Principal Hiroshi's concern left Natsu feeling rather conflicted.
But after all, it was Principal Hiroshi's kind intentions.
According to Principal Hiroshi, he had already recomnded Natsu to that Dark-type master.
Even if Natsu wanted to refuse, he should at least pay a visit to show proper respect.
September 23rd, Wednesday
At the break of dawn, Natsu 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…" Natsu muttered, glancing at the tree trunk.
In the real world, Natsu wasn't exactly fond of Bug-type Pokémon.
Of course, exceptions could be made for Golisopod and Heracross.
Aesthetics mattered, after all.
The Gym Natsu 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."
Natsu's unease grew as he glanced at Haunter, who was visibly excited.
Learning a new move? No way.
What if Haunter actually mastered so ultimate move and ended up blowing up the house?
"After paying my respects, I'll just politely decline," Natsu thought.
As they reached the halfway point of the mountain, the view opened up.
A stone mansion stood prominently.
Natsu entered the sowhat desolate Gym and looked around.
"Are you the Trainer recomnded by Principal Hiroshi?" A voice echoed before its owner appeared.
Natsu was slightly startled but replied respectfully, "Senior, to be honest…"
After hearing Natsu's explanation, the man pondered for a mont. "eting is fate. Even if you don't intend to beco a disciple, I should still show you a move or two so your trip isn't wasted."
Natsu'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 so kind of light-footed technique.
A figure soared through the air, accompanied by the faint cry of an eagle.
Natsu was slightly shocked, his eyes following the man, his mouth agape.
This guy is a true master!
Thud!
The next mont.
The black-robed master knelt down in front of Natsu with a loud thump.
Natsu: ???
"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 so conversation.
Upon hearing about the secret technique move, Natsu 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—
Natsu was quite interested in this move.
"You should've said so earlier," Natsu 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!!
Natsu 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 sothing to fill my stomach…"
Natsu 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, Natsu decided to give it a try.
Two hours later.
Natsu stared at the Taunt move now listed in Haunter's move set, montarily speechless.
Holy crap, it actually learned it?!
"Holy crap, it actually learned it?!" The black-robed man exclaid 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!"
Natsu'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.
Co at !!
Instantly, countless birds scattered from the trees.
…
After bidding farewell to the senior, Natsu flipped through the Taunt manual he had bought for 2000 Pokémon Coins.
He couldn't shake the feeling that he had been scamd.
But the Taunt move in Haunter's move set didn't seem fake.
"Could it be… that he really was a master?" Natsu muttered.
"Haunter!" Haunter nodded in agreent.
"Whatever…" Natsu 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.
Natsu 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 Priape perched in a tree.
A vein popped on Priape'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, Priape was sent flying several ters away.
Natsu gulped.
"My Haunter… is it really an Attack stat specialist?!"
…
By noon, Haunter had mastered Taunt.
Natsu's expression was complicated.
Once again, he felt the illusion that he was useless.
But the ever-resilient Natsu-sensei quickly regained his confidence and nodded.
"As expected of a training genius, Natsu-sensei!"
Natsu patted his own shoulder.
Returning ho.
Sylveon was still asleep.
Growlithe, surprisingly, hadn't destroyed the house and was quietly lying in its doghouse, lost in thought.
Natsu was deeply moved and personally prepared lunch for the little ones.
After a peaceful lunch.
Natsu lay on the couch, scrolling through Nico Dou.
The heat surrounding Uchiage Hanabi seed to have spread to other regions.
The comnts section was filled with all sorts of talent.
"You have ti to make music? When's the new strategy update coming?!"
"Just a passerby, but this content creator is so handso!"
"Is this what a jack-of-all-trades content creator looks like? I'm in love."
At the sa ti.
As Uchiage Hanabi claid the top spot in the Music category.
Natsu'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.]
Natsu was slightly stunned.
"I had this task?"
The System's presence was so faint that Natsu-sensei had almost forgotten about it.
But the skill bonuses were indeed useful.
Hmm… don't beco the System's tool, but use the System as a tool.
That's just how Natsu-sensei rolls.
[???]
Opening the purple item, Natsu 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, Natsu-sensei? Never mind then.)
As for the random skill, it seed to be language-related, leaving Natsu sowhat puzzled.
Natsu scratched his head.
"Ancient language? What's that supposed to be?"
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