"What happened here?"
"Not sure. I heard something was stolen—an engine and some giant drainage pipes or something."
"Oh."
Natsume instantly lost interest.
"Let's go, Misty. Huh? Why didn't you eat your ice cream? Why'd you throw it on the ground?"
"Ughhh—!"
Natsume successfully triggered Misty's rage mode. He ran ahead while Misty chased after him, pushing the shopping cart at full speed.
...
**Cerulean City Pokémon Center.**
"Huff… huff—"
In the corner, one tall and one small figure leaned against the wall to catch their breath.
"N-Natsume, you're way too much. I'll never go shopping with you again!"
"You… huff… you're the one who said you'd help me carry things."
Misty regretted it terribly now.
She was so foolish. Really. She should have known better. Even if she wanted to avoid her sisters and had nowhere to go, she should never have followed Natsume.
She would've been better off hanging herself from a tree outside, pretending to be a Mankey.
"By the way…" Natsume took a deep breath, looked at Misty, and held out his hand.
"What are you trying to do?"
Misty eyed him warily, afraid he was about to pull another stunt.
Natsume slowly opened his palm. Resting there was a smooth, water-blue stone.
"For you."
"A Water Stone? For me!" Misty's eyes lit up. She had actually wanted to ask Natsume for one a long time ago, but never had the nerve.
"Now that's more like it!"
Misty took the Water Stone, holding it carefully as though it were a hard-won treasure.
*Clink—*
Natsume pulled out a small pouch, shook it, and three more Water Stones tumbled into Misty's hands.
Staring at the extra stones, Misty froze in surprise.
"Since you're going home eventually, you'll need something to show your family, right? Can't have you wandering around for months with nothing to bring back."
Natsume's voice followed calmly.
"How do you know that? You've been investigating me!?" Misty's eyes widened in shock.
"To make sure a teammate can be trusted, you've got to know who they are, don't you? Besides—" Natsume pointed at her face,
"Your expressions tell it all."
"But… are you really this nice?"
Misty looked at the four Water Stones in her hand, then at Natsume suspiciously.
*This brat didn't even trust me?*
Seeing her doubt, Natsume brushed off his shoulder, his face glowing as if haloed by holy light, and looked at Misty kindly:
"After all, as the only adult here, I count as your temporary guardian!"
With that, Natsume turned and started dragging the shopping cart away.
Misty twitched at the sight of his Rotom Phone automatically turning on the spotlight for him.
Still, in her heart, she was honestly grateful.
This unreliable researcher seemed more human than she'd thought.
Yes—*human*.
"Why are you just standing there?"
Misty hadn't moved, still staring at Natsume as he posed with the shopping cart.
"Uh… help me push the stuff."
Misty: "…"
After packing everything up, Natsume led Misty to the Cerulean Gym.
By the time they returned to the Pokémon Center, Ash and Brock were gone—most likely already at the Gym.
Soon, Natsume and Misty arrived at a building shaped like a theater.
"Your three sisters are really pretty."
Looking at the giant poster hanging outside the Gym, Natsume sipped his Moomoo Milk and offered the compliment sincerely.
"Hmph, of course. Do you know whose sisters they are?"
Misty proudly lifted her chin.
Before long, the two of them entered the Gym.
Misty still seemed a little uneasy, trailing far behind Natsume.
Helpless, Natsume had no choice but to walk in on his own.
By the pool filled with foam props, Natsume spotted Ash.
Across from him stood three beautiful women, their golden, blue, and pink hair exactly like in the posters.
At their side, Brock had already collapsed on the floor, his eyes filled with hearts, clearly burned out under the "triple sun" of beauty.
"Huh? Are you here to challenge as well?"
The Cerulean Sisters noticed Natsume.
"Natsume!"
Ash waved at him.
"So you know each other?" Daisy, the eldest with blonde hair, smiled, then looked a little embarrassed as she turned to Natsume:
"I'm sorry, but the three new Trainers from Pallet Town before you were just too strong. We don't have any Pokémon left to battle with."
"That's right, the ones we have left are needed for the water ballet, so they can't be used for fights."
Lily, the pink-haired third sister, added.
"So, we'll just give you the Cascade Badges directly."
As she spoke, Daisy took two droplet-shaped badges from her pocket and handed them over.
"Huh? That's way too half-hearted." Ash froze for a moment, then his gaze firmed.
"Natsume told me that getting something without earning it is—"
"Thanks, I'll take them."
Before Ash could finish, Natsume had already stepped up and accepted the badges.
"Natsume, that's not what you taught me!"
Ash looked at him, dumbfounded.
"We both have Electric-type Pokémon, which counter a Water-type Gym perfectly." Natsume shrugged and continued:
"Besides, they really don't have any Pokémon left to battle."
"Oh…" Ash fell silent, then also reached out to take the badge.
"Stop right there!"
A sharp voice rang out, and Misty dropped down right in front of Ash.
"I'll battle you instead!"
She held up a Pokéball, staring at Ash.
"But… why do I have to battle you?" Ash was utterly confused.
"Oh, Misty!"
Daisy rushed up happily.
"Didn't you say you wouldn't come back until you became the number one Water-type Pokémon Master? What, did you end up so down and out you had to crawl back to us?"
"Hahaha!"
The three sisters burst out laughing.
"I—I have accomplishments too!"
Misty quickly pulled out the four Water Stones.
"Huh?"
Ayame, the blue-haired second sister, pinched one delicately between her fingers.
"These really are Water Stones?"
The other two sisters leaned in as well.
"Yes, Misty got them back in Pewter City," Natsume added.
"Hmph, that's right! I got them thanks to my keen eye as the future number one Water-type Pokémon Trainer!"
With Natsume backing her up, Misty's nose grew like Pinocchio's as she started boasting non-stop.
"My, not bad at all."
"Looks like letting you travel was the right call. We were worried at first."
"Exactly. You've grown, Misty, and we've grown more popular as the Cerulean Sisters."
"That's enough!"
Misty shouted loudly, cutting off the noisy scene.
"In short, Ash, I'll battle you as the Cerulean City Gym Leader!"
"We'll use this pool as the battlefield. Go, Staryu!"
She looked straight at Ash.
"Huh? Why don't you challenge Natsume instead?" Ash scratched his head.
"Can't beat him," Misty admitted bluntly.
"What?!" Feeling underestimated, Ash immediately grew indignant.
"Go, Pikachu!"
*Pika…* Pikachu tugged uneasily at Ash's pant leg.
"Huh? You're saying you really like Misty and don't want to battle her?"
*Pika, Pika!* Pikachu nodded firmly.
"Hahaha! Give it up, Ash. Your Pikachu, who has the advantage over me, refuses to fight—you can't win!"
Misty burst out laughing.
"*Grr…* don't celebrate too soon! Go, Midchu!"
*Pika!*
Misty: ???
You can read more (around 50+ free chapters) of Natsume's adventure ad-free here[https://ravenarchives.com/book/pokemon-who-let-him-leave-pallet-town]. Bulk uploads is a mess here, so updates here might be irregular.