Two days later.
"Have you heard? A few days ago, the Ink Sea Horse was attacked by pirates..."
"I saw the news, it was done by 'Terror Jack', one of the Five Stars pirates. Although all the passengers survived, it's said that most of the Pokémon were stolen, and many people were left in a state of shock."
"That's right, as soon as this news came out, it made my heart hang in suspense."
"Ah, but this is the Saint Anus. What pirate crew would dare to lay hands on the Saint Anus? There are over two hundred sailors aboard this cruise alone. Not to mention the Captain, First Mate, and Boatswain, who are all well-known Trainers. Rest assured."
"That's what I hear, but mainly..."
Sitting quietly in the restaurant eating lunch, Natsuhiko listened to the conversations around him at the tables.
The attack on the Ink Sea Horse, after two days of brewing, had somewhat impacted the passengers on the ship, casting a shadow over their hearts.
"Togepi, are you almost done?" Natsuhiko asked.
"Togepi!"
Togepi nodded, holding an ice cream in one hand and a sausage in the other.
It's hard to understand how the two mixed together could taste good.
Picking it up and carrying a bag of food to share with all the Pokémon.
Leaving the restaurant.
Entering the largest hall of the entire cruise ship.
The place was buzzing with noise.
Cheers and shouts rose and fell in succession.
In the center of the hall, Pokémon battles were taking place.
This was different from the previous battles on the deck. It was a small tournament organized by several first-class passengers and the Saint Anus, where winners could receive some rewards and compensation.
Of course, losers also received consolation prizes.
This type of tournament was an unwritten rule on the Saint Anus.
It allowed some first-class wealthy merchants to gain recognition and notoriety, rewarded participating passengers, and provided the spectators with an exciting form of entertainment to pass the time.
A win-win.
When the Saint Anus set sail, registration for the tournament began, and it was announced throughout the ship.
Natsuhiko was initially interested, but upon seeing the prizes, he lost most of his interest and decided not to participate.
However, his neighbor Gerwin did participate and seemed to be one of the seed players in this tournament, appearing quite eager to claim the Championship.
Natsuhiko crossed the hall and was about to head upstairs at the corner when he sensed something unusual.
He paused briefly.
Stopped turning and walked briskly towards the deck.
As the crowd thinned out, the feeling of being followed became more apparent.
Exiting the hall.
The salty and cool sea breeze hit him in the face.
Although it was mid-winter, the ship was sailing south, and the weather in recent days had been particularly clear, so it wasn't too cold.
Upon reaching the deck, he saw a few people sparsely standing around.
For example, a young couple stood at the bow enjoying the sea breeze, radiating a significant amount of romantic energy.
There was also an elderly man in a wheelchair being wheeled near the railing by a servant-like attendant.
Then there was a woman, whose back alone would easily incite the imagination, leaning on the railing gazing at the distant horizon, watching the fish or Pokémon leap out of the sea continuously.
After exiting the hall, Natsuhiko took a sharp turn and leaned quietly against the wall.
"Such basic tracking skills..."
When he timed it right and turned to look back through the door, he was taken aback.
Before him stood a cute little girl.
"Meiyu?" Natsuhiko furrowed his brows, glancing past her small figure, scanning her surroundings but seeing no suspicious characters.
So... was it this little girl following him?
Natsuhiko couldn't help but laugh at his over-cautiousness.
'Once bitten, twice shy...'
Meiyu, too, was startled by Natsuhiko's sudden appearance. She stood frozen for a long time before timidly speaking up, "Uncle, I..."
She seemed to fear Natsuhiko a bit, but her small eyes still darted occasionally to the Togepi in his arms.
Pat.
Natsuhiko gently placed his hand on Meiyu's head, "Call me big brother."
Meiyu bit her lip, tears glistening in her eyes.
Seeing her about to cry, Natsuhiko felt a bit of a headache coming on.
He sighed quietly.
"Go find your grandpa, don't run around by yourself."
Leaving those words behind, he made his way towards the railing on the deck, facing the sea breeze.
He hurried away.
Anyone who didn't know might think he bullied a little girl.
Watching Natsuhiko's hurriedly departing back and the Togepi waving at her from his shoulder,
Meiyu quickly wiped away her tears, sniffed her little red nose, and smiled.
After a slight hesitation, she still walked towards Natsuhiko.
"Unc... Brother, big brother." Meiyu's small hand gripped the railing as she watched the waves shimmer like fish scales across the sea, calling out with her clear voice.
Togepi stood on the railing, waving at her.
"Togepi—"
Seeing that Togepi didn't reject her, the smile on Meiyu's face grew wider.
"Togepi!"
Standing on her tiptoes, she reached out her hand, after several attempts, finally managing to touch Togepi's small hand.
Her bell-like laughter echoed across the entire deck.
"Meiyu, how did you recognize Togepi?" Natsuhiko asked, seeing her return to her usual self.
Her fear of Natsuhiko had diminished somewhat after their interaction.
But upon hearing his question, her previously bright eyes dimmed a little, and she weakly replied:
"Meiyu's dad also had a Togepi before, and it often played with Meiyu..."
Judging by her expression and tone, Natsuhiko could guess what happened to her dad.
It's likely that he was no longer alive.
That's why her attachment to Togepi made sense to him.
Her love for Togepi essentially stemmed from her love for her father, and her persistence with Togepi was a way to remember him...
"So where are you headed this time, Meiyu?"
"To find my mom! Gr... Grandpa said mom is in a faraway place, but he promised Meiyu that we'd find her for sure! Grandpa also said mom is a very powerful Trainer!" she said, becoming excited again.
This little girl might not even know who her mom is, right?
At least she had a grandpa, or someone acting as a grandpa, to care for her.
"Meiyu! Meiyu!"
Soon, the elderly man who was wearing a brown sweater earlier began calling anxiously from the deck.
"Grandpa, Meiyu is here!" Little Meiyu's face turned crimson as she waved to the elderly man.
Seeing Meiyu playing with Togepi and Natsuhiko leaning against the railing, the elderly man let out a long breath of relief. His expression stern, he walked towards them with big strides.
After he exited the hall.
The woman who had been leaning against the railing on the other side of the deck, with a curvy figure, holding a black sun hat with lace trim, swayed her hips as she slowly walked into the hall.
Her lips coated with thick red lipstick curved into a smile.
"Meiyu, Grandpa has told you many times, don't wander around..."
Bang!
Suddenly.
The previously rippling sea surface splashed up large waves.
The sunlight reflected off the water, creating a colorful spectacle, with a few scattered droplets landing on the deck.
Natsuhiko's expression shifted, interrupting the man's repetitive advice, he grabbed Meiyu's hand and took large steps back.
At the same time, he immediately threw a Pokeball from his waist.
"Horsea!"