Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit

Natsume froze for a moment.

Staring at Janine, whose voice had gone tight with nerves,

He asked blankly, "You're serious?"

Isn't your dad Poison-type Elite Four Koga?

Why would you need my guidance?

...Wait, didn't Koga ask for my advice too?

Never mind then!

"Miss," Natsume coughed lightly, "Let's keep this professional. No personal feelings."

"This is professional."

Janine met his gaze.

"You offered me payment, didn't you?"

Natsume nodded.

Even Goldenrod City's Art Museum had hired Janine for disaster drills.

As Fuchsia City's Poison-type Leader and part-time security specialist, her rates were steep.

But… are Gym Leader salaries this bad nowadays?!

Almost every Leader seemed to have a side hustle.

Natsume thought of iron-willed Brock and the Cerulean Sisters, who turned their gym into a water ballet theater…

A complicated feeling rose in his chest.

"Battle me."

Janine's voice was firm. "That's the reward I want."

To her, learning from Natsume-sensei outweighed any material compensation.

Especially since even her father had praised him.

If I can get his guidance, Janine thought, gripping her kunai, this trip will be worth it!

Natsume blinked.

A free spar instead of paying her?

Is this really a deal?!

Wait…

If I send Squirtle, the medical bills might cost more…

He crossed his arms, deep in thought.

Seeing his silence,

Janine frowned.

Did I offend him by challenging him so abruptly?

Of course… A Trainer of his caliber wouldn't accept battles lightly.

"My apologies."

She bowed respectfully.

"If you're unwilling, we can discuss my salary—"

Suddenly, a strong hand clapped her shoulder.

"Money's irrelevant."

Natsume grinned. "I just happen to want a sparring partner!"

...

Dusk.

Team Rocket's trio packed up their stand, collapsing onto the ground in exhaustion.

But their faces were lit with pure joy.

"Now we've got funds for our next evil gadget!"

After a moment of glee, Jessie turned. "Should we report to the Executive before leaving?"

"Of course. It's basic manners," James said.

"Let me find him, meow~"

Meowth scrambled onto the stand's roof, scanning the area with binoculars.

Then—his jaw dropped.

"What're you gawking at, Meowth?!" Jessie snapped.

"It's the Executive!" Meowth flailed. "He's battling someone, meow!"

...

In the park, the slide's shadow stretched long in the sunset.

Togepi whooshed down, kicking its tiny feet in delight.

Natsume caught it and set it back atop the slide.

"Togepi doo-ee~(✿◠‿◠)"

Turning to Janine, he said, "Friendly match only. No overkill."

Though Janine was weaker than Sabrina,

Poison-types didn't rely on brute force.

Their specialty was stalling opponents to death with status conditions.

…Which, coincidentally, was Natsume's forte too.

Calling this "guidance" is just being polite.

The purple-haired ninja girl nodded. "Understood!"

He's being considerate, she thought.

Otherwise, I wouldn't last three turns…

With reverence, she drew two kunai-shaped Poké Balls.

Spinning them like shuriken, she could release Pokémon precisely where she wanted.

A quirky throwing style, like Gold's pool cue or Yellow's fishing rod.

"Natsume-sensei," Janine adjusted her red scarf, "May we use my preferred format?"

"Sure." Natsume nodded. "Which one?"

"Doubles."

Janine planned to use the Minimize strategy—

A tactic both her father and Natsume-sensei excelled at.

With a partner's support, stalling became even deadlier.

The traditional technique of Fuchsia Gym.

If she was seeking advice,

She wanted to see the gap between them in her own domain.

"Doubles? Fine by me."

Natsume smirked.

If anything, he was better at doubles than singles.

Kid… You just walked into a trap.*

"4-pick-2 singles, or straight 2v2?"

"4-pick-2!"

The longer the battle, the more I can learn.

Janine bowed.

"Thank you, Natsume-sensei!"

...

At the battlefield, Natsume pondered.

Since this was a friendly match, winning wasn't the goal.

