Natsume stroked his chin, deep in thought.
In reality, the Master Ball's function wasn't as overpowered as in the games. Capturing a Pokémon without first earning its trust through battle—especially a Legendary Pokémon—would likely result in the creature abandoning its trainer later on. Even slightly stronger Pokémon might do the same.
Despite this, the Master Ball's exorbitant cost, scarcity due to League control, and the myth of its 100% capture rate had driven its market price to astronomical heights. After all, lucking into a Legendary Pokémon and sealing it away through special means, even if one couldn't command it, would still be a status symbol for wealthy collectors.
As a result, each Master Ball typically sold for around fifty million.
Originally, Natsume had planned to tighten his belt for months to save up and buy one from the League. If he wanted to develop a Poké Ball Rotom, using the best Poké Ball—the Master Ball—as the final vessel was the optimal solution.
"Natsume, what are you thinking about?"
Misty sat across from him, resting her chin in her hand and gazing at him curiously. She had only just realized that this unreliable adult was actually a Pokémon researcher.
He was also a researcher at the Oaks Research Institute.
Professor Oak held a prestigious position in Kanto's scientific community. Anyone even remotely connected to the League had heard of him.
"I was thinking about Ash," Natsume said, turning to Misty.
Misty blinked in surprise.
"Well, as his companion, I actually want Ash to win," she admitted, seeming slightly embarrassed by her earlier lack of faith.
"No, I hope he loses quickly."
"???"
Misty stared at Natsume in bewilderment. He had already stood up and was striding toward Takeo, patting the older man on the shoulder. "Let's go, old man. We're going to pick up Ash."
"Huh? But he just left!" Misty called after them, hurrying to catch up.
"3," Natsume said, glancing back at her, repeating the number from before.
"What does that mean? Ash will lose in three minutes?"
"Yep, you finally guessed right."
Misty: "..."
"System, activate the Random Skill Machine," Natsume murmured inwardly. A crisp mechanical voice echoed in his mind:
Skill Machine randomization complete. Congratulations, Host! You have obtained Skill Machine - Grass Knot. The following is a description of Grass Knot under the influence of the game field rules, provided for real-world reference:
Grass Knot: Grass, Special.
Power: Variable, Accuracy: 100, PP: 20 (30), Priority: 0
This is a contact move, affected by Protect, unaffected by Magic Bounce, cannot be stolen, affected by Mimic, and affected by items like the King's Rock.
Effect: Wraps the target in grass, tripping them. The heavier the target, the greater the power. Ineffective against Gigantamax Pokémon.
Grass Knot?
Natsume stopped in his tracks, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
This was a fascinating move. Its power scaled with the target's weight, reaching up to six times its minimum potency.
If Natsume remembered correctly, Grass Knot achieved maximum power against Pokémon weighing over 200 kg, rivaling the power of Solar Beam, a major Grass-type attack.
"System, teach Pikachu Grass Knot."
Without hesitation, Natsume tossed the Skill Machine to his Middle Part.
"Pika?"
Inside the Poké Ball, Pikachu, who had been dozing in a Ge You Slouch, suddenly sat bolt upright.
Due to the battle arena's rules, it is recommended that the host have Pikachu forget one of its current moves to learn Grass Knot.
"Forget Tackle."
Natsume waved his hand dismissively.
To be honest, while some battle arenas could lead to unexpected victories, he personally found them less engaging than real-world battles.
Take Pokémon moves, for example.
The rules of the battlefield limit Pokémon to carrying only four moves.
In reality, however, most Pokémon know far more than four moves—they'd never forget basic moves like Tackle or Tail Whip.
Yet, according to the research Natsume had read, Pokémon do have a learning limit for complex moves.
This limit depends on a Pokémon's natural talent and training. Weak Pokémon might struggle to learn even the standard four moves from the games, while exceptionally gifted ones could master seven or eight complex techniques.
Furthermore, learning capacity varies by type, with Psychic-type Pokémon exhibiting the strongest aptitude.
Natsume briefly recalled some early research he had encountered.
The Middle Part Pikachu he had chosen was meticulously bred to possess top-tier stats among its kind.
Natsume had long planned its final move set: Thunder, Protect, Grass Knot, Rain Dance, Grassy Terrain, Electro Ball, Fake Out, and more.
Currently, Middle Part only knew Fake Out, inherited from its parents, and the newly acquired Grass Knot. It hadn't learned any of the other moves yet.
This was unavoidable. Middle Part was only level 21, and many moves required higher levels to learn. As for Skill Machines, those were out of the question—he'd have to wait for the System to produce them.
As Natsume walked, he pulled out the Red and White Ball containing Middle Part.
Using the System's function, Natsume easily saw what his Pikachu was doing. Middle Part suddenly sat up as if jolted by electricity.
But less than two seconds later, he yawned, slumped back into his Ge You Slouch, and pulled the small blanket he'd swiped from Natsume's tent over himself.
"So that's why I grabbed the wrong blanket the other day. You stole it!"
Watching the utterly lazy Middle Part, Natsume's anger flared.
A Pikachu of your age, with such talent and a perfect trainer—how dare you sleep so soundly? Ash's Pikachu next door is already more than ten levels ahead of you!
"We're here. Hey, Natsume, why are you going inside?"
Outside the Pewter City Gym, Misty stopped, about to call out to Natsume, who was heading inside.
"Huh? Brother Natsume, what are you doing here too?"
Natsume entered just as a dejected Ash was leaving.
"I'm here to challenge the Gym, of course."
Natsume glanced at Ash's listless Pikachu and casually tossed him two Potions.
"Oh! I want to watch!"
Ash caught the Potions and sprayed them on his Pikachu as he followed Natsume back into the Pewter City Gym.
"What's with these two?" Misty muttered outside, rubbing her head. She took a few steps forward, then turned back to Takeo. "Uncle, aren't you coming in to watch?"
"Uh... I'll just wait here," Takeo replied, scratching his head nervously.
Misty narrowed her eyes, finding the uncle even more suspicious now. Without pressing further, she turned and hurried to catch up with Natsume and Ash.
"Brother Natsume, Brother Natsume! Are you also aiming for the League Tournament? That means I have another rival!" Ash exclaimed excitedly, seeing Natsume's determined stance as if he were about to challenge the Gym.
"Of course. The League Tournament prize money is quite substantial," Natsume replied.
"Huh? Brother Natsume, you're doing it for the money?" Ash scratched his head, looking puzzled.
The group moved quickly, reaching the interior of the Pewter City Gym in minutes.
The battle arena from Ash's previous match was still intact. A young man with squinted eyes and a green vest stood in the center. Noticing the approaching group, Brock glanced at Ash in surprise before focusing his gaze on Natsume, who was leading the way.
"A new challenger? Perfect! I'm already warmed up!"