Pokémon：Trainer's Gambit Chapter 391 0392: Rotom's Scientific Training Method

According to Professor Oak's explanation, Rotom could freely inhabit various household appliances.

Including fridges, microwaves, washing machines, and more.

Truly a qualified little housekeeping expert.

Natsu couldn't help but glance at Gengar.

His own Gengar also seed to have maxed out its housekeeping skills.

Natsu: "Let's hope they don't fight over chores..."

In reality, Rotom could inhabit any electronic device.

In the TV series, there were even instances of Rotom possessing phones, computers, and even becoming a "Pokémon Center Rotom"—truly miraculous.

Of course... now that Rotom had joined the team,

the possibility of upgrading Togepi's handheld console had just skyrocketed.

"Togepi doo-ee~" Togepi tiptoed, reaching out toward the floating Rotom Pokédex.

Rotom levitated closer to Togepi, its screen displaying a big, cheerful smile.

"How may I assist you, Rotom~?"

"Doo-ee!" Togepi happily grabbed the Rotom Pokédex and began browsing through the upgraded data.

Rotom broke into a sweat.

"Beep! Cannot compute, cannot compute!"

Natsu nodded in satisfaction.

See? No explosions this ti.

"Let's head back to the lab."

Professor Oak smiled. "I'll help you upgrade the Pokédex's accessories too!"

On the way back to the lab,

Natsu asked Professor Oak about Rotom's specific habits.

Since Rotom was composed of electrically charged plasma,

it didn't require traditional raising—just a steady supply of electricity.

"So, the Rotom working at Pokémon Centers... their salary is...?" Natsu asked.

Professor Oak blinked. "Well... probably just the electric bill?"

Natsu felt a pang of sympathy as he glanced at the Rotom Pokédex floating beside him.

"Rotom? (⊙-⊙)"

Using its entire salary just to pay for electricity... that was rough!

Natsu: "Rotom can eat Pokéblocks too, right?"

"Of course, but like Pikachu, it still needs electrical currents to function."

Pikachu stored electricity in its cheek sacs, while Rotom absorbed ambient electrical ions.

In theory, household currents weren't enough to fully charge Rotom.

But Natsu rembered—

Last ti, he'd gotten an Electirizer from Lt. Surge at Vermilion Gym.

That item could evolve Electabuzz.

Charging Rotom with it would be more than enough.

With that... no need to worry about electricity bills for now.

Natsu sighed in relief as they returned to the lab.

After syncing the Pokédex with Rotom,

Natsu's (scratch that)... Gengar's special Pokédex was officially upgraded to a Rotom Pokédex.

Even if Rotom temporarily left the Pokédex,

the upgraded version still contained far more detailed data.

Natsu exhaled softly.

Really... Professor Oak was too generous.

An enhanced version would've been enough, but he went and gave a power enhanced version—and with a Rotom, no less, a Pokémon once considered legendary.

In the XY arc, a Rotom in an abandoned hotel even had ti-traveling abilities, rivaling Celebi.

Even if mass production had made Rotom less rare, it was still an incredibly precious gift.

Natsu wasn't one to hold grudges.

Besides, this was Professor Oak's goodwill—

"...I have to challenge Ash to a battle in Sinnoh!"

"By possessing different appliances, Rotom can change forms..."

Professor Oak explained. "It can even pilot cars, yachts, and helicopters autonomously!"

Natsu blinked, glancing at the Rotom Pokédex.

"You have that many skills?"

"Rotom~! I studied at the Rotom School in Alola for a long ti! I even have full driver's licenses, Rotom!" Rotom replied proudly.

...Though it did tend to blow up vehicles afterward.

At that thought, Rotom drooped dejectedly.

Natsu didn't mind.

His own driving skills were painfully average—Steven's off-road driving was far better.

Now that he had Rotom, he could even use it as a chauffeur.

"Well then, guide from now on~!" Natsu extended a hand toward the Rotom Pokédex with a grin.

"Rotom~~(˙▽˙)"

The Rotom Pokédex's screen lit up with a smile as it spun happily and shook his hand.

