"Did I give you permission to speak?"
Qiao Yixue's face bore none of the usual gentleness associated with a Nurse Joy. Her expression was ice-cold as she stared at Meng Hua, who was pinned to the ground and unable to move.
Hearing her chilling tone—
Especially after seeing his two ace Pokémon completely immobilized—
Meng Hua finally calmed down.
"S-sorry… I lost control of my emotions and caused all this trouble. I sincerely apologize."
Lowering his head, he apologized to Qiao Yixue.
But Qiao Yixue frowned and replied:
"Who told you to apologize to me? Apologize to our Gym Leader!"
Meng Hua froze for a moment, instinctively about to retort—
"Why should I apologize to a Gym Leader whose strongest Pokémon is only level twenty-som—"
But the moment he saw Chansey's gentle smile, his expression changed drastically.
Chansey's small hands pressed down ever so slightly.
In an instant, intense pain surged through Meng Hua's body. His bones creaked audibly under the pressure.
Only then did the usually arrogant Meng Hua realize—
This was not the time for him to act high and mighty.
His life was in someone else's hands.
He could only swallow his pride.
"I… I'm sorry…"
As a semi-supervisory figure within the League, Qiao Yixue despised people like Meng Hua the most—
Second-generation trainers who relied on family power, yet lacked any real ability, abusing their status within the League.
And today, one had walked right into her sights.
There was no way she would let him off easily.
At that moment, Qiao Yixue suddenly remembered something about Red. She cautiously glanced at Red beside her.
Seeing that his expression hadn't changed, she let out a small sigh of relief.
I was too reckless… I hope revealing my strength didn't make Gym Leader Red suspicious…
According to the report she had received earlier—
Red , like the heirs of Pewter Gym and Cerulean Gym, was supposedly the type who neglected proper duties.
But after witnessing his battles and the effort he put into training his Pokémon today—
Her impression of him had completely changed.
She admired hardworking Gym Leaders like Red .
Even if his strength was lacking, as long as he was willing to work hard, with the League's funding and support, becoming stronger was only a matter of time.
That was why, when she saw someone trying to take advantage of the Songzao Gym's transitional period to cause trouble—
Even going as far as attempting to incite chaos within the Gym—
She became truly angry.
So much so that she was willing to risk exposing her identity just to help him.
Of course—
If Qiao Yixue knew that inside Red 's Poké Ball rested a Tyranitar no weaker than her Chansey, who knew what she would think.
After seeing Chansey easily subdue Meng Hua, Red also withdrew the hand he had kept on his Poké Ball.
Although he still didn't know where this so-called "Nurse Joy of Songzao City" had come from—
He still said to her:
"Thank you for your help this time, Miss Joy."
"Oh, it's nothing. As colleagues of the League, it's only natural."
Just as Red and Qiao Yixue exchanged pleasantries—
Xiaowen and Gary, who had been watching from the side, spoke up timidly:
"Gym Leader (Master)… if you keep chatting, that guy might actually get crushed to death…"
Looking at Meng Hua, who was foaming at the mouth and on the verge of passing out—
Qiao Yixue turned to Red .
"Attacking a Gym is a serious crime. The people behind him will likely offer you a large settlement. For now, let's send him to prison."
"Then we'll do as you suggest, Miss Joy."
Seeing Red agree, Qiao Yixue smiled brightly.
"You can just call me Qiao Yixue from now on. No need for 'Miss Joy.'"
"Alright. Then you can call me Red ."
"Okay, Gym Leader Red ."
Red 's mouth twitched slightly, but seeing her cheerful expression, he let it go.
Gary quickly called Officer Jenny of Songzao City.
Upon hearing that someone had dared to attack a Gym, even Officer Jenny was shocked.
After arriving and arresting the culprit, she said to Red :
"Gym Leader Red , rest assured —we will make sure this reckless criminal receives the punishment he deserves!"
Red simply nodded.
He didn't care too much—
As long as the compensation was high enough, he was actually quite easy to talk to.
For example—
If they offered seven or eight Permanent Evolution Stones, he might not pursue the matter at all.
Sure enough, things unfolded just as Red expected.
A butler soon arrived at the Songzao Gym.
He apologized sincerely on behalf of his young master and presented a generous compensation package.
Three Permanent Evolution Stones—
And a rare item: Soul Sand.
[Soul Sand: Sand left behind after a Palossand's death. Enhances a Pokémon's affinity with Rock-type energy and increases the mental strength of Rock-type Pokémon.]
In terms of rarity, Soul Sand was even more valuable than Permanent Evolution Stones.
Facing such gifts, Red accepted everything without hesitation.
But when the butler handed over the settlement agreement—
Red grinned.
"Your young master left in a hurry and forgot something."
"We agreed on ten million in cash, two sets of standard Evolution Stones, and ten Technical Machines."
Even the well-experienced old butler couldn't help but widen his eyes.
"Gym Leader Red … this is…"
"What? Not willing to pay? Then this settlement agreement…"
At the mention of the agreement, the old butler could only grit his teeth.
"…Very well. Rest assured , the Meng family is not one to shirk responsibility. We will pay what our young master owes."
Soon, an entire cart of resources was delivered into the Gym's storage room, along with a bank transfer showing a long string of digits.
Red nodded in satisfaction.
"Not bad."
The butler quickly handed over the agreement again.
"Gym Leader Red , please sign."
Red smiled as he took it.
Under the shocked gazes of Qiao Yixue, Gary, and Xiaowen—
He casually tore the agreement into pieces.
"The compensation just now—that's what he owes for attacking the Gym."
"As for reconciliation?"
"You want me to reconcile with someone who tried to attack me?"
"Let me tell you—never."
"Gary! Show them out!"
Hearing this bold response, Gary's face lit up with excitement.
"Got it, Master!"
Facing the butler, Gary waved him off rudely.
"Out, out, out! The Songzao Gym doesn't welcome you!"
"You—!"
The old butler's expression changed drastically as he looked at the torn agreement. Just as he was about to speak—
He suddenly froze, like a duck with its throat grabbed.
Because he had recognized Gary.
"Y-you… are you Professor Oak's grandson?!"
"Wait—why are you at the Songzao Gym?!"
"Whether I'm here or not is none of your business. Now get lost!"
Gary knew exactly how to deal with people like this. In no time, he drove the butler out of the Gym.
Once the butler was gone, Gary immediately dropped his arrogant act and grinned at Red .
"So, Master—how did I do? Not bad, right?"
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