With N's answer and Reshiram's hint, Natsuhiko showed a smile on his face.
He rubbed the head of the carefree Victini beside him and stuffed a macaron into its arms.
"Vee~!"
Victini's eyes lit up and, sitting on Natsuhiko's shoulder, started to munch down happily.
Another gaze was cast their way.
"I haven't forgotten you." Natsuhiko said with a smile and brought out some Energy Blocks for Reshiram.
Though Reshiram was the elder brother, he was a proud one.
N cast an envious glance.
"Is this the happiness exhibited by a Pokémon not restricted by a Pokeball..."
His words were only halfway spoken.
Natsuhiko summoned Vulpix and Eevee, which choked back N's remaining words.
"Pokeball?" Natsuhiko toyed with the two red and white spheres in his hand, looking at N and enunciating, "Do you think this is a shackle?"
N pressed his lips together.
"Without a Pokeball, would these two little ones leave me, abandon me?"
"Eevee Eevee!!"
"Awoo!!"
Eevee and Vulpix shook their heads together, clinging tightly to Natsuhiko's trouser leg, glaring at N with unfriendly faces.
Although N gave them a good feeling, making Natsuhiko abandon their Pokeballs would make him their enemy.
Feeling Eevee and Vulpix's hostility, N froze momentarily.
This was probably the first time he felt hostility from Pokémon.
Why?
Clearly the Pokeball is a shackle, isn't it?
"Yes, I admit, some people indeed use Pokeballs for not very good things." Natsuhiko said.
This includes me... Natsuhiko also added inwardly.
Reshiram glanced at him without saying a word.
Then Natsuhiko continued:
"But if we simply regard Pokeballs as shackles, it's somewhat one-sided.
If a Pokémon is enduring severe cold, at risk of dying anytime, and the Pokeball is the only shelter, what would you do?"
"Protect it..." N nearly blurted out.
But as the words left his mouth, he realized.
Exactly.
The function of a Pokeball is fixed, but how it's utilized depends on its user.
"Rather than shackles, a Pokeball is more a bond, a bond connecting emotions between Trainer and Pokémon."
"A bond..." N muttered.
"Don't be fooled by one-sided thoughts and self-consciousness. Those immersed in their own world cannot truly understand the innermost thoughts of others, including Pokémon's." Natsuhiko put the Pokeballs back to his waist.
Waving his hand, he continued: "Go out and take a walk, see the world outside, and you will understand."
"You... you're not going to grab me?"
Natsuhiko chuckled slightly, "Grab you? Did you commit a crime? The matters of Plasma Team were all manipulated by Ghetsis. Even you, the so-called 'King', is just a pawn in his hand.
When others make mistakes, should victims also be caught?"
N was silent.
Although Natsuhiko's words weren't pleasant, intelligent N understood Natsuhiko's truth.
The Hero of Truth doesn't lie.
Supported by Babena and Helena, N stood up, his eyes gradually regaining their luster.
He solemnly bowed ninety degrees to Natsuhiko, with a very earnest and respectful attitude.
"Thank you! I will personally seek the result and answer; obtaining them from others is ultimately one-sided; only experiencing it for myself is the most genuine."
In N's heart, Natsuhiko, who guided and lectured him, with a severe tone, really seemed like his teacher.
The shadows of the three gradually disappeared from Natsuhiko's sight.
After the thin mist dissipated, they were completely gone.
The fluctuations of psychic power were still significant.
Babena and Helena's Gothitelle and Gardevoir were quite strong, they should have self-protection ability.
[You are more than just true.]
After N left, Reshiram's voice echoed in Natsuhiko's mind again.
Natsuhiko looked at it.
Reshiram was looking at the direction N left.
"What about him?" Natsuhiko asked.
Reshiram was silent for a moment.
After a while, it spoke again.
[The interweaving of truth and ideals; he has the potential to be a hero, provided he clarifies his true goals and recognizes himself, and also...]
