After studying for a while, Natsume closed his system panel.
Practice would prove the truth—he'd find someone to test it on eventually.
For now, there was urgency.
Rubbing his hands together, Natsume leaned back, and Rotom instantly teleported him back onto his hospital bed.
The immediate priority was to complete Pikachu's research.
Lying on the bed, Natsume stared at the ceiling, lost in thought.
Regarding Ash's Pikachu, he already had some hypotheses.
Even though this was the real world, slightly different from the anime, using the previous life's storyline as a reference was still valid.
Ash's Pikachu's moves displayed power beyond his level.
This was why Team Rocket considered him a special Pikachu and targeted Ash.
The ability to use moves with power beyond his level brought a single idea to Natsume's mind—a hold item exclusive to Pikachu: the Light Ball.
This item exists in the Pokémon games and doubles Pikachu's Attack and Special Attack.
If applied to the real world, it would explain why Pikachu's moves exceeded normal level expectations.
With his thoughts organized, Natsume took out his notebook and began jotting down hypotheses.
**Hypothesis 1:** Ash's Pikachu had consumed a Light Ball.
**Hypothesis 2:** Ash's Pikachu had something similar to a Light Ball, or had undergone an unknown event, granting him a permanent boost to both Attack stats.
Between the two, Natsume leaned toward the latter.
If he remembered correctly, Ash's Pikachu had been completely outmatched by Brock at Pewter City.
Yet, after training at the Power Plant, his Electric-type power increased significantly.
*Could it be that Pikachu gains a permanent dual-attack buff after each intense charging session?*
This idea suddenly struck Natsume's mind.
He didn't know if it applied only to this Pikachu or all Pikachu.
If it was the latter… then Natsume could practically guarantee his doctoral Pokémon research paper.
*Clang!*
At that moment, the door opened.
Ash walked in, looking dejected, with Misty behind him.
He hadn't found Natsume.
*Pika—pi*
Pikachu, perched on Ash's shoulder, tapped his forehead gently to comfort him.
"Natsume, where did you go?" Ash asked.
"I don't know, you might want to check my old room," Natsume replied.
"Ah… maybe you did go back there," Ash realized and turned to look for him.
"Idiot, he's right here!" Misty snapped, dragging Ash back.
"Huh? Natsume, why are you here?" Ash asked, surprised to see him lying on the hospital bed.
He had checked outside the room several times and never saw anyone inside.
"I need to borrow your Pikachu," Natsume said, standing and grabbing Pikachu gently by the scruff.
*Pika? Pi?*
Pikachu looked at Natsume, puzzled, unsure where he was being taken.
"Natsume, what are you doing with Pikachu? We're really close now, and I'm not used to him not being on my shoulder!" Ash protested.
Before he could finish, a red glow emitted from the Pokéball at Natsume's waist, landing on Ash's shoulder.
*Pikachu!*
Pikachu waved at Ash with his parted ears.
*Now, you're used to it.*
Natsume stepped out of the room and found Nurse Joy.
After showing his Pokémon Researcher ID, Joy agreed to let him use the medical facilities.
Soon, under Joy's guidance, Natsume entered a room filled with various equipment.
*Pika Pika Pika Pika!*
The moment he stepped inside, a chorus of Pikachu cries reached him. The familiar panting almost made Natsume feel as if he had returned to the breeding room he had once built at Professor Oak's lab.
Turning his head, he saw a corner of the room with a hamster-wheel-like setup, where dozens of Pikachu were running in circles.
Seeing Natsume's expression, Joy smiled faintly and explained,
"These children provide electricity for the Pokémon Center. Not only that, but yesterday it was thanks to them that Pikachu regained his strength and helped drive off those villains."
Joy's face reflected her admiration.
"Two children, able to face an evil organization so calmly… it's very rare."
Hearing Joy's praise, Natsume scratched his head, quickly wrote something in his notebook, tore off the page, and handed it to Joy seriously:
"This is Ash's home address. You can send him a thank-you card."
Joy took the note, said nothing, and quietly left.
The room fell silent, leaving only the constant *Pika Pika Pika* sounds echoing.
Natsume glanced at the busy Pikachu. According to Joy, last night they had indeed charged, and dozens of Pikachu had released electricity together.
Lost in thought, Natsume pulled out Rotom and activated the ability scanner.
Soon, six numbers appeared on the device.
Both Special Attack and Attack had slightly increased compared to previous days.
"Hmm!?"
Natsume felt his second hypothesis gaining more weight.
Even so, the first hypothesis still required verification.
Luckily, they were in the Pokémon Center—he could perform a stomach scan on Pikachu.
*Pika?*
Pikachu watched Natsume curiously as he fiddled nearby, seemingly examining it.
"Hm, fur looks healthy. Electric sacs are abundant—probably due to last night's charging?"
"Residue at the steel door… whether dry or wet—ah!"
Pikachu suddenly kicked Natsume away.
"You're very healthy."
After recording Pikachu's physical traits, Natsume activated a nearby machine.
Soon, a cross-sectional view of Pikachu's abdomen appeared on the screen.
"Nothing… no matter the angle, nothing."
Natsume stroked his chin, scrutinizing the display. Pikachu's stomach and intestines showed no sign of a Light Ball.
"But you seem to have two small lumps."
*Pika—!?*
Pikachu startled, hurriedly looking at the monitor, only for Natsume's realization to come moments later.
"Oh, these seem to be your… testicles."
*Pi!*