Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit Chapter 361 - 0362: The True Eating Champion!

--------------------------------------

Enjoying the story? Get early access to 440 Advanced Chapters!

👉 Support now: patreon/PokemonStoryWeaver

--------------------------------------

The Miracle Seed contained gentle Grass-type energy—eating it outright wasn't a problem.

But the overwhelming sense of déjà vu made Natsu's eye twitch.

Are you sure this isn't the recipe for Eight-Treasure Duck?

Embedding ingredients first to enhance the flavor?

As a veteran chef, Natsu fell deep into thought.

"Sirfetch'd~!" The bushy-browed Sirfetch'd let out a burp.

Then, it flashed Natsu a thumbs-up, its eyes ding with sparkles.

So full~!

Since Trainer went through all this trouble…

Guess I'll reluctantly do so training later!

"The effects seem excellent," Erika remarked with a smile.

Natsu's expression was complicated.

Sure, the effects are great—but the Miracle Seed's just gone now!

Still, the seed had been picked for Sirfetch'd anyway.

At least this saved him the hassle of training…

"Thank Earl Dervish for . I'll accept this year-end bonus," Natsu sighed.

"Of course." Erika chuckled. "I'll pass along your gratitude~"

With that, the Celadon School's tutorial mission officially concluded.

For Sirfetch'd, the Miracle Seed would boost both Grassy Glide and Leaf Blade.

But Natsu suspected… the real upgrade was in flavor.

"Oh, Natsu-sensei."

Erika clasped her hands, smiling. "Do your best at the League Tournant, alright~?"

The Indigo Plateau Conference was approaching.

In the chat group full of big shots, Natsu-sensei was likely the only one actually competing.

After all, entering amateur matches was his hobby!

Natsu blinked.

Weird. Everyone knows I'm competing… except ?

"When exactly is the Indigo Plateau Conference?"

Erika thought for a mont. "January 25th, lasting about half a month."

As a routine event across regions, each League Tournant had its own schedule.

Aside from collecting eight badges, passing a Pokémon Academy's evaluation granted direct entry to the preliminaries.

As a Celadon School teacher, Natsu naturally qualified.

But braving the winter cold for a tournant didn't suit his lazy style.

Besides, Natsu-sensei had only been a trainer for seven months.

Sure, he'd had a friendly match with Leon, stood his ground against Lance, even saved Steven once…

Natsu coughed. "We'll see."

Giselle seed keen on competing, and as his protégé…

Attending a few matches as a spectator might be nice.

More importantly, given his ties to Kanto's Elite Four…

He probably wouldn't need tickets. Probably.

Mounting his majestic Arcanine, Natsu returned to Saffron City.

The setting sun cast long shadows as flocks of Pidgey soared ho. A pedestrian strolled by with a Granbull.

Even a grunt in Team Rocket's black uniform dashed past, delivering packages…

"Their rebranding's going well…" Natsu's mood was delicate.

Truthfully, Team Rocket's elite forces were limited to its Leader and Executives.

To protagonists, the grunts were just EXP fodder.

Giovanni had no use for mindless followers.

Oh, he had ambitions.

But building a Team Rainbow Rocket that Silver would respect? That held real value.

Back ho…

"Sirfetch'd~!" Sirfetch'd picked its teeth with a leek leaf, then began lecturing the team on training.

"Blastoise…" (Makes sense…)

Mid-plank, the motionless Blastoise's eyes glead.

Truly… Sirfetch'd's guidance is the path of the strong!

Evenings were Natsu's cherished cooking hours.

Cooking itself wasn't hard—it was prep and cleanup that annoyed chefs.

But with Sirfetch'd's "culinary genius" handling ingredients…

And Gengar taking over chores…

Natsu's only duties were walking Arcanine and playing with Sylveon's long ears.

Sylveon's pink ears, lined with indigo, were softer and warr than any cat's fur.

"Sylveon! (`皿′)"

Natsu dangled a white vanilla stick before it.

"Sylveon~(′▽｀)"

Nearby, Togepi seed to be gaming—but was secretly studying type matchups.

