Principal Hiroshi's concern left Natsume feeling rather conflicted.
But after all, it was Principal Hiroshi's kind intentions.
According to Principal Hiroshi, he had already recommended Natsume to that Dark-type master.
Even if Natsume wanted to refuse, he should at least pay a visit to show proper respect.
September 23rd, Wednesday
At the break of dawn, Natsume put on a light jacket and set off with Haunter to the address provided by the principal.
The location was in the mountains on the outskirts of Tokyo.
A light rain had just fallen, and the forest was filled with the scent of damp earth.
Haunter, wearing a large straw hat, held a stick and rustled through the fallen leaves.
"Such a huge Caterpie… that's really scary…" Natsume muttered, glancing at the tree trunk.
In the real world, Natsume wasn't exactly fond of Bug-type Pokémon.
Of course, exceptions could be made for Golisopod and Heracross.
Aesthetics mattered, after all.
The Gym Natsume was heading to was located halfway up the mountain.
"Anyone who can run a Gym in the middle of nowhere like this definitely isn't an ordinary person."
Natsume's unease grew as he glanced at Haunter, who was visibly excited.
Learning a new move? No way.
What if Haunter actually mastered some ultimate move and ended up blowing up the house?
"After paying my respects, I'll just politely decline," Natsume thought.
As they reached the halfway point of the mountain, the view opened up.
A stone mansion stood prominently.
Natsume entered the somewhat desolate Gym and looked around.
"Are you the Trainer recommended by Principal Hiroshi?" A voice echoed before its owner appeared.
Natsume was slightly startled but replied respectfully, "Senior, to be honest…"
After hearing Natsume's explanation, the man pondered for a moment. "Meeting is fate. Even if you don't intend to become a disciple, I should still show you a move or two so your trip isn't wasted."
Natsume's expression changed slightly.
That's really not necessary!
With Haunter's talent, it might just learn the move after seeing it once!
Whoosh!
Like a fleeting shadow, as if using some kind of light-footed technique.
A figure soared through the air, accompanied by the faint cry of an eagle.
Natsume was slightly shocked, his eyes following the man, his mouth agape.
This guy is a true master!
Thud!
The next moment.
The black-robed master knelt down in front of Natsume with a loud thump.
Natsume: ???
"An accident," the black-robed man said calmly, still on his knees.
The situation fell into an awkward silence.
"Go ahead and laugh if you want," the man said indifferently.
"Pfft—"
After some conversation.
Upon hearing about the secret technique move, Natsume finally relaxed.
The so-called Dark-type Gym actually specialized in the move Taunt.
Taunt: Forces the target into a taunted state, preventing them from using status moves.
Since it was a status move, the risk of house destruction was minimal, and it could also improve Haunter's self-defense capabilities—
Natsume was quite interested in this move.
"You should've said so earlier," Natsume said with a chuckle. "I would've brought you a gift!"
The black-robed man stood with his hands behind his back, speaking calmly. "Taunt is the secret martial art of our school. Besides taunting the opponent…"
"There's also a chance it can cause a sudden brain hemorrhage, stroke, or blood clot…"
Your style is way too bizarre!!
Natsume coughed forcefully. "Senior… let's just get on with it. I'm in a hurry."
"No rush… first, pay the tuition fee."
The black-robed man relaxed, his face pale, trembling as he spoke. "Do you… have any buns? Bread will do… just something to fill my stomach…"
Natsume was slightly stunned…
The tuition fee was 2000 Pokémon Coins, and Taunt was guaranteed to be taught. It was a real bargain.
But it gave off serious con artist vibes.
Feeling conflicted, Natsume decided to give it a try.
Two hours later.
Natsume stared at the Taunt move now listed in Haunter's move set, momentarily speechless.
Holy crap, it actually learned it?!
"Holy crap, it actually learned it?!" The black-robed man exclaimed in equal shock.
Why are you more surprised than I am?!
"Ahem… not bad. I could tell this Haunter had extraordinary potential from the start."
The black-robed man coughed dryly. "To carry on this move and bring glory to our school's secret art—it's well-deserved!"
Natsume's expression turned strange as he watched Haunter practicing the move.
Haunter extended its right fist, palm facing up, and took a deep breath.
Then, with a smug grin, it curled its finger in a taunting gesture.
"Haunter!!" Haunter shouted.
Come at me!!
Instantly, countless birds scattered from the trees.
…
After bidding farewell to the senior, Natsume flipped through the Taunt manual he had bought for 2000 Pokémon Coins.
He couldn't shake the feeling that he had been scammed.
But the Taunt move in Haunter's move set didn't seem fake.
"Could it be… that he really was a master?" Natsume muttered.
"Haunter!" Haunter nodded in agreement.
"Whatever…" Natsume coughed dryly.
"It's still an unexpected gain."
In practical use, Taunt wasn't just about restricting the opponent's status moves.
Specialists in this move could even use it to draw aggro from enemies.
To put it in Hearthstone terms: "You must attack the minion with Taunt."
"Taunt" is as noble a label as "Beast"!
Moreover.
Once Haunter mastered it, it could potentially teach the move to other Pokémon.
Natsume nodded in satisfaction, then glanced at Haunter and was slightly stunned.
"Haunter!"
Haunter was floating in the air, grinning smugly as it curled its finger at a Primeape perched in a tree.
A vein popped on Primeape's forehead as it angrily unleashed a flurry of punches.
Haunter had been waiting for this.
It countered with Shadow Punch, and the two began an intense brawl.
"Haunter! (σДσ)=3??????????????????"
Even though their moves were mutually ineffective, Primeape was sent flying several meters away.
Natsume gulped.
"My Haunter… is it really an Attack stat specialist?!"
…
By noon, Haunter had mastered Taunt.
Natsume's expression was complicated.
Once again, he felt the illusion that he was useless.
But the ever-resilient Natsume-sensei quickly regained his confidence and nodded.
"As expected of a training genius, Natsume-sensei!"
Natsume patted his own shoulder.
Returning home.
Sylveon was still asleep.
Growlithe, surprisingly, hadn't destroyed the house and was quietly lying in its doghouse, lost in thought.
Natsume was deeply moved and personally prepared lunch for the little ones.
After a peaceful lunch.
Natsume lay on the couch, scrolling through Nico Dou.
The heat surrounding Uchiage Hanabi seemed to have spread to other regions.
The comments section was filled with all sorts of talent.
"You have time to make music? When's the new strategy update coming?!"
"Just a passerby, but this content creator is so handsome!"
"Is this what a jack-of-all-trades content creator looks like? I'm in love."
At the same time.
As Uchiage Hanabi claimed the top spot in the Music category.
Natsume's long-dormant System finally notified him of a completed task.
[Task: I'm Not a Jack-of-All-Trades Content Creator
Objective: Reach the top of any category's video rankings (excluding Gaming)
Reward: Random Skill Lv3, Random Purple Item *1
Note: This task can be repeated.]
Natsume was slightly stunned.
"I had this task?"
The System's presence was so faint that Natsume-sensei had almost forgotten about it.
But the skill bonuses were indeed useful.
Hmm… don't become the System's tool, but use the System as a tool.
That's just how Natsume-sensei rolls.
[???]
Opening the purple item, Natsume found an ordinary Water Gem, which he could give to Squirtle to use for water changes.
(Who uses a Water Gem for water changes? Oh, Natsume-sensei? Never mind then.)
As for the random skill, it seemed to be language-related, leaving Natsume somewhat puzzled.
Natsume scratched his head.
"Ancient language? What's that supposed to be?"
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