Chapter 021: The Toxic Manuscript

Natsume was panicking right now.

He was absolutely panicking.

At 8 a.m. this morning, just as Natsume was about to head to campus for class, he received a message from the World Champion himself.

[Red: Morning.]

[Natsume: …Red, sir, just say what you need to say.]

[Red: What's your address? I have something to send you.]

Natsume froze for a moment.

Send me something?

It's not a death threat, is it?

I've only been off my livestream for three days!

With finals approaching, the pressure of his coursework had suddenly increased, forcing Natsume to temporarily put his livestreaming career on hold.

On top of that, he had to keep a close eye on Gastly to make sure it didn't cause any trouble while training on its own.

What kind of life is this?!

Everyone else is begging their Pokémon to train harder.

But here I am, with a Pokémon that's forcing me to train!

As Natsume sighed, Red sent another message.

[Red: (Image)]

The image showed a sealed scroll with intricate patterns, exuding an indescribable aura.

[Red: This is something Mr. Koga asked me to deliver to you.]

Koga?

Natsume paused for a moment, and an image of a masked ninja popped into his head.

As the former Poison-type Gym Leader of the Kanto Region, Koga had climbed his way to the Johto Elite Four after three years of rigorous training, relying on his unpredictable Poison-type Pokémon.

This was definitely not someone to mess with!

[Natsume: Red, sir, you can keep it. There's really no need to send it to me!]

[Red: No, this is Mr. Koga's lifelong 'Toxic' manuscript. He specifically asked me to deliver it to repay a favor.]

Natsume was stunned.

'Toxic' manuscript?

The 'Toxic' manuscript of a Poison-type Elite Four member?!

If Gastly trains with this, one wrong move, and I'm done for!

A cold sweat dripped down Natsume's forehead.

Trembling, Natsume typed out a reply.

[Natsume: When did he owe me a favor?]

[Red: That 'Minimize Team' strategy of yours… well, it inspired him.]

Red had later watched Natsume's gameplay video.

In the eyes of the World Champion, if this strategy were to be used in practical battles, there were still plenty of flaws in the Minimize tactic.

But Koga had taken a different approach, using sheer numbers to make up for the shortcomings of the 'Minimize Team.'

Even Red had to admit.

In a wild battle, ambushing someone with hundreds of Minimized Pokémon could even put an Elite Four member in danger!

Red muttered to himself, "I just hope Team Rocket… doesn't adopt this strategy."

Although Team Rocket's leader, Giovanni, was still missing, remnants of the organization were scattered across the regions.

Maintaining regional stability and apprehending these remnants was part of the Champion and Elite Four's duties.

Meanwhile, Natsume was having a full-blown crisis.

I inspired an Elite Four member?

I'm not even a certified Trainer, and I'm out here teaching Elite Four-level Trainers?

"I must be some kind of genius!" Natsume muttered to himself.

[Red: Anyway, a delivery service will bring the scroll to your address.]

[Red: I'm sure this will be a great opportunity to improve your 'SubProtect Toxic' strategy. (Smile)]

Although Red didn't know Natsume's true strength, he believed that any Trainer who could inspire Elite Four member Koga was no ordinary person.

This 'Toxic' manuscript would surely take Natsume's skills to the next level!

"This is why battling strong opponents is so exciting!"

Red clenched his fist, a fiery glint flashing in his dark eyes.

If Natsume knew that Red considered him a worthy opponent, he'd probably pack up and leave town overnight.

But for now, he put down his phone, looking utterly bewildered.

"SubProtect Toxic… all that's missing is Protect?"

He had once mocked Gastly's 'SubProtect Toxic' as a budget version.

But in just half a month, Gastly had not only mastered the use of 'Substitute,' but now it had also gotten its hands on the 'Toxic' manuscript from Poison-type Elite Four member Koga?

This wasn't just a budget version anymore.

This was a full-on upgrade!

But it also filled Natsume with a deep sense of dread.

"If I let Gastly train with Toxic… am I signing my own death warrant?"

The 'Toxic' manuscript from Poison-type Elite Four member Koga was undoubtedly a top-tier Technical Machine, worth at least a million Pokémon Coins.

But if Natsume tried to sell it, he'd probably be assassinated by Koga that very night.

In the end, the only option was to let Gastly learn from it.

Natsume's expression twisted as he muttered, "Why is everyone sending me Technical Machines?"

"If you don't want them, give them to someone who needs them!"

Despite his complaints, Natsume still gave Red his contact information.

After all, a 'Toxic' manuscript worth millions of Pokémon Coins was too good to pass up.

Natsume's address also surprised Red.

Tokyo, huh?

With Natsume-sensei's strength, it's no surprise he's in Tokyo. He could probably rival the Tokyo Gym Leader.

That night, a Dragonite flew across the ocean and landed at Natsume's doorstep, drawing gasps from onlookers.

"Wow, a Dragonite! This is incredible!"

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Natsume stepped forward and took the scroll from Dragonite's chubby little claws.

He discreetly slipped Dragonite a couple of Pokéblocks.

Dragonite glanced at the photo, then at Natsume, before happily popping the Pokéblocks into its mouth.

Dragonite: (′▽`〃)

If the police hadn't arrived in time, Dragonite, who was hugging Natsume tightly, might have crushed his ribs.

"Damn, I don't know how Ash Ketchum handles Dragonite's hugs."

Natsume rubbed his sore chest, wincing in pain. "Being a Trainer is way too dangerous!"

After repeatedly confirming with Red that it was safe, Natsume returned to his room, unrolled the beautifully patterned scroll, and spread it out on the table.

Unlike Technical Machines that recorded moves, this handwritten manuscript required both the Trainer and Pokémon to have a deep understanding.

If the compatibility wasn't there, even a Pokémon capable of learning the move would struggle to master it.

But Natsume wasn't worried about Gastly's comprehension.

What he was worried about was his own safety.

"Gligar's tail stinger, Beedrill's venom, Drapion's glands…"

Natsume looked at the list of items required for training 'Toxic,' and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

These items were all highly toxic.

The thought of having these things in his house sent shivers down his spine.

The further he read, the paler Natsume's face became.

"200,000 Pokémon Coins for Black Sludge, 2 million Pokémon Coins for Toxic Orb…"

"Is this move training or just burning money?!" Natsume cried out.

He glanced at Gastly.

Its eyes were shining like a child who had just discovered a new toy, its crimson tongue already twitching with excitement.

"You can't lick this stuff, you know," Natsume said with a complicated expression.

"What if it's toxic… oh wait, you're a Poison-type. Never mind!"

But no matter what, letting Gastly train with Toxic on its own was practically suicidal.

This wasn't a game. In real life, Poison-type Trainers were almost always in mortal danger!

Last time, while training Will-O-Wisp, they almost burned the house down.

This time, training Toxic… Natsume didn't even want to imagine it!

Natsume stared at the priceless but dangerously ominous 'Toxic' manuscript on the table, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

"I really don't want this thing…"