Natsume had specifically checked the tour schedule online.

  The group stage would likely st for three rounds.

  The petition schedule spanned nearly a month, g with Natsume's final exam week.

  Natsume pohat if Gastly lost this match, he could focus on studying for his exams.

  He never expected this.

  They had already made it through the group stage, and they actually won?!

  This year's Battle Department freshmen weren't pulling their weight!

  But since Gastly had successfully advanced, Natsume sidered taking and in the round.

  First, with him on the se, he could ensure Gastly wouldn't sustain serious injuries.

  Sed, if the oppourned out to be really strong, they could just surrender and be doh it.

  Natsume wasn't particurly ied in winning the championship.

  His main goal was simply to ensure Gastly didn't have as.

  Having decided to participate, Natsume po gather some intel on his oppo's strengths.

  He called Yuuichi, who was actively participating in the petition, and the two agreed to meet at the Starbuear campus.

  The summer heat was intense.

  Everywhere you looked, there were vibrant young girls and Wild Pokémon bustling about the city.

  Humans and Pokémoing harmoniously—the life depicted iive Pikachu's Ryme City was now a tangible reality.

  Just look at that Poké Ball hanging ohigh, so white!

  "Wele!"

  As they stepped into Starbucks, a cool breeze greeted them.

  "I'll take a medium tte."

  "Sorry, sir, this is a rge, and this is ara-rge."

  "...I want the one in the middle of these three cups."

  As soon as Yuuichi walked into Starbucks, he saw Natsume with a look of utter despair.

  Yuuichi was excited. "Natsume, Gastly actually won that match!"

  Natsume wore a pained expression. "I know."

  "That Vigoroth had pced in the Kansai Uy tour!"

  "But against Gastly's Substitute, it was all for nothing!" Yuuichi excimed.

  "You're amazing, Natsume! I didn't know you had that up your sleeve!"

  Natsume silently sipped his coffee.

  He couldly say this was the result of Gastly's one-night training session, could he?

  No way, that would be too demoralizing!

  Clearing his throat, Natsume asked Yuuichi about the tour schedule.

  "You're pnning to pete in the round?" Yuuichi's eyes widened.

  Natsume nodded. "Let's aim food pt."

  Natsume's best-case sario was making it to the top 16.

  That way, he could still make it in time for his exam review week.

  Yuuichi rubbed his hands together. "This is the first round of the group stage. Win two more, and you'll advance."

  "If you get lucky with a bye, you could ght to the top 16!"

  "When's your match?"

  Yuuichi grumbled, "I just lost this m!"

  "Pfft."

  "...What are you ughing at?"

  "The coffee's too hot."

  Natsume coughed loudly. "Any tough oppos in the advanced rounds?"

  "Yeah," Yuuiodded.

  "The top seed, Kazuki, is a freshman in Osaka Uy's Battle Department. He made the school team in his first year!"

  "Impressive, making the school team as a freshman!"

  "Then there's Ryosuke from Tokyo Yokohama National Uy. Even the Electric-type Gym Leader praised his Magon!"

  "Wow, that sounds pretty strong too."

  "And there's Sakurako from our school, from a Fairy-type family. She's the undisputed goddess of the Pokémon Academy!"

  "Nice!" Natsume cpped in admiration.

  "Natsume."

  Yuuichi looked at him with a plicated expression. "The oppos are s, but you don't seem the least bit worried..."

  "Do I?" Natsume turned away. "Look, I'm shaking right now."

  "You're clearly holding back a ugh!"

  Natsume coughed lightly.

  Battling strong oppos would not only train Gastly but also ensure s even if they lost.

  Natsume could then focus on his studies and career.

  It was a win-win situation!

  A Fairy-type family? That sounded impressive.

  And then there was the "Trainer praised by the Gym Leader" and the "freshman who made the school team."

  With these big shots around, there's no way they could win, right?

  Sure, Will-O-Wisp ters Magon, and Poison-types ter Fairy-types.

  But the differen strength was still there.

  Losing to these big shots would be pletely reasonable!

  "Gastly," Natsume called out Gastly from its Poké Ball.

  "Gastly?"

  "Let's give it our all round and leave s!"

  "Gastly~! (?ω?)"

  Johtion, Mt. Silver.

  A b of white mist enveloped the mountain range.

  Aside from natural hot springs and rare pnts, Mt. Silver was also home to powerful Wild Pokémon, making it a uraining ground.

  Through the thick fog, an imposing Charizard emerged.

  On its back was a bck-haired young man in a red vest, his cap pulled low, revealiermined eyes.

  Landing by the ke at the summit of Mt. Silver, Red patted Charizard.

  The fearsome Charizard spread its wings and vanished into the mist.

  "Why did you call me here all of a sudden?"

  The rustling of leaves echoed.

  A middle-aged man in ninja attire, wearing a mask, hung upside down from a tree branch. "Your observation skills are as sharp as ever."

  Red sighed. "Well, I've been ambushed on Mt. Silver enough times."

  This man was her than Koga, one of Johto's Elite Four, the Poison-type master!

  Koga leaped down and got straight to the point. "I need you to help me repay a favor."

  Red was surprised. "Even you owe favors now?"

  Koga was silent for a long moment before speaking slowly. "Retly, I made a new breakthrough in the Poison-type field."

  "What?"

  "Look at your feet."

  Red looked down a a chill.

  Surrounding his ankles were tless Minimized Muk, their eyes glowing green!

  These Muk were ner than ants, yet they swarmed together like venom.

  The area was covered in filthy sludge—it was hard to imagine how many Minimized Muk were here!

  "Venusaur."

  In an instant, Red released Venusaur and leaped onto its back, anding, "Vine Whip!"

  Two vines shot out like lightning, ing around Koga's neck with a snap.

  From releasing Venusaur to restraining Koga, it took less than three seds!

  Koga raised his hands in surrender. "I mean no harm."

  "I was just testing if the Champion could see through this rategy," Koga said with a slight smirk. "Seems it was quite successful."

  Red coldly replied, "And this is your so-called rategy?"

  "Yes," Koga nodded.

  "I figured if I could ambush someoh hundreds of Minimized Muk, even ae Four member would struggle to escape."

  Red gnced around at the dispersing Muk, feeling a shiver run down his spine.

  "I got the idea from a Trainer named Natsume... was that his name?"

  Koga muttered, "The whole Minimize tactic is pretty dirty, don't you think?"

  "Anyway... I was inspired by him."

  "I know you know him. My daughter watches his livestreams all the time and says even you're one of his followers..." Koga suddenly rambled.

  "She's all grown up now, but she's still single, just staying at home all day."

  "Sure, she's cute and has a strong personality, which helps me a lot..."

  "But she 't stay home forever! A daughter should get married someday!"

  As he spoke, Koga wiped a tear from his eye, clearly emotional.

  Red awkwardly coughed, signaling Koga to get ba track.

  "Anyway..."

  Koga cleared his throat. "I want you to do something for me."

  "This is no way to ask for a favor!"

  Koga removed his mask and grinned. "How about... I introduce you to my daughter?"

  So that's your real goal!

  Red sighed. "What exactly do you wao do?"

  "I know he retly caught a Gastly... and while it may sound like bragging, this 'Toxiowledge is my life's work."

  Koga tossed a scroll to Red, which Venusaur caught deftly with its vines.

  "I hope you deliver this to him." Koga bowed solemnly to Red. "I would be eternally grateful!"