"Saffron Gym…"
Sabrina glanced at Li Xuan, but before she could finish, she collapsed.
"Is she pulling a scam?!"
Li Xuan was stunned. Collapsing out of nowhere—wasn't this just like a staged accident?
But with Sabrina unconscious and her rampant psychic energy spiraling out of control, half of Saffron City could turn to rubble if not handled promptly.
Anyone freshly appointed as a Gym Leader would panic if Sabrina "scammed" them like this.
But Li Xuan was different.
As a transmigrator, he awakened Aura upon arriving in this world!
With two and a half months of practice, Li Xuan understood Sabrina's condition better than anyone: "Psychic energy leakage causing backlash and unconsciousness—textbook 'energy surge' case."
The solution was simple: neutralize the overflowing psychic energy with a technique akin to redirecting force.
And his Aura was perfect for the job!
With that thought, a lake-like blue glow erupted from Li Xuan's body!
His dense Aura formed a vast net, enveloping the chaotic psychic energy. No matter how fiercely it surged, he deftly dispersed it with a "four ounces to move a thousand pounds" approach, breaking it down piece by piece.
Soon, most of Sabrina's leaking psychic energy dissipated, with the remainder posing no threat.
Li Xuan helped Sabrina into the dojo and shouted to the stunned Bu Miao, "Don't just stand there—help with the patient!"
"Oh, right!"
Bu Miao hurried over, assisting Li Xuan in supporting Sabrina and laying her on the dojo's tatami to rest.
Afterward, Li Xuan wiped the sweat from his brow, sensing something off.
"Gym Leader, why would Sabrina come to us? Did something happen at the Saffron Gym?"
Bu Miao rubbed her aching temples, considering the possibility.
"It's possible. Before passing out, Sabrina mentioned 'Saffron Gym.' Something's likely gone wrong there."
Li Xuan recalled Infernape to its Poké Ball and prepared to leave. "Bu Miao, stay here and look after Sabrina. I'll check what's going on."
…
The Saffron Gym was just a few hundred meters from the Fighting Dojo.
Upon arriving, Li Xuan felt a fleeting sense of danger.
The sensation vanished quickly, as if it had never been.
Keeping his guard up, Li Xuan pulled out a map of Saffron City and stared at the "Saffron Gym," his eye twitching.
Before him lay ruins—broken walls and shattered debris.
The once palatial Saffron Gym now resembled a wasteland.
"What the hell?! Was the Saffron Gym raided by terrorists? All that's left is the sign?!"
If not for the intact gate with "Saffron Gym" written in bold, Li Xuan wouldn't have believed this was one of Kanto's eight Gyms.
It was worse than…
The Fighting Dojo.
At least trainers visiting Saffron City, seeing a ruined gym, would turn and run!
A gym like a warzone—what's there to challenge?
"Forget it. I'll report this to Officer Jenny."
With a helpless sigh, Li Xuan called Officer Jenny to report the situation, then approached the ruins.
"Huh?!"
What he saw was shocking.
A group of trainers in black uniforms lay on the ground, foaming at the mouth, limbs twisted unnaturally.
They'd clearly endured inhumane treatment.
But Li Xuan felt they deserved it.
The "R" on their chests said it all.
Team Rocket—the most infamous criminal organization in Kanto.
They'd do anything for money!
Arson, robbery, breaking into homes—their crimes were countless!
Li Xuan exhaled heavily and released Infernape.
Together, they hauled the Team Rocket members out of the rubble.
Some conscious members were quickly subdued by Infernape's "loving fists."
Afterward, Li Xuan took a photo with his phone.
He posted it to the [Kanto Gym Leaders Chat Group] with a caption:
[Dojo Infernape: Team Rocket's gone too far! Bombing the Saffron Gym? These poets need to be stopped! Picture.jpg]
[Cerulean Mermaid: ???]
[ Pewter Onix: ???]
[Rainbow Bellossom: ???]
[Unova Veteran Colonel: …]
[Poison Elite Hopeful: …]
[Old Man Not Bald: …]
The post and photo blew up the lurking group.
[Pewter Onix: I've spotted Team Rocket around Mt. Moon lately, but I never thought they'd target the Saffron Gym.]
[Cerulean Mermaid: Yeah! Even Cerulean City had homes robbed—someone lost a Dig TM!]
[Rainbow Bellossom: I've seen Team Rocket in Rainbow City, but no financial losses yet.]
[Dojo Infernape: This isn't normal crime anymore. We need to hit back hard!]
[Unova Veteran Colonel: Is it possible—I'm just saying—could Sabrina have blown up her own gym to deal with these grunts?]
[Dojo Infernape: You're saying Sabrina bombed her own home to take out some small fry?]
That shut up Lt. Surge on the other end.
He set down his phone, glanced out the window, and scoffed, "Useless! They want me to join with this level of competence?"
Meanwhile, Officer Jenny arrived at the Saffron Gym ruins with a team of police officers.
Their reaction mirrored Li Xuan's.
This was the Saffron Gym?!
"Officer Jenny, this isn't normal crime. We need to hit back hard!"
Pointing at the unconscious Team Rocket members, Li Xuan declared, "They bombed the Saffron Gym! Who knows if they'll target Silph Co. next or take over all of Saffron City!"
"I'll report this to the League. Gym Leader Li, thank you for coming to the scene and reporting promptly."
Officer Jenny saluted, handing Li Xuan a "Good Samaritan" banner.
"Alright, leave the professionals to it. I won't linger."
Li Xuan bid farewell and returned to the Fighting Dojo.
"Gym Leader, you're back! Sabrina's awake!"
Bu Miao, flustered, grabbed his arm and dragged him to the room where Sabrina was resting.
Inside, Sabrina sat on the floor mat, staring at the ceiling.
Noticing someone enter, she turned, her beautiful eyes meeting Li Xuan's. "If there's any compensation for damages, tell me now."
"Let's not talk about that yet."
Li Xuan waved it off, gazing out the window as if he could see Silph Co. at the city's center.
"From your state, you've crossed some organization, right?"
"It's none of your concern."
Sabrina shook her head, unwilling to involve Li Xuan further. "Ask more, and you might get dragged into this mess."
"You don't need to say it—I know who it is. My Infernape was rescued from Team Rocket. We've already got a score to settle."
Li Xuan shrugged, showing the photo he took. "Everyone knows Kanto's most notorious organization. Judging by your state, Team Rocket tried to recruit you, and you refused."
Sabrina nodded slightly.
The details differed, but Li Xuan was mostly correct.
"Sorry."
Sabrina's eyes carried an apology.
She hadn't expected her instinctive actions to drag Li Xuan into this storm.
The days ahead might not be peaceful.
"Hey, what's an apology worth? It won't stop Team Rocket from coming after us."
Li Xuan waved dismissively, a blue sheen flowing over him. "Instead, let's think about what's next. We're on the same side—let's help each other."
"Same side?"
At those words, Sabrina's dim eyes sparkled.
Warmth coursed through her, and as she looked at Li Xuan, he seemed to shine like the sun from every angle.
On impulse, Sabrina asked, "So, what's next?"