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"What I saw outside is no different from what you're doing," Ash stated calmly, remaining seated.
"T-that's only because Kaz Gym's thugs went too far! We had to defend ourselves!"
The girl faltered, unsure how to respond to Ash's observation. Both sides had indeed behaved similarly during the street battle, but she couldn't admit this.
"A Gym Leader's first responsibility is protecting civilians. If you can't do that, you're no better than your rivals. I won't help you."
Ash delivered his verdict with composure, showing no interest in continuing the conversation.
"I agree. Count me out too!" Misty was equally irritated by the gyms' behavior. Seeing Ash refuse, she naturally sided with him.
Hearing their rejections, the girl's expression darkened. She turned to Brock with hopeful eyes, correctly identifying him as potentially the most susceptible to persuasion among the three.
Brock noticed her gaze and hesitated, glancing at Ash and Misty, who remained firm in their stance. He looked back at the girl, conflicted. Though he found her attractive, his principles as a former Gym Leader prevailed. He couldn't support someone who destroyed city streets and terrorized citizens simply to gain League recognition.
"I'm sorry, beautiful lady. Despite your charm, I cannot support anyone who would cause such destruction merely to gain League certification."
Brock's expression was both resolute and regretful as he stood alongside his friends. Had someone not known his typical behavior around pretty girls, they might have been convinced by his dignified appearance.
Upon realizing all three had refused, the girl's demeanor changed dramatically.
"Are you planning to help Kaz Gym instead?" Her voice turned accusatory, though none of them had mentioned siding with the rival gym.
She seemed to have forgotten that Ash and his friends had just driven away Team Rocket members claiming to work for Kaz Gym. Clearly, the strength Ash had demonstrated worried her. If they joined Kaz Gym instead, Yas Gym would face serious trouble.
"I won't help people like you. I'll stand against anyone who causes problems—it's that simple."
Seeing the girl's rapid transformation, Ash dismissed her concerns with a casual gesture. His indifference made her expression even more sour. She gritted her teeth in frustration before turning and storming out.
Ash paid little attention to her departure, but he noticed the mysterious customer sitting nearby, observing them over a coffee cup.
Sensing Ash's awareness, the figure accidentally spilled coffee on their mask when Ash glanced in their direction. They quickly lowered their hat to avoid eye contact.
"Alas! Why is my path to love always so rocky?" Brock lamented, dramatically slumping over the table with a heartbroken expression.
"It's not your first rejection, so I'll spare the sympathy," Misty replied with a helpless look. Brock's romantic prospects were typically slim to none.
"If things are as they appear, Brock, consider yourself lucky this didn't work out," Ash remarked casually.
"What do you mean?"
"Do you think she only treats you that way? I suspect all the thugs in Yas Gym were recruited using the same tactics." Children in the Pokémon world might be relatively innocent, but Ash wasn't fooled.
While concepts like manipulation and fake flattery might be beyond most young trainers, the girl's rapid change in attitude and excessive compliments made her intentions clear. The thugs working for Yas Gym were likely enlisted through similar deception, all willingly playing along for attention.
After Ash pointed this out, Brock quickly realized that had he been less sensible, he might have become just another manipulated enforcer.
"Ash, you should leave quickly! Neither Yas Gym nor Kaz Gym will give up easily."
The restaurant owner approached with a concerned expression. He wasn't worried about his small establishment but feared for Ash and his friends' safety. By refusing both gyms, they had made powerful enemies in the city.
"We're going, but what about you? Those Team Rocket members probably won't back down. If we leave, your restaurant might become their target."
"It doesn't matter. If this situation continues, my restaurant won't survive anyway. Let them cause trouble if they must!"
The owner had accepted his fate. If the gyms continued their feud, the entire city would remain paralyzed. His business was already failing, but he didn't want these kind-hearted travelers to face danger on his account.
"That's unacceptable... Ash, we need to do something!" Misty couldn't bear to leave things this way.
"Those two gym leaders can be handled, but... they have many followers on both sides," Ash mused, unconsciously stroking his chin.
Though the gym leaders were indeed causing problems, they possessed legitimate skill as trainers. Ash wasn't concerned about facing them directly, but their numerous subordinates would complicate matters.
If these people had any proper ethics as Pokémon trainers, the situation wouldn't have deteriorated so badly.
"What are you thinking?"
"You must capture the followers before confronting the leaders!"
Ash was confident in his ability to battle both gym leaders, but their henchmen posed a logistical challenge. He couldn't expect Misty and Brock to handle so many opponents simultaneously.
"In that case, we need a strategy to deal with their followers first," Brock understood Ash's reasoning, though finding an effective approach would be challenging.
"Do you have any ideas?" Misty asked.
While contemplating, Ash noticed the three children standing nearby.
"You must know this area pretty well, right?"
The children looked surprised by his sudden question but nodded. As locals, they were indeed familiar with the neighborhood.
"That makes things easier!" Ash smiled, gesturing for the children to join them. He stood up and walked outside, with Misty and Brock quickly following.
Meanwhile, the girl returned to Yas Gym after her failed recruitment attempt, while Jessie and James headed back to Kaz Gym to report what had happened.