Eichi watched the Machamp charging toward him. It was incredibly fast, reaching Heracross in just a few strides. Despite this, Eichi didn't panic at all.
"Heracross, Counter!"
"Yakkuru!"
Heracross crouched slightly, planting its feet firmly into the ground as if they were taking root. It pulled its body back and crossed its arms in front of its face, causing a purple energy film to manifest on its surface for protection.
Fiery red energy flowed around both of Machamp's fists as if they were burning.
"Nikeh!"
Machamp gritted its teeth and struck Heracross with all its might.
Bang! Bang!
Both of Machamp's fists slammed into Heracross's arms, but the attacks were completely absorbed by the defensive stance. An invisible energy ripple surged alongside Machamp's fists, impacting Heracross's energy shield.
Heracross felt a massive force accompanied by an explosive pressure transfer into its body. It wasn't sent flying, but it was pushed back three meters. Two deep furrows in the dirt marked where its feet had skidded along the ground.
Heracross felt immense pain, yet it endured. That force circulated through its body and, rather than dissipating, surged into its limbs. Heracross snapped its eyes open as an invisible wave pulsed toward Machamp.
It swept its arms outward, jarring Machamp back two steps. Sensing the massive energy stored in its arms, Heracross kicked off the ground with a speed so great it was impossible to track.
Its wings vibrated frantically as it lunged at Machamp, its single horn flashing with energy ripples. In Machamp's eyes, the horn seemed to grow larger until it crashed directly into its body. Machamp extended its hands to block, but it was useless.
An unimaginable power surged into its frame. Machamp felt a wave of agonizing pain before instantly losing consciousness, its body sent spiraling through the air.
Dynamic Punch was Machamp's strongest move, boasting a power of 100. A normal Pokémon hit by this would likely lose half its life. Considering the power was now doubled by the effect of Counter, Machamp simply couldn't withstand it.
Bang!
It slammed into the platform and slid off, lying motionless on the floor, unable to battle.
"We won," Eichi noted, looking at Takemoto. Regarding the fact that he had lost, Takemoto showed no reaction, as if it weren't him who had just been defeated.
Takemoto recalled Machamp into its Poké Ball and clipped it to his belt. He then looked at Eichi and offered a smile; with his features, the expression looked more like something out of a horror movie.
"Congratulations, challenger."
He pulled a green, leaf-shaped badge from his pocket.
"This is the Earth Badge, proof of your victory over the Viridian Gym."
He tossed the badge to Eichi. The distance between them was roughly 20 meters, yet he threw it perfectly across the gap. It was clear how much raw strength he possessed in his arms.
Eichi caught the badge and watched Takemoto, who simply stood up and walked toward the backstage without saying another word. Seeing that he had achieved his goal, Eichi didn't linger.
He recalled Heracross and walked out of the Viridian Gym while looking at the badge in his hand.
After Eichi left, Takemoto sat in a chair inside an office at the gym, looking at a file.
"Eichi... he has some skill," Takemoto muttered. "I hope the next time I see you, it's within Team Rocket."
Eichi walked away from the Viridian Gym and headed to the Pokémon Center. After handing Heracross's Poké Ball over to Nurse Joy, he waited in the lobby.
He looked at the Earth Badge in his hand before taking a silver case from his backpack. He placed the badge into the final slot.
This case was specifically designed for holding badges; typically, rookie trainers who registered with Nurse Joy would receive one. Looking at the other two badges, he noted he now had three in total.
With five more to go, he planned to follow the same route as Ash Ketchum. He would take a ship to Vermilion City and continue his journey from where he last traveled.
After putting the case back in his bag, Eichi suddenly thought about Takemoto's gaze. Specifically, the look he gave him just now. He knew the Viridian Gym Leader was Boss Giovanni.
That meant Takemoto was naturally a member of Team Rocket as well. Given the way he looked at him, it seemed the man recognized him, which implied Team Rocket was aware of who he was.
The question was, why would they know him?
It seemed to make sense; after all, he was the top scorer of the Silver Academy entrance exam. Since not even the top-tier "rich second generation" kids like Sato and Konan were his match, it was understandable that Team Rocket would pay attention to him.
This realization made him more alert. Since he was already on Team Rocket's radar, he would have to be careful in the future. He felt that staying in Viridian City much longer might not be a good idea.
Once Heracross's treatment was finished, Eichi went home. At his doorstep, he saw Little Yu running toward him while holding an Eevee.
"Eichi, you're back!" Yu said with a cheerful smile. "Where did you go this morning?"
"I had some business to take care of," Eichi replied with a smile.
Changing the subject, Little Yu held up the Eevee, sounding a bit boastful. "Look, Eichi! This is Eevee."
"Bui!"
The Eevee in Yu's arms gave Eichi a cute little cry. Eichi knelt down and stroked its soft fur, and the Eevee rubbed against his hand comfortably.
Eichi opened his Eye of the Bug Emperor. This Eevee had Excellent talent and was at the Rookie late-stage rank.
"This Eevee is very cute."
Little Yu beamed.
"Really? I think so too! Mom brought Eevee to stay with me. Eevee is the cutest."
"Right, Eevee?"
So it was Aunt Keiko's Pokémon; no wonder its talent was so high.
"Bui!" Eevee barked back at Yu.
"Why aren't you in class today, Yu?"
"Eichi, today is Saturday. There's no school."
Eichi tapped his own head, realizing he had completely forgotten it was Saturday. Little Yu then began to act spoiled, speaking in a sweet, childish voice.
"Eichi, I'm so bored. Can you play with me?"
Since he had nothing else to do, Eichi agreed.
"Sure. Where do you want to play?"
Little Yu grabbed the hem of Eichi's shirt, her eyes lighting up.
"Let's go to the forest! There are many cute Pokémon there."
Eichi thought about it. As long as they didn't go deep into the Viridian Forest, they would be fine.
"Alright!"
Little Yu laughed happily.
"You're the best, Eichi! Let's hurry!"
After saying that, she skipped and hopped toward the direction of the Viridian Forest. Eichi followed behind her. Little Yu was only six years old—the age where everything was a curiosity and playing was the priority.