November 13th, Tuesday.
With the release of Natsume-sensei's new video, the gaming community erupted in excitement once again.
"Holy crap, Natsume-sensei finally updated!"
"A new strategy tutorial~ My youth has returned!"
It had been a full month since his last upload.
Just when everyone thought the channel was on life support, Natsume-sensei came back with a feast!
Raw Hypnosis, putting one side to sleep, then the other…
The absurd accuracy left viewers speechless.
This doesn't make sense!
With Natsume-sensei's luck, there's no way he should be this blessed!
"Maybe… it's Togepi's doing?"
"A Pokémon that brings good fortune—that would explain it."
But just as everyone was starting to accept this logic—
The tables turned hard.
Porygon-Z's three Hyper Beam misses in a row hit like a gut punch.
"Ahhh, there it is…"
"Compared to the dirty Hypnosis spam earlier, this feels more like Natsume-sensei!"
After all, Natsume-sensei's hidden ability is Unlucky.
What's advertised as 95% accuracy is really just 5%.
But what shocked viewers even more—
Even in that dire situation, Natsume pulled off a comeback with Hypnosis.
Was this the legendary bond between Trainer and Pokémon?!
Of course, Natsume's own mastery of Metronome couldn't be ignored either.
Unova's Ghost-type Elite Four member, Shauntal, reposted the video with a comment:
"Between reversals and adversity, a fearless Trainer and his Gengar pen a tale of shadows… And so, the story begins."
Reading this overly dramatic opening line, Natsume's expression twisted.
Aren't you and Caitlin best friends?!
Is it really okay to bully the Psychic Elite Four like this?!
As for the "Sleep Team" strategy itself—
The combination of Sweet Scent and Gravity inspired countless Ghost- and Psychic-type Trainers.
This dirty playstyle harkened back to the golden days of SubProtect Toxic stalling.
After Heavy Space's brute force and Tailwind Team's mindless aggression—
Natsume's "Sleep Team" sparked a new wave of underhanded tactics!
"I thought Natsume-sensei had reformed, but nope—he's still a menace!"
"Hell yeah, I'm taking this straight to the Gym challenge!"
"Thanks for the strat. Currently in the hospital—wifi's great."
Over at the International Police HQ, officers exchanged glances as they took notes.
"Is this… really a strategy we should be using?"
"What do you mean? First, use Sweet Scent to lull the target, then secure the arrest with Hypnosis…"
"This is exactly the kind of wisdom the Chief has honed through countless operations!"
"I see now! As expected of the Chief!"
Meanwhile, Team Rocket members were ecstatic.
The Mentor hasn't forgotten about us after all!
Though, calling Team Rocket an evil organization these days was a stretch.
Giovanni's "Rainbow Initiative" had spread through the ranks.
Executives who shared his vision began enforcing stricter discipline among lower-ranked members.
Only the direct subordinates—the so-called "Trio of Idiots"—still operated under the Team Rocket name.
Lately, though, they hadn't been planning any major operations.
Instead, they were busy running stalls to fundraise…
...
Team Rocket's New Island Base
"Let them keep chasing that Pikachu."
Matori sighed after reviewing the report.
"Not like we can count on those three idiots anyway..."
Strangely enough, both Lord Giovanni and the Mentor held that trio in unusually high regard.
Their fundraising skills were truly extraordinary when you thought about it.
Even after advancing ten years' worth of salaries...they somehow kept their small team operational.
Say what you will—that was talent.
Removing her round glasses, Matori rubbed her throbbing temples.
The reforms had stirred discontent within the organization too.
The Iron-Masked Marauder, a former Pokémon hunter who participated in the Mew capture operation, became the first to defect.
Lord Giovanni purged him with an iron fist, reclaiming his Pokémon for headquarters...
Cleansing sin with sin. Governing evil through evil...
Is this the "Rainbow" the Mentor spoke of?
For Young Master Silver's sake, Lord Giovanni wouldn't deign to acknowledge the criticism...
Shaking her head, Matori sipped her tea and activated the projection screen.
One monitor was dedicated solely to tracking the Mentor's activities.
"Sleep Strategy?"
Matori's cheeks flushed as a certain thought crossed her mind.
"Maybe...I shouldn't watch this one."
As a high-ranking Team Rocket executive, her privileges included not just Pokémon deployment but also generous allowances.
But with business slowing down lately...
She was seriously considering melting Meowth's gold coins for cash...
Even without funds, the Mentor's rewards couldn't be compromised.
Matori frowned, drumming her fingers on the desk.
What could possibly capture the attention of such a powerful Trainer?
Team Rocket's internal Pokémon were too weak to interest the Mentor.
Their TM collection was too basic to be considered proper training methodology...
Unless...they could acquire something more advanced.
A sudden gleam flashed in Matori's eyes.
She activated the virtual projection, the screen displaying "Connecting..."
After a moment, the image of a statuesque beauty appeared.
...
"What do you want?"
Karen, her blue wavy hair cascading down, wore a crop top as she brushed her Houndoom's fur in flip-flops.
Slowly straightening up, she tucked her hair back lazily.
"If I recall...I've already left the organization?"
"That's correct, but..."
Matori got straight to the point, explaining the Mentor's philosophy and Team Rocket's current predicament.
"Lady Karen," Matori said intently, "Team Rocket seeks your assistance."
"You've got some nerve."
Karen snorted derisively. "Just because of my past affiliation, you come demanding my manuals?"
"Those techniques represent years of a Trainer's dedication. Why would I hand them over to some stranger for free?"
"Team Rocket...no, the future Team Rocket, will owe you a favor."
Matori pressed on. "Surely you've heard of Team Rocket's 'Rainbow Initiative'—Lord Giovanni's greatest vision."
"The reborn Team Rocket will advance in both influence and ideology..."
Karen frowned slightly.
As a child, she'd been adopted by a masked man and briefly joined Team Rocket's remnants.
Now she'd left that life behind, beginning anew as Johto's Dark-type Elite Four member.
Yet Matori's words...she had to admit, they gave her pause.
She too was an idealist.
Making the world acknowledge the appeal of Dark-type Pokémon...that was her lifelong wish.
Having the new Team Rocket indebted to her might not be a bad thing.
"One condition."
Karen crossed her arms, tilting her chin up with piercing eyes.
"Tell me the Mentor's name."
"...I cannot disclose that."
"Then goodbye." Karen waved her hand dismissively, preparing to terminate the call.
Matori hesitated before finally saying, "All I can tell you...is that he's a Trainer whose strength rivals Lord Giovanni's."
Karen's eyes widened slightly.
In a fight to the death...not even Lance could gain an advantage over Giovanni.
For the new Team Rocket to possess such strength already...
A slow smirk curled at Karen's lips.
Now this sounds interesting!
Stretching her arms with a languid sigh, Karen declared, "You'll get your materials. Just make sure this Mentor lives up to my expectations."
"Might I ask what you're providing us?" Matori ventured.
Karen's smile turned playfully mocking.
"What else would a Dark-type Elite Four's technique be?"
"Dark Pulse, of course."
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