Li Xuan chuckled lightly. "Simple—we team up."
Sabrina glanced at the Fighting Dojo, then back at Li Xuan. "Team up? You mean a gym with fewer than six Pokémon and only two staff, including the receptionist, wants to partner with the Saffron Gym?"
"Ahem… you know, it's about quality, not quantity."
Caught off guard by Sabrina's bluntness, Li Xuan replied awkwardly, "Besides, didn't you blow up your own gym? You bring the people, I bring the place—bright futures for both of us."
"…"
Sabrina said nothing, her slender finger pointing at three Tyrogue in the distance.
They were among the few Pokémon the Fighting Dojo had.
Their eyes met.
No words were needed—everything was said.
"God, that's embarrassing. How does the Gym Leader say that without blushing?"
From the corner, Bu Miao muttered under her breath, thinking Li Xuan's thick skin could probably tank a Close Combat.
"Miss Sabrina, you know I just became the Dojo's Gym Leader today. I haven't had time to catch more Pokémon before you showed up."
Li Xuan shrugged helplessly, speaking honestly.
Sabrina gave him a meaningful look, her expression returning to its usual aloofness. "I have some things to handle. I'll be back later. Please look after things in the meantime."
With that, she teleported away in a flash.
As her psychic energy faded, Li Xuan sighed in relief.
"She's finally gone…"
Both he and Bu Miao exhaled simultaneously.
Bu Miao, exhausted, bid Li Xuan farewell, leaving him alone in the sprawling dojo.
"Finally, some time to check out this cheat system!"
Li Xuan slapped his cheeks to focus, then communicated with the system in his mind.
"System, tell me what else you can do."
[This system is the Pokémon Deep Training System, dedicated to providing optimal training conditions. Features include, but are not limited to: daily check-ins, skill proficiency visualization, experience visualization, and a system shop (items only).]
That's the stuff!
What's the most important thing for a gym?
A diverse roster of Pokémon to handle trainers of all skill levels!
Whether guiding newbies or protecting the city, Pokémon are essential.
With "experience visualization," training a team for challenges in a short time would be no problem.
[Today's check-in location: Saffron City Fighting Dojo.]
Seeing the prompt, Li Xuan checked in.
[Check-in successful!]
[Congratulations, host! Rewards: TM x3 (Ice Punch, Fire Punch, Thunder Punch), System Points +100.]
Three colorful CD-like TMs materialized out of thin air, and Li Xuan grinned.
Now that's a system!
TMs weren't cheap. As an apprentice, his salary barely covered food, let alone luxuries like these.
With the system, his financial burden was significantly lighter.
One word: Awesome!
"Prime! Prime!"
Infernape, seeing its trainer dance with excitement, thought he was having a seizure and approached with concern.
"Perfect timing!"
Li Xuan grabbed Infernape and handed over the TMs. "You, take these three CDs and learn some new moves!"
Infernape: ???
Staring at the CDs shoved into its hands, Infernape's brain froze for a moment.
But it followed Li Xuan's orders, inserting the TMs into the TV and mimicking the moves on the video.
While Infernape trained, Li Xuan pondered how to quickly boost the dojo's reputation.
After some thought, one word came to mind: Livestream!
With the internet, anyone could watch a stream.
At this hour, many were eating dinner.
Pokémon livestreams were perfect mealtime entertainment.
With that, Li Xuan set up the equipment and started streaming.
Title: [New Gym Leader's First Day—Come Challenge Me!]
Such a bold title shocked the wholesome residents of the Pokémon world, who cried out, "Immoral!"
You shouldn't—at least not like this!
But despite their words, their bodies were honest, clicking into the stream.
[Random Passerby: Anything good here?]
[Fighting Dojo? Didn't Sabrina crush it? It's still open?]
[Rumor has it the Saffron Gym got bombed, and now the Fighting Dojo's streaming. Could it be…]
Comments flooded in, some even trying to stir drama.
"Tch, haters spreading lies. I'm the one who reported the Saffron Gym bombing! Look, I took the photos and got a 'Good Samaritan' banner!"
Li Xuan pulled out his spare phone, opened the chat group's photo, and showed it to the audience.
[Streamer's a good citizen. Misunderstanding cleared.]
[Yo, streamer, as a new Gym Leader, got any cool Pokémon?]
"Of course, brothers, of course. I'm streaming today to show you the Fighting Dojo's three aces."
Li Xuan adjusted the camera to focus on the Tyrogue trio.
One was punching aimlessly, another was kicking with nothing to do, and the third was spinning like a top, getting whacked by the others.
What a talented bunch.
[The Gym Leader's Pokémon are so unique. Are they evolving into specific forms?]
[What if they evolve into the opposite forms?]
[What are these Pokémon? My Pokédex can't scan them!]
One comment caught Li Xuan's eye.
The user's ID: Aim to Be a Pokémon Master.
Li Xuan thought for a moment before answering, "These are Tyrogue, with three distinct evolution forms: Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, and Hitmontop. Barring surprises, these three will evolve into those forms."
[Streamer, drop your location. This boss wants to solo you offline. (Sends a Rocket)]
"Thanks to 'Pallet Town Pride Gary' for the Rocket! My location's right next to the Saffron Gym."
Spotting the comment, Li Xuan thanked the donor, gave the address, and threw shade at the Saffron Gym. "Find the Saffron Gym's ruins in Saffron City, then walk a few hundred meters to the left."
[Really? That's close. I'm in Saffron City, fueling up. Ten-minute drive, tops.]
[Gary! Come to Cerulean City if you've got the guts! I'll battle you 300 rounds!]
[Dumb Ash, you're only fit to eat my exhaust! I'm out! Grinning.jpg]
Li Xuan watched the banter with amusement.
After the flurry of comments, he recognized the duo.
The Pallet Town rivals—Ash and Gary.
"Alright, let's move on to introducing…"
Knock, knock, knock!
A knock at the door startled Li Xuan.
Could it be Gary already?
That was fast.
Chatting and driving—didn't he worry about losing points on his license?
"Hold on, Pokémon Masters, your streamer will be right back."
Li Xuan stepped away from the stream and opened the door.
Boom!
Confetti exploded, but it wasn't Gary.
Instead, a girl in a kimono with light purple hair tied with a yellow bow stood before him.
Seeing Li Xuan, she bowed slightly.
"Hello, I'm Anzu from Violet City. I'm here for a Gym Battle."