"Guide you, Rotom!"

...

On the way back to Saffron City,

Natsu now had a Rotom Pokédex floating beside him.

"Arcanine~"

"Rotom! (⊙-⊙)" Rotom remained spaced out.

Arcanine tilted its large head, staring at this "artificial simpleton" for a good while.

Then, Arcanine broke into a wise-looking grin.

This new little buddy seed pretty easygoing!

In the chat group, mbers had learned about Natsu-sensei catching a new Pokémon.

"Rotom, huh?" Blue Oak, who'd heard about the one in the backyard, nodded slightly.

With Natsu-sensei's insight... he might uncover Rotom's true potential.

"Electricity is Rotom's primary food source,"

Brock said. "But moderation is key... Rumor has it an entire coastal city's power supply was drained by a Rotom, causing a massive blackout."

"That probably wasn't Rotom's fault..." Gardenia muttered under her breath, sweating.

That was entirely Leader Volkner's doing—he's the one who ssed with Sunyshore City's power supply!

"If it's hungry, it can co to Mauville Power Plant!" Old Man Wattson bood with laughter. "I've got the keys anyway!"

Natsu: "No need... Worst case, I'll just take it to Vermilion Gym."

Lt. Surge: "!?"

First you wreck my gym, now you're coming for my circuits?

Though to be fair, Lt. Surge had once used Raikou as a living generator.

"Hmph, I've got so expertise in this field!" Lt. Surge declared proudly.

"What about battle strategies?" Ash asked excitedly. "Can Rotom learn cool strategies too?"

"Hmm... actually quite a few."

A "Scarf Washer" could use Trick to swap held items, typically locking opponents into one move with a Choice Scarf.

A defensive "Heat Rotom" could serve as perfect team support with Will-O-Wisp and Foul Play.

Plus, Rotom could learn Volt Switch and Ally Switch—perfect for Natsu-sensei's tactical commands.

Natsu hadn't tested Rotom's actual battle performance yet.

But whether in washing machine or microwave form, they were textbook examples of competitive annoyance...

The group didn't press further.

Anyone wanting to learn could just spam gifts during Natsu-sensei's streams.

But Sabrina's eyelid twitched ominously.

"Sohow," she murmured, "I feel like this is going to be another disgusting strategy..."

anwhile,

Natsu arrived ho in Saffron City.

"Rotom~!" Rotom was curiously examining its new ho.

Seeing the uneven lawn, its OCD instantly triggered as it frantically searched for a lawn mower.

Must maintain properly, Rotom!

Natsu chuckled awkwardly. "That's from Arcanine practicing moves last ti."

"Arcanine~! (｀0′)"

"That wasn't a complint!"

Finding no mower, Rotom drooped dejectedly mid-air.

Watching this, Natsu considered.

Maybe... he should buy a lawn mower.

Having Rotom handle yardwork would be more convenient than hiring help.

Entering the house,

"Rotom! ∑(っ°Д°;)っ" Suddenly, Rotom froze in alarm.

Two ominous cannons were aid directly at it, Hydro Pump at the ready.

"Blastoise... ヾ(■_■)" The house-sitting Blastoise adjusted its sunglasses.

Oh, just a teammate...

Then it fired a small Water Gun, drenching Rotom completely.

"...Cannot compute~ Rotom! ∑(O_O;)"

"It's our welcoming ritual,"

Natsu said with a wry smile, arms crossed.

"At least this proves you're not a Ditto in disguise!"

Rotom tilted its head, then carefully examined Blastoise—its screen imdiately displayed a sweating emoji.

Combat power is insane, Rotom!

Rotom then looked around at the other team mbers.

"Rotom!(???????)" Its "chanical life" was profoundly shaken.

Do they train all night without sleeping?!

But then, Rotom shook its head.

Rembering Natsu's sincere gaze when they first t,

Rotom unlocked its screen and began drafting a ticulous training plan for everyone.

"Rotom!?"

I'll beco Trainer's reliable helper too, and not let him down~ Rotom!

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