Chapter 123: Running Competition
"Huh? Well… no, not really,"
In an instant, Nash became even more bashful than Helen, stammering and shaking his head, his face bright red.
Helen buried her head even lower beside him.
"Oh~"
Misty nodded knowingly.
"Well… it's like this," Helen suddenly spoke, explaining to the group.
Neither of them were professional hosts or directors. They had simply come together out of personal interest.
"With your skills, getting a certification should be easy, right?" Brock's voice rang out.
To his surprise, both shook their heads.
"No, that would turn our hobby into a job," Nash said.
"Exactly… that would be too painful," Helen shivered.
"Wow, you two seem… close," Misty said, squinting.
"We're more like travel companions now, taking on commentary for various local competitions along the way," Nash explained with a smile.
"You must participate in tomorrow's race, please!"
Nash clasped his hands together, pleading with Natsume and Ash.
The Dragonite and Pikachu had left a strong impression on him.
"If you join, my artistry will reach a whole new level!"
Obsession shone in Nash's eyes.
"Artistry?"
Giselle chewed her bowl of milk pudding, her clear eyes drifting toward the two.
"Commentary is a secondary crafting of the competition itself—that's art!" Nash said firmly.
"All right, no problem! Ponyta and I will do our best!"
Ash, caught up in Nash's energy, jumped onto Ponyta's back and spoke to Lara:
"Miss Lara, please teach me how to ride!"
Seeing Ash so eager, Lara covered her mouth and laughed softly:
"All right, no problem."
"Uh… can he really learn in one night?" Misty muttered as Lara and Ash rode off.
"Ash has great athletic talent," Natsume's calm voice drifted over.
Whoosh! Flames swirled.
Natsume suddenly lifted a huge, vacuum-like device.
"I'm going to look for the missing Diglett."
"Mr. Natsume, I'll help you!" Giselle ran over excitedly.
"No, I've already registered Ash and Dragonite for tomorrow's race. You need to watch over them," Natsume said without looking back, raising the device and sending beeping signals into the distance.
"All right."
Giselle lowered her head, planning to register herself as well.
"In that case, Onix and I will compete too," Brock said, taking out his Pokéball.
"And me! Starmie and I will participate. Miss Helen, make sure to give me lots of camera time!"
Misty, ever confident, grabbed Helen's arm.
"Of course."
The next day.
Under the dazzling sunlight, three massive screens floated in the air.
Looking closely, each screen was supported by two Magneton.
All three screens simultaneously displayed the same hillside.
At the top of the hillside, a group of people and Pokémon had gathered.
"Welcome to the Laramie Ranch's annual running competition!"
In the sky, Nash appeared, riding on a Magneton.
On the hillside, Ash sat nervously atop Ponyta.
"Ash, don't rush—do your best!"
Turning back, he saw Giselle, Misty, and Brock. Behind each of them followed Rhyperior, Starmie, and Onix.
Pikachu!
Pikachu stood on Squirtle's shell, cheering for Ash.
Woo~
A Dragonite howled into the sky, seemingly gathering strength.
On its head, a Midchu lay drowsily under a blanket.
To Dragonite's left was a Gengar, with Ash's Charmeleon perched on its head.
Gengar! Gengar lifted a clump of Spicy sludge above its head.
Charmeleon~ Charmeleon understood and ignited it with the flame on his tail.
To Dragonite's right sat a dazed Psyduck, clutching its head. On Psyduck's head rode a large block that Natsume had dubbed the Whacko Brick Pokémon.
"Seriously, why did you have to sign up?"
Misty covered her face.
The most amazing part: the duck-and-brick combo had actually passed approval.
The race wasn't limited to trainers riding Pokémon; Pokémon racing Pokémon was allowed too. Solo Pokémon or trainers counted only as pacers and didn't affect the results.
"Strange… why can't trainers ride trainers?"
In the distant plains, Natsume held a massive device, scanning continuously. Glancing at the giant screen in the sky, he shook his head.
If he rode with Ash, using his psychic abilities, they might actually win. But the title of champion, perhaps recognized as a Laramie Ranch Warrior, held no appeal for Natsume.
"Here comes the pre-race trash talk!"
"Will Dario, trainer of Dodrio, prove to be a typical contender or truly skilled? Let's wait and see!"
Announced Nash.
On the hillside, a defiant-looking trainer sat atop Dodrio, his expression tightening. He had dug the pit outside Lara's house and expected to win.
Upon learning Ash planned to enter in Lara's place after one night of training, Dario couldn't resist mocking him—but the broadcast camera captured it immediately.
Damn it! How does this host know what I just said from so far away?
Dario shut his mouth, sensing that this year's host brought by the ranch chief was unlike previous ones.
"Don't underestimate me, Dario!" Ash clenched his fists.
Pony— Ponyta raised its front hooves, full of energy.
"Here comes Ash, unwilling to back down! Will this punch land?"
Nash's voice rang again, and all eyes turned to the giant screen—even Natsume looked.
Seeing Dodrio, Natsume froze. Near Lara's pit, he had noticed some Dodrio feathers.
Beep beep beep~ Natsume's device buzzed, drawing his attention.
Ahead lay a small mound of earth.
He dug it up to find several Berries buried inside.
"What's this?" Natsume leaned closer, staring at the blueberries.
Even Diglett wouldn't bury berries like this—they'd rot too quickly.
"Never mind, let's keep searching slowly."
Leisurely swaying, occasionally glancing up at the race.
Natsume thought he had never experienced such a comfortable field survey.
That morning, he hadn't come up empty-handed.
He found some discarded Diglett droppings.
They blended with the soil but were more fertile.
Most likely left by the missing Diglett, heading toward the plains.
"Ash and Dario are unstoppable, taking the lead!"
"Onix, Rhyperior, and Dragonite—what enormous sizes! The whole hillside is trembling!"
The megaphone carried the host's voice far and wide.
It wasn't just Natsume who could hear it; even many wild Pokémon in the plains were paying attention.
Countless Tauros, Dodrio, and Rhydon lifted their heads, looking at the three huge screens in the sky.
These Pokémon munched on grass and berries, focused intently, as if watching something entirely new.
Natsume observed, thoughtful.
In the past, human events like this had nothing to do with wild Pokémon.
But this year was different—the host was Nash.
His shared asset with Helen was a truck.
Besides audio and cameras, the truck carried the three giant screens.
"Let's see the most favored Dragonite—oh no, it's running backward!" Nash's astonished voice rang out.
On the screen, a large Dragonite panted up the slope, each step making the small Midchu's blanket on its head jiggle.
Natsume sighed.
Forget it; he'd better stick to searching for the Diglett. Watching the race was only getting more frustrating.
You can read more (around 100+ free chapters) of Natsume's adventure ad-free at [https://ravenarchives.com/book/pokemon-who-let-him-leave-pallet-town]. Bulk uploads is a mess here, so updates here might be irregular.