With w's online tutorials… its progress might soon rival Sirfetch'd's.

Natsu's mood was delicate, but he couldn't bring himself to stop it.

"Better… check my feed."

He opened the chat group.

Spring was near, and everyone was busy again.

Last ti, Natsu-sensei's solo battle with Leon left Gold so shaken that he spent all night grinding through the Sprout Tower dungeon.

If I don't train now, when will I ever beat Natsu-sensei?!

"Hey! Hedgehog boy, I saw you in Johto yesterday!" Lt. Surge grinned.

Gold blinked. "Follower count: 11K, EDM Uncle?"

Lt. Surge fell silent, glancing around for his Electro Ball launcher.

"Yesterday, Sylveon visited the neighbor again," Sabrina said flatly. "I heard Koichi's about to close his gym."

Natsu stiffened.

Wait, really?

Oh right—the Fighting Gym wasn't official. No system notifications!

Misty wiped her brow. "Thank goodness Natsu-sensei isn't in Cerulean City."

Otherwise… her sisters might've been victims too?

"What if we add a rule banning Pokémon from challenging gyms alone?" Erika suggested.

As Kanto's lead administrator, she could push for it.

Otherwise, if Leaders quit from trauma, finding replacents would be… tricky.

Janine: "Great idea!"

"Natsu-sensei's too ruthless!" Whitney, the "Miltank Leader," nodded. "I vote yes!"

Blue Oak shrugged. "I agree with Natsu-sensei. If Pokémon can handle it themselves, why interfere?"

Green: "Is that why you let your Pokémon run the gym while you go on dates with Red?"

"D-Dates?!" Yellow turned scarlet.

"That's not—!" Blue Oak rarely lost his cool, but this ti—

Gold: "He's mad! LOL—"

[Gold has been muted by Admin Blue Oak for 2 hours]

"Only two hours?" Lance whistled. "Blue's a rciful senior."

In Sinnoh, the overlooked Gardenia wept silently.

Even if Natsu-sensei's Pokémon showed up, I wouldn't dare refuse them!

Natsu looked baffled.

Ban solo Pokémon challenges?

Perfect!

But Erika was clearly joking. Natsu sighed in frustration.

So close… I wouldn't have to worry about Gengar sneaking badges ho!

Still, of Kanto's eight badges, Natsu only lacked Pewter's and the Orange League's.

He'd already visited Vermilion. Lt. Surge knew he didn't need badges.

As for Pewter? h.

Key Stones? Tournants? Natsu-sensei couldn't care less.

Brock: "@Natsu-sensei, Vermilion's hosting an eating contest. Think Gengar's up for it?"

"Eating contest?" Natsu paused.

The ran shop owner had ntioned sothing…

Green mused, "Probably a New Year's promo. Shop marketing."

"What's the prize?" Ash's eyes sparkled.

Brock: "Leftovers for Snorlax, plus ribbons and Full Incense."

"Oh! That's the stuff that helps hatch Munchlax!" Gold, the self-proclaid Hatcher, explained. "Prof. Elm and I researched it!"

Ash gasped. "Whoa! That's amazing!"

Gold: "Hah! Just stating facts~"

"Ash, you're too easily impressed," Lorelei muttered.

"Heh, it's no big deal," Ash scratched his head.

That wasn't a complint!

Natsu-sensei coughed. "@Brock, so you're joining?"

"Not as a contestant—I'm hired as a chef." Brock grinned. "Good pay for appearances…"

The ultimate part-tir strikes again!

Natsu felt destiny calling. "I'll bring Gengar. Might even help you out."

"Gengar?" Gengar levitated beside him, tossing Starf Berries into the air.

"Gengar~(￣～￣)" Perfect catch!

…Is using pocket dinsions cheating?

Natsu pondered: Wattson would probably know.

"I'm in!" Ash cheered. "Snorlax needs a feast!"

Natsu froze.

Right. Ash's Snorlax once ate an entire Orange Archipelago harvest.

