The summer sun scorched the earth, driving wild Pokémon to seek refuge in the city, only to be repelled by an invisible, transparent barrier.
This was Saffron City in the Kanto region, a bustling metropolis.
Inside the Fighting Dojo next to the Saffron Gym, a fierce battle exclusive to Fighting-type trainers was unfolding.
A youthful, dark-haired boy with delicate features stood before a pair of couplets, his gaze resolute and his gestures decisive.
Pointing at the panting Machamp on the battlefield, he commanded with a powerful voice, "Infernape, use Focus Punch!"
On the field, a furry, spherical primate Pokémon—Infernape—glared fiercely at its opponent.
Following Li Xuan's command, veins bulged on Infernape's forehead. It lunged forward in a single bound, its massive fist glowing with an eerie, chilling light, as if plunging the surroundings into an icy abyss.
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"Machamp, use Close Combat!"
The middle-aged man, Nobuhiko, spoke calmly, though a flicker of worry flashed in his eyes.
Machamp was nearing its physical limit and had no choice but to go all-in!
A brown aura enveloped Machamp, radiating the unique presence of a Fighting-type Pokémon!
With all four arms in motion, Machamp abandoned defense and charged headlong at the oncoming Infernape!
Focus Punch loomed large, its shadowy fist growing exponentially during the charge, surpassing even Infernape's own size!
Faced with such an enormous fist shadow, Machamp had no chance to evade and poured all its strength into this final move!
Boom!
Focus Punch clashed head-on with Machamp, sending shockwaves that made the arena creak.
Wood chips flew, and thick smoke from the clashing energies shrouded the battlefield, obscuring the view for both trainers.
Li Xuan crossed his arms, a faint blue glow coursing through his body, allowing him to sense Machamp's position. "Nine o'clock direction—Seismic Toss, finish it!"
Amid the rolling dust, Infernape leaped into the air, grabbing the near-unconscious Machamp and soaring skyward!
The sound of rushing wind shattered the silence as the figure sliced through the air!
In the sky, a pattern resembling Earth faintly appeared!
With immense strength, Infernape hoisted Machamp to its peak, then slammed it heavily into the ground!
Bang!!!
Dust billowed, and the overburdened arena caved into a massive crater.
The sound of breaking bones echoed clearly in the air.
Machamp, hurled to the ground, could no longer resist, its eyes swirling in defeat. The battle had finally concluded.
"Prime!"
Infernape roared triumphantly, celebrating its victory.
Clap, clap, clap.
Applause erupted, and Nobuhiko laughed heartily.
"Restoring the glory of Fighting-types is our duty! Li Xuan, from this day forward, you are the third Gym Leader of the Fighting Dojo!"
He retrieved Machamp into its Poké Ball.
After solemnly handing over the dojo's details, accounts, and other matters to Li Xuan, Nobuhiko left without looking back, leaving Li Xuan alone in the arena.
[Ding!]
[Host detected as appointed Gym Leader. Pokémon Deep Training System unlocked!]
[Due to the host's new role as Gym Leader, a beginner reward is granted.]
[Training efficiency boosted!]
Li Xuan: !!!
He had thought he'd transmigrated without a cheat system, but it turned out it required becoming a Gym Leader to activate!
Like the protagonists of transmigration novels from his previous life, Li Xuan was a transmigrator.
Two and a half months ago, by a stroke of fate, he arrived in this wondrous world.
He rescued a tearful Mankey from Team Rocket and, as a result, joined the Fighting Dojo as an apprentice.
Now, appointed as the new Gym Leader of the Fighting Dojo, the responsibility of revitalizing it rested on his shoulders.
The Fighting Dojo of Saffron City had seen three Gym Leaders.
The first, Budo, had his spirit crushed by Sabrina.
The second, Nobuhiko, was just defeated by Li Xuan and was now heading to the mountains for secluded training.
The third—Li Xuan himself—was currently worrying about finances.
"Gym Leader, how should we prepare for the competition in a month?"
A graceful figure approached, posing the question.
The speaker was Bu Miao, the dojo's coach, trainer, and part-time receptionist.
At the mention of this, Li Xuan's expression grew serious.
Every three years, the Pokémon League held a grand Gym Tournament to determine which gym would earn the title of an official League Gym.
Before Sabrina took over the Saffron Gym, the Fighting Dojo had been unmatched, even serving as an official League Gym for a long time.
However, three years ago, the dojo's first Gym Leader, Budo, was crushed by Sabrina in the tournament, losing the official Gym status.
Though the dojo could still issue badges, they were merely ceremonial, unrecognized by the Indigo Conference.
Only by reclaiming official Gym status could its badges be validated.
Time flew, and three years passed in a blink. The Gym Tournament was about to begin again.
As the new Gym Leader of the Fighting Dojo, Li Xuan had no choice but to participate.
As the saying goes, "Since we're here, we make the best of it." If we're facing this competition, let's give it our all and leave the rest to fate.
Sabrina was just one obstacle. If Infernape could evolve into Annihilape within a month, Li Xuan stood a chance of winning!
With that thought, Li Xuan stood and asked, "Bu Miao, what do you think our dojo lacks most right now?"
Bu Miao paused, caught off guard by the question, and began to think.
As a coach training Pokémon moves, that couldn't be the issue.
The Fighting Dojo already had decent strength and high-end combatants, so what was missing?
Seeing Bu Miao deep in thought, Li Xuan picked up a nearby videotape and waved it in front of her.
"Reputation. What we need most is reputation. With enough fame, attracting new trainers won't be an issue."
Bu Miao still seemed puzzled. "Gym Leader, what's your plan?"
"Defeat Sabrina! Only by beating her in the upcoming tournament can the Fighting Dojo reclaim its official Gym status and gain more attention."
Ding-dong~
Just as Li Xuan was about to deliver more bold words, the doorbell interrupted him.
He walked to the door and slowly opened it.
Standing outside was a tall, striking woman.
Li Xuan sized her up.
She had an aloof expression, her figure accentuated by a wine-red, form-fitting top and a tight skirt.
Her black bodysuit, stretching from neck to toes, sparked the imagination.
Upon closer inspection, Li Xuan recognized her.
The Saffron Gym Leader—Sabrina!
Seeing her, Li Xuan was surprised.
Under the dim light at the entrance, Sabrina's cool face seemed to glow faintly.
One hand rested on her opposite shoulder, her head slightly lowered, avoiding eye contact with Li Xuan.
"Sabr—"
Li Xuan began to greet her, but the smile on his face froze.
As Sabrina drew closer, chaotic psychic energy surged toward him like a tidal wave!
Raising her head, Sabrina's dazed eyes met Li Xuan's, and she seemed on the verge of collapsing.
"Holy crap, a psychic pulling a scam?!"