Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

July 6th, Monday.

With the final exam over, Natsume officially began his summer vacation.

The bus stopped on campus, and parents were bustling around the dormitory building. A few seasoned trainers could even be seen among the crowd.

"Dad… next time, don't send Charizard to pick me up… it's too attention-grabbing!"

Yuuichi complained over the phone while waving at Natsume: "Brother Natsume, see you next semester!"

Natsume waved back, watching as Charizard flapped its wings and carried Yuuichi and his luggage out of sight.

"Being rich must be nice," Natsume sighed.

Despite coming from a wealthy family, Yuuichi's grades weren't great, which is why he didn't get into the Battle Department of Tokyo Metropolitan University.

Fairness doesn't mean equality. In a way, the college entrance exam is the only path for many ordinary people to become trainers.

In other regions, if you lack family connections, becoming a trainer is tough.

Organizations like Team Rocket and Team Plasma become the best options.

Natsume yawned, carrying his backpack as he walked down a tree-lined path scattered with fallen petals. Light footsteps approached from behind.

"How did your finals prep go?"

Sakurako, with her hair tied in a ponytail, walked beside Natsume.

Natsume was slightly taken aback.

Yesterday, he had planned to train seriously, but ended up napping with Eevee all afternoon…

"It should be fine," Natsume coughed lightly, "Even if I lose, Haunter did its best."

Sakurako nodded, then after a moment of silence, said, "My dad wants to meet you."

"Huh?"

"He watched your battle video and wants to hire you as my private tutor. Mainly for command strategies…" Sakurako blushed slightly, "I'm still too inexperienced."

Sakurako's family, known for their expertise in Fairy-type Pokémon, also had a strong presence in the business world, particularly in Pokémon luxury goods and the beauty industry.

Natsume had seen Sakurako's social media. Her second Pokémon was a newly hatched Togepi, which spoke volumes about her family's background.

"I'll pass. My skills are still limited," Natsume declined.

He had only barely beaten Gold, after all.

Natsume thought to himself.

Sakurako nodded, stopping in her tracks. "See you next semester."

...

The morning exam only lasted two hours.

Natsume had thought leaving two Pokémon at home would be fine.

He had even put Eevee in its Poké Ball and told Haunter to take care of things.

But who would've thought Haunter would sneak off?!

Haunter was nowhere to be found in the room. Remembering its overly enthusiastic attitude, Natsume rubbed his forehead.

"I never learn…"

He released Eevee from its Poké Ball. The sleepy little one rubbed its eyes and let out a cute yawn.

"Eevee? (*?ω-q)"

"Have you seen Haunter?"

The little one shook its head like a rattle.

"Whatever… I'm sure it'll come back by mealtime."

Natsume's unease grew, but he sighed and carried Eevee to the bedroom.

He turned on the computer, and the long-dormant live stream software chimed.

Room title: "Pokémon Battle! Your Natsume-sensei is back!"

Instantly, a flood of followers joined the stream, and the chat exploded with messages.

"Wow, Natsume-sensei, you're finally live!"

"Let's eat, boys!"

"My youth is back!"

Natsume-sensei's familiar teasing tone rang out.

"Sorry, I've been busy with exams and haven't had time to update strategies."

"Now that it's summer vacation, I'll make sure to keep you all entertained."

"Eevee?"

Eevee tilted its head curiously at the camera.

"OMG!!"

"Streamer, stop blocking the camera! Give Eevee some screen time!"

"This Natsume-sensei guy is so annoying, always getting in the way of Eevee-chan!"

Natsume-sensei chuckled awkwardly, glancing at the chat.

"Thanks to 'Did Natsume-sensei eat yet?' for the plane… just ate, had some fried rice."

"Thanks to 'For little Eevee' for the rocket. Eevee, say thank you to the uncle."

"Eevee?"

Eevee pawed at the camera with its fluffy paws, still looking drowsy and adorably confused.

"Who are you calling uncle? Natsume-sensei, your whole family are uncles!"

"Is Ah Wei here? Come out and die!"

"Don't switch screens, please! Let me see Eevee-chan one more time!"