Maylene, a broke girl from Sinnoh, wiped her bandaged nose. "I signed up too…"

Buffets were expensive. A free eating contest? No-brainer!

She glanced at her Lucario:

"Hope we get picked. o(╥﹏╥)o"

"Lucaa! o(╥﹏╥)o"

Green smirked. "I checked past winners. You might face last year's champion."

Natsu: "The what champion?"

Brock sweatdropped. "Who is it?"

Jasmine, hiding behind her Ampharos, turned beet red.

Green: "@Jasmine. Three-ti eating champ."

"WHAT?!" Brock and Ash recoiled.

Ash: "B-But Miss Jasmine's so… tiny?"

"Never judge by appearances," Brock muttered.

Jasmine, her twin braids trembling, whispered:

"I just… eat a little more."

Natsu's eyes widened.

A three-ti champ…

Jasmine just beca legendary.

"So you're competing?" Brock asked.

Jasmine: "Mhm…"

"Snorlax might lose?!" Ash groaned.

Natsu had a thought. "@Jasmine, is your partner Steelix?"

"Just and Amphy." She fidgeted.

Rules required Trainer Pokémon. Combined intake decided the winner.

For Ampharos—a lightweight—to out-eat Snorlax and Gulpin?

Jasmine's a monster…

"Not just the 'Chosen One,'" Natsu murmured.

"So Gym Leaders are terrifying."

The group chat's competition participants were set:Natsu-sensei.Ash.Jasmine.Maylene.

Brock, serving as head chef, promised a lavish feast with so entertaining side events.

Lt. Surge, as Vermilion City's Gym Leader, couldn't care less about the contest.

"Just report any illegal activities to ," he shrugged.

Ash clenched his fists, eyes burning with determination. "This year, Snorlax and I will win the championship!"

The Eating Contest was set to take place tomorrow at Vermilion City Port.

Natsu happened to have free ti, so he decided to take the little ones out for a trip to Vermilion City.

As a staff mber, Brock recomnded Natsu, Ash, and Maylene—no chance of missing the sign-up.

anwhile, Jasmine, the reigning champion, would attend as a special guest.

Johto, Olivine City.

"What should I do…?"

Jasmine blushed, murmuring to herself:

"How should I greet everyone tomorrow…?"

"Should I eat more gracefully? But I'm so hungry…"

Ampharos stood beside her, stretching its short arms to hug her. "Ampharos!"

"…Thanks, Amphy." Jasmine closed her eyes, then flashed a determined look.

"Tomorrow, we can't lose to Natsu-sensei and Ash either!"

"Ampharos (＾∀＾●)"

...

January 19th, Tuesday. Sunny.

Natsu floated alongside Gengar, eting Ash at the agreed spot.

"Natsu-sensei, long ti no see!" Ash waved cheerfully.

"Snorlax~" Snorlax stood beside him, eyes half-closed, rumbling in agreent.

Natsu vaguely recalled this Snorlax could even do the butterfly stroke—its strength was terrifying.

Raised well, it might even rival Red's Snorlax.

But Ash wasn't fond of using such heavyweights, so it usually stayed at Professor Oak's ranch.

Professor Oak must be spending a fortune…

Natsu smirked. "Let's go, Bound Person!"

The two boarded the train to Vermilion City.

"Gengar! Ψ(￣∀￣)Ψ"

Gengar cracked its knuckles, ready for action.

Ash had already returned Snorlax to its Poké Ball. The mont they arrived, he leapt off the train excitedly.

"Eating Contest challenge—here I co!"

At the competition venue, decorated with lanterns and strears, vendors had already gathered.

"Hey, kid!" The ran master called out to Natsu, grinning. "Knew it'd be you!"

Natsu nodded curiously. "Master, did all these vendors team up for this?"

"Yep! Almost every big na in Vermilion City's food scene is here. It's a local tradition." The ran master laughed.

The festival had drawn crowds, with stands lining the contest stage.

Natsu glanced around—then froze.

Among the staff stood a owth, walking on two legs.

"These three again?!"