"Onix Lv.30"

Upon entering the dojo, a massive rocky mountain instantly fills the field of vision, and the air is filled with the dry, dusty smell.

According to the rules, before challenging the Gym Leader, Red needs to defeat the Gym Leaders hidden in the shadows of the rocky mountain and prove his strength in the preliminary rounds before he can step onto the final battle stage.

This level of challenge is just a warm-up for Crimson.

"Mosquito coil frog, water gun!"

The mosquito coil frog put its hands on its hips, condensed a powerful jet of water from its mouth, and swept it out like a high-pressure water cannon.

Trainers hiding behind the rocks were swept away by the surging water before they could even fully summon their Pokémon, resulting in the complete elimination of the area.

Without breaking a sweat, Akira swept through the crowd and stepped onto the battle platform made of huge, flat rocks at the deepest part of the gym.

At the other end of the arena, a man with a rock-solid build, slightly dark skin, and signature squinty eyes was standing with his arms crossed, his muscular upper body exposed.

Seeing Xiao Chi take the stage, a calm smile appeared on his lips.

Xiao Gang: Challenger! State your name!

"Little Red: ..."

The battle begins.

Brock remained as steady as a rock and was the first to throw out the Poké Ball.

A sturdy rock Pokémon has appeared.

Geodude Lv.18

"Ability: Sturdy (Cannot be knocked out in one hit by an opponent's move)"

"The level is quite high, but..."

With its sharp, crimson eyes, it dispatched a Poliwag, intending to quickly end the battle by overwhelming the opponent with its level and attributes.

"Go, Poliwag! Use the water gun!"

The mosquito coil frog spread its arms, and the spiral pattern on its belly suddenly lit up with blue light, as the rapids converged.

A high-pressure water jet shot out instantly, and before the little stone could even assume a defensive stance, it was blasted away and embedded in a pile of rocks next to it with a bang.

When Xiao Gang saw this, his already narrowed eyes narrowed even more.

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately gave orders.

"Brock: Geodude! Big Bang!"

Amidst the thick smoke, the battered and bruised Geodude stubbornly emerged.

The mosquito coil frog's water gun was incredibly powerful, but thanks to its sturdy build, it withstood the fatal blow.

Xiao Gang's decisive tactics clearly took Chi Hong by surprise.

In the split second before Geodude was about to pounce on Poliwag, Crimson Command was issued first.

"Poliwag! Use Protect!"

Boom—

A deafening explosion engulfed the entire dojo!

Smoke and dust filled the air, and as the dust settled, a pale blue energy shield covered with spiderweb-like cracks was seen rising in the center of the arena.

Click!

The protective shield shattered instantly. Although the mosquito coil frog blocked most of the impact, it was still shaken back repeatedly and was clearly seriously injured.

Xiao Gang crossed his arms and gave a calm smile.

"Xiao Gang: You're quite strong, challenger! But watch out for the weight of the rocks!"

He sent out a second Pokémon, and a giant rock appeared, which was Geodude's evolved form, Graveler.

Larger in size, it exudes a strong sense of intimidation.

"Golden Golem Lv.25"

"Ability: Sturdy (Cannot be knocked out in one hit by an opponent's move)"

"Mosquito coil frog! Catch it when it lands stiff! Foam ray!"

Crimson has an extremely keen sense of combat, never missing a single detail.

Despite its pain, the mosquito coil frog rubbed its hands vigorously on its slippery belly, instantly producing and condensing a large amount of foam that shimmered with a strange luster.

With a wave of its hand, a ray of foam containing strange energy shot directly at the rumbler.

Xiao Gang showed no fear.

"Xiao Gang: Rumble Rock! Carry it like a real man! Push it up! Use your Thunder Fist!"

Rumble roared, his eyes burning with indomitable fighting spirit!

It crossed its four thick arms in front of it, struggling to advance against the relentless onslaught of foam rays, with fine electric sparks crackling on its tightly clenched stone fists.

Go ahead!

Go ahead!

Just as the rumbler was trembling and about to give way, it suddenly swung a powerful punch filled with electricity, which landed squarely on the mosquito coil frog's soft belly.

boom!

The mosquito coil frog flew backwards in response.

It performed a nimble backflip in the air and landed steadily, but the charred marks from the electric shock on its body and its rapid breathing indicated that it had reached its limit.

The rumbling stone was teetering on the brink of collapse, struggling even to stand, but the unwavering determination in its eyes burned brighter than ever before.

His crimson eyes narrowed instantly, and he saw through Xiao Gang's intentions.

"Poliwag is back! Charmeleon, use Protect!"

Almost as soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Gang's voice rang out.

"Xiao Gang: Gravestone! Big Explosion!"

hum-

The blinding white light first contracted extremely inward, as if swallowing up all sound.

next moment.

The destructive energy exploded like a supernova, completely engulfing the screen in blinding white light.

A sharp, shattering sound like breaking glass rang out, and the protective shield that the Charmander had hastily erected crumbled under the terrifying self-destruction.

It was violently thrown away by the shockwave and crashed through the rocky barrier behind it with a loud bang.

however--

"roar--"

A loud and indomitable dragon roar tore through the smoke and dust.

Charmeleon leaped out of the rubble and stood upright on the battlefield, its body covered in abrasions, but the flames on its tail blazed wildly as if doused with oil.

Blazing fire!

The lower your stamina, the stronger your fire-type moves!

"Xiao Gang: You actually... made it this far! You're truly an amazing challenger! Win or lose, I, Xiao Gang, acknowledge you! Now, give it your all and have the final showdown with my ace!"

Xiao Gang solemnly threw out his last Poké Ball.

hum!

The lights inside the dojo suddenly dimmed as a massive, mountain-like figure blocked the light source—Onix.

Onix Lv.30

"Ability: Shattered Armor (If damaged by a physical attack, Defense decreases, Speed ​​increases significantly)"

Level 30!

The crimson pressure increased sharply.

In his Pokémon team, the highest-level Poliwag is only level 27, and after the previous consecutive battles, its stamina is no longer good.

Of the remaining Pokémon, Charmeleon was barely clinging to life, and Pikachu was struggling against Rock-type Pokémon...

The hesitation lasted only a moment, then he commanded:

"Come back, Charmeleon."

The Charmander in the field was clearly taken aback, but eventually turned into red light and returned to the ball to rest.

"Please... Pikachu!"

Red looked at Pikachu, who was lazily perched on Red's shoulder and didn't even want to score.

Pikachu reluctantly jumped onto the field, glanced at the mountain-sized Onix, and curled its lip in disdain.

"Pikachu, Quick Attack!"

Crimson attempted to take command.

Pikachu completely ignored him, instead beckoning its little paw to Onix in a provocative gesture.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Gang's face instantly darkened.

Brock: What's going on?! Even my own Pokémon isn't obeying my commands! This is outrageous!

"Xiao Gang: Onix! Rockfall!"

The Onix roared, slamming its thick, rocky tail into the ground, sending countless pebbles raining down on Pikachu.

Pikachu's refusal to attack isn't due to disobedience; it's simply because it feels the opponent is too weak to warrant its claws.

Faced with falling rocks, it simply leaps around with ease, dodging most of the attacks.

however.

Snapped!

A small pebble, propelled by the explosion, struck its smooth little forehead precisely.

It doesn't cause much harm, but it's extremely insulting.

Pikachu instantly bristled.

Her face darkened, and her temper flared up instantly.

It suddenly turned its head, not at Onix, but at its trainer, Red.

"Pikachu!"

A merciless electric shock struck Little Red, who screamed and ran wildly around the arena.