Wartortle's Water Pulse slammed down with a roar, towering waves crashing forward like a wall toward Mudkip.
Yet Red remained completely calm, even taking the time to check the data of both Pokémon.
[Pokémon: Mudkip ♂]
[Level: 8]
[Talent: High (Atk: 30, Sp. Atk: 22, Def: 25, Sp. Def: 23, Speed: 22, HP: 28) Total: 150]
(Talent tiers: Perfect: 186; Top: 185–165; High: 164–145; Medium: 144–125)
[Ability: Torrent]
[Moves: Growl, Tackle, Water Gun, Rock Smash, Rock Slide, Bite, Mirror Coat, Counter, Yawn…]
[Evaluation: A Mudkip with excellent potential.]
Looking at Mudkip's move pool, Red couldn't help but sigh.
"As expected of a starter prepared by my old man—both its talent and inherited moves are outstanding."
His gaze shifted to Wartortle as another data panel appeared—
[Pokémon: Wartortle]
[Talent: High]
[Level: 18]
[Moves: Tackle, Water Pulse, Water Gun, Skull Bash…]
After comparing the two, Red said:
"Level 8 versus level 18? The advantage is mine."
Watching the massive wave surge across the battlefield, Red seized the moment and commanded:
"Rush through the lower right side of the wave—that's its weak point!"
Initially uneasy under Wartortle's attack, Mudkip quickly steadied itself upon hearing Red's calm and precise command.
It dashed toward the weak point, then leapt—riding along the curve of the wave like a surfer, slipping through the water's edge without a scratch.
Gary frowned at the sight.
Unlike his cheer squad, who only knew how to shout encouragement, Gary understood exactly what had just happened.
To find such a precise opening and escape unharmed in such a critical moment—
Gary's pupils shrank.
This level of judgment… he had only ever seen it when his grandfather analyzed battles.
And now, it was coming from someone his own age.
Still, after glancing at the two Pokémon, Gary relaxed slightly.
"Too bad. The difference in strength is right there—you can't possibly beat my Wartortle!"
"Now—use Yawn!"
While Gary was still talking, Red didn't waste a second and continued issuing commands.
Mudkip's cheeks puffed, then contracted, releasing a faintly glowing blue bubble that drifted lazily toward Wartortle.
The moment it touched Wartortle's shell, its movements slowed, and its eyelids drooped as if weighed down by lead.
Gary immediately sensed something was wrong—his once-spirited Wartortle now looked drowsy.
Seeing Red attack while he was speaking, Gary was instantly furious!
And his cheer squad erupted as well:
"You actually sneak-attacked Master Gary!"
"What kind of Gym Leader are you?!"
"Believe it or not, I'll report you to the League!"
Red cast them a cold glance.
"Anyone who says one more word—get out of my Gym."
His voice echoed throughout the arena.
On his chest, the embroidered emblem of the Songzao Gym gleamed with a golden sheen under the sunlight.
Only then did the girls realize—the person before them wasn't just anyone, but an official League Gym Leader.
If Red told them to leave, they would have no choice but to obey.
If they truly angered him, it wasn't impossible for him to even revoke their qualifications as trainers.
"Pokémon battles begin the moment both sides step onto the field!"
"This is a Pokémon battle—not a turn-based game! If you don't even understand that, then you're not fit to be a trainer!"
His final sentence struck Gary like a bolt of lightning.
Red could've added that real battles in the wild were even more brutal—but seeing that everyone present was still a rookie, he held back.
Gary slowly raised his head.
"Gym Leader… what's your name?"
Red replied calmly:
"Red."
"Now, Mudkip—use Rock Slide."
The moment he finished speaking, Red immediately ordered another attack.
Several rocks crashed down onto Wartortle's head, knocking the already drowsy Pokémon completely unconscious.
Seeing this, both the cheer squad and Xiaowen couldn't help but twitch at the corners of their mouths.
Gary was stunned for a moment, then quickly regained focus.
"That's right! Battles should be like this—until it's over, you don't get distracted by anything!"
"Not bad. Now you finally look a bit like a trainer."
Red found Gary slightly more agreeable now.
Meanwhile, as the command echoed, Mudkip prepared for its next move.
Gary let out a sigh and recalled his heavily injured Wartortle.
"A wise decision," Red commented casually.
Gary hesitated for a moment before taking out another Poké Ball.
"Go—Krabby!"
[Pokémon: Krabby]
[Level: 14]
[Talent: Medium]
[Moves: Bubble, Tackle, Vice Grip, Swords Dance…]
Seeing the well-built Krabby, Red raised an eyebrow.
"It even knows Swords Dance? That's rare."
Gary stared at him in shock.
"You can tell Krabby knows Swords Dance just by looking?!"
It was no wonder he was stunned—being able to judge a Pokémon's moves by sight alone was a skill only Pokémon Professors could barely manage.
How could someone his age possess the same insight as his grandfather?
Red didn't answer, his expression unchanged.
But now Gary felt a chill run down his spine.
Even though Red had only used a Mudkip, the pressure he exerted already surpassed any opponent Gary had ever faced.
Seeing the bubble drift toward him, Gary gritted his teeth.
"Krabby—use Swords Dance!"
Krabby immediately waved its pincers, performing a mysterious dance.
Its claws grew sharper—its attack power doubled!
At the same time, affected by Yawn, Krabby began to grow drowsy.
Gary knew—this next move would decide everything!
"Krabby! Use Vice Grip!"
Krabby charged forward, its razor-sharp pincers aimed straight at Mudkip.
Seeing the boosted Krabby, even Red frowned slightly.
After Swords Dance, Krabby now had enough power to knock Mudkip out in a single hit.
But after a quick glance at the battlefield, Red immediately found a way to break the situation.
Mudkip used Growl, Reducing Krabby's attack.
But at the same time, Krabby had already closed the distance—there was no room left to dodge.
Gary clenched his fists excitedly.
"Go, Krabby! Don't let it escape!"
Facing a situation with no retreat, Red smiled.
At the very instant the pincers were about to strike, he issued a command that shocked everyone present—
"Mudkip—take the hit, then use Counter!"