Seeing Gengar's location pinned at the Saffron Gym, Natsume rushed out in a panic to intervene.
Given Sabrina's strength, if Gengar faced her without a Trainer present, it could end up seriously injured.
The fact that it had gone off to challenge a Gym again would have to wait.
Right now, the safety of his little troublemaker came first!
Opening the chat group, Natsume sent Sabrina a private message—but she didn't seem to receive it.
Left with no choice, Natsume hailed a taxi and hurried to the Saffron Gym.
"Kid, no need to rush that hard for a Gym challenge!" the driver joked.
"It's not me. My Pokémon decided to take on the Gym by itself."
"…Huh?"
Thankfully, he made it in time.
Leaning against the doorway, Natsume took in the strange atmosphere inside the Gym.
Wait… had Gengar already cleared the place?
"Gengar!" Spotting Natsume, Gengar happily lunged for a Lick attack.
"Growlithe~!" Growlithe leaped next, aiming for a friendly Body Slam.
Faced with two evils, Natsume dodged sideways—only to get hit by the Lick instead, shuddering as paralysis set in.
…Huh?
Weird. After so many shocks, his body seemed to be building resistance!
"So he's the one who trained that Gengar?"
The apprentices' eyes locked onto the handsome Trainer.
"That's already Elite Four-level strength…" one muttered in awe.
"With Leader Sabrina here today, there's no way he's getting a badge easily!"
They turned hopeful gazes toward Sabrina—
Only to see her tuck a strand of black hair behind her ear and nod at Natsume.
"It's you."
…What?!
The students' heads swiveled between the two.
The students' heads swiveled between the two.
Sabrina, the superstar Gym Leader, knew this guy?!
Natsume coughed lightly. "Yeah, just found out this troublemaker snuck out."
"It's fine."
A rare smile tugged at Sabrina's lips as she turned, her hair swaying.
"Come to the back with me."
"Come to the back"?!
Do what?!
The apprentices gaped before glaring daggers at Natsume's retreating figure.
Damn it! Was it just because he was slightly better-looking?!
"Since when is the Leader this close with a guy?!"
"Wait, did Sabrina just smile at me too?!"
"…Overrated."
...
Inside the Leader's room, the hat-wearing uncle shot to his feet. "And this is…?"
"Leave us. We have things to discuss," Sabrina said flatly.
"Oh! Right away!"
The uncle grinned, practically teleporting past Natsume—even giving him an enthusiastic shoulder pat on the way out.
A miracle! Sabrina brought a man home!
Gotta give them privacy!
An awkward silence settled as Natsume and Sabrina sat across from each other.
A teapot hovered midair, pouring tea via psychic energy.
"Your father seems… mistaken about something," Natsume remarked, eyeing the floating pot.
"He's just desperate for grandchildren," Sabrina deadpanned.
"???"
"Joking."
Having delivered her punchline with zero humor, Sabrina's dark eyes fixed on Natsume.
"So. Why are you really at the Saffron Gym?"
"It can't just be for a badge."
Through the chat group, Sabrina knew Natsume was now a high-ranking Team Rocket executive—
Even that the so-called "Mentor" Matori spoke of was him.
The architect of the Rainbow Initiative showing up at an ex-Executive's doorstep? No way it was a coincidence.
And he just happened to come when I'm here.
Sabrina's lips curled coldly.
Team Rocket's finally trying to reel us remnants back in, huh?
"Actually," Natsume said, "I'm just here to pick up Gengar."
"Cough—!"
Sabrina choked back her prepared refusal.
All that suspicion… for this?
"Then," she said slowly, "what was Gengar here for?"
"You'd have to ask it yourself."
Natsume was just as lost.
If Gengar wanted to challenge the Gym, it wouldn't have stopped halfway.
But randomly beating up Trainers also seemed… excessive.
Don't tell me it really just came to grind levels?!
"Gengar!"
Digging into its bottomless stomach, Gengar slapped a crumpled flyer onto the table.
Sabrina and Natsume leaned in to read:
"Psychic Training Program – Coach Wanted?!" they shouted in unison.
Even the ice-cold Sabrina's composure cracked for a second.
You came all this way… to apply for a job?!
This has nothing to do with Team Rocket or your Rainbow Initiative?!
"That's my hiring notice!"
The uncle's voice yelled through the door.
"Thought you could use more help around the Gym, Sabrina!"
"Go. Away."
THUD.
A Confusion-powered headbutt dropped the eavesdropping uncle instantly.
…My daughter's finally taking the Gym seriously! he thought blissfully before passing out.
Back inside, silence resumed.
"We are short-staffed," Sabrina admitted after a pause. "I'll consider it."
Natsume, meanwhile, looked utterly baffled.
Gengar… as a Coach?
Why did this feel familiar?
At this rate, in a few months, Gengar would be the Saffron Gym Leader!
"Gengar!（`▽`)"
Gengar pumped its fists excitedly.
A salary means I can help with expenses! Trainer won't have to worry!
"The pay won't be high," Sabrina said, "but I have some psychic technique manuscripts."
"If there's anything else you want to learn, I'll teach you myself."
She'd sensed it earlier—the mastery of the "Psychic" move she'd given Natsume radiating from Gengar.
Say what you would about him, but Natsume did know how to train Psychic-types.
Still, Sabrina's expertise lay in spatial moves.
Teaching Gengar "Trick" and other space-warping techniques would be fair compensation, she decided.
"That's really not necessary!" Natsume said hastily.
"I see."
Sabrina's smirk returned. "At your level, my techniques would seem beneath you."
"It's not that—" Natsume's eye twitched.
How do I explain I'm worried about property damage—or bankruptcy?!
After a long stare, Sabrina spoke again.
"I'll allow Gengar to work here as a Coach."
"But first… we battle."
To raise a Gengar this powerful in just half a year?
It made her wonder just how strong Natsume was.
And when she looked at him… she almost saw that man in the suit again.
Maybe, as Matori claimed, Natsume could redefine Team Rocket's future.
Natsume blinked.
Battle Sabrina?!
Gengar, let's go home. We don't need that paycheck!
"Gengar!" Gengar tugged his sleeve, eyes blazing.
Even against overwhelming odds—I'll fight for you!
Natsume gave it a weird look.
You're that determined to become a Gym Leader?!
"Fine," he sighed after a pause. "We lose, no hard feelings?"
"Just a friendly match," Sabrina confirmed.
"Then make it quick!"
"Gengar! ψ(｀∇´)ψ"
Watching their bond, Sabrina allowed a small smile.
Having Pokémon like this… was a blessing.
Fate had decreed this battle unavoidable.
Perhaps the outcome was already decided.
But still—
Her eyes glowed blue as Poké Balls levitated beside her.
Show me the might of Team Rocket's "Strategist."
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