He grabbed a Premier Ball and Luxury Ball.

"Sirfetch'd, Arcanine—let's go!"

Janine spun her kunai, hurling her Poké Balls with precision.

"Ariados, Muk—I'm counting on you!"

The moment the balls left her hand, she quickly masked up.

Natsume's face fell as a grinning Muk materialized.

Wow. The family tradition runs deep.

Nearby, Koga watched from the trees, smiling proudly.

"That's my girl," he murmured.

Ariados—a meter-tall spider with crimson-black stripes and yellow-purple legs—

Hissed menacingly, showcasing a Bug-type's eerie beauty.

Beside it, Muk oozed noxious sludge, filling the air with a pungent stench.

Natsume's focus wavered—then snapped back.

"Neurotoxins?"

He grimaced. "It's even affecting me…"

Even in gym battles, external factors mattered.

Muk's natural ability—and using it was part of a Trainer's skill.

Then—Sirfetch'd's V-shaped brows shot up.

"Sirfetch'd!!" Swinging its leek, it summoned a gust that scattered the stench.

[Defog]!

A red light flashed as Sylveon emerged gracefully, erecting a Light Screen to block the smell.

Janine grew warier seeing Natsume counter so swiftly.

That Sirfetch'd…

It's dangerous.

I need to take it out first.*

Natsume pointed. "Flamethrower on Ariados!"

Arcanine roared, unleashing a searing firestorm.

But Ariados dodged with String Shot, swinging from a lamppost—

Then lunged at Sirfetch'd with [Sucker Punch]!

Natsume's mind raced.

Priority move?

"Sirfetch'd—Detect!"

[Detect: Completely blocks an attack. Fails if used consecutively.]

Sirfetch'd stared calmly as the giant spider descended.

Ariados hissed, fangs bared.

I'M GONNA DIEヽ(≧Д≦)ノ!!

Sirfetch'd's brain shut down—

Until Natsume's voice cut through the panic.

"Sirfetch'd, Detect!"

Tears welled in Sirfetch'd's eyes.

HOLY LIGHT…

After this, I'll train twice as hard!

"Sirfetch'd!"

It raised its shield—clang!—blocking Ariados' strike.

The Toxic Mist sprayed harmlessly against the barrier.

Then—a leek slash!

"Ariados!!" The spider leapt back, barely dodging.

From the trees, Koga's eyes narrowed.

"It looks weak… but didn't flinch."

Did I misjudge it?

Janine tensed further.

But while Ariados distracted them,

Muk had finished Minimizing.

Now half its size, it darted toward Arcanine with eerie speed.

"Toxic!"

Venom splashed—instantly poisoning Arcanine's mane purple.

"Arcanine!!" It roared, flaring with Extreme Speed's glow!

"Useless." Janine smirked. "Muk—Acid Armor!"

[Acid Armor: Sharply raises Defense.]

With Minimize, Muk became untouchable.

Now, just stall with Protect…

I might actually win!

Her breath quickened.

Muk melted into sludge, dodging Arcanine's charge.

But the fiery hound blazed past—

Not stopping.

Janine's eyes widened. "Ariados, String Shot!"

Human attention has limits.

Even pro gamers can't multitask perfectly.

Focusing on Muk, she'd neglected Ariados.

And Natsume-sensei's real target wasn't Muk—

But the double-weak-to-fire Ariados!

Too late. She gritted her teeth.

At least slow it down for the stalemate…

To her relief, Sirfetch'd stood back—

Cheering with its leek?!

Then—realization struck.

"Sirfetch'd, Helping Hand!" Natsume commanded.

Up in the trees, Koga's eyes lit up.

"Sirfetch'd was the decoy."

He nodded. "Checkmate, kid."

"Arcanine!!"

Flames erupted around Arcanine—

Not Flame Wheel, but something greater.

Its signature move.

[Flare Blitz]!

Natsume's eyes gleamed.

It finally mastered it.

"Charge, Arcanine!"

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