Natsume placed Eevee on his lap, gently stroking its fur.

Eevee reluctantly lay there, its fluffy tail swishing against Natsume's elbow, ears twitching occasionally.

"First time here. Is this Eevee's live stream?"

"Natsume-sensei, get out!"

He opened the game interface.

While waiting for the match, Natsume-sensei played a round of poker.

"Hey, are you the charity gambling god?"

"Streamer, stop slacking off! Let Eevee take over!"

Natsume-sensei remained unfazed, glancing at his hand of seventeen cards, then raised an eyebrow.

"This hand? You think you can beat me with this?"

"Wait, spring already? I'm out!"

The stream was filled with laughter.

Natsume-sensei's entertainment value was as explosive as ever.

When it came to the battle, the seasoned viewers already had their notebooks ready.

"This time, we're playing with a Spikes Team."

Natsume-sensei said, "Regular viewers know I usually play defensive teams."

"Defensive teams are part of Pokémon battles too… they might be dirty, but don't use them against Gym Leaders."

"At least three viewers have come to me for medical reimbursement…"

"Ahem… enough talk. Let's check out today's match."

Natsume-sensei's team was: Skarmory, Ferrothorn, Cofagrigus, Amoonguss, Blissey, and Tentacruel.

The opponent, from Johto's Goldenrod City, had: Miltank, Clefable, Wigglytuff, Chansey, Lickilicky, and Clefairy.

"Whoa, the opponent's running a Minimize Team too!"

"Is this an Attract strategy?"

"Another Gym Leader?"

Natsume's eye twitched.

This Miltank brought back some unpleasant memories.

Back in the GBA days, that Miltank from Goldenrod City with its endless Rollout had left a deep psychological scar on Natsume.

Seeing the player's certified ID as [Goldenrod City Gym Leader Whitney], Natsume smirked coldly.

What goes around comes around!

"Go, Skarmory, Spikes!"

The steel-feathered Skarmory soared into the sky.

Sharp spikes scattered across the battlefield, leaving little room for Miltank to Rollout.

But the pink-haired girl quickly reacted: "Miltank, Rollout in place!"

"Still going for Rollout? Skarmory, Whirlwind!"

In battles, forcing a Pokémon to leave the field counts as a loss.

So the Spikes + Whirlwind strategy could force the opponent to keep switching Pokémon, taking repeated damage.

Add in Stealth Rock and Toxic Spikes, and the Spikes + defensive team strategy could utterly frustrate the opponent!

Skarmory's Whirlwind wasn't strong enough to blow Miltank away.

But then, a piercing roar echoed. Miltank, startled, stumbled back and was quickly recalled by Whitney.

"Natsume-sensei, are you even human?"

"Whirlwind didn't work, so you went for Roar?"

"This is the Spikes Team life, I love it!"

The field was littered with jagged rocks and shimmering Toxic Spikes. Any Pokémon stepping on them would get a nasty surprise.

After wearing down a Lickilicky, Miltank returned to the field, instantly taking damage from Spikes and Stealth Rock, letting out a pained cry.

Whitney gritted her teeth, recalling the battered Miltank. "Go, Clefairy, use Minimize!"

"Skarmory, Whirlwind again!"

"You're so annoying!" Whitney shouted. "Clefairy, Attract!"

The Minimized Clefairy hid behind the Stealth Rock, dodging the Whirlwind while sending a heart-shaped beam toward Skarmory.

But Natsume instantly recalled Skarmory and sent out the genderless Cofagrigus…

"Now that's what I call prediction!"

"Natsume-sensei is crushing this Gym Leader…"

"That Miltank… I remember it! It swept my whole team!"

"Is this just two masters of dirty strategies going at it?"

The battle ended.

Natsume-sensei's Spikes Team won 6:2, successfully taking down Miltank.

At the same time, thanks to the explosive entertainment value, the system's BP increased by nearly a thousand points.

The chat was flooded with messages.

"Natsume-sensei didn't mess up today?!"

"That Ferrothorn is so dirty! It tanked three Rollouts and still took out Miltank?"

"Ugh, I've learned so much!"

"Natsume-sensei, please, be human for once!"

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