Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

Chapter 475 476: Natsume’s Team Rankings

The Pokémon egg Cynthia mentioned would likely be delivered to Natsume in the next few days.

To finalize the paperwork, Cynthia had to make a quick trip back to Lily of the Valley Island.

Natsume gazed at the horizon, watching the black-trench-coated figure atop Garchomp's back grow smaller, her silhouette bold and heroic.

Recalling yesterday's events, a faint smile tugged at his lips.

"Wonder what Pokémon it'll be."

Natsume mused aloud:

"Worst case, Gengar can babysit. Doubt it'll hatch into something with a temper."

In Natsume's mind, pseudo-legendary hatchlings fell into two categories—

There was Ash's shy, introverted Larvitar, released back into Mt. Silver,

And then there were the hyperactive Gible, notorious for chewing on everything.

Both were from the Monster Egg Group—absolute powerhouses as adults, but downright adorable as babies.

"But the real issue is..."

Natsume broke into a cold sweat.

"Can I even afford either of them?"

Though he was about to go from poverty to prosperity, the Pokédex stated Larvitar's evolution required devouring an entire mountain's worth of ore.

Gible was slightly less demanding, but still a financial black hole.

If one of these two hatched, Natsume-sensei's savings might just implode.

Still... across all eight generations, there were nine pseudo-legendaries.

Among them, Dratini and Goomy were equally cute—and far cheaper to raise.

A one-in-nine chance? You think that'll stop me?!

Ever since his bond with Gengar deepened, boosting Hypnosis's accuracy rate,

Natsume felt invincible when it came to probability!

"Wait!"

A lightbulb lit up above Natsume's head.

"This time, I'll have Sirfetch'd handle the babysitting!"

Last time, Togepi had somehow started learning moves on its own, displaying unnerving self-discipline.

But under Sirfetch'd's noble guidance,

Even a pseudo-legendary with mythical-tier strength would surely embrace the art of slacking off!

Natsume and his team might be dirt-poor and "low-tier," but they excelled in one area—optimism!

Pumped with ambition, Natsume dialed Oleana to check on Pokémon's development progress.

"We've reached the main storyline—Giovanni at Silph Co. Headquarters."

Oleana frowned. "But... his team's levels might be too high?"

Even Blue Oak in the original games capped around level 60.

By Natsume's orders, Giovanni's squad averaged 55+—a nightmare for new players.

Natsume: "It's called respecting the original design."

In a straight fight, Blue Oak from that era might not even beat Giovanni.

Besides, while other Gym Leaders obsessed over flashy models, only Boss Giovanni cared about raw levels.

This was his one request—let him have it!

Oleana: "The beta version should be ready by May. We'll invite content creators and streamers for testing and reviews."

"Sounds good. I'll promote it too," Natsume said.

Oleana blinked.

She'd almost forgotten—her boss was a gaming content creator with millions of followers!

But... even sponsorships? You're handling everything yourself?!

Oleana's cheeks flushed as she muttered, "Classic boss behavior..."

...

Natsume planned to send Boss Giovanni a copy of the beta.

"Wonder how things are between him and Silver now."

He looked up at the sky.

Maybe once they reconciled, and Team Rocket earned its redemption,

He could finally reveal his mentor status to the others...

Not like anyone here hasn't been recruited by Giovanni or owns a Team Rocket uniform, right?

Right, Gold?

...

Today was another weekend—sunny and comfortably warm.

Natsume lounged with one arm behind his head, the other holding Pokémon Contests Guide, and let out a yawn.

Though his flawless commands were master-tier, the contest procedures were annoyingly tedious.

Since he'd agreed to judge for Ruby, he had to memorize every detail.

"Apparently, at Kalos's Contest Festivals, judges score based on outfits, style, even appearance."

Natsume raised an eyebrow at the guide's tidbit.

"So I'd automatically score full marks?"

"Gengar! 〈( ̄) ̄)〈"

Gengar was long used to its trainer's shamelessness.

Seizing the sunny weather, it levitated into the yard to wash and sun-dry its favorite little blanket.

Meanwhile, Sylveon and Sirfetch'd sparred a few meters apart.

"Sylveon! (`皿′)"

"Sirfetch'd~o((⊙_⊙))o."

Thankfully, this time, Sylveon trained defensive skills—a shimmering pink Light Screen rose to block Sirfetch'd's strikes.

