Natsume anig right now.

  He was absolutely panig.

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

  [Red: M.]

  [Natsume: …Red, sir, just say what you o 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 approag, the pressure of his coursework had suddenly increased, f 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 f 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 Kantion, Koga had climbed his way to the Johto Elite Four after three years orous training, relying on his uable Poison-type Pokémon.

  This was definitely not someoo mess with!

  [Natsume: Red, sir, you keep it. There’s really o 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 ter watched Natsume’s gamepy video.

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

  But Koga had taken a different approach, using sheer o make up for the shortings of the ‘Minimize Team.’

  Even Red had to admit.

  In a wild battle, ambushing someoh hundreds of Minimized Pokémon could even put ae 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 anization were scattered across the regions.

  Maintaining regional stability and apprehending these remnants art of the Champion ae Four’s duties.

  Meanwhile, Natsume was having a full-blown crisis.

  I inspired ae Four member?

  I’m not even a certified Trainer, and I’m out here teag 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 level!

  “This is why battling strong oppos is so exg!”

  Red ched his fist, a fiery glint fshing in his dark eyes.

  If Natsume khat Red sidered him a worthy oppo, he’d probably pack up and leave town ht.

  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 ooxic’ 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 owh warrant?”

  The ‘Toxic’ manuscript from Poison-type Elite Four member Koga was undoubtedly a top-tier Teical Mae, worth at least a million Pokémon s.

  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 sendieical Maes?”

  “If you don’t want them, give them to someone who hem!”

  Despite his pints, Natsume still gave Red his taformation.

  After all, a ‘Toxic’ manuscript worth millions of Pokémon s 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 o and Natsume’s doorstep, drawing gasps from onlookers.

  “Wow, a Dragohis is incredible!”

  Uhe watchful eyes of the crowd, Natsume stepped forward and took the scroll fronite’s chubby little cws.

  He discreetly slipped Dragonite a couple of Pokéblocks.

  Dragonite g 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, wing in pain. “Being a Trainer is way too dangerous!”

  After repeatedly firming with Red that it was safe, Natsume returo his room, unrolled the beautifully patterned scroll, and spread it out oable.

  Ueical Maes that recorded moves, this handwritten manuscript required both the Trainer and Pokémon to have a deep uanding.

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

  But Natsume wasn’t worried about Gastly’s prehension.

  What he was worried about was his own safety.

  “Gligar’s tail stinger, Beedrill’s venom, Drapion’s gnds…”

  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 s for Bck Sludge, 2 million Pokémon s for Toxic Orb…”

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

  He g Gastly.

  Its eyes were shining like a child who had just discovered a oy, its crimson tongue already twitg with excitement.

  “You ’t lick this stuff, you know,” Natsume said with a plicated expression.

  “What if it’s toxic… oh wait, you’re a Poison-type. Never mind!”

  But no matter what, letting Gastly train with Toxi its oractically 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 burhe house down.

  This time, training Toxiatsume didn’t even want to imagi!

  Natsume stared at the priceless but dangerously ominous ‘Toxic’ manuscript oable, wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.

  “I really don’t want this thing…”