Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit Chapter 192 - 0192: Haunter's Evolution

Novel: Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit Author: NovelExplorer Updated: Jun 05, 2026

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Now reading: Chapter 192 - 0192: Haunter's Evolution from Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit, a Action novel by NovelExplorer.

"Anyway, let's head to Bill's Research Institute first," Natsu said.

The red-haired youth in black nodded silently and followed Natsu without a word.

According to prior research, the alley led directly to Goldenrod City's underground tunnels, which would take them to Bill's Research Institute.

eting here was also Silver's way of avoiding detection by the International Police and Team Rocket.

"You go first."

Standing at the entrance to the underground tunnel, Silver spoke coldly.

The red-haired youth was extrely cautious.

Moreover.

Silver narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Natsu.

He couldn't get a read on this man.

He seed weak at first glance.

But according to the intel, he had defeated strong opponents like Lance and Cynthia.

Even Gold... seed to have lost to him in a wild battle.

This extre sense of dissonance made Silver even more wary.

"No problem."

Natsu smiled and confidently stepped forward, leaving his back exposed to Silver.

Natsu was familiar with Silver's personality.

Though he was quiet, expressionless, a tsundere, and a siscon...

When it ca to fulfilling requests from others, he would spare no effort.

Natsu had been recomnded by Green, Gold, Lance, and others... so there was no need to worry.

The man's quick agreent surprised Silver.

"Confident, huh..." Silver muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets as he followed Natsu.

...

Goldenrod City's underground tunnels were a sprawling network, an essential part of the city's infrastructure.

Additionally, Goldenrod City's iconic landmark was the maglev train connecting Johto and Kanto.

Natsu had no intention of sightseeing and led Silver to the address Bill had provided.

"Haunter!" Along the way, Haunter floated ahead, scanning left and right with an air of confidence.

Watching Haunter's back, Natsu sighed with emotion. "It's ti to evolve..."

It had only been four months since Haunter evolved from Gastly.

But as Haunter's strength grew, suppressing its evolution wasn't a good idea.

Though Natsu was worried about his precarious house and wallet...

Compared to his Pokémon, these were trivial matters!

Natsu nodded, steeling his resolve.

At the sa ti, Silver stopped and said, "We're here."

Exiting the underground tunnel, they saw a modest house not far away.

Bill's residence.

"Professor Bill! It's Natsu, here to visit!" Natsu pressed the doorbell and called into the intercom.

"The door's open, co on in!" Bill's voice replied.

With a click, the door unlocked.

Natsu carefully pushed it open.

The interior was dimly lit, filled with cluttered books and docunts, dust floating in the air.

Various instrunts were scattered around.

It looked more like a makeshift research institute than a ho.

Entering the living room.

Both Natsu and Silver paused.

A life-sized Kabuto stood out, its crimson compound eyes flickering with red light...

Silver frowned and instinctively reached for a Poké Ball.

At that mont, the "Kabuto" hurriedly removed its helt and shouted, "It's , Bill!"

Even the usually expressionless Silver was taken aback.

Natsu's expression turned odd, and he coughed. "Cosplaying as Kabuto... What kind of strange hobby is this?"

"Hehe," Bill scratched his sweaty, curly hair and smiled sheepishly. "I wanted to experience what it's like to be a Pokémon... It's part of my research thod!"

This isn't a research thod, it's just a weird hobby!

That said, at least this ti there was no body-swapping with a Rattata.

After all, in both the gas and the manga, Bill had a history of swapping bodies with Pokémon...

"Ahem," Natsu coughed awkwardly. "Professor... The reason I'm here..."

"Just call Bill!" Bill interrupted with a smile. "I've already prepared the communication device. Follow !"

They entered a small room where a communication device stood in the center.

The machine was connected by pipes, with two trays on either side, each designed to hold a Poké Ball.

While a Pokédex could also facilitate trades, that required a special model made by Professor Samuel Oak.

