Kanto Region, Songzao City — Songzao Gym.
"Hehe~ it's the Saffron Badge~"
Ash stared at the Saffron Badge in his hand, grinning foolishly.
Seeing that dumb smile, Gary—who was training nearby—felt irritation rise instantly.
He signaled to Wartortle, who immediately sprayed a small Water Gun at Ash's neck.
"Ah—!"
Ash jumped in shock.
"That's enough. Stop staring at your badge and get back to training."
"What was that for?!"
Ash clutched his neck and turned around, complaining.
"I was just looking at my newly earned badge! Do you even know? In all of Kanto, aside from the mysterious Viridian Badge, the hardest ones to get are the Cinnabar Badge and the Saffron Badge!"
"Enough nonsense. Get over here and train. Just because Master isn't here today doesn't mean you can slack off."
Ash waved his fist.
"Like I'd slack off?!"
"I'm going to become a Pokémon Master!"
Scenes like this had become common in the Gym.
Of course—
The reason Ash and Gary obtained their badges wasn't because they defeated Sabrina.
After her intense battle with Red that day, Sabrina's psychic power had been completely drained—she couldn't battle at all.
So their Gym challenges were handled by Saffron Gym's disciples.
Against those Gym Pokémon—
If Sabrina had been commanding, Ash and Gary might have lost.
But against ordinary disciples—
They won easily.
Thus, both gained another badge.
Gary now had five badges, while Ash had three.
"Come to think of it, Master seems really busy lately."
Ash spoke while training.
"Are you stupid?"
Gary rolled his eyes.
"Master's Tyranitar evolved—and then reverted in a very short time."
"For a research topic that could get multiple Pokémon researchers promoted, how could the League not take it seriously?"
"Oh… I see. Master is amazing."
Ash scratched his head, grinning again.
Gary sighed inwardly.
Possessing a treasure invites trouble…
As a second-generation League trainer, Gary understood clearly—
The League wasn't a unified front.
There were dark sides.
And not just the League—
Team Rocket and other independent forces would all set their sights on Red .
At the Pokémon Center in Songzao City—
Led by Professor Oak, a group of League researchers stood before Red and Tyranitar.
A researcher wearing square glasses spoke with a somewhat aggressive tone:
"Gym Leader Red , please cooperate with our examination."
"How could Tyranitar evolve and then suddenly revert?"
"Can you provide more information?"
"You should understand—if a Pseudo-Legendary like Tyranitar can evolve further, it would be a groundbreaking discovery for the entire world!"
"Please cooperate!"
Hearing this, Red took a deep breath—
Then slammed his hand on the table and stood up.
"That's enough!"
"It's been three days—I've told you everything I know!"
"What else do you want? Put Tyranitar on a dissection table?!"
"And you—glasses guy—don't think acting polite makes it okay."
"I'm a League Gym Leader, not a suspect!"
"I only agreed to this because of Professor Oak and Elite Four Agatha."
"If anyone keeps talking nonsense—get out!"
His sudden outburst shocked the researchers, who were used to quiet lab environments.
They all took a step back.
Red snorted coldly and slowly raised his hand.
A shallow handprint was visible on the stainless steel table.
Seeing this strength beyond normal humans—
The researchers' expressions changed.
Professor Oak finally stepped in, placing a hand on Red 's shoulder.
"Gym Leader Red , don't be angry. Let's end today's examination here."
He waved his hand, and the researchers reluctantly left.
Only Red and Professor Oak remained.
Professor Oak sighed.
"I'm sorry, Gym Leader Red . The League isn't entirely under the control of old folks like me and Agatha."
Red nodded—he understood.
After that, Professor Oak also left.
Alone in the Pokémon Center—
Red finally cursed:
"Damn it… these old fossils in the League!"
"Doesn't everyone have their own secrets? I just got back and they're already swarming like rabid dogs."
He rubbed his temples in frustration.
Clearly—
Being a Gym Leader wasn't enough in the eyes of the true upper ranks of the League.
Leaning against the wall, he sighed.
At that moment—
The door opened.
Without even looking, Red knew who it was.
Xiaowen stood behind him, wearing a complicated expression.
"So, Gym Leader… did you finally realize the League isn't as righteous as it seems?"
Red nodded helplessly.
Just then, Nurse Joy from Songzao City walked over with a phone.
"Don't worry, Gym Leader. Joy Xue has heard about this too. She said she'll try to help."
"Thanks. Please tell her I appreciate it."
Nurse Joy nodded and left.
At that moment—
The Team Rocket trio, still wearing Songzao Gym uniforms, walked in.
Seeing them, Red smirked.
"You three still dare to come see me?"
The bruised trio burst into tears.
"Wuuuu… Gym Leader, we were wrong! We shouldn't have tried to capture Pikachu in Saffron City!" James cried.
"Yes! We came to apologize, meow!"
While James and Meowth apologized—
Jessie quietly slipped a note into Red 's hand.
"Since we've apologized, we'll be leaving now! Don't worry—we're just visiting this time. We won't break your rules!"
They ran off immediately.
Red looked at the note and shook his head.
"With things this chaotic… all kinds of troublemakers are showing up."
"Gym Leader, what's that?" Xiaowen asked curiously.
Red didn't even open it.
Using his newly acquired Psychic Power, he tore the note into pieces.
"Probably a recruitment letter from Team Rocket."
"Team Rocket recruitment?!"
But the moment the note was destroyed—
A psychic projection appeared .
A tall woman wearing a mask crossed her arms, looking down arrogantly.
"If the League doesn't work out for you, you can always join Team Rocket."
"We'll always welcome you."
Xiaowen was stunned.
"W-What… who is that?!"
Red shrugged.
"Oh, her? A Team Rocket executive."
"Someone I happened to meet during my trip."
Xiaowen stared at him.
"So… Gym Leader, just how many people did you meet on this trip?"
Only now did Red realize—
He had built quite a network recently.
Though…
Most of it didn't seem very reliable.
What he didn't know was—
His strongest connection was still on a remote island… fishing.
On an unknown island—
"Haha! Got another one!"
Red 's father pulled up a fish, skillfully cleaning and slicing it.
He dipped the fresh slices briefly in hot water—
Then paired them with simple soy sauce and scallions.
A look of pure satisfaction appeared on his face.
"This is the life…"
Just then—
His phone rang.
"Hello? Where the hell have you been vacationing? You dumped your Gym on your son and ran off early—must be nice."
Red 's father casually picked a fishbone to clean his teeth.
"Alright, Norman. Just because your kid isn't grown yet doesn't mean you need to nag me."
"Say it—what do you want? And don't expect me to fight."
On the other end—
Norman, Gym Leader of Petalburg Gym, stared at the news report on TV.
"If you don't come back soon…"
"Your son is about to become prey everyone is fighting over."
Red 's father froze.
Then—
His eyes turned sharp.
Filled with killing intent.
"…What happened?"
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