Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit Chapter 34 - 034: Poison Gem

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

Font Size

18px

Now reading: Chapter 34 - 034: Poison Gem from Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit, a Action novel by NovelExplorer.

"Holy crap, Brother Natsu, you're insane!" Kazuya shouted.

Yuuichi swallowed hard, barely able to believe what he was seeing.

Did Brother Natsu really just make it to the quarterfinals?

The Piplup Cup might be a beginner-level tournant, but it's still an officially recognized city-level event by the Association!

Since its inception, no non-specialized contestant had ever made it to the top eight.

And now, Natsu had actually pulled off this incredible feat!?

Thinking about this, Yuuichi, who aspired to beco a Trainer, couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.

But when he saw the Gastly that was so close to Natsu, Yuuichi shook his head.

Brother Natsu must have put in a lot of effort, the kind that others don't see.

Instead of being jealous, it's better to focus on improving myself.

"Brother Natsu, you're insane!" Yuuichi and Kazuya cheered together.

The arena was buzzing with noise.

A non-specialized Natsu had actually made it to the quarterfinals of the Piplup Cup?

Just who is this Natsu guy?

Kazuki, who had also advanced to the quarterfinals, watched the entire match from the audience stands and couldn't help but feel impressed.

"From the preliminary rounds, the growth speed of this Gastly has been insane," Kazuki muttered. "As expected of Natsu-sensei. Even training Pokémon is like following a perfect manuscript."

At the sidelines, reporters who had been waiting eagerly rushed forward.

"As a student from the Finance Departnt, how do you feel about making it to the quarterfinals?"

"Classmate Natsu, could you share your manuscript for breeding Gastly?"

Hearing the reporters' questions, Natsu pondered for a mont before answering seriously.

"It's all about love."

The reporters were stunned for a second, then quickly lowered their heads to jot down notes in their notebooks.

anwhile, Natsu waved to his two roommates in the audience stands and headed toward the contestant passage.

Inside the contestant passage.

"Bro, you're insane! You actually won!" Kazuya was still in shock.

"It's not a big deal."

Natsu sighed, thinking about having to wake up early again next weekend.

"It's all thanks to Gastly's exceptional performance today!"

"Gastly!"

Gastly floated above Natsu's head, nodding proudly.

"You're also the first non-Pokémon studies contestant to make it to the Piplup Cup quarterfinals!"

Yuuichi swallowed hard.

"Our class group chat is blowing up right now!"

Natsu opened his phone, and the screen was flooded with 99 ssages. Even his academic advisor and teachers had sent him ssages.

[Academic Advisor: Holy crap, you're amazing!]

[Teacher Shota from the Student Affairs Office: Rember to bring a copy of the Certificate of Honor next week. You'll need it for the scholarship application.]

[Professor Kenta from the Economics Departnt: Congratulations, Natsu. (smiling emoji)]

...

Natsu had always been on good terms with his teachers, so he replied to each of them before opening the class group chat.

"Brother Natsu made it to the Piplup Cup quarterfinals!"

"No way, seriously? Brother Natsu, you're insane!"

"I knew Natsu's prediction would win!"

Natsu was a bit puzzled.

Is making it to the quarterfinals of a beginner-level tournant really that exciting?

But then again, it's probably like a non-professional runner beating a track athlete.

Feeling a bit exhausted, Natsu sighed quietly.

You might not believe this, but…

Gastly was the one who secretly signed up for this!

"Brother Natsu, it's all thanks to you."

Kazuya nudged Natsu. "We got a lot of girls' contact info!"

Natsu: ?

I'm over here battling, and you guys are out there flirting with girls?

Yuuichi clicked his tongue in amazent. "When you waved at us, so girls imdiately ca over."

Natsu was surprised. "Really?"

"There was one nad Reina, who also advanced to the quarterfinals. She said she's a follower of Natsu-sensei."

Yuuichi's expression turned strange. "Brother Natsu, is she one of your livestream fans?"

Natsu looked up at the sky.

Given his current influence, it would be weird if no one recognized him in a tournant like this.

But it's fine if they do.

Natsu isn't so big celebrity who needs to hide from his followers.

"I'll introduce her to you."

Yuuichi fiddled with his phone. "She's from Tokyo tropolitan University's affiliated high school, but she's already been admitted to our university."

"Kids these days really mature fast. You wouldn't even think she's a senior in high school!"

Natsu laughed. "I'll pass. Just rember to gather so intel on her strategy for !"

Yuuichi's eyes lit up. "Got it!"

Back at ho, Natsu checked his system.

[Remaining BP: 2050]

This battle had earned him 200 BP points. While it wasn't as much as posting a video, it was still a decent gain.

Thinking back on the battle, what surprised Natsu the most was how Gastly had swallowed Nidorino's Poison Sting.

But Gastly has a quadruple resistance to poison, so Nidorino's Poison Sting might as well have been a snack for Gastly.

Plus, with Gastly's current strength, it's about ti to start researching Toxic moves.

Natsu rubbed his chin, looking worriedly at the lively Gastly.

Last ti, while training Will-O-Wisp, Gastly accidentally set the house on fire. If we're training Toxic this ti…

Despite the risks, Gastly's strength can't just stay stagnant.

After so thought, Natsu opened the system shop.

[Would you like to spend 2000 BP to exchange for 'Poison Gem'?]

While a 10x gacha might have a chance to directly pull a 'Poison Gem,' Natsu, with his non-gacha luck, decided to play it safe and exchange directly.

[Exchange successful! Remaining BP: 50]

The Poison Gem, like the Fire Gem, was filled with energy that Gastly could absorb directly.

Since the gem had a sturdy shell and wasn't radioactive, Natsu didn't have to worry about any poison leaking out.

[Poison Gem: A dark purple gem containing highly toxic tallic elents, suitable for Poison-type Pokémon to consu. (Just go for it, let's do this!)]

Taking out the Poison Gem, which looked like a srizing athyst, Natsu couldn't help but marvel.

"No wonder Steven's always digging for stones around the world. This thing really does look amazing!"

Gastly stared eagerly at the Poison Gem in Natsu's hand, drooling all over the place.

"Gastly (ˉ﹃ˉ)"

Natsu handed the Poison Gem to Gastly. "Make sure you call when you're training. Don't take any risks on your own!"

Gastly's eyes lit up as it happily grabbed the Poison Gem, looking determined.

"Gastly!" (Leave it to !)

Gastly, holding the Poison Gem in its mouth, floated unsteadily to the desk.

Using its tongue, Gastly pulled open the drawer and carefully took out the [Toxic Manuscript], placing it on the desk before giving Natsu a goofy smile.

Gastly: (?′?`?)

Natsu couldn't help but smile.

The Piplup Cup quarterfinals would begin next Wednesday.

Before that, there would be so pre-event hype.

Natsu calculated the ti and realized that the finals would likely coincide with the end of his sester.

"Ti to get serious about studying," Natsu sighed.

"And the Piplup Cup too. Since I've made it this far, I should give it my all!"

If you're going to do sothing, do it to the best of your ability.

That was Natsu's life motto.

But just as Natsu pulled out his books, ready to study with Gastly, his phone buzzed.

A ssage from a special contact on Line.

[Cabbage Ice Cream: Get online. Let's play.]