These "special edition Pokédexes" were only given to exceptional individuals, with fewer than a hundred ever distributed.

Unlike the common Pokédexes seen in the ani, these "special editions" were a symbol of status...

"Trade evolution simulates the special magnetic fields found in the wild," Bill explained. "That's why you can find wild Gengar and Alakazam."

"You probably already know the specific steps, right?" Bill glanced at the two.

Silver, of course, didn't need an explanation. His ability, "Link Trade," was so advanced that he had even helped Gold with his evolutions.

On the other hand, Natsu-sensei felt a bit conflicted.

But Haunter gave a thumbs-up.

"Haunter! (Leave it to !)"

Bill bent over the control panel and started the machine.

Natsu looked at Haunter and asked seriously, "Are you sure about this?"

"Evolving into Gengar is irreversible..."

"And you might face more hardships, stronger opponents, and even greater risks of injury..."

As he spoke, Natsu's expression grew more serious.

With great power cos great responsibility, and with that, greater risks.

Natsu wanted his Pokémon to live happily every day, even if they didn't battle.

But at the sa ti, Natsu respected his Pokémon's wishes.

If Haunter chose to evolve.

Then all Natsu could do was work even harder to earn money...

After all.

The bond between Pokémon and Trainer is mutual.

This bond is forged through daily interactions, constant companionship, and the passage of ti.

And this bond is the most important aspect of the relationship between humans and Pokémon.

Seemingly sensing Natsu's thoughts.

Haunter's expression also turned serious.

Facing more hardships... stronger opponents... This was the inevitable path to becoming a legendary Trainer.

The Trainer's goal was as clear as ever.

And I won't waver in the slightest.

Because all I can do is help my Trainer grow stronger...

Don't worry.

I'll definitely help you achieve your dreams!

"Haunter!" Haunter's eyes sparkled as it nodded vigorously.

"Th-That's so touching!" Bill wiped away tears, sniffling. "eting Pokémon is truly the best!"

Silver's expression turned strange.

It's just an evolution... Why is he crying like this...

But then, as if rembering sothing, Silver frowned.

Though emotions might seem intangible, in the Pokémon world, they were a very real energy.

From catching Totodile, which started with Frustration (a move that deals more damage the lower the friendship).

To evolving into Feraligatr, which culminated in Return.

Silver, influenced by Gold, had gradually co to understand the bond between humans and Pokémon.

And now, in Natsu, Silver saw traces of many seniors...

The red-clad man standing atop Mt. Silver, the Garchomp soaring through the sky, the silver tagross...

Silver shook his head, his eyes filled with newfound respect, and said solemnly, "Leave it to ."

Natsu nodded.

He recalled Haunter and exchanged Poké Balls with Silver.

Through Silver's Poké Ball, Natsu could see the silhouette of a Red Gyarados.

Like Lance's Red Gyarados, this was a special Gyarados Silver had caught at the Lake of Rage.

Due to the Thunder Wave interference, the red coloration from its Magikarp days had remained... Strictly speaking, it was different from ordinary Shiny Pokémon.

(Note: Lance catching the Red Gyarados is from the ani; Silver's is from the manga.)

Placing the Poké Balls on the communication device, the pipes sucked them in.

The LCD screen displayed the words "Communicating..."

A special magnetic field surged, and a cold black mist enveloped the lab.

"This is normal," Bill said. "But the energy Haunter has accumulated... is truly impressive."

When you're eating Master-level Pokéblocks like candy...

It's no wonder it's accumulated so much energy!

Fortunately, the anomaly only lasted a mont. The machine stopped, and the trays holding the Poké Balls slowly descended.

"Release Haunter," Silver said with a nod. "It's about to evolve."

Though not as knowledgeable as Haunter, Natsu had read the Trade Evolution Manual several tis.

The current situation was within Natsu's expectations.

Natsu nodded.