Chapter 109. Anti-Natsume Alliance
Suddenly, Zapdos looked back.
Behind it, two Pokémon appeared.
A Primeape and a Drowzee.
"Mmm~" What's wrong?
Drowzee took out a Berry and offered it to Zapdos.
After a moment's hesitation, Zapdos accepted the Berry.
"Gyaa—ha!" That accursed human!
"Ho-ho, wa-ho-ho-ho!" The one whose eyes glow blue?
Primeape and Zapdos started talking about Natsume, and the two of them felt like kindred spirits, getting more and more worked up until they were both in tears.
At last—
The Anti-Natsume Alliance was officially formed.
Back at the original factory yard, heaps of Grimer were being hauled away by workers with handcarts.
The Grimer were dumped into the sea, except that this time the intake point had been fitted in advance with electrified wire mesh.
As seawater surged in, the factory lights blazed to life, the roar returned, and the city came back to life.
Everyone exchanged glances and prepared to head back to the Pokémon Center.
"Are these Grimer going to be taken back to the sea?" Ash asked curiously.
"The nearby waters have all been ruined, and I didn't see a single cute Water-type Pokémon," Misty said, head drooping, a little heartsore.
"But there's nothing we can do about it…" Brock stared worriedly at the inky sea.
He knew that sometimes, sacrifices have to be made for development.
"Come to think of it, just like Misty said, we didn't see any Water-type Pokémon in the nearby sea, but there were plenty of Poison-type Pokémon," Honora said, frowning as she endured the stench.
"That's what's curious," Natsume said slowly. "Gringey City's waters were destroyed, but the destruction created an ecology Poison-type Pokémon love."
Thanks to nature harboring Pokémon of every possible type, the world's natural recovery ability is quite formidable because of their involvement.
"Natsume, why didn't your book, A Thousand Ways Pokémon Trouble Human Society Under Ecological Destruction, mention Gringey City?" Honora suddenly asked, as if something had occurred to her.
"Because if it did, it wouldn't get published," Natsume said without hiding it.
"…" Everyone fell silent.
"But is it really okay for the League to tacitly allow the destruction of the original ecology?" Misty and Ash looked up at Natsume together, confusion in their eyes.
"It isn't," Natsume said, ruffling their hair. "That's one of the reasons we League researchers exist."
"Natsume, do you mean researchers will solve these problems in the future?" The disappointment on Ash's face faded, replaced by curiosity.
"Mm." Natsume nodded.
"Unlike decades ago, in recent years the League has realized the consequences of ecological damage."
"It used to be exploiting the environment for development, but now there's a conscious shift."
"For major research institutes and Pokémon universities, League investment is tilted toward ecology."
"Especially research into post-destruction ecological restoration and resource recycling."
"This is a massive tailwind."
At this point, Natsume paused, then looked at Honora.
"So, what do you think? Do you want to go into Pokémon Ecology? I can introduce you to a suitable advisor."
Honora panicked and quickly clutched Natsume's arm.
"Natsume, I… I want to be your assistant…"
"It's such a pity Honora doesn't want to go that route," Misty sighed.
"Natsume, will you be researching in that direction in the future?" Ash looked up, deeply shaken by Gringey City's harsh environment.
"I've already finalized my direction, but Gary might," Natsume said, glancing at Ash.
To realize his apotheosis plan as soon as possible, Natsume had specialized in several areas: Pokémon Genetics, Pokémon Biochemistry, and Pokémon Bioinformatics.
He had studied Pokémon Ecology as well, but didn't have the time to start a project.
Gary was Professor Oak's grandson, and although there was no sign of it now, under Professor Oak's guidance he would very likely go into research in the future.
And with the League's future emphasis on supporting ecological research projects, unless Professor Oak lost his mind, Gary would certainly advance into the field of Pokémon Ecology on his advice.
"Gary, huh…" Light flashed in Ash's eyes.
"Darn it, just thinking about how great that guy might become—I can't fall behind!"
Gary's taunting face popped into his mind, and Ash clenched his fists.
"It's still too early to say any of that," Natsume said, patting Ash's head. "Whether Gary wants to or not is still uncertain."
With the Grimer handled, the stench had lessened a lot, and Natsume felt his cold was almost gone.
Maybe Nurse Joy's medicine had started to take effect.
"He'll definitely want to!" Ash adjusted his cap.
Although he thought Gary was full of himself, he loved Pokémon just as much as Ash did.
"Ah~ When we run into him next time, talk to him about it," Natsume said with a yawn.
"Mm!" Ash nodded seriously, suddenly feeling a heavier burden on his shoulders.
"Ew, what's this!"
Misty up ahead pinched her nose and backed away.
Everyone looked over toward the sound, and the beam of a flashlight lit up a gray-purple Pokémon like a mound of sludge.
"Muk, the evolved form of Grimer," the Pokédex said. "It's extremely foul-smelling, and there are reports of people suffocating from its stench!"
"Great, it's a Muk. I'm going to catch you!"
Ash said this and sent out Charmander.
"What are you doing!" Misty hurried away, pinching her nose in disgust.
After a brief battle, a red light drew the Muk into a Poké Ball.
"Whoosh!" The Poké Ball vanished.
Ash blinked and realized he already had six Pokémon, so the Muk had been transferred back to Professor Oak's Laboratory.
"Lucky Professor Oak…" Misty covered her face.
"Except… the one currently on duty at Professor Oak's Laboratory is Delia Ketchum, right?" Natsume's voice came from behind.
"Oh no, Mom!"
Ash finally realized, turned pale with fright, and rushed back toward the Pokémon Center.
Gringey City, Pokémon Center.
Ash placed a video call to Professor Oak's Laboratory, a trace of dread on his face.
When the call connected, Delia appeared in full protective gear.
She wore cleaning gloves, a mop in one hand, and a perfume bottle in the other, spraying wildly into the air.
A Muk lay in the tub, completely dead to the world.
"Huh? Ash, why aren't you asleep at this hour—honestly!"
Delia leaned in, angry expression and all.
"Uh… here's the thing."
Seeing that his Muk was behaving, Ash breathed a sigh of relief and started explaining.
"By the way, Natsume, can a Muk be washed clean?" Misty asked in a whisper.
"So long as it's not a Muk with the Ability Stench, if you raise it with care for a while, it won't have an odor," Natsume nodded.
Good thing this world doesn't have fermented stinky tofu, or those food stalls with Muk would all get shut down by the League's food safety department.
"Okay, Mom, bye!"
Ash hung up the call.
"Natsume, why did Mom suddenly get the idea that she'll take me to the Kalos region with you?"
Ash looked around and realized Natsume had vanished again.
"Ah~" Misty yawned by the stairs.
"He just stepped out. It's late. Go to sleep."
Gringey City, an enclosed complex.
This place was very different from everywhere else.
The complex was covered by a massive dome that looked like glass.
Because the air here was chronically poor, from afar it looked like a huge, grayish egg.
Due to the blackout, nearly all the workers in Gringey City had had their shifts interrupted, and this place was no exception.
Just now, the lights in the complex had come back on.
"I'm Natsume, the one who custom-ordered a giant computer chip last time."
"Creak~" The complex gate opened, but the person who came out was Officer Jenny.
After carefully checking Natsume's credentials, she finally let him pass.
"Come in."
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