation naturally became much more casual.
It was only then that Natsui learned Drake and his ship were about to set off again soon. What awaited them next would be another unknown and long treasure-hunting journey.
Treasure hunting...
It could be said that treasure hunting was Drake's greatest hobby in the intervals of his Elite Four work. Even every time he returned to shore, it was actually to prepare for the next voyage!
This was a man born completely for the sea!
This visit to the ship was conducted in a friendly atmosphere. However, whether it was Drake or Natsui, they both had their own matters to handle, so naturally, it was impossible to stay too long.
After staying for just over half an hour, Natsui stood up to take his leave.
It is worth mentioning that during the chat just now, Drake treated the two to his special hot MooMoo Milk.
There was only one word to describe it—sweet!
Really sweet!
After tasting it, Natsui's thoughts spun: Did Drake seriously dump five giant spoons of sugar? This was way beyond normal.
But sweet as it was, actually tasting it carefully, it was quite delicious, with a rich milky aroma.
At least Misty beside him seemed to like this taste very much.
Honestly, Natsui thought, only a kid could handle this kind of sweetness. For him, it was almost an endurance challenge rather than a treat.
Helplessly shaking his head, he braced himself, tilted his neck back, and drank the whole cup of MooMoo Milk. Just as he put down the cup, he saw a satisfied look on Drake's face and Moore with an apologetic smile beside him.
He couldn't help but sigh. Being the number one disciple probably meant dealing with both sweets and storms.
...
Standing on the pier, Natsui and Misty waved to the sailing ship setting sail, watching it leave the port.
For them, meeting Drake was just a small interlude in the journey.
So what if they knew this Elite Four member or not?
The world is so big, the ocean so vast, and unlike Ash, who had protagonist luck, one could say that without booking a challenge, wanting to meet him again next time would probably be truly looking for a needle in a vast ocean.
Leaving the port area, the two entered Lilycove City proper.
Although Lilycove was very good and attractive, unfortunately, there was no official Gym here. The two could only stay briefly and had to leave here immediately.
"A Pokémon Contest is coming up? Great! I wonder if we'll see May."
"Should be possible," Natsui replied, checking the map. "She's always entering contests, but we're not staying long, so maybe not."
"That's true," Misty said, a little disappointed. "I wonder how May's changed."
Glancing at her in surprise: "Oh? Haven't you contacted each other? Didn't you exchange numbers?"
"This is an agreement between the two of us." Misty laughed. "She said no matter how her progress is, she won't reveal it to me in advance. Only when we meet again will she give me a big surprise!"
Is that so...
Now ignoring Misty, Natsui refocused his attention on the map in his hand.
Now only two Gyms remained unchallenged—Fortree City Gym and Mossdeep City Gym. Since they were back on land, their next goal was the Fortree Gym in Fortree City.
However, to get from Lilycove City to Fortree City, they not only had to walk a long way but also pass through a large Safari Zone. It was destined not to be that easy.
The two went to a nearby shop first to replenish daily supplies. However, just as they were about to set off for Fortree City, Natsui's phone suddenly rang.
Taking it out to look, it was actually Anabel calling!
Natsui felt his shoulders tense. With Anabel, it was never just a casual call—she always wanted something from him. Was trouble brewing again?
Needless to say, for Anabel, an International Police officer, to call him, she must have something that needs his help.
Without thinking much, he chose to answer directly.
Sure enough, just as he thought, Anabel's urgent voice came from the other end of the phone: "Hello, Natsui? I heard you are in Lilycove City right now?"
Natsui smiled. "How are you always so well-informed? Using satellites now?"
"I heard from Mr. Drake," Anabel replied. "I had an urgent favor for him, but he left. He recommended you, so here I am."
Drake told her?
He shook his head. Really, Drake—already handing off problems as soon as they said goodbye? That friendship sure proved itself quickly.
The two had just met and just parted ways. Unexpectedly, Drake shamelessly passed the matter onto him...
One could only say, this friend was truly not made in vain; he played a role as soon as the friendship was established.
But thinking about it, it was understandable. After all, having already set sail, for a person who loved the sea and exploration, how could he turn back easily?
Alright, we've helped each other before. If you need anything, just say it.
"As expected of our eternal friend, truly loyal enough!" Anabel first flattered Natsui, then said seriously, "I just received a request for help from another Elite Four member, Phoebe. Team Magma has set its sights on a magical stone on Mt. Pyre. Just like the one you stopped Team Aqua from getting a few days ago, it is said to be able to awaken Groudon and make it undergo Primal Reversion. So we absolutely cannot let it fall into Team Magma's hands!"
There was a bit too much information. Natsui frowned and pondered for a moment, then asked, "I don't understand. Since you received a request for help, why don't you handle this matter personally? With your power, you can completely do it, right?"
Anabel laughed awkwardly. "This... actually, we are still at sea right now. Since blocking Team Aqua for you last time, we discovered several of their secret bases nearby. We are dealing with them now and temporarily don't have the capacity to mobilize forces to handle this matter."
So that's how it is. That's why they contacted Drake, one of the Elite Four, to ask for his help. But this matter went round and round, and finally came back to me...
"Second question." Natsui continued to ask, "Why is Phoebe at Mt. Pyre? Although she is an Elite Four member, she has no obligation to guard these two stones that no one usually notices, right?"
Anabel's surprised voice came from the other end of the phone: "Eh? Don't you know?"
"Know what?"
"Phoebe naturally wouldn't pay attention to such things, but her grandfather and grandmother are the guardians on the mountain. Those two stones have always been protected by them. Last time, after Team Aqua snatched the Blue Orb from Mt. Pyre and injured them, Phoebe returned there to temporarily protect the other stone in place of her grandparents!"
Hearing Anabel's words, Natsui finally understood the cause and effect of the matter.
Although he had played the games before, the relationships between some people weren't clear to him. It was also the first time he knew now that the guardians on Mt. Pyre were actually Phoebe's family!
"I understand. So I need to rush to Mt. Pyre now, rendezvous with Phoebe, and then block those Team Magma members, right?"
"That's right!" Anabel said, "I will also mobilize police forces to support you as soon as possible. Before that, everything is entrusted to you!"
After hanging up the phone, Natsui shrugged helplessly at Misty. In exchange, Misty covered her mouth and chuckled lightly.
She naturally heard the conversation between the two just now while standing aside, and knew they probably couldn't go to Fortree City for the time being.
"You are really busy!" She teased, "Travel matters, multinational company president matters, evil organization matters, International Police matters—it seems nothing can do without you!"
Hearing her words, Natsui couldn't help smiling too, and couldn't resist being a little smug: "No choice, the capable are always busy. Who asked me to be so excellent!"
Since he knew a battle might occur, Natsui originally wanted to go to the Pokémon Center to adjust his lineup. But he suddenly remembered that he was the one who had captured Deoxys!
With it in hand, he asked, Who among those Team Magma people could defeat it!?
Plus, there were Raikou and Suicune. His current combat power was actually not much weaker than when he captured Deoxys; on the contrary, maybe his strength would be even stronger!
Thinking of this, his confidence burst. Why go to any Pokémon Center? He led the way first, changing course with Misty to go to Mt. Pyre!
...
Mt. Pyre is located southwest of Lilycove City.
It is close to the coastline, but because of its remote location amid continuous mountain ranges, although people have heard of it, most Trainers haven't been there.
Only those with deep affection for their Pokémon, after their Pokémon pass away, in order to let them rest in peace and go to heaven, or to leave a thought in their hearts, would travel thousands of miles, trekking over mountains and rivers, to come here and bury them in the mountain.
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