"You said you're here to smash the Gym?!"
The moment Red heard those words, his entire aura changed.
A killing intent surged outward. Fine sand on the Gym floor began to drift without wind, and the League flag hanging above fluttered violently.
Yet neither Xiao Wen, Gary, nor Joy Xue found it strange.
Because smashing a Gym ≠ challenging a Gym.
A Gym challenge is about undergoing the Leader's trial, proving your strength, and earning recognition.
But smashing a Gym?
That's basically saying: I don't like you. Your Gym shouldn't exist.
It's outright provocation.
No different from snapping a fisherman's rod or pouring ink over a student's completed exam.
Something no Gym Leader could tolerate.
So Red's anger was entirely justified.
What he didn't expect, however, was that even in this situation, Meng Hua remained just as arrogant.
"I said it already! I came here to smash your Gym!"
His tone made even Xiao Wen and Gary furious, and even Joy Xue frowned.
"Looks like the League's direct-line trainers are getting worse with each generation," Red said coldly.
Meng Hua didn't care in the slightest.
"Heh, I knew you wouldn't dare refuse. But I've already looked into it—your old man took all the strong Pokémon with him. Right now, this Gym only has you and a bunch of rookie Pokémon."
"This is the perfect chance for me to make a name for myself!"
"You're a Gym Leader—don't tell me you don't even dare accept a challenge like this?"
At that moment, Joy Xue also recalled—
When she had been secretly observing earlier, Red's Pokémon did indeed seem low-level.
She hadn't seen Tyranitar at all.
Looking at Meng Hua, the more she stared, the more annoyed she felt.
She almost wanted to release Latias right then and teach him a lesson.
But as an inspector, she had to maintain her cover.
"Master!"
"Gym Leader!"
Gary and Xiao Wen both looked at Red indignantly.
But Red himself remained completely calm.
"Let's go. If someone comes to smash the Gym, how could I not accept?"
Hearing this, Meng Hua puffed up like a victorious rooster.
The battle hadn't even started, yet he already looked like he had won.
"Come on then! Let me see what a newly appointed Gym Leader is capable of!"
"Oh, and let me make this clear—I know you Gym Leaders like to hold back. I want you to use your strongest Pokémon."
"Otherwise, when you lose, don't make excuses."
Red's eyes flickered slightly as he replied casually:
"You're that eager for me to go all out?"
"Of course! If you don't, what if I win and you refuse to admit it?"
Red took out a Poké Ball.
"Fine. Then let's make it a 1v1 match. Winner takes all."
"If I lose, you can take the Songzao Gym's plaque. I'll admit defeat."
"But if you lose…"
"One million! I'll pay one million!"
Meng Hua threw out the number without hesitation.
Red didn't even blink.
"Do I look like I'm short on money?"
"As a Gym Leader, half the forest around Songzao City belongs to me."
Meng Hua's eye twitched.
He knew the Gym had assets—but not this much.
Clearly, one million wasn't enough.
Gritting his teeth, he raised the stakes.
"Three million! Plus a TM for Overheat!"
"Still not enough," Red replied calmly. "Songzao Gym holds shares in a TM production line. I don't need that."
"You rich bastard!"
With no choice left, Meng Hua brought out his final bargaining chip.
"A full set of Evolution Stones!"
Even as he said it, it felt like his teeth were about to shatter.
Red finally raised his gaze slightly.
"That's… barely acceptable."
"Enough for me to go all out once."
Meng Hua took a deep breath and threw out a Poké Ball.
"In that case—go, my precious!"
A flash of golden light burst forth—
And a Shiny Butterfree appeared on the battlefield.
[Pokémon: Butterfree (Shiny)]
[Level: 32]
[Moves: Confusion, Stun Spore, Poison Powder, Gust, Wing Attack, Bug Bite, String Shot…]
Seeing it, Gary's eyes widened.
"Wait—you're using a Shiny Butterfree to smash a Gym? Are you here to throw the match?"
Then he couldn't help muttering:
"Man, the League's direct-line trainers really are getting worse with each generation…"
The moment he said that—
Three people slowly turned to look at him.
Gary scratched his head awkwardly.
"Uh… why are you all staring at me?"
Red coughed lightly.
"Nothing. Just thought of something funny."
Looking at the Butterfree on the field, Red hesitated briefly before taking out a Poké Ball.
"Go—Poliwrath."
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