Facing Machiki, Ash didn't immediately begin the battle.
Instead, he asked:
"You're the Gym Leader here?"
The moment those words left his mouth, the surrounding delinquents burst into laughter.
"Kid, you came to challenge the Gym without even knowing who the Gym Leader is?"
Hearing the mocking laughter around him, Machiki didn't get angry. He merely waved his hand casually.
"That's right. I am."
"You're not a qualified Gym Leader."
Ash didn't hold back at all and immediately fired back.
Although Ash had matured greatly after training under Red and was no longer the brainless hothead he once was—
The passionate fire of a hot-blooded少年 had never faded.
Hearing Ash's blunt evaluation, Machiki's expression instantly darkened.
"What did you just say, brat?"
"I said you're not a qualified Gym Leader."
"As a beginner Gym, your job should be guiding rookie Trainers and teaching them the right direction."
"Not treating newcomers as punching bags just to satisfy your own ego."
Hearing Ash's criticism, Machiki leapt down directly from the platform and landed in front of him.
"And since when is it your place to teach me how to run a Gym?"
"And those trash challengers?"
"What right do they have to call themselves Trainers?"
"If they can't handle a little pressure, then quitting early is better for them!"
"You were once a rookie Trainer too."
"So what? Were you trash back then too?"
Ash's counterattack instantly enraged Machiki.
"Shut your mouth!"
"I'm a Gym Leader! What gives you the right to lecture me?!"
At that moment, Machiki looked Ash up and down.
Then his eyes landed on the Mossdeep Gym work uniform beneath Ash's jacket.
Suddenly, Machiki burst into loud laughter.
"I knew it!"
"No ordinary brat would dare provoke me like this!"
"So you're from Mossdeep Gym!"
"But even then, you don't get to lecture me!"
"Forget some disciple like you!"
"Even if your Gym Leader came personally, he wouldn't have the qualifications to say that to me!"
Then, as though recalling something, Machiki rubbed his chin.
"Oh right…"
"The competition deciding the Eight Great Gym slots is starting soon, isn't it?"
"You're here on your master's orders to test me, right?"
Hearing that, Brock and Misty immediately tugged on Ash's backpack nervously.
"Ash, don't be stupid!"
"You can't cause trouble for your master!"
Ash nodded matter-of-factly.
"I'm not here representing Mossdeep Gym."
"I'm only representing myself."
Brock and Misty had just let out a sigh of relief—
When the next second nearly gave them heart failure.
Ash suddenly removed the Mossdeep Gym uniform.
Then, with a serious expression, declared:
"I represent only myself."
"I—Ash from Pallet Town—have come to challenge this Gym!"
The moment those words fell—
Brock and Misty stared with eyes wide open.
Then silently withdrew their earlier thoughts.
What growth?!
This guy's even more reckless than before!
Even Gary couldn't help covering his forehead painfully with a bitter smile.
"This idiot…"
"Even if this Gym is newly established, you can't just charge in like this!"
Gary admitted to himself that he absolutely could not do something so reckless.
But he also had to admit—
Ash's actions were…
Unreasonable.
Reckless.
Impulsive.
Yet at the same time—
It was exactly the sort of thing Ash would do.
Not for fame.
Not for benefits.
But purely for that burning youthful spirit in his heart.
A young man in fresh clothes and a furious horse—living with passion and pride.
Gary stood there silently for several seconds before sighing inwardly.
Maybe… this is the part where I lose to Ash.
He shook his head.
He himself would never act this recklessly.
But since Ash had already rushed forward—
As a companion, Gary couldn't just stand by.
Quietly, he pulled out his phone and dialed Red's number.
Meanwhile—
After Ash announced his Gym challenge, the entire Gym fell silent enough to hear a pin drop.
Everyone present had been completely stunned by Ash's boldness.
Machiki was the first to recover.
"Good! Very good!"
"You really think some disciple from Mossdeep Gym can challenge me?!"
"You want to challenge my Gym?"
"Fine!"
"I accept!"
"Just don't regret it later!"
At the same time, aside from Ash's group, there were also several other challengers inside the Gym.
The moment they exchanged glances, they immediately rushed out.
Soon afterward—
News of Ash challenging Rapid Gym spread through the town like wildfire.
"Big news! Big news!"
"Ash has challenged Rapid Gym head-on and openly provoked Machiki!"
"Come watch! Hurry!"
The rookie Trainers inside the Pokémon Center were all stunned.
"Seriously?!"
"That Trainer from yesterday is challenging the Gym?!"
Then, like a tidal wave, crowds of rookie Trainers rushed toward Rapid Gym.
Meanwhile, the girl whose Pidgey had been injured yesterday stared blankly in shock.
"That kind Trainer from yesterday…"
"…actually chose to challenge the Gym?!"
The news spread explosively through the small town.
Back at Mossdeep Gym, Red was currently exchanging training insights with Cynthia.
Suddenly, a phone call interrupted their conversation.
"Gary?"
"Why are you suddenly calling me?"
"Did you cause trouble outside?"
Red asked casually at first.
After all, although Gary appeared flashy and arrogant, he was actually very reliable in Red's eyes.
But Gary's voice sounded unusually panicked.
"Master, it's not me!"
"Ash went to challenge a Gym!"
Red instantly felt darkness cover his vision.
"Ash challenged a Gym?!"
"Whose Gym?!"
"Blaine's? Koga's?"
"Don't tell me he challenged Giovanni?!"
Red was already considering whether he needed to bring Mewtwo over to back Ash up—
When Gary finally explained the entire situation from beginning to end.
After hearing everything, Red finally let out a sigh of relief.
"You scared me to death."
"I thought he offended some major figure."
"So it's just a second-rate Gym Leader."
"Wait there. I'm coming over now."
After quickly preparing to leave, Red turned toward Cynthia apologetically.
"Sorry."
"One of my disciples ran into some trouble outside."
"I need to head over there."
But just as Red was about to leave—
Cynthia raised her head and spoke seriously.
"I'm coming too."
"A Gym Leader like that shouldn't continue holding that position."
Hearing Cynthia wanted to join him, Red's eyes immediately lit up.
"That would be perfect!"
Meanwhile—
Inside Rapid Gym—
The battle between Ash and Machiki was about to begin.
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