After Red and the others left, the Team Rocket trio immediately packed up.
Soon, a Meowth-shaped hot air balloon rose from the hotpot restaurant and drifted away from Songzao City without looking back.
Watching the balloon float into the sky, Red actually let out a sigh of relief.
After all, while Team Rocket might not be very strong—
Their ability to cause trouble was top-tier.
If they stayed in Songzao City, Red wouldn't be surprised if they somehow attracted a few Legendary Pokémon one day.
As the Gym Leader, he naturally couldn't allow such walking disasters to remain in the city.
So he had no choice but to scare them off a bit and send them far away.
Still, watching the Meowth balloon disappear into the distance, Red said with slight regret:
"Too bad I didn't get to hear their signature motto."
But he knew—
Meeting them again was only a matter of time.
———
Meanwhile, aboard the hot air balloon already high in the sky—
The Team Rocket trio began to grow arrogant again.
"So what if he's a Gym Leader? He's just a kid!"
"Just you wait—we—"
Before Jessie could finish—
BOOM!
A bolt of lightning exploded right beside them!
One moment, the sky had been clear—
The next, dark clouds surged and thunder roared .
The trio's expressions instantly turned to terror as they huddled together.
"Why did the weather suddenly change like this, meow?!"
At that moment, James finally showed his expertise.
"I remember now! Songzao Gym specializes in weather—this must be that guy's doing!"
"And to summon such powerful weather so quickly—this Pokémon must be incredibly strong! Definitely stronger than that kid's Pikachu!"
"Jessie, it's all your fault for running your mouth!"
"What?! You're blaming me now?!" Jessie snapped.
"Stop arguing—the balloon is about to explode, meow!"
As Meowth screamed—
Another bolt of lightning struck the burner of the balloon.
BOOM!!!
A massive explosion erupted instantly.
The Team Rocket trio was blasted into the sky like shooting stars—
Burned, battered , and clinging to each other, they cried out in unison:
"Looks like we're blasting off agaaain!"
Watching the streak across the sky, Red shaded his eyes and said:
"Wow… they really flew far."
As the trio disappeared , the violent weather quickly dissipated—
Returning to a clear, sunny sky.
Just as James had guessed—
This was indeed Red 's doing.
But what he got wrong was—
It wasn't some overwhelmingly powerful Pokémon.
Instead—
It was a seemingly insignificant Castform.
Castform lay weakly on Red 's shoulder, looking completely drained, as if all its energy had been squeezed out.
"Good job, Castform."
Hearing the praise, despite its exhaustion, Castform's eyes still lit up with joy.
"Come back and rest."
———
Gary and Xiaowen, who had witnessed everything, were completely stunned.
They couldn't understand why a hot air balloon suddenly appeared —
Or why Red attacked it without warning.
But the most shocking thing was Xiaowen.
She grabbed Red by the shoulders.
"Gym Leader, how did you do that?! With Castform's strength, it's impossible to control such powerful weather in such a short time! This completely defies logic!"
Seeing her so shocked for the first time, Red grinned.
"This is the inherited technique of the Songzao Gym."
"If we didn't have a few trump cards, how could we run a Gym?"
"Then… Can you teach me?"
The moment she said it, Xiaowen realized something was wrong.
A core technique of a Gym—
How could it possibly be taught to an outsider like her?
But Red smiled mysteriously.
"It's not impossible."
Hearing this—
Not just Xiaowen, even Gary widened his eyes.
Gary hadn't asked earlier—not because he wasn't interested—
But because, as Professor Oak's grandson, he understood that some techniques were never shared .
For example, Professor Oak's decades of research notes…
So even though he was tempted, he held back.
But now—
He couldn't help it.
Both Gary and Xiaowen looked at Red eagerly.
Red chuckled.
"Although these techniques are family secrets and can't be passed to outsiders…"
"You could always join the Red family."
"For example, Gary—you could change your name to Red Mao, call me 'godfather,' and I'll teach you."
Gary's lips twitched.
"…My grandfather would beat me to death. I'll pass."
"But Xiaowen would have it much easier."
"Really?" Xiaowen's eyes lit up instantly.
"Of course. If you marry into the Songzao Gym, wouldn't that make you family?"
Hearing this—
Xiaowen froze for a moment.
Then, looking at Red , her face gradually turned Red .
"Absolutely not!"
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