Fortunately, it was just a false alarm.

The System reassured him with concern.

Its items had absolutely no side effects.

Natsume wasn't buying it. Baldness was the inevitable price of power.

Just look at Blastoise's head—shiny as a polished gem.

Now that was the aura of a true big shot!

"Hmm… Seems like a mere 9th-dan black belt isn't enough to go bald yet."

Natsume gazed skyward.

As for Ash, who wore a cap every day—who knew how long he had left?

Complaints aside…

Maybe superhuman physique meant hair loss was no longer a concern.

With the Tokyo awards ceremony over, Natsume planned to board Lt. Surge's S.S. Aqua the next morning and return to Saffron City.

He needed to prepare for his upcoming trip to Galar.

But before that, a little break at home sounded perfect…

The night was clear, the moon bright.

Back in familiar Tokyo.

Gengar emerged from the shadows, grinning mysteriously as it shone a flashlight under its face. "Gengar!"

Sylveon swayed its bow, eyes narrowing. "Sylveon~"

Time for a midnight mission!

Armed with six Poké Balls, Gengar first swept through the Villa district, rounding up all the Meowth.

Then it made a detour to Tokyo Gym.

Seeing the "Closed" sign, it sighed regretfully.

"Gengar!"

Fine, it'd come back tomorrow morning!

As dawn tinged the sky, Gengar stretched after its dungeon raid, chuckling.

"Gengar~~"

Another day of dutifully lightening its Trainer's burdens!

...

January 9th, Saturday.

When Nico Dou's Top 100 awards video dropped, viewers were stunned.

Takuya losing an exhibition match to Leader Shiori? Not the main takeaway.

The real shock was Natsume-sensei—picked for entertainment value—obliterating Leader Shiori?

And that glowing fried rice from Food Wars!

A gaming content creator outshining everyone else's specialties…

Was he some kind of legendary all-rounder?

The comments section overflowed with praise: "Natsume-sensei's the real deal!"

But the exhibition match cemented one fact:

Natsume-sensei was a master trainer.

His strategic depth and simulated battle wins made it impossible to believe he was just an ordinary Tokyo Metropolitan University student.

"I knew Natsume-sensei wasn't just a student!"

"Wait, the team that crushed Leader Shiori was newly bred?"

"Damn, that breeding skill is terrifying!"

Suddenly, schools everywhere were eager to recruit him.

But Natsume already worked at Celadon University—the world's top-ranked institution.

Even with higher pay, an independent game developer like him wouldn't budge.

Other principals could only envy Tokyo Metropolitan's Principal Hiroshi.

Hiroshi was baffled.

Natsume, a master?

He'd just thrown out a wild guess—

Turns out it was true?!

Staring at Natsume's unremarkable profile, Hiroshi sighed.

"This guy… even I got fooled!"

Tokyo's President Shoya, however, looked unsurprised.

He'd suspected as much since Natsume's meeting with Cynthia.

"Master?" President Shoya muttered, scanning the comments. "That's underselling him…"

Officially, Natsume was registered as a professional Trainer.

And disturbing a master trainer's life was unwise.

Natsume remained unaffected…

Though his already bizarre reputation kept growing.

Right now, he stood on the deck of Lt. Surge's S.S. Aqua, watching the azure waves.

Time to tally the Tokyo trip's rewards.

The Top 100 Content Creator trophy sat in Gengar's "treasure chest," ready for occasional admiration.

For Sirfetch'd, this journey had been a massive upgrade—

It even got its signature Leek.

Hell yeah, takeoff!

"Sirfetch'd!" Sirfetch'd stood proudly on the deck.

No more worries about becoming dinner!

Natsume eyed Sirfetch'd's plump, snow-white form.

The new leek would make emergency rations even tastier.

The old one was poisoned; this one had better texture…

Lastly, [Ancient Language] and [Close Combat] had each leveled up.

With [Ancient Language Lv5], Natsume could now flawlessly decipher ancient ruins.

"Gengar~!"

Mid-thought, Gengar suddenly popped up, aiming a Lick.

Avoidable, but unnecessary.

Natsume preemptively bit into a Lava Cookie.

"Gengar!" Grinning, Gengar pulled out a shiny metal object.

Natsume's expression twisted.

"You went this morning?"

Gengar nodded toothily.

Since Tokyo Gym was closed last night, it had swung by at dawn.

A bit of effort… but still a breeze!

Natsume almost shed a tear for the Tokyo Badge in his hand.

Hang in there, Gym Leader Takuya.

...

The sunset dyed Vermilion City gold.

Lt. Surge jumped onto the dock, arms crossed. "Finally back!"

"Thank you, Lt. Surge," Brock said politely.

"Ha, no problem!"

Natsume mounted Arcanine, smiling. "Then I'll head back to Saffron City."

Lt. Surge grinned. "Next time we meet, it'll be at the Indigo Plateau Conference, huh?"

Natsume: "Shut your mouth!"

After farewells, Brock returned to Vermilion Gym, murmuring.

"Once I handle the challengers… I'll ask Natsume-sensei for a battle."

Lt. Surge's words had reminded Brock.

Natsume-sensei likely hadn't collected enough badges yet—hence his sensitivity about the Indigo Plateau Conference.

And given his personality, he probably wouldn't outright challenge Pewter Gym.

But after watching Natsume battle Leader Shiori…

Even the steady Brock felt his blood boil.

Squinting at the sunset, he clenched his fists.

I want a full battle with Natsume-sensei.

Win or lose, it'd prove his path as a Trainer wasn't stagnant.

When the time came, he'd give Natsume-sensei the badge then…

Brock nodded firmly.

Though often tied down by his siblings, his steps were light as he walked to Pewter Gym.

Dusk settled over Saffron City.

Natsume yawned lazily at home.

"Sylveon~" Sylveon curled up on the couch.

Togepi rolled across the carpet, grabbing a handheld console and instantly reviving.

Blastoise withdrew silently—ever the picture of security.

Arcanine lay on the floor, its fiery mane radiating warmth like a hearth.

"Gengar~!" Gengar dusted the house with a feather duster.

Natsume chuckled and headed to make dinner.

"Sirfetch'd, lend me a few leek leaves!"

"Sirfetch'd???"

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