"Anyway, let's head to Bill's Research Institute first," Natsume said.
The red-haired youth in black nodded silently and followed Natsume without a word.
According to prior research, the alley led directly to Goldenrod City's underground tunnels, which would take them to Bill's Research Institute.
Meeting here was also Silver's way of avoiding detection by the International Police and Team Rocket.
Standing at the entrance to the underground tunnel, Silver spoke coldly.
The red-haired youth was extremely cautious.
Silver narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Natsume.
He couldn't get a read on this man.
He seemed weak at first glance.
But according to the intel, he had defeated strong opponents like Lance and Cynthia.
Even Gold... seemed to have lost to him in a wild battle.
This extreme sense of dissonance made Silver even more wary.
Natsume smiled and confidently stepped forward, leaving his back exposed to Silver.
Natsume was familiar with Silver's personality.
Though he was quiet, expressionless, a tsundere, and a siscon...
When it came to fulfilling requests from others, he would spare no effort.
Natsume had been recommended by Green, Gold, Lance, and others... so there was no need to worry.
The man's quick agreement surprised Silver.
"Confident, huh..." Silver muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets as he followed Natsume.
Goldenrod City's underground tunnels were a sprawling network, an essential part of the city's infrastructure.
Additionally, Goldenrod City's iconic landmark was the maglev train connecting Johto and Kanto.
Natsume had no intention of sightseeing and led Silver to the address Bill had provided.
"Haunter!" Along the way, Haunter floated ahead, scanning left and right with an air of confidence.
Watching Haunter's back, Natsume sighed with emotion. "It's time to evolve..."
It had only been four months since Haunter evolved from Gastly.
But as Haunter's strength grew, suppressing its evolution wasn't a good idea.
Though Natsume was worried about his precarious house and wallet...
Compared to his Pokémon, these were trivial matters!
Natsume nodded, steeling his resolve.
At the same time, Silver stopped and said, "We're here."
Exiting the underground tunnel, they saw a modest house not far away.
"Professor Bill! It's Natsume, here to visit!" Natsume pressed the doorbell and called into the intercom.
"The door's open, come on in!" Bill's voice replied.
With a click, the door unlocked.
Natsume carefully pushed it open.
The interior was dimly lit, filled with cluttered books and documents, dust floating in the air.
Various instruments were scattered around.
It looked more like a makeshift research institute than a home.
Entering the living room.
Both Natsume and Silver paused.
A life-sized Kabuto stood out, its crimson compound eyes flickering with red light...
Silver frowned and instinctively reached for a Poké Ball.
At that moment, the "Kabuto" hurriedly removed its helmet and shouted, "It's me, Bill!"
Even the usually expressionless Silver was taken aback.
Natsume's expression turned odd, and he coughed. "Cosplaying as Kabuto... What kind of strange hobby is this?"
"Hehe," Bill scratched his sweaty, curly hair and smiled sheepishly. "I wanted to experience what it's like to be a Pokémon... It's part of my research method!"
This isn't a research method, it's just a weird hobby!
That said, at least this time there was no body-swapping with a Rattata.
After all, in both the games and the manga, Bill had a history of swapping bodies with Pokémon...
"Ahem," Natsume coughed awkwardly. "Professor... The reason I'm here..."
"Just call me Bill!" Bill interrupted with a smile. "I've already prepared the communication device. Follow me!"
They entered a small room where a communication device stood in the center.
The machine was connected by pipes, with two trays on either side, each designed to hold a Poké Ball.
While a Pokédex could also facilitate trades, that required a special model made by Professor Samuel Oak.
These "special edition Pokédexes" were only given to exceptional individuals, with fewer than a hundred ever distributed.
Unlike the common Pokédexes seen in the anime, these "special editions" were a symbol of status...
"Trade evolution simulates the special magnetic fields found in the wild," Bill explained. "That's why you can find wild Gengar and Alakazam."
"You probably already know the specific steps, right?" Bill glanced at the two.
Silver, of course, didn't need an explanation. His ability, "Link Trade," was so advanced that he had even helped Gold with his evolutions.
On the other hand, Natsume-sensei felt a bit conflicted.
But Haunter gave a thumbs-up.
"Haunter! (Leave it to me!)"
Bill bent over the control panel and started the machine.
Natsume looked at Haunter and asked seriously, "Are you sure about this?"
"Evolving into Gengar is irreversible..."
"And you might face more hardships, stronger opponents, and even greater risks of injury..."
As he spoke, Natsume's expression grew more serious.
With great power comes great responsibility, and with that, greater risks.
Natsume wanted his Pokémon to live happily every day, even if they didn't battle.
But at the same time, Natsume respected his Pokémon's wishes.
If Haunter chose to evolve.
Then all Natsume could do was work even harder to earn money...
The bond between Pokémon and Trainer is mutual.
This bond is forged through daily interactions, constant companionship, and the passage of time.
And this bond is the most important aspect of the relationship between humans and Pokémon.
Seemingly sensing Natsume's thoughts.
Haunter's expression also turned serious.
Facing more hardships... stronger opponents... This was the inevitable path to becoming a legendary Trainer.
The Trainer's goal was as clear as ever.
And I won't waver in the slightest.
Because all I can do is help my Trainer grow stronger...
I'll definitely help you achieve your dreams!
"Haunter!" Haunter's eyes sparkled as it nodded vigorously.
"Th-That's so touching!" Bill wiped away tears, sniffling. "Meeting Pokémon is truly the best!"
Silver's expression turned strange.
It's just an evolution... Why is he crying ...
But then, as if remembering something, Silver frowned.
Though emotions might seem intangible, in the Pokémon world, they were a very real energy.
From catching Totodile, which started with Frustration (a move that deals more damage the lower the friendship).
To evolving into Feraligatr, which culminated in Return.
Silver, influenced by Gold, had gradually come to understand the bond between humans and Pokémon.
And now, in Natsume, Silver saw traces of many seniors...
The red-clad man standing atop Mt. Silver, the Garchomp soaring through the sky, the silver Metagross...
Silver shook his head, his eyes filled with newfound respect, and said solemnly, "Leave it to me."
He recalled Haunter and exchanged Poké Balls with Silver.
Through Silver's Poké Ball, Natsume could see the silhouette of a Red Gyarados.
Like Lance's Red Gyarados, this was a special Gyarados Silver had caught at the Lake of Rage.
Due to the Thunder Wave interference, the red coloration from its Magikarp days had remained... Strictly speaking, it was different from ordinary Shiny Pokémon.
(Note: Lance catching the Red Gyarados is from the anime; Silver's is from the manga.)
Placing the Poké Balls on the communication device, the pipes sucked them in.
The LCD screen displayed the words "Communicating..."
A special magnetic field surged, and a cold black mist enveloped the lab.
"This is normal," Bill said. "But the energy Haunter has accumulated... is truly impressive."
When you're eating Master-level Pokéblocks like candy...
It's no wonder it's accumulated so much energy!
Fortunately, the anomaly only lasted a moment. The machine stopped, and the trays holding the Poké Balls slowly descended.
"Release Haunter," Silver said with a nod. "It's about to evolve."
Though not as knowledgeable as Haunter, Natsume had read the Trade Evolution Manual several times.
The current situation was within Natsume's expectations.
He held the slightly warm Poké Ball in his hand.
In his heart, Natsume silently chanted, "Come on out..."
A mass of black mist burst from the Poké Ball.
Dark fog surged, the light bulbs flickered, and the room temperature dropped by 5°C.
Then, within the black mist, a dazzling white light erupted!
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