Under the sunlight, the combo of Light Screen and Reflect had an oddly artistic beauty.

Only two layers so far—nowhere near Diancie's "Diamond Storm"-level absolute defense.

But preemptively stacking dual screens to cripple the opponent's offenses?

Now that's some dirty strategy...

Natsume declared: "I hereby dub this—Silver Screen Mirror Wall!"

Natsume declared loudly: "I hereby name this technique—Silver Screen Mirror Wall!"

"Sylveon?" Sylveon maintained its dual barriers while knocking Sirfetch'd away, tilting its head toward Natsume.

"Never mind." Natsume coughed into his fist. "Take it easy—don't hurt Sirfetch'd."

"Sirfetch'd! o(TヘTo)" Sirfetch'd lay on the ground, looking up at Natsume with touched eyes.

"Blastoise ヾ(■_■)" Blastoise chewed on a blade of grass, giving a thumbs-up.

Relax, with the team medic here, you won't die!

Natsume blinked, his eyelid twitching.

Ash's Sceptile looked cool with a twig in its mouth, but...

Blastoise, why are you chewing a Revival Herb?! Trying to fake an injury?!

"Executing training plan, Rotom~!"

Rotom Dex spun midair, projecting data across its screen.

"I have a... minor suggestion about the training plan." Natsume said seriously.

"Beep! System overload, Rotom! Σ(っ°Д°;)っ" Rotom panicked.

Trainer actually caring about training plans?! The world's ending, Rotom!

"How about changing locations?"

Natsume grinned like a devil.

"Let's all go to Professor Rowan's Research Institute!"

...

To help their Trainer achieve his dream of becoming a Pokémon Master,

The little ones trained relentlessly, chasing every scrap of EXP in sight.

The backyard Rangers had long given up, refusing Gengar's challenges outright.

"Gengar~"

Gengar sighed in disappointment.

Could've earned Trainer some extra pocket money if they'd fought...

Natsume awkwardly comforted the traumatized Rangers.

They'd be regulars at the institute now—better stay on good terms.

No overfarming—sustainable development only!

This trip was also a chance for Natsume-sensei to test his Flawless Commands.

As a judge, he couldn't afford to falter—he needed to show expertise.

Natsume closed his eyes.

By all accounts, Sylveon and Togepi were his most contest-ready Pokémon.

Especially Sylveon—even a Top Coordinator couldn't find a flaw in it.

If he weren't judging, he could've competed himself and snatched the Wallace Cup prize...

"Such a waste!"

Natsume sighed dramatically. "Could've double-dipped!"

Nearby, Sylveon practiced Psyshock—a Technical Record from Sabrina.

Unlike Psychic's crushing pulses, Psyshock shaped psychic energy into blades, slashing foes physically.

A special move dealing physical damage—perfect for Sylveon's in-your-face style.

And per the "pay-to-win training method," it required a Dawn Stone—purchased at great expense.

"Sylveon! (▼ヘ▼#)"

Sylveon and Gengar squared off, the mock battle about to begin.

"I'll referee, Rotom!" Rotom Dex extended a mechanical arm, waving a referee flag.

Natsume: "Where'd you get a referee flag?"

Rotom: "I also bought a starter pistol online, Rotom!"

Natsume's eyebrow shot up.

Good grief—so Togepi's mobile game spending spree...

Was YOU sneaking into my phone for the password!

Considering Rotom served as appliance, navigator, and bill-payer,

With only two hobbies—cosplaying as Captain Libae and washing dishes—

Natsume decided to let it slide, keeping payment permissions intact...

In exchange for video editing services.

"System overload, Rotom! o(TヘTo)"

"I'll make Electric-type Pokéblocks next time." Natsume chuckled. "Battle's starting—go referee!"

Rotom Dex flashed a grin and levitated upward.

"Gengar! ?"

BEGIN!

Gengar hurled a Shadow Ball at Sylveon!

The Light Screen flickered—the attack broke through, but its power halved, exploding into smoke.

Sylveon lunged from the smoke in a white blur, its bow glowing brilliantly!

A blinding Dazzling Gleam engulfed the field, waves of energy crashing toward Gengar.

"Gengar!" Gengar teleported away, eyes flashing blue at close range—

Hypnosis!

"Sylveon! (〃>皿