Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

Upon seeing the Swellow with its dark blue wings and crimson patterns, Natsume had already prepared words of comfort for Gastly.

Things like, "Thank you, Gastly," or "It's not that we're weak, it's just that the opponent is too cunning."

This Swellow's move set was simply too impressive, fully deserving of its nickname, "Bug Swallow."

[Swellow: Normal/Flying

Ability: Guts

Moves: Growl, Focus Energy, Quick Attack, Aerial Ace, Wing Attack, Agility]

This was clearly a physical attacker known for its mobility.

With its dark blue wings spread wide, Swellow soared through the air, diving down like an arrow shot from a bow.

"The battle has begun!" the commentator shouted. "Swellow leads with the move Aerial Ace!"

As Swellow's signature move, Aerial Ace was intimidating, with its wings and beak glowing with a sharp white light.

"Whoosh—"

A sound like a balloon being popped echoed as Gastly's Substitute was instantly torn apart by Swellow's sharp claws!

On the judges' panel, City Association President Shoya let out a soft sound of surprise.

"I thought the match would be decided in one round, but I didn't expect Gastly to have such quick reflexes."

Psychic-type Gym Leader Takuya also nodded. "To instantly decide to use Substitute—this Gastly's battle instincts are incredibly sharp!"

After missing its first strike, Gastly had already floated to Swellow's underside. Yuta barked, "Continue with Aerial Ace!"

Swellow instantly changed direction, aiming its beak like a drill straight at Gastly below!

"Protect!" Natsume narrowed his eyes. "Watch out for its wings!"

Facing the diving Swellow, Gastly's misty shield solidified in an instant, blocking the sharp claws and sending sparks flying!

Aerial Ace missed, but Swellow relentlessly flapped its wings, slashing at Gastly with blade-like feathers!

The commentator roared, "The killer move is here—Swellow's Wing Attack!"

Yet this seemingly unavoidable strike suddenly missed.

Thanks to Natsume's warning, Gastly dodged with incredible speed, creating a three-meter gap in an instant!

"Am I seeing things?"

Shoya muttered, "Gastly's speed in that moment actually surpassed Swellow's?"

Takuya pondered, "This young man, Natsume, must have trained Gastly specifically in speed."

"In terms of potential allocation, Gastly's burst of speed is now on par with Swellow's!"

Every Pokémon has its limits.

Thus, how to properly allocate a Pokémon's potential is a crucial aspect of Pokémon breeding.

In gaming terms, Natsume's Gastly had maxed out its Speed Effort Values.

While Swellow's base speed was naturally higher than Gastly's, Natsume's breeding skills had given Gastly the edge!

Yuta seemed to realize this too, his expression shifting. "Swellow, use Agility!"

Gastly had no moves that could threaten Swellow.

Though risky, if Swellow could outspeed Gastly, the match would be as good as over!

"Agility, huh?" Natsume sighed.

"You're really pushing your luck!"

Natsume didn't even need to give a command—Gastly clearly recognized this as the perfect opportunity.

Gasps erupted from the audience stands.

"Why did Swellow suddenly fall?"

"Does this Gastly know Hypnosis?"

Swellow was circling in the air when a hazy beam of light shot toward it.

From Gastly's eyes, Hypnosis hit its mark!

"Swellow!"

Swellow crashed to the ground with a cry, its eyelids drooping as it struggled to stay awake.

The sudden turn of events stunned everyone present.

Just moments ago, Swellow had been dominating Gastly.

How had the tables turned so quickly?!

"This guy was hiding Hypnosis all along!" Shoya exclaimed.

"He never showed it in the earlier rounds," Takuya remarked.

"These young trainers are getting more and more strategic!"

Though Hypnosis had landed, Gastly didn't have much time left.

Glancing at Natsume, Gastly tilted its head, its eyes filled with anticipation.

"Do it if you want," Natsume said helplessly.

"It's not like you have any other moves to use."

"Gastly!" Gastly's eyes lit up with excitement.

This was the first time Gastly had used Toxic since its training.

Puffing out its cheeks, Gastly took a deep breath, and a sickly green mist spewed from its mouth!

"Is that... Toxic?"

On the judges' panel, Shoya muttered, "That looks... unsettling."

Takuya's smile also held a hint of awkwardness.

"Maybe Natsume really has a chance to win!"

Swellow, now enveloped in the toxic mist, turned a sickly green.

But in the next moment, Swellow's eyes snapped open.

A fierce determination burned in its pupils.

Its Guts ability had activated!

"That's it, Swellow!" Yuta clenched his fists and shouted, "Use Aerial Ace!"

"Swellow!"

The atmosphere in the arena ignited as Swellow charged at Gastly, its wings gleaming with a sharp, cold light!

Natsume was dumbfounded.

Wait, I'm the one at a disadvantage here!

"Gastly, Protect!"

Swellow slammed into the unbreakable mist shield with a loud thud.

Everyone gulped, almost hearing the sound of Swellow's wings breaking.

"Use Hypnosis again!"

In a series of stunned reactions, Swellow was hypnotized as soon as it woke up.

If Hypnosis missed, Gastly would use Protect to buy time, then try Hypnosis again.

Swellow, now purple and foaming at the mouth, lay on the ground, its eyes rolling back.

Beside it, Gastly crouched, cackling mischievously, as if ready to smack Swellow with a brick the moment it woke up.

Even the referee couldn't take it anymore and blew the whistle.

"Winner, Natsume!"

The arena fell silent, the audience's expressions a mix of confusion and disbelief.

Did we pay to watch an intense Pokémon battle?

Sure, Swellow's performance was intense... but what was up with this Gastly!

Who tortures their opponent to death like this?!

"What the heck, this is so dirty!"

"Refund! I want a refund!"

"Natsume-sensei is amazing!"

Amid the uproar.

Reina, who had also advanced to the semifinals, was cheering wildly for Natsume.

Sakurako, who had watched the entire match, seemed to have a dozen question marks floating above her head.

Is this even allowed?

Even Association President Shoya and Gym Leader Takuya exchanged glances.

While this strategy was undeniably dirty...

There was no denying that it was highly effective!

"Is he really from the Finance Department?" Shoya asked, his expression odd. "He seems more like a professional trainer with five or six years of experience."

"Who knows," Takuya shook his head.

"All I know is, he's made history again."

With Gastly, Natsume had turned the tables against Yuta from Tokyo Yokohama National University despite being at a disadvantage.

He had become the first non-Battle Department contestant to advance to the semifinals in Piplup Cup history, setting yet another record!

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