Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

Early Wednesday morning, a courier delivered a beautifully packaged Everstone to Natsume's home.

This time, the delivery was made by a Pelipper, its pouch-like beak holding a delivery box wrapped in a waterproof film.

After unwrapping the layers of packaging, all that was left was an ordinary-looking stone, which made Natsume feel like he had been scammed.

"Gastly?" Gastly instinctively stuck out its tongue and licked the Everstone.

Whatever it is, just lick it first and get it over with!

Due to the Piplup Cup, the school had granted Natsume a day off.

Although Natsume preferred studying over watching matches.

But the Academic advisor disagreed and sternly said, "Alright, observing matches is also a required course for Trainers, I understand that!"

"But..."

"No buts! If you want to be a Trainer, I fully support you!"

The Academic advisor coughed forcefully, "I've already approved your leave, so go ahead and watch the matches!"

Natsume sighed deeply and had no choice but to take Gastly to the Arena.

Natsume's match was scheduled for late evening, with the other quarterfinal matches taking place in the afternoon.

Since Natsume was a participating contestant, he could sit courtside and watch the matches up close, almost like a VIP treatment.

The summer heat was intense.

Natsume, wearing sunglasses, sat in the audience stands, one hand resting on the back of the chair, the other holding a cold drink.

Gastly also occupied a seat, with an Everstone tied to its forehead with a string.

As for why the Everstone wasn't hung around Gastly's neck...

Because Gastly doesn't have a neck.

"Gastly!!"

Gastly leaned forward and took a big sip of iced cola from a cup through a straw, letting out a contented moan.

Then, Gastly nodded vigorously, causing the sunglasses on its forehead to slide down and rest in front of its eyes.

"Gastly!"

In front of Gastly floated the [Evolution Materials] provided by Green, which Gastly was controlling with black mist.

With sunglasses on, Gastly looked like a big shot, carefully inspecting the [Evolution Materials], nodding from time to time.

"Gastly~~" (So that's how it is~~)

Natsume glanced at Gastly: "You really are a genius, aren't you?"

"Gastly!"

"Excuse me!"

Just then, someone from the back row cautiously tapped Natsume, sounding excited.

"Is that Natsume-sensei... you're Natsume-sensei, right?"

Natsume turned around, cautious: "First, tell me what you're here for."

"I'm your fan, I want your autograph!"

Natsume relaxed: "Then that's me, hand me the pen."

For safety reasons, Natsume usually didn't admit his identity.

After all, his strategies were too dirty, and sometimes he was afraid of being recognized when going out.

Seeing Natsume sign the autograph, the young girl was so excited she could barely speak.

"I'm your junior... from Tokyo Metropolitan University's affiliated high school, I'll be competing soon, can you cheer for me?"

Natsume lowered his sunglasses and looked her up and down.

Suddenly remembering what Yuuichi had mentioned before, about the well-developed junior from the affiliated high school.

"Reina, right?" Natsume smiled, "Good luck in your match!"

Reina's eyes widened, and she immediately stood up, bowing deeply: "I'll do my best to advance to the semifinals!"

At that moment, a wave of exclamations erupted.

The commentator loudly announced: "Both sides have shown incredible skill!"

In the battle arena, Tokyo Metropolitan University's Sakurako was facing off against Osaka University's Ryosuke.

Facing Granbull's bite, Magneton instantly disassembled, dodging the Fire Fang while firing three magnetic pulses!

The powerful Mirror Shot left Granbull stiff and kneeling awkwardly on the ground.

"Granbull is unable to battle!" The referee blew the whistle, "Osaka University's Ryosuke wins!"

"That was really well fought," Natsume praised.

This Ryosuke was the heir to the Electric-type gym and was said to have the strength of a full-fledged Trainer.

He had also become the first contestant to advance to the semifinals in this tournament.

The next match was Reina's, facing a Graveler.

Right from the start, her Breloom used a rapid Bullet Seed barrage to take down Graveler.

"She really is a fan," Natsume muttered, "She actually raised a Breloom."

On the judges' panel, Tokyo's Psychic-type Gym Leader Takuya was whispering with the city's Pokémon Association President.

"There are a lot of Grass-type rookie Trainers this year."

President Shoya pondered: "It might be related to the popularity of the SubProtect Toxic strategy."

Takuya was surprised: "Isn't that strategy hard to master?"

"You're just out of touch," Shoya laughed, "My granddaughter says it's the hottest strategy on Nico Dou right now!"

Takuya shook his head: "I don't know about that... but the next contestant is Yuta from Tokyo's Yokohama National University."

"His Swellow has a significant advantage in this tournament."

"Huh? His opponent is Natsume?" Shoya looked at the list in his hand, surprised.

"This is quite a disadvantage!"

Swellow is naturally immune to Ghost-type moves, and with its Guts ability, Gastly's proud Will-O-Wisp would have little effect.

It was clear that this would be a brutal duel!

"Such a pity, I thought he could create a miracle," Shoya lamented.

"A non-specialized contestant making it to the quarterfinals is already a record," Takuya smiled.

"I think the Ivysaur Trainer, Kazuki, is more worth watching."

The sun gradually tilted, and dusk approached.

Sakurako hadn't left yet, hesitating near the contestant seats.

"You lost, why aren't you leaving?" Natsume asked, surprised.

"To... to cheer for you," Sakurako whispered.

Aside from Reina, Natsume was the last remaining Tokyo Metropolitan University contestant.

This showed just how intense the competition was in this year's Piplup Cup.

Although Natsume didn't feel much, since Gastly had carried him through the preliminary rounds and group stages...

Natsume stood up, putting his sunglasses back in his pocket: "Let's go, it's our turn."

"Gastly!"

Gastly, wearing sunglasses, slurped down the cup of cola and stuffed a burger into its mouth, nodding indistinctly.

This scene left Sakurako dumbfounded.

They even brought cola and burgers...

Are you here to compete or to have a picnic!?

"The next duel will be between Yuta from Tokyo's Yokohama National University and Natsume from Tokyo Metropolitan University!"

The commentator announced loudly: "It's worth noting that Natsume is the only non-Battle Department contestant in this tournament and has already set a new record in the tournament's history!"

"Will he stop here or climb even higher? Let's wait and see!"

Yuta was a lean, dark-skinned man who nodded at Natsume, appearing somewhat reserved.

For a serious contestant like this, Natsume wouldn't choose to provoke with trash talk.

After all, the Pokémon in this battle was Swellow, known as the "Bug Swallow," and if it went all out, it was no joke.

"Gastly!"

Gastly floated menacingly in the arena, stylishly tossing its sunglasses aside.

Yuta also took out a Poké Ball and muttered, "Go, Swellow!"

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