**Celedon City, downtown, inside a women's clothing shop**.
"Oh my, Ash, this one, this one! And add a bow on top of your head!"
Rotom Phone floated in the air, its screen showing Delia's smiling face as she gave *outfit advice* for Ash's disguise.
"Ahahaha, so cute! Rotom, take a picture for me and send it over."
*Roto!*
Delia's laughter rang on while Ash's face turned redder and redder.
"Mom, this is already the eighth outfit! Isn't it enough yet?!" Ash shouted.
Natsume's plan was to have Ash pretend to be his younger sister, register him with an ecology tour group, then sneak inside to issue a challenge.
It was a solid plan. After explaining the situation at the clothing store, Natsume even asked Delia to provide input.
But the moment Ash put on the first dress, Delia's *input* changed direction.
She suddenly realized Ash was actually quite cute. She took more and more photos, planning to show them to that girl Serena on their future Kalos trip.
"Oh, Ash, don't be impatient! I've just thought of a new combination that'll look even better."
Half coaxing, half tricking, Delia made him try on two more outfits.
*Click click click!* Rotom snapped pictures from every angle.
"Alright, the first one's the best. Buy that one!" Delia's voice decided firmly.
Ash: "…"
"Sir, that will be 100,860."
Natsume swiped his card.
Strangely enough, it cost less than he expected. Considering Celedon City's high prices and that it was a big brand, it wasn't too bad.
But in this world, productivity was so advanced that anything not tied to Pokémon wasn't expensive at all.
"N-Natsume, wait for me!" Ash squeaked, chasing after him.
Soon, the two of them arrived at Celedon Gym.
"Good luck, Ash*-chan*!" Natsume cheered, watching Ash blend in with a group of little girls.
Ash clenched his teeth, barely holding it together.
"Sir, don't worry, we'll take good care of your little sister while you go challenge the Gym." A staff member bowed politely.
"Alright. See you inside." Natsume waved at Ash.
To avoid suspicion, Natsume casually picked up a sleeping Pikachu and rested him on his shoulder.
Luckily, before puberty, girls were usually taller than boys. Among the seven- and eight-year-olds, Ash was tall but not overly conspicuous.
"We're the fifth tour group! Kids, hold your signs high. This way!"
The staff led Ash and the others into another passage.
Natsume stroked Midchu's fur as he walked slowly. Ahead, staff were already notifying the Gym Leader.
Looking down, he glanced at the sleeping Midchu in his arms.
Honestly, a Pikachu infused with Eternatus' shard really did have smoother fur.
"You're going up later," Natsume said.
Midchu's ears twitched as if he hadn't heard.
The next moment, he felt dizzy as Natsume's eyes flashed with light.
Even if Midchu pretended not to hear, a voice rang clearly in his heart.
"Don't tell me you're treating Eternatus' shard like some kind of name-change card."
*Pika…* Midchu woke, conflicted, glancing at Natsume.
"Hm?" Seeing Pikachu's hesitant expression, Natsume's heart skipped.
"Could it be, you've discovered something during this time?" Natsume asked with hopeful eyes.
*Pffft!* Midchu lifted his back leg, let out a fart, and his conflicted face shifted into relief.
*Pika-chu!!!*
When the challenger's gate opened, everyone saw a furious Trainer with glowing blue eyes punching his own Pikachu into the air.
"Kids, we've got a challenger today, huh?" The announcer gasped as a Midchu suddenly landed in her arms.
Midchu squirmed twice in the young lady's embrace, rolled over, and fell back asleep.
"Wow! What kind of move was that big brother using just now?"
"I know, it's Rage Fist!"
Inside the Ecological Dome, children crowded excitedly around a battle arena.
"Ah, it really is Natsume," Misty said, covering her face.
She, Brock, and Giselle had come along to watch the commotion.
"This challenger looks full of energy!"
From behind the crowd, a graceful woman appeared. It was Erika—the Rainbow City Gym Leader and owner of the city's largest perfume shop.
Erika's long dark-green hair flowed over a beige knit top and a pale green skirt. A white magnolia hairpin held back her hair; pearl earrings dangled, and a strand of sandalwood beads wrapped her wrist. She radiated calm elegance, dressed with care.
"Miss Erika, I'll act as referee!" Brock stepped forward, cheeks flushed.
"Thank you," Erika said with a soft smile, like early March cherry blossoms.
"No trouble at all," Brock stammered, stepping into the center of the field.
"Challenger, please enter!" His voice boomed with excitement.
From the entrance, Ash turned sharply to watch.
"Go, Gloom!"
Erika tossed a Pokéball. Red light flashed, and a blue Pokémon with a huge red flower atop its head appeared in the center.
"I'm Erika. This will be a 3-on-3 battle," she said with a smile toward Natsume. He didn't respond—his eyes were locked on one spot.
Following his gaze, they saw one of his employees cradling a sleeping Pikachu.
Natsume used **Glare**!
*Midchu is immune!*
A flicker of blue light in Natsume's eyes, and Midchu floated toward him.
"Wow! That big brother's Pikachu can fly!" the children gasped.
"Is that… Psychic?" Erika murmured, glancing at Natsume with surprise.
Midchu faced Natsume directly. His eyelids trembled.
Natsume used **Close-Range Glare**!
*Pikachu!* Midchu's eyes snapped open.
Reluctantly, he handed his little blanket to Natsume and stepped onto the field.
Rubbing his stomach, he regretted lying on that shard. He could have been lazy, but since that shard entered his body, Natsume had been paying him extra attention.
He decided that from now on, any strange shard he found, he'd shove it all to Natsume.
If the trainer could handle Pokémon solo, his Pokémon didn't even need to battle.
Midchu thought of his future and felt the path ahead was bright.
*Pikachu!* Bring it on!
He stood in front of the Gloom, clenching his tiny fists.
You can read more (around 100+ 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.