"What?"
Reshiram had high comments on N.
Actually, Natsuhiko also rated N highly.
[Only when you are absent does he qualify.]
Natsuhiko: "..."
Blinked twice in surprise.
It seems that Reshiram rates him even higher.
Which makes sense.
N is still in his period of confusion. Like Reshiram said, he possesses "heroic potential," but it's just potential, not present reality.
Natsuhiko, however, is different.
He not only clarifies what he thinks, needs, and aims at, he's capable of guiding others.
Simply being able to teach others is not something N can compare to.
[Your truth highlights ideals.]
Reshiram suddenly said something out of context.
"Hmm?"
It tilted its head, face showing confusion.
[I truly cannot fathom Zekrom's reason for ignoring you.]
"Haha—"
Natsuhiko laughed awkwardly.
"Oh~~"
Just then.
The shadow transformed by Aegislash swiftly skittered from afar.
It peeked its head excitedly, blinking at Natsuhiko.
Seeing Aegislash's reaction, Natsuhiko gently pressed his hand down, signaling it not to make a fuss.
It wasn't anything important anyway.
This Plasma Team's castle was going to be destroyed after all, the Plasma Team members probably wouldn't have time to salvage any resources within.
Natsuhiko, with a mindset of not wasting, deliberately let Aegislash sneak off to see if it could find some good stuff.
Judging by Aegislash's expression now, it probably gained a lot.
Aegislash nodded, understanding Natsuhiko's intention, and quickly darted back into his shadow.
Soon.
After a long idle, cough, busy work, Adick finally found Natsuhiko again.
Because of Plasma Team's entire region broadcast, the United Alliance was taken aback.
Immediately, they reviewed the data and recordings submitted by Lira and, based on them, classified Plasma Team as an evil organization.
Subsequently, Natsuhiko and Reshiram's appearance also surprised the United Alliance.
Fortunately.
Natsuhiko's shout for Adick played out.
So when Plasma Team's castle was demolished, it wasn't only Adick, but also Xia Ka from nearby Twin Dragons City and Alliance Investigators who reacted.
When they arrived, they happened to see Plasma Team's castle burned to ashes.
They captured some stragglers, completing their task.
"Mr. Adick, I'll leave the rest to you then." Natsuhiko said.
"Alright."
Natsuhiko handled the main affairs; how could this minor one be lacking?
Once again astride Reshiram's back, Natsuhiko looked at Lance.
This time, before Natsuhiko could speak, Lance interjected, waving his hand, "I won't be going back with you; I'll hand off the task report for you and then head straight back to Kanto."
"So soon?" Natsuhiko was slightly surprised.
Lance rubbed his nose.
"Mr. Adick told me that soon the Alola Region will open. To stimulate friendly exchanges between regions, the 'Island Competition' will be hosted by Ethereum Foundation locally together with the Alola Alliance, inviting Trainers from all regions to participate."
Is it already time for a clear announcement?
Natsuhiko glanced at Adick.
Though hearing the words "friendly exchange" made Adick somewhat skeptical.
"So, to avoid losing too badly, it's time to go back and work hard." Lance's tone was slightly sentimental.
Natsuhiko pressed his lips together.
This competition's significance might be entirely different from previous exchange matches.
Ultimately, this competition could impact the Alliance's voice in the Alola Region.
Thus, this contest will definitely be tougher than before.
Of course.
Its attention will undoubtedly be higher.
Natsuhiko nodded, "Looks like I also need to prepare."
"Then I'll be waiting for you at the tournament."
With that, Lance climbed onto Dragonite and flew with Adick towards the United Alliance.
Sitting on Reshiram's back, Natsuhiko gently combed through its cloud-like hair.
After pondering for a while, he softly said, "Let's go."
"Woo~~"
Reshiram flapped its wings, soaring upwards, leaving a snow-white arc in the sky.
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