Upon hearing that it was the Songzao Gym, Professor Oak—already on the verge of blacking out—almost fainted outright.
If Gary had chosen to apprentice at the Viridian Gym, Saffron Gym, or Fuchsia Gym, Oak could at least understand.
After all, those Gyms had truly powerful trainers.
Especially the mysterious Viridian Gym Leader—Giovanni.
Rumor had it his strength even surpassed many Elite Four members.
But why—why did Gary choose the Songzao Gym of all places?!
Even someone as focused on research as Professor Oak had heard of Songzao Gym's… "reputation."
Its Gym Leader was famously unreliable.
The number of absurd things he had done was countless.
If not for the contributions of previous generations of Gym Leaders, the Gym might have already been shut down.
In all of Kanto, only the Cerulean Gym could "rival" it in notoriety.
Oak's fingers clenched, cracking audibly.
Though now a researcher, he had once been a prodigy trainer—
Even becoming the first-ever Champion of the Pokémon League Conference!
His strength was unquestionably above the Elite Four.
At this moment, he almost wanted to Red the Songzao Gym personally and drag his useless grandson back.
But after a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down.
"It's still an official League Gym… I need to consider appearances."
Besides, even without going personally, Oak had a hundred ways—no, a hundred ways—to make that Gym Leader hand Gary back willingly.
As a leading professor in Kanto and a high-ranking League figure, accessing Songzao Gym's records was trivial.
When he saw that the Gym Leader had recently changed—
And was now someone about Gary's age—
Oak grew even angrier.
"Gary… Gary! Why would you choose a place like that… sigh…"
Though he spoke in disappointment, his hands flipped through the files faster and faster.
Soon, one inconspicuous piece of information caught his attention.
"Gym evaluation? And if they fail, the Gym gets downgraded?"
Though he knew it wasn't right, Gary was his only grandson.
He still remembered the look on Gary's parents' faces when they entrusted him with their child.
At worst, I'll compensate that Gym Leader afterward… but letting Gary stay there…
Reluctantly, Oak picked up his phone.
"I believe Gym evaluations are handled by Agatha…"
The moment he thought of that name, his hand trembled slightly.
Back then, after becoming Champion, everyone thought Oak would continue his journey as a trainer.
But to everyone's shock, the brilliant Oak Yukinari chose to abandon battling and become a researcher instead.
Many couldn't understand his decision—
Least of all his former travel companion, Agatha.
Though he didn't like recalling the past, for Gary's sake, he dialed the number.
"Hello…"
"Speak properly. What's with the mumbling?"
Now well into her seventies, Agatha didn't hold back in scolding him the moment she answered.
Even so, Oak had no choice but to endure it and ask for her help.
After hearing his plan, Agatha's tone was still full of sarcasm.
"If you hadn't gone off to be some damn researcher back then, you'd at least be a retired Champion now. Would you still be this timid?"
"Look at what you were on the battlefield back then, and now you're stuck eating instant noodles in a lab—if you had just listened to—"
Oak silently endured it.
"Gary is my only grandson."
Hearing that, Agatha fell silent for a rare moment before speaking slowly:
"You've probably heard of Joy Xue. I'll assign her to handle the Gym evaluation."
"…Thank you."
Oak spoke sincerely.
The only reply he got was the endless tone of a disconnected call.
After hanging up, he let out a long breath.
Even as he picked up his now overcooked instant noodles, his mood was much lighter.
Because he knew—
No matter what the Songzao Gym did this time, there was no way they would pass.
Because this evaluator, Joy Xue, only used two Pokémon.
One was the standard Chansey.
And the other—
Latias.
————————
"So this is the Songzao Gym?"
"It doesn't look as bad as the internet says."
After being closed for several days, the Songzao Gym finally welcomed a new challenger—a Bug Catcher.
When he entered, he was greeted by a spiky-haired boy—Gary.
Now dressed in the Gym's disciple uniform, Gary wore a bright smile.
"Welcome to the Songzao Gym."
"H-hello…"
The Bug Catcher shrank back slightly.
"You know the Gym rules, right? Please choose your preferred battlefield."
Clearly prepared, the boy answered without hesitation:
"I choose the rocky field!"
"Rocky field…?"
Gary's mouth twitched, but he nodded.
"Alright. Please follow me."
After arriving at the battlefield, the Bug Catcher took a deep breath and threw out a Poké Ball.
"I am the challenger, Xiao Chong!"
At that moment, Gym Leader Red made his entrance.
Looking at the challenger, he said:
"Welcome to my Gym. Please send out your Pokémon first."
"Go—Vibrava!"
A green, dragonfly-like Pokémon appeared on the field.
Seeing the rare Dragon/Ground-type Vibrava, Red stroked his chin.
"Well raised. Your Vibrava is impressive."
The Bug Catcher regained some confidence.
"Of course! I've already earned two Gym Badges!"
"My goal is to win the Kanto League Conference!"
Red nodded approvingly.
"Xiao Chong, right? That's a good ambition."
"Now—it's my turn to send out a Pokémon."