Following the staff into Pewter Gym, Nozomi took in his surroundings carefully.
Unlike the simplistic Pewter Gym portrayed in the anime, the real-life gym was impressively well-equipped.
Though the gym maintained its signature rock-themed walls and flooring, giving it a rugged appearance, there was a sense of grandeur in its roughness. From the entrance hall all the way to the battle arena, Nozomi's preconceived notions of Pewter Gym melted away.
In the training area, Brock stood alone, squinting with a solemn, even grim expression.
It was clear he had seen that post online and understood the consequences of his information being leaked.
"How many people are outside now?"
Brock didn't respond to Nozomi but instead asked the staff guiding him.
"Gym Leader, there are already over a hundred people," the staff replied, looking troubled.
Normally, hardly anyone challenged the gym at once—but today, a flood of challengers had arrived.
Brock's expression sank further.
He had thought that if only a dozen or so trainers showed up, he could grit his teeth and handle it. Now, with over a hundred trainers queued outside, the task seemed daunting.
And Brock had every reason to suspect that ninety percent of these challengers would wield Water- and Grass-type Pokémon.
Even a single Water Gun from one of these Water Pokémon could easily flood Pewter Gym.
Standing beside him, Nozomi felt overwhelming sympathy for Brock. Anyone in his position would find this stressful. It was just bad luck.
Of course, as the challenger, Nozomi's own nerves were steady.
"Excuse me, when can we start the challenge?" he asked.
Brock snapped out of his despair at Nozomi's words.
He took a deep breath, silently reminding himself that the Pewter Gym's reputation could not fall into the wrong hands.
Looking up, he addressed Nozomi.
"You can start anytime! Pewter Gym's battle rules are 2v2: both the gym trainer and the challenger can each use two Pokémon. During battle, challengers may switch Pokémon, but gym trainers cannot. Any objections?"
Determined to give his all and show his strength, Brock released his first Pokémon.
"Go, Graveler!"
He tossed a Poké Ball, and a sturdy Graveler appeared in the arena.
As a competent and responsible gym trainer, Brock's Pokémon roster extended beyond the Geodude and Onix seen in the original story.
This Graveler was among his strongest, deployed not only to secure victory but also because his Geodude had become unable to fight in previous battles.
"Bam! Bam!"
Graveler slammed its two short arms against its chest while raising its long arms overhead.
Like Machamp, Graveler's four arms made it a truly intimidating sight.
"Send out your Pokémon!" Brock commanded.
Nozomi nodded and drew a Poké Ball from his belt.
In Brock's astonished eyes, he released Leafeon.
It was spring, and the leaf-shaped ears and tail sprouted tender green shoots, brimming with vitality.
"What kind of Pokémon is that?"
Brock had never seen a Pokémon like this.
Though it bore some resemblance to Eevee's Espeon or Umbreon forms, the pale yellow fur and leaf-like ears marked it clearly as a Grass-type.
As far as Brock knew, none of Eevee's five evolutions were Grass-type.
Nozomi didn't explain. He simply waved at Leafeon and issued the command:
"Leafeon, use Razor Leaf!"
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
Five leaves shot from Leafeon's ears and tail, each tracing a different trajectory toward Graveler.
Nozomi had discovered by chance that Leafeon had extraordinary control over projectile attacks like Razor Leaf.
Sending five leaves along separate paths was easy; if fully focused, Leafeon could even control ten.
But in practical battle, five leaves were sufficient.
Graveler froze, bewildered.
Razor Leaves came from five directions, cutting off almost all avenues of escape and pinning Graveler in place.
Yet even as Graveler hesitated, Brock remained calm.
Years of gym training had honed his skills.
"Graveler, use Rock Tomb! Block those Razor Leaves!"
The command was understood instantly by his loyal Graveler.
Four massive rocks fell from above, forming walls that trapped Graveler inside.
Razor Leaf, while sharp, could not deviate from its predetermined paths and slammed into the rocks, five leaves embedding halfway into the stone.
Brock's pupils narrowed.
He knew Graveler's capabilities intimately.
The Rock Tomb stones were incredibly hard; Graveler's body wasn't much tougher.
Had Razor Leaf struck Graveler directly instead of the rocks, it could have incapacitated him instantly.
"Tch… what a shame," Nozomi murmured.
He had hoped to strike unexpectedly and take Graveler out with Razor Leaf alone—but Brock's quick reaction foiled that plan.
With Brock now on guard, another surprise attack would be difficult.
Still, Razor Leaf wasn't useless. It had granted Nozomi the initiative.
"Leafeon, use Grass Whistle."
Taking advantage of Graveler's entrapment, Nozomi deployed a skill that was usually considered clumsy in real combat.
Grass Whistle wasn't bad—but in real-time battle, slow moves were risky since opponents wouldn't stand idly by.
However, in this situation, it was perfect.
With Graveler immobilized, Leafeon could sing freely.