Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

December 13th, Sunday.

Winter sunlight streamed through the window, warming the blankets.

Thanks to Sylveon's Yawn, Natsume had slept soundly—

Honestly, the best insomnia cure.

The scent of leeks filled the air, making his stomach growl.

"No wonder I dreamed of leek pancakes..."

He glanced at Sirfetch'd's Premier Ball.

"Surely this guy is still asleep?"

As fellow slackers, it had no reason to wake earlier.

Gengar trained at night because ghosts don't need sleep.

Arcanine, blessed by Entei, had boundless energy.

Squirtle did one-armed push-ups daily.

Even Togepi napped in its shell sometimes.

Only Sylveon hogged his arm all night.

But—

They're too cute to stay mad at.

"Let's see what Sirfetch'd's up to!"

Natsume grinned, heading to the living room—

Hoping the Sirfetch'd's slacker energy would rub off on the others.

They train too hard...

It hurts to watch.

The leek aroma grew stronger.

Maybe order leek pancakes for breakfast...

Then—he froze.

"Sirfetch'd?!"

Sunlight illuminated the duck's snow-white feathers as it swung its leek with deadly precision—

Sweat dripping, eyes sharp.

Natsume rubbed his eyes.

Is this the same slacker I caught yesterday?!

Did the timeline shift?!

A familiar exhaustion settled in his chest.

"Stay calm," he whispered.

"Maybe it's just... testing the leek's grip?"

Even knights maintain their lances!

The living room buzzed with academic energy:

Gengar, wearing Wise Glasses, lectured Togepi with a whiteboard.

Squirtle did one-armed push-ups—until Sirfetch'd corrected its form.

"Sirfetch'd!"

With a few leek gestures, it used Guidance—

Boosting Squirtle's Attack and Defense.

Natsume's eye twitched.

Since when could it teach Squirtle?!

Is this really my carefully selected slacker?!

Sirfetch'd nodded approvingly ("Good student") and resumed training—

Dark circles under its eyes, but resolve unshaken.

Slack off?

I'll end up stewed!

Natsume checked the Pokédex.

"Knock Off – Mastered Overnight" glared back.

His heart sank like a crashed flight.

"This makes no sense..."

"Two slackers should double the happiness! How did this happen?!"

Sirfetch'd met his gaze—

Sorry, Trainer.

But survival comes first.

In its eyes, Natsume saw honest dedication—

And died a little inside.

You bushy-eyed traitor...

...

By mealtime, Natsume was still in Calm Mind mode.

How did slacking backfire so badly?

Meanwhile, Sirfetch'd—

"If I don't train, Togepi might outpace me!"

"Sirfetch'd!" It resumed "last-hit practice" with its leek.

The scene—Gengar tutoring, Squirtle exercising, Sirfetch'd drilling—

Became a masterpiece:

"Natsume-sensei's 'Training' Session."

Natsume looked to the sky.

A single tear rolled down.

Tokyo Metro's Day Care...

You bred two legendary schemers.

I underestimated you.

...

Post-meltdown, Natsume stabilized.

That afternoon, he streamed as usual—

Fans noticed his silence:

"Why so quiet, sensei?"

"Did he tilt?"

Yet his gameplay was flawless.

Brutal. Efficient.

By the end:

Caitlin exploded another PC.

Mustard (Isle of Armor) fell further from his "world's strongest" dream.

...

Group Chat Reactions:

Green: "A wild-evolved Sirfetch'd? That takes hundreds of battles to land three crits!"

Yellow: "Or... luck?"

Sabrina: "Natsume-sensei never leaves things to chance."

Gold: "Huh?"

Erika: "He doesn't believe in probability."

Natsume-sensei: Too harsh... (Togepi crying.jpg)

Lorelei: "So cute... but I kinda wanna see it cry?"

Lance: "The internet isn't a lawless zone."

Yellow: "Sirfetch'd looks so cool though!"

She admired the photo—a dignified, leek-wielding knight.

"With it, Natsume-sensei's ready for the P1 Grand Prix!"

Brock hesitated.

Fighting-type vs. fighting-type...

But leeks vs. fists?

Then it hit him.

"That's Natsume-sensei's style!"

Natsume sighed.

It'd be cooler if it slacked off...

With the tournament days away, he turned to game development.

As for training—

"Maybe... let Sirfetch'd compete?"

"A few losses might reset its slacker mode... right?"

He glanced at the duck—

Now pausing to catch its breath, watching its hardworking teammates.

"Sirfetch'd..."

A heavy realization dawned.

Holy Light...

In this team,

Slacking is the hardest job.

Enjoying the story? Get early access to 410+ Advanced Chapters!

✨ Weekly Updates: 7 chapters

⚡ Bonus System: Every 100 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter

🌟 Double Rewards: Rate the novel (⭐5 stars) to unlock 2x chapters!

Voting with [Power Stones] helps you earn twice as many chapters.

👉 Support now: patreon.com/PokemonStoryWeaver