"A Kingler? Ash actually has a Kingler?"
In the Pokémon League Conference's VIP spectator section, Red was watching Ash's match up close together with Gary, Shinji, and the others.
When they saw that Ash hadn't sent out any of his main Pokémon and had instead chosen Kingler, both Gary and Shinji were surprised.
After all, they had never seen Ash use this Kingler before.
While the two were expressing their surprise, Red remained completely calm.
Ever since Ash had become Red's disciple, Ash's Pokémon transfer base had been changed to Songzao Gym.
And this Kingler had been the very first Pokémon Ash transferred over.
Although it certainly didn't receive the same treatment as Red's core team, its situation was still far better than in the anime, where it could only stay inside an aquarium at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
Moreover, although Ash's Kingler had very little screen time in the original story, its combat strength was far from weak.
The moment it debuted, it scored a one-versus-three sweep and helped Ash win his first League Tournament match.
"This is a Water Field! I'm counting on you, Kingler!"
On the battlefield, Ash called out to his Pokémon.
Kingler forcefully clacked its massive pincers together, showing off its strength.
"A Kingler?!"
"Hahaha! This kid is getting worse and worse. He's actually using an untrained Pokémon in a League Tournament."
"Gym Leader Red, your way of training disciples really isn't that impressive!"
At that moment, Lt. Surge swaggered over to Red and maliciously patted him on the shoulder.
Seeing who it was, Red raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? Isn't this the guy I defeated? You actually dare come over here?"
Hearing the mockery, Lt. Surge showed no embarrassment whatsoever. Instead, he confidently declared:
"Gym Leader Red, I came to tell you that your victory over me was nothing more than a stroke of luck! I've been a trainer for many years. Naturally, I didn't bring out my ace Pokémon during our battle!"
Looking at Surge's self-satisfied expression, Red raised an eyebrow, already having some guesses.
Someone as petty as Surge definitely wasn't the type to hold back intentionally.
Suddenly recalling something, Red said:
"Oh right, on that point, I really can't compare with a veteran trainer like Mr. Surge."
"After all, I've only been a trainer for less than a year. There's no way I can compare to someone who's been traveling for many years like you."
The moment those words were spoken, many of the other people in the VIP lounge were shocked.
"Gym Leader Red has only had Pokémon for less than a year?!"
"Hahaha! Gym Leader Red truly is a young genius!"
"This is my first time meeting Gym Leader Red. I'm the owner of the Snorlax Restaurant Chain. You're welcome to visit anytime!" said a plump middle-aged man with a cheerful smile.
"Gym Leader Red, does Songzao City happen to need a commercial trade center? Our company just happens to have some plans in that area..."
Watching Red instantly become the center of attention, Surge shot him a resentful glare.
Anyone qualified to sit in the League's VIP section was no ordinary person. They were all shrewd individuals.
The moment they recognized Red, they immediately seized the opportunity to build connections with him.
With Red's age and strength, even if he failed to become one of the Eight Gym Leaders this time, he would undoubtedly achieve that status sooner or later.
He was a guaranteed blue-chip investment.
And beyond being a Gym Leader, Red himself had become one of the League's hottest public figures.
Every so often, they would hear some new story about him.
Even the League's major new reform—the Dynamax system—was related to him.
Soon, all the wealthy businessmen and corporate executives had gathered around Red.
The only person left standing awkwardly by himself was Lt. Surge.
Red looked at him and thought to himself:
I may not be a freak like Mewtwo, who had Champion-level strength at the age of three, but crushing trash like you is no problem at all.
Looking at the business cards and gifts piling up in his hands, Red smiled.
"Thank you all for your concern. If there are any opportunities for cooperation, I'll contact everyone as soon as possible."
Hearing this, the executives and wealthy investors all smiled warmly.
At that moment, the owner of a mining company grabbed Red by the shoulder and said:
"Gym Leader Red, I heard you're not married yet, right? Coincidentally, my daughter isn't married either. How about—"
"Bah! You rock-digger! Your daughter is only fourteen! Are you even human?"
The owner of the Snorlax Restaurant Chain grinned and said:
"Gym Leader Red, my daughter is twenty-one. Perfect age!"
Watching the wealthy businessmen compete with one another to marry their daughters off to Red, Surge felt even more envious, jealous, and bitter.
But at that moment, the entire VIP area suddenly felt an invisible pressure descend upon them.
It was as though some prehistoric beast had entered the room.
With a loud bang, the doors to the VIP lounge were blasted open by an unseen force.
Sabrina stood at the entrance with her arms crossed, her expression cold as she looked down at everyone present.
The few tycoons who had just tried to introduce their daughters to Red instantly felt their bodies stiffen.
A faint but unmistakable killing intent seemed to brush against their necks.
The entire room fell silent.
No one dared utter a single word.
In the world of Pokémon, strength ultimately reigned supreme.
No matter how successful they were as company owners or financial magnates, they still dared not act arrogantly before someone like Sabrina—a member of the Eight Gym Leaders and, more importantly, a trainer with Elite Four-level strength.
"S-Sabrina-sama!"
Sabrina swept her gaze across the room.
The company presidents who had been crowding around Red immediately understood and hurriedly stepped aside.
Sabrina walked over and stood directly next to Red, as if declaring her claim.
"You came here, so why didn't you come find me?"
Her tone remained as cold as ever, but the intimacy hidden within her words instantly made everyone realize that the relationship between the two was far from ordinary.
Ah... what a pity. We were too late. How could someone like Gym Leader Red not already have a girlfriend?
Such a shame. We were one step too slow.
While several business tycoons sighed regretfully, the mining magnate who had spoken first remained unwavering.
"It's fine. My daughter is still young!"
"At worst, she can be the second wife!"
The others sucked in a cold breath.
"Is that really necessary?"
"Your daughter is still a kid, you old bastard! You're really willing to go that far?"
The mining tycoon said nothing more.
Compared to the others, he had closer ties with the Pokémon League and knew far more insider information.
More than anyone else present, he understood just how enormous Red's potential truly was.
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