**Porta Vista, Pokémon Center**
Ash was chattering non-stop, recounting their thrilling, almost adventure-like experience.
"Huh? Natsume, why did you go through so much trouble?" Misty asked, puzzled. Wasn't the League Inspector identity enough?
"From the sailors' reactions, it seems Inspectors have come more than once already."
Natsume shook his head slightly.
If the Inspector's identity had been effective, they would have stopped the project long ago.
Besides, his inspector badge was fake. If the other side cared to check, they'd see through it quickly.
It was better to go all out and throw them off balance. By the time they realized, it would already be too late.
Sure enough, things unfolded just as Natsume expected. Without giving Granny Nastina a heavy scare, she wouldn't have stopped.
Two days later, shocking news broke out in Porta Vista.
The owner of the *Porta Vista Theme Park Tourism Development Project*—Granny Nastina—had fled!
Overnight, the building was deserted, and countless workers and sailors stood outside, raising their fists in protest.
"Porta Company, Porta Company, Granny Nastina, Granny Nastina ran away! She took her Pokémon and ran away!"
Truly, the working class could do anything—some of them even turned it into rap?
Natsume's expression grew odd as he looked down at a few young workers in uniforms, holding microphones and speakers.
"Everyone, quiet!"
In front of the building, Giselle held a microphone, sitting atop Natsume's Rotom Pokéball, floating in midair.
Her voice silenced the crowd.
"From now on, the Porta Vista Theme Park Tourism Development Project will be taken over by Kanto's Viridian Biopharmaceutical Group."
"The Vista's tourism project will continue, but it will be transformed into an eco-tourism development."
Last night, Giselle had contacted her father.
With Natsume's brilliant project proposal and a little help from Reginald, the League gave them full approval.
This way, the many workers in Porta Vista wouldn't lose their jobs.
By evening, the group sat around fishing to pass the time.
"Natsume, aren't we leaving yet?" Ash asked, watching a passenger ship sailing into the distance. He was getting restless.
"No rush. Things here aren't finished yet." Natsume was wearing a Tentacruel mascot suit.
Midchu dragged a small blanket over and flopped down comfortably on top of the costume's head.
"A project manager has arrived on Giselle's side. She should be leaving soon too," Brock assumed Natsume was talking about Giselle.
"I also don't think it's over yet. This little one's been agitated lately."
Misty glanced worriedly at the Horsea in her arms.
"Of course it's agitated—you're holding it all the time." Natsume shot her a side glance.
"I mean even at other times." Misty was speechless but still tossed Horsea back into the sea.
It kept diving and resurfacing, looking more and more anxious.
"What do you think Horsea is trying to say?" Misty rested her chin on her hand, staring absentmindedly.
"Maybe it's trying to warn that in a few days, a monster will come ashore."
"No way, something like that?" Misty glared at Natsume.
"Look, it nodded!" Brock pointed at Horsea in surprise.
"What?" Misty tilted her head, wondering if Natsume's influence had been too strong—just a few days and even Horsea was acting weird.
"Don't worry, Horsea." Suddenly, Natsume shook off the mascot suit and stood up. Midchu on top stayed asleep, unmoving.
He made clawing motions, casting a massive shadow like a Tentacruel. Horsea trembled.
"We've got Gengar!" he declared, releasing a Gengar in a flash of red light from his belt. He casually handed it a stick of spicy sludge.
*Hsshh—ha!*
One a day—essential!
...
Soon, night fell.
"Natsume, aren't you heading back?" Ash yawned, not understanding why Natsume was keeping watch here.
"You guys go on ahead." Natsume waved them off, signaling for them to return to the Pokémon Center to rest.
Without those days when Ash and the others were stranded on the island, Natsume didn't know the exact time the Dynamax Tentacruel would come ashore.
But his estimate put it within the next few days.
He had to be prepared in case something unexpected happened—like the Tentacruel suddenly staging a midnight landing.
That would be too late—before Natsume could even explain, Porta Vista would already be gone.
So, he planned to stand guard here for a few days.
He didn't even dare to use the regulated battlefield recently, saving it for the unpredictable arrival of the giant Tentacruel.
"Mr. Natsume, I'll stay with you!" Seeing the others preparing to leave, Giselle happily sat down beside Natsume.
"The one-month deadline is almost up." Natsume yawned.
Giselle froze, then lowered her head in disappointment.
Fine—she had to go back to the Pokémon Center and catch up on her progress.
Once everyone had left, Natsume pulled out his phone.
It was connected to Meowth's translator device.
Everything Meowth translated was transmitted in real time to the app Natsume had developed.
The app was also linked to an account. Each time Meowth uploaded a translation of a Pokémon language, a payment would be sent over.
The instant feedback was addicting. In less than a week, Meowth had already uploaded nearly twenty different Pokémon language translations.
Just recently, Meowth had uploaded the translations for Tentacool and Tentacruel.
Overhead, Midchu's light snoring could be heard. Sleepiness gradually crept up on Natsume.
Rotom Phone floated in the air, scanning the sea, but no alerts came through.
Maybe tonight would pass without incident—so Natsume thought.
Suddenly, the roar of a massive current surged from behind.
*Boom—* Something enormous rose from the ocean, cascading water forming towering columns that crashed onto the waves with deafening force.
In the distance, lights flared across Porta Vista.
*A night raid, after all?*
Natsume snapped awake, every trace of drowsiness gone.
But as he stared into the darkness, at the massive figure looming in the distance, he felt puzzled.
Wasn't Porta Vista supposed to be on this side? Why had the giant Tentacruel appeared on the opposite end of the city?
Now wasn't the time to think about it. Natsume released Gengar and handed it a stick of spicy sludge.
"Take me over there. We've got a tough battle tonight!"
*Gengar!*
With a powerful inhalation, Gengar answered loudly, then shot off like a streak of light toward the city.
...
**Meanwhile, at another stretch of Porta Vista's shoreline**
After emerging from the sea, the giant Tentacruel just stood there, looking stunned.
*Wait… where are its underlings?*
The ocean suddenly glowed with countless pink lights, dazzling like starlight.
Looking closer, they were Tentacool—thousands of them!
Their glowing bodies turned the night sea into a radiant galaxy.
But all of them surfaced with confused expressions.
*Wait a second… where was their boss?*
Weren't they supposed to be teaching the humans a lesson together?
Suddenly, by the glow, a few Tentacool noticed an orange figure on the shore.
*Pika?*
When Midchu woke up, he found himself surrounded by UFO-like Pokémon.
Still half-asleep, rubbing his eyes and clutching his blanket, he casually greeted the nearest Tentacool.
Then, using both hands and feet, he clambered onto its head.
Sure enough, he felt wonderful up there—cool, smooth, and comfortable.
He squeezed it twice like a pillow, then flopped down and fell asleep again.
Tentacool: ?
You can read more (around 80+ 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.