The moment he heard that name, Red 's eyes lit up—
Like a wolf spotting a fat sheep.
"I'll be right there!"
He casually grabbed a shirt and rushed toward the Gym hall, leaving Qiao Yixue standing there alone.
"…Am I really less important than a challenger?"
For the first time, Qiao Yixue began to doubt her own appearance.
———
Ash pushed open the doors and entered the Songzao Gym.
Behind him were Brock and Misty.
Looking at the luxurious Gym, both Brock and Misty—being Gym-affiliated themselves—were secretly shocked.
Especially after learning that the Songzao Gym could switch between four different battle environments—
They couldn't help but feel a bit of secondhand pain for the Gym Leader.
Maintaining four completely different battlefields was extremely expensive.
From this alone, the Songzao Gym's foundation far surpassed that of Cerulean Gym and Pewter Gym.
But that only made it stranger—
Why wasn't such a Gym one of the League's official eight?
Unlike the experienced Brock and Misty—
Ash, still new to his journey, didn't notice any of this.
At this moment, having just obtained two Gym Badges and caught his sixth Pokémon, he was brimming with confidence.
Looking at the somewhat empty Gym, Ash shouted:
"Hello? Is anyone here?!"
"I'm Ash from Pallet Town, here to challenge the Songzao Gym!"
Hearing the voice, Xiaowen set Togepi down and stood up, surprised.
"Pallet Town?"
"That sounds familiar…"
She muttered to herself, feeling like she'd heard it somewhere before.
Then suddenly—
A certain spiky-haired figure flashed through her mind.
"Right—Gary is from Pallet Town too."
———
"Hey, Ash. It's been a few months, and you still haven't changed at all. Honestly, I'm a bit disappointed."
Hearing the familiar voice, Ash turned around—
And saw Gary leaning against the doorway.
Seeing his rival, Ash immediately grabbed a Poké Ball.
"You're here to challenge the Gym too?"
"Actually, never mind!"
He pulled his cap backward dramatically.
"Let's battle, Gary! I'm not the same as before—I've caught six Pokémon and earned two Badges!"
Hearing this, Gary suddenly felt like laughing.
"Six Pokémon? Two Badges?"
He picked up a Poké Ball from his waist.
"Ash… you really haven't changed at all. I don't know why Master said you've already surpassed me."
Looking at Gary—
Who had undergone a complete transformation in just a few months—
Ash suddenly realized he couldn't see through him anymore.
Meanwhile, Gary glanced at Ash and Pikachu and sighed.
"To be honest… you're kind of disappointing."
"You've been traveling for so long, yet your Pikachu hasn't improved much at all."
"Have you even been training your Pokémon properly?"
"I… I have been training them…"
Ash's voice gradually grew quieter.
During his journey through Kanto, Ash had barely trained his Pokémon at all.
It wasn't until the Hoenn region that he began structured training.
Only then did he start to mature into a proper Trainer.
Right now—
He was still too inexperienced.
"Alright, Gary, that's enough," Red 's voice cut in.
"You may have a higher starting point, but remember what I taught you—never underestimate any opponent."
"Yes, Master."
"Master?!"
Not just Ash—
Even Misty and Brock were stunned.
Unlike Ash, they knew exactly who Gary was.
Professor Oak's grandson—
And yet he had taken a Gym Leader as his master?!
With Professor Oak's status, finding an Elite Four or even Champion-level mentor would've been easy.
All three turned to look at the approaching man.
"So you're the Gym Leader of Songzao Gym?"
Red looked at Ash—and the Pikachu on his shoulder—and smiled sincerely.
"That's right."
At that moment, Red couldn't resist checking Pikachu's panel.
After all, he was extremely curious—
Was this "Pikachu" really just acting all along?
How could it sometimes fight Legendary Pokémon, yet sometimes lose to starters?
[Pokémon: Pikachu ♂]
[Level: 15]
[Talent: Perfect (HP 31 / Atk 31 / Def 31 / Sp. Atk 31 / Sp. Def 31 / Speed 31 — Total: 186)]
[Ability: Static]
[Moves: Thunder Shock, Thunderbolt, Tackle, Quick Attack]
[Evaluation: A perfectly gifted Pikachu. However, its talent will decline if it leaves Ash. Contains a special power—when facing Legendary Pokémon, move power +100%.]
Red couldn't help but take a sharp breath.
A perfect, gold-framed talent—
A true six-stat monster.
He reached out and picked Pikachu up.
"Wait! Pikachu might attack—"
Before Ash could finish—
Pikachu's previously resistant expression melted instantly.
In Red 's arms, it let out a comfortable purring sound.
"As expected of 'Pikachu.' Even the fur feels better than ordinary ones."
"I-is that so…"
Ash scratched his nose awkwardly.
At that moment, Brock suddenly popped in.
"Of course! I personally prepare all of Pikachu's meals!"
"From nutrition to taste—they're top-tier!"
"But your massage technique is incredible. It's on par with elite Trainers."
As a Pokémon Breeder, Brock could immediately tell—
Red 's massage skills surpassed his own.
If it weren't for the situation, he would've already asked for advice.
Red smiled.
"Everyone specializes in something. My focus as a Trainer is massage techniques. As for Pokémon food, I just follow the Gym's inherited methods."
"No, no—that's already amazing."
...
Seeing them chatting happily—
And Pikachu lying comfortably in Red 's arms—
Ash finally couldn't take it anymore.
"Hey! Hold on!"
"I'm here to challenge the Gym—not for you guys to exchange breeding tips!"
Hearing this, Pikachu hesitated—
Then jumped back onto Ash's shoulder.
Ash looked at Red .
"I already have two Badges! Gym Leader Red , I formally challenge you!"
Before Red could respond—
Gary stepped forward.
"Master, why not let me handle this? I want to test my progress."
Looking at the two burning with fighting spirit—
Red calmly replied:
"No need. I've seen your progress."
"But as Gym Leader, I'll take this challenge myself."
"…Understood, Master."
Though slightly disappointed, Gary obediently stepped aside.
Red looked at Ash.
"Take your position, challenger."
"Let me see what you've got."
Ash and Pikachu moved to the opposite side.
At that moment, Qiao Yixue walked out from the backyard, muttering:
"My business isn't finished yet…"
Ash chose the standard Rock-type battlefield.
Since it was a Rock field—
And his opponent was Ash—
Red took out a Poké Ball.
"Larvitar—let's begin your first battle."
A small, green, dinosaur-like Pokémon appeared on the field.
"Challenger—send out your Pokémon."
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