The renovation team arrived swiftly, though they awkwardly explained the project might take two to three days.
The fact that a near-total rebuild could be done in just a few days was beyond Natsume's expectations.
"Guess that's the power of Pokémon World's black tech…" Natsume mused, transferring the payment to the foreman.
"Thank you, Natsume-sensei!" The foreman looked tearfully grateful.
"It's nothing, really." Natsume chuckled nervously, then added cautiously, "You… don't have any relatives in this line of work, do you?"
The foreman blinked before smacking his forehead. "Ah, right! Cross-regional projects are more complicated!"
If Natsume-sensei left Sinnoh, he couldn't follow—so his siblings would have to step in.
"Don't worry, we've got you covered. I know how it is with you!" the foreman laughed.
Natsume forced a smile. "Sure hope so."
The foundation and interiors needed redoing, and Team Rocket's recent earnings were now funding this.
But it proved their competence—they could've made enough for a mansion anytime, yet chose to mess around instead.
"Well, it's their dream, after all."
Natsume sighed.
"Larvitar…" Larvitar poked his back, wanting to apologize.
Natsume paused, suddenly touched. Kneeling, he patted its head with a grin.
"Just don't do it again."
"Larvitar!" Larvitar nodded solemnly.
If it trained hard, it could eat its fill… No more chewing on concrete foundations!
"Wait, did it misunderstand something?"
Watching Larvitar's determined face, Natsume's mood soured slightly as he called Moe-Moe! at Lily of the Valley Island.
"The house… needs rebuilding?" Cynthia asked, stunned.
"Yeah. Larvitar wrecked it." Natsume massaged his temples. "The one that hatched from Lucian's egg."
Cynthia paused. That egg—a reward for busting poachers—was one she'd approved for him…
"Ahem. No worries. I've got a place in Eterna City too." Cynthia said. "I've sent the key to the Pokémon Center. Just give them your ID."
Natsume's heart skipped a beat.
Damn these wealthy patrons testing my resolve!
Joke's on them—he had none to begin with.
"I'll be traveling to Sunyshore City for a few days," Natsume said. "By the time I'm back, the renovations should be done."
Cynthia smiled. "Sunyshore's close to Lily of the Valley. I could drop by."
And check on that Larvitar, she thought. If possible, she could share some breeding manuscripts for pseudo-legendaries.
"Sounds good."
Natsume had originally planned to go with Ash, who was aiming to rechallenge Volkner for his eighth badge.
But right now, Ash was probably getting stomped by Paul at Lake Acuity—
Plot armor means he'll never use his older Pokémon, no matter how strong they are. Harsh but true.
By noon, the renovation team's Machamp and Conkeldurr were still sweating over the repairs.
Natsume decided to ride Arcanine to Oreburgh City, home to Sinnoh's famed Oreburgh Mine.
"What brings you to Oreburgh Gym today?"
Roark, the bookish Rock-type Leader in a hard hat, greeted him warmly.
"Got any minerals—dirt or rocks—that'd work for feeding Larvitar?" Natsume asked.
Roark blinked. "Larvitar? Those things eat entire mountains when they evolve. Even Rock-type experts avoid raising them."
Salt in the wound. Natsume sighed. "Pseudo-legendary or not, it's always hungry."
Roark, sensing Natsume's deep pockets, smiled. "We've got a batch of high-grade coal ready for sale. I can prioritize you—discount included."
Larvitar's diet ranged from soil to rocks to coal. Literally anything.
Dark thought: Carbink and Rolycoly were technically on the menu too.
"Coal should work."
Natsume frowned.
"What if it eats uranium? Would it evolve into Godzilla?"
(Though Tyranitar was Attack-focused. Natsume just needed emergency rations.)
After finalizing the price, Natsume stared at his drained savings, inhaling sharply.
He'd thought his game royalties meant financial freedom…
But now? Between Larvitar's appetite and villa repairs, he'd need to stream, promote, and sell games again!
"Well… it's not like things were different before."
