Chapter 94: Fighting Gym
The HopHopHop Town case had reached a temporary conclusion.
As everyone prepared to leave, Jenny approached them.
A blue-and-white motorcycle blocked their path.
*Woof~* A Growlithe leapt down, its paws muddy, clearly having traveled a long way with its trainer.
"Is there something else, Jenny?" Ash asked, curious about her hurried demeanor.
"If you're issuing a reward, you can transfer it to my account. I'm their guardian."
Natsume handed over his Rotom Phone.
Jenny paused for a moment before explaining her purpose:
"It's like this—Team Rocket used Hypno to hypnotize those children."
"Hypno?" Ash pulled out his Pokédex.
**Hypno, the Hypnosis Pokémon. If you sleep beside it, it may occasionally make you dream of what it has eaten before.**
"Jenny, did those Hypno run away?" Natsume asked.
"Yes. Yesterday, the mechanical Dragonite underground malfunctioned and self-destructed, destroying many things."
"The Hypno that were kept by Team Rocket also escaped. So far, one still hasn't been found."
"Isn't losing one no big deal?" Misty asked, puzzled.
"It's different." Jenny shook her head. "Those Hypno were specially trained by Team Rocket. They hypnotize any child they see. One of them is now wandering the city. I'm worried something might happen."
"You two were also at the scene, so I wanted to ask."
Jenny looked at Ash and Natsume. Lance had rushed back to Tsukigane Mountain last night, leaving only her and her officers here.
"I was busy in the ecosystem, filming Misty—ah!" Ash's sentence was cut short as someone grabbed his ear.
"Did you delete it or not? Delete it or not!" Misty shouted angrily.
"I deleted it! Really deleted it!" Ash cried in pain.
Seeing this, Jenny turned her attention to Natsume.
"This one…" Natsume pondered for a moment.
Yesterday, when he teleported out, there had been a forest above the underground area.
If Jenny's team couldn't find the Hypno in HopHopHop Town, it likely wandered into the wild.
Natsume shared his thoughts with Jenny.
"I see. I'll send a notice to the traveling Trainers."
"Thank you, Mr. Natsume." Jenny bowed in gratitude.
The motorcycle roared, and her figure gradually disappeared.
"All right, let's continue! Time to find the next Gym!"
"The nearest Gym from here is… Fighting Gym?"
...
**Meanwhile, outside a forest in HopHopHop Town**
*Ape! Ape!*
A Primeape bounced energetically around a Hypno.
*Hypno?* The Hypno looked at it curiously.
*Ape! Ape!* Can you use Telekinesis?
Primeape offered the Hypno a berry.
A pale blue glow emerged from the berry, floating into the Hypno's mouth.
*Ape!* I want you as my partner!
*Hypno?* Why?
The Hypno didn't understand.
...
Unexpectedly, Natsume and his group found the so-called Fighting Gym in less than half a day.
Along the road stood a small courtyard.
They entered, and above the entrance hung a plaque scratched and worn.
"Fighting Gym? So rundown." Brock's eyes flicked between the map and the Gym.
Had he caught whatever enthusiasm Natsume had, or were they just on the wrong path?
"Who cares? You can't judge a book by its cover. The Gym Leader might be really strong!" Ash rolled up his sleeves, ready to enter the Gym.
"Wait a second!" Misty grabbed him, exasperated. "How many times is this now? Don't you ever learn?"
"This looks like something Jessie, James, and Meowth would throw together, doesn't it?" Misty complained.
"Yeah, Ash, you need to grow up," Brock agreed, nodding.
"But I see someone inside… a pretty lady," Ash said, pointing at the window.
"Hello, miss. We're here to challenge the Gym." Brock teleported to the Gym door and knocked.
*Creak~* The old wooden door opened.
A girl peeked out, her sports headband slightly damp, fingers white from gripping a jump rope.
"Sorry, the Fighting Gym has long been closed," she said softly, seeming a little shy.
"What? Then let's go, Brock," Ash said, turning to leave.
"Wait, Ash!" Brock grabbed him.
"What's wrong?" Ash asked, noticing Brock's flushed face.
"Miss, may I ask why the Fighting Gym isn't open?" Brock asked, searching for a topic.
"Well…" The girl hesitated before speaking slowly. "The Gym Leader went to the deep mountains to train for the P1 Grand Prix and hasn't returned for a year."
Her voice sounded sad.
"She's right," Giselle's voice came from behind. "I checked. This Gym lost its official status six months ago."
"P1 Grand Prix? What's that?" Ash asked, intrigued.
"Hmm, come inside," the girl said, glancing at the group behind Ash. After a moment, she opened the Gym doors.
They were led to the backyard, where many training equipment pieces could be seen inside.
Most of the equipment was dusty.
"If I'm not mistaken, the Fighting Gym used to specialize in Fighting-type Pokémon?" Misty asked.
"Yes. You all can rest here a moment while I get some snacks."
Soon, a table was set with small pastries, and each person had a cup of hot tea.
"Not much preparation—please forgive me," the girl said with a slight bow.
"Hahaha, you're too polite. By the way, what's your name?" Misty asked.
"My name is Rebecca. I'm the Gym Leader's daughter."
*Pikachu!*
From the table came a suppressed voice.
Looking back, they saw Ash sitting at the dessert plate, clutching his neck, face red.
*Pika* Pikachu sighed and went over, patting Ash on the back.
*Pi!* Ash coughed, dropping a rice cake.
That was close—almost KO'd by a rice cake.
"Hehe," Rebecca giggled softly, covering her mouth.
...
The tea steam and the sweet aroma of pastries filled the air as they rested for a while.
"Miss Rebecca, do you have something to tell us?" Giselle asked, looking up.
"Yes, Miss Rebecca, you don't look well," Brock added.
"Well… this might be a bit forward," Rebecca paused, then continued. "I… I want to invite you to the P1 Grand Prix to defeat my father!"
She bowed deeply, her tone sincere.
"By the way, I haven't asked—what is the P1 Grand Prix?" Ash asked, eyes sparkling.
"The P1 Grand Prix is an unofficial competition, originally led by Fighting-type Elite Four member Bruno, later popularized by the public," Natsume's voice called from a distance.
The group looked over and saw him holding a poster that hadn't been there moments before.
The poster promoted the P1 Grand Prix, the most prominent feature being a huge golden championship belt at the center.
"Will the Fighting-type Elite Four member be there?"
Ash sprang to his feet, eyes blazing with determination, and not even Brock could hold him back.
Last time, he hadn't had the chance to face Lance, and he still felt deep regret.
You can read more (around 100+ free chapters) of Natsume's adventure ad-free at [https ://ravenarchives .com/book/pokemon-who-let-him-leave-pallet-town]. Bulk uploads is a mess here, so updates here might be irregular.