Chapter 280: Natsume's Perspective! Galvantula's Web Strategy

After gaining fame in the Pokémon performance competitions, Aiko naturally started receiving various advertising offers and even landed some supporting roles in movies. For example, she played the role of a Pokémon performer in one film. In a way, Pokémon performers are a type of actor. It was through a movie that Aiko and Misuzu first met.

Aiko looked at Natsume with a troubled expression. "To be honest, I don’t know the full details. I only found out that Misuzu couldn’t sing anymore when I accidentally saw her crying backstage one day. Sometimes, she can’t even hear other people’s voices. Isn’t that strange? Her body seems perfectly fine otherwise."

Aiko grabbed Natsume’s hand, her eyes filled with hope. "But Natsume, you can fix this, right?"

Natsume sighed and ruffled Aiko’s hair. "You really think I can do anything, huh?"

Aiko smoothed her hair and grinned. "Isn’t that true?"

Natsume glanced over at Misuzu. She did seem to radiate a heavy, melancholic aura. Even Ribombee, who was highly sensitive to emotions, noticed Misuzu’s mood and flew over to offer her a Pollen Ball. Misuzu accepted it politely and thanked Ribombee.

After a moment of thought, Natsume spoke. "Everything happens for a reason. So, to solve this, I think it’s up to Misuzu herself. At the very least, she needs to tell us what’s going on."

Aiko looked puzzled but nodded slowly.

Natsume smiled and changed the subject. "By the way, weren’t you going to introduce me to your new Pokémon?"

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Aiko quickly pulled out two Poké Balls. "Come on out, Ivysaur and Pachirisu!"

"Bulbasaur~"

Ivysaur waved its front legs at Natsume.

"Long time no see, Ivysaur."

"Pachirisu~"

Pachirisu, who was visiting the farm for the first time, stood up on its hind legs and curiously looked around. Pachirisu, with its blue squirrel-like appearance, was undeniably cute.

Natsume greeted it as well.

"Bulbasaur."

The Bulbasaur from the farm, seeing its fellow species, happily ran over.

Aiko looked at Natsume’s Bulbasaur curiously. "Speaking of which, this little one has been on the farm for a while now, right? Why hasn’t it evolved yet?"

Natsume shrugged. "Evolution isn’t that simple."

Aiko glanced around at the Pokémon on the farm. "Even so, it feels like the Pokémon here evolve really quickly."

Natsume chuckled. "Maybe Bulbasaur just doesn’t want to evolve."

Bulbasaur had a very laid-back personality. Most Grass-type Pokémon were like that, content to just bask in the sun and enjoy life.

"Anyway, want to experience some farm work?" Natsume teased. "Sandslash is already waiting for you up ahead."

"Haha, I remember the first time I came to the farm, I spent a long time clearing land with Sandslash," Aiko said nostalgically. "Compared to back then, the farm has changed so much."

Aiko looked out at the golden fields. "It’s completely different from the remote countryside it used to be."

The morning passed quickly. By noon, Natsume kept his promise and prepared a large pot of wild rice for the tourists who had helped out in the morning.

In the afternoon, news of the farm’s upcoming festival had spread. At least, everyone in Morimachi knew about it. Along the road leading to the farm, staff from the Morimachi Trainer Association were already setting up the infrastructure for the food street. Some stalls were even starting to sell grilled sausages.

Meanwhile, the farm’s gym battles had also begun. Several battle arenas were already surrounded by eager spectators.

"The opponent is a Breloom."

On the first battle arena, the hiker Trainer Ryosuke smiled at his Galvantula. "We’ve got the advantage, Galvantula."

"Galvantula~"

Galvantula, a Bug- and Electric-type Pokémon, looked intimidating with its yellow, meter-long spider body. For those afraid of Bug-type Pokémon, Galvantula wasn’t exactly cute.

"Galvantula, use Sticky Web."

At the start of the battle, Galvantula immediately used Sticky Web, but instead of aiming directly at Breloom, it laid the web in front of itself.

"Breloom."

Breloom didn’t overthink it. It stretched its body and quickly maneuvered around the sticky web, charging straight at Galvantula.

Mach Punch!

"Galvantula, Flash!"

"Emolga~"

A bright white flash erupted from Galvantula’s body. Breloom, blinded by the intense light, instinctively closed its eyes.

"Now, Electroweb!"

Galvantula was clearly a master at weaving webs. A large, electrified net shot out from its body, heading straight for Breloom.

"Wow, not bad."

Natsume, holding a grilled sausage he had just bought from a stall, stood at the edge of the battle arena with Gardevoir, watching the match.

This Galvantula wasn’t particularly high-level, only at level 48. The Breloom on the field was level 43, so while there was a gap in strength, it wasn’t overwhelming.

Breloom reacted quickly, hurling a Seed Bomb at the Electroweb. The Seed Bomb acted as a decoy, getting caught in the web instead.

"Breloom."

Breloom stepped back, its gaze now much more cautious as it looked at Galvantula.

"Natsume, I heard the farm will stay open late tonight and there’ll be fireworks. Is that true?" a nearby tourist asked excitedly upon seeing Natsume.

Natsume nodded with a smile. "That’s right. Make sure to have fun."

"Yes, Natsume~"

After chatting briefly with the tourists, Natsume turned his attention back to the ongoing battle. By now, Breloom was in a tough spot.