Shaking his head, he had Gengar shadow-trap the coal pile.
"Larvitar~ (ˉ﹃ˉ)" Larvitar drooled at the glossy black lumps.
"Gengar~!" Gengar dangled a piece teasingly.
Want it? Train harder with "Giovanni's Techniques" first~
"Larvitar! (｡♥‿♥｡)" Larvitar nodded vigorously, life goals cemented.
Borrowing Oreburgh Gym's arena, Larvitar practiced Rock Throw, catching tossed coals midair like treats.
"Larvitar! (￣～￣)"
What's wrong with a little dinosaur just wanting to eat?
Natsume was chatting with Roark in the side hall.
The occasional "BOOM" sounds kept coming from the gym venue, making Roark hesitate to speak several times.
If I remember correctly, Natsume-sensei demolished my father's Canalave Gym like this last time...
"Surely not... It's just a newly hatched Larvitar after all," Roark thought to himself.
As a Rock-type specialist Gym Leader, Roark had done some research on Larvitar's dietary habits.
Natsume-sensei was learning a lot and was about to ask more about breeding techniques when he suddenly remembered something.
"Wait... don't I have "Giovanni's Techniques"?"
Boss Giovanni had given it to him long ago, and Natsume-sensei had left it with Gengar until now.
It contained various breeding methods for Ground-type Pokémon - which of course included Larvitar.
Natsume decided to review it himself, but when he entered the gym venue, he froze.
"Gengar!" Gengar was completely absorbed in reading the tan-colored manual.
Beside it, Larvitar blinked innocently as it casually pried up the 'last remaining' floor tile and popped it into its mouth -
CRUNCH. CRUNCH.
Roark's eye twitched as he surveyed the devastated gym venue, pressing his lips together.
So I sell you a mountain of coal... and now I have to throw in my Oreburgh Gym too?
Natsume was experiencing mixed emotions.
This is exactly how it ate my entire villa this morning!
Wait a minute.
Since when could Gengar understand "Giovanni's Techniques", let alone help train Larvitar?!
As everything gradually became clear, Natsume patted himself on the shoulder and accepted reality:
"That's my Gengar for you, Natsume-sensei!"
...
Kanto Region, Team Rocket Base
Giovanni received a rare call from his "Mentor."
"You caught a Larvitar?" Giovanni blinked in surprise.
"It's... a long story," Natsume sighed. "Boss Giovanni, that "Giovanni's Techniques" manual of yours... it doesn't happen to include house-wrecking methods, does it?"
Misunderstanding the question as being about destructive power, Giovanni smirked. ""Giovanni's Techniques" emphasizes relentless offense as the best defense... How could it lack destructive force!"
Natsume: "..."
I suspect Giovanni deliberately left "Giovanni's Techniques" with Blue Oak to pass it down...
Then seized the chance to give it to me last Christmas...
"Larvitar... yes, that is a suitable Pokémon indeed," Giovanni said solemnly. "I look forward to seeing you raise it into a Tyranitar."
Natsume's expression turned peculiar.
Thanks for that, Boss Giovanni!
"By the way," Giovanni continued, "that... debut plan you mentioned last time has proven quite effective."
Natsume caught on immediately. "Silver contacted you?"
Giovanni evaded the question, changing topics: "As... compensation, I'll provide important intel. You should prepare in advance."
Hearing Giovanni's serious tone, Natsume frowned slightly. "Go ahead."
"The truth is..."
Giovanni's gaze turned profound as he spoke slowly. "Recently, Arceus's energy has grown unusually active... There are signs it may awaken soon!"
Natsume: "..."
An awkward silence fell over the conversation.
Giovanni couldn't help but cough dryly. "Aren't you... the least bit surprised?"
"Well..." Natsume opened his mouth, then finally said, "I already knew."
Giovanni: "..."
When he recovered, all he heard was the dial tone. Giovanni had hung up in a hurry.
Natsume's mood actually improved as he shrugged helplessly.
Boss Giovanni's intel network really needs work!
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