On the way, Misty, worried about Horsea's condition, left the group to head to the Pokémon Center.
"What's the point of such large-scale development? The League has received plenty of complaints."
Natsume spoke calmly.
"This…" The worker leading them hesitated before replying awkwardly:
"Boss Nastina said she wants to turn Porta Vista into a resort and tourist paradise."
Natsume and Ash exchanged glances. Just then, Giselle handed over her phone, showing information she had just searched.
"Madam Nastina…"
Natsume's eyes narrowed slightly.
Soon, the foreman led Natsume and the others into a tall building.
On the first floor, countless Trainers crowded around a notice board.
"Drive away Tentacool? Trainers who participate… reward: one million!"
Curious, Ash squeezed in to read. Seeing the notice, his face twisted in outrage.
According to Natsume, the construction site at Porta Vista was originally a coral reef—the natural habitat of Tentacool swarms.
"Come on, Ash, don't look." Natsume pulled him back, handing him the hacked Pokédex.
The group followed the worker up to the twelfth floor.
*Knock knock knock!* The worker rapped on a door.
"Hmph, come in." A sharp, aged voice answered from inside.
The door opened. They entered, while the worker slipped away as if escaping.
"Oh? Are you here to accept the million reward?"
They turned toward the voice and saw a short, elderly woman.
Her stocky figure was wrapped in a mink shawl, her round face covered in wrinkles like soundwave patterns of Loudred. Emerald earrings dangled so heavily they looked like they could knock out a Machop. Her narrow eyes glared with an acidic sharpness as she sized up Natsume's group.
**Loudred, the Loud Noise Pokémon, the evolved form of Loudred. ITS screams can shatter wooden houses and strike opponents with devastating force.**
Ash had just cleared his game and restored the Pokédex to normal. Pointing it at Madam Nastina, the Pokédex immediately gave a Pokémon identification.
"What nonsense are you spouting!!"
Madam Nastina erupted in fury, her sharp voice rising even higher, grating on the ears.
"Hiss… she really does look like an Loudred though," Ash muttered seriously, comparing her to the Pokédex image.
"Get out! None of you are allowed to take the job!"
She slammed her jeweled cane on the floor, each strike resounding dully.
Though she shouted for them to leave, no one budged.
"How effective has your bounty been so far?"
Natsume casually dragged a chair over and sat down across from her.
"Hmph, why should I tell you?" Madam Nastina sneered.
"Then I'll report you to the League." Natsume stood as if to leave.
"Wait!" Madam Nastina stopped him.
"Reporting won't do you any good. This is a project for the people!" she said smugly, then gave Natsume a glance.
"But telling you won't hurt. My bounty has worked perfectly. At Porta Vista, Tentacool haven't been seen for months now."
A dreamy expression crossed her face.
"Just wait! Once I turn Porta Vista into Kanto's number one tourist destination, my statue will stand proudly in the city center!"
At her words, the corner of Natsume's mouth twitched.
Whether Porta Vista became a tourist hub was doubtful.
But becoming ruins because of her—that was certain.
From what she said, the Tentacool swarm had retreated offshore.
But Natsume knew that wasn't fear.
Most likely, the swarm had gone to find their leader. The Gigantamax Tentacruel would emerge in just a few days.
With its terrifying godlike presence, maintaining an indefinite Gigantamax form alone…
Porta Vista had no chance of stopping its destruction.
"Fools. Destroying the ecosystem for selfish desires will only bring retribution," Giselle said mercilessly.
"You brat, what did you just say?!"
"Hmph, I said it to you!" Giselle raised her head proudly, her aura overwhelming.
*BANG! BANG! BANG!* Natsume slapped several items onto the table.
A fake ID, a Pokéball, and a brick.
"Madam Nastina, pick one," he said as Ash and the others gathered behind him.
"Pick what?" Madam Nastina's face darkened as several guards appeared from behind her.
"Pick this inspector's badge, and we'll drag you off to apologize to Tentacruel. Then Porta Vista will put up a statue of you as a warning to future generations."
"Pick this Pokéball—if you win a battle against us, we'll leave. But if you lose, you'll obediently come with us to apologize to Tentacruel."
As for the brick, Natsume didn't bother explaining. ITS meaning was obvious.
Seeing the inspector's badge that looked real enough to fool anyone, Madam Nastina showed a flicker of fear.
But soon, Natsume's words enraged her completely.
"You want me to apologize to some wild Pokémon? Don't make me laugh! The ring on my finger could buy dozens of them!"
Natsume crossed his arms, staring at her without expression.
"Hmph. You say a Pokémon battle—if you lose, you'll leave. Is that really true?"
Madam Nastina's tone softened as an idea struck her.
Natsume nodded silently.
"Good!" Madam Nastina clapped her hands.
Her bodyguards immediately released a flood of Pokéballs.
In an instant, half the massive office was filled.
Machamp, Charizard, Skarmory, and more surrounded Natsume on all sides.
"Well? Aren't you going to send out your Pokémon?"
Feeling confident, Madam Nastina urged him on.
"Don't you believe it? These Pokémon won't even be able to break through my defenses."
Natsume only shook his head slightly, staring straight at her.
"Why don't you have them attack and see?"
"Hahaha, you said it yourself!" Madam Nastina burst into laughter. With a wave of her hand, her Pokémon unleashed their attacks all at once.
Flamethrowers, Stone Edge—an overwhelming storm of moves rained down on Natsume.
The room quickly filled with smoke and dust.
Staring at his position, Madam Nastina scoffed impatiently.
"Hey, don't think some little inspector badge is enough to scare me. I've got people backing me too—"
Her words cut off abruptly.
Natsume was gone.
Only a foul-smelling set of clothes and a burning inspector's badge remained where he had stood, as if he had been obliterated on the spot.
"She killed a League inspector! She attacked and killed a League inspector!!"
Ash's shrill voice rang out. Looking back, Madam Nastina saw him holding up the Pokédex, clearly recording everything.
Next to him, Giselle pulled out a sleek camera, zooming in on the burning badge for a close-up.
"Quick, report it to the League! There are terrorists here!"
Ash and Giselle snapped photos while retreating toward the door, then bolted as if a monster were chasing them.
Brock: ???
*Wait—when did you two plan this? Why didn't you include me?*
"Ahhh! Terrorists!" Brock shouted in turn, dashing out in a flash.
Inside the office, everyone froze in shock, too afraid to move.
After a long moment, Madam Nastina finally came to her senses, cold sweat pouring down her back.
Attacking and killing a League inspector—no matter the excuse—meant being branded a terrorist by the League, wanted across the entire region.
And to capture a terrorist, no evidence was required. It was *counterterrorism*.
If you resisted during capture, killing you also required no evidence. It was counterterrorism.
Worse still, even an Elite Four member might take action.
In such a situation, not even Madam Nastina's connections could protect her.
You can read more (around 80+ free chapters) of Natsume's adventure ad-free at [https ://ravenarchives .com/book/pokemon-who-let-him-leave-pallet-town]. Bulk uploads is a mess here, so updates here might be irregular.