"Are you the challengers today?!"
On a high platform sculpted from dark gray stone, the gym leader, a dark-skinned young man with a spiky hairstyle named Brock, looked down at Red and Luffy below, asking.
After passing five rounds and defeating six opponents, giving Luffy over 500 more experience points, they finally arrived before the Pewter Gym Leader.
Facing Brock's question, Red stepped forward and answered directly: "That's right! Please accept our challenge!"
As long as they won the first badge, there was a chance of receiving a reward from the system. Red could hardly wait.
At his side, Luffy started cracking his knuckles.
After fighting so many Geodudes along the way, he was already getting bored.
He wondered if this gym leader in front of him might bring some surprise?
Red's response was like hitting the [Confirm Challenge] button. Brock's expression instantly turned stern, his dark complexion adding an intimidating aura beyond his age.
"Hmph~ Even knowing you'll lose, you still dare to challenge me??"
"Your courage is commendable!"
Brock's voice suddenly rose with passion.
All the gym trainers Red and Luffy had defeated gathered now in the audience stands on either side.
A spotlight from somewhere lit up around Brock.
Majestic music began to play, mingling with the cheers of the crowd.
Suddenly, a crack appeared in the middle of the rock gym floor, sliding open on both sides to reveal an official Pokémon battle arena.
Brock wore a confident and proud smile: "I'm the Rock-type Gym Leader, with determination as unyielding as stone. Naturally, my Pokémon are the same…"
"Hard as bedrock, unbreakable and unwavering!"
"Come! Let me see what you've got!"
With that, he stepped forward toward his side of the battlefield.
"So many theatrics, they're really going all out~"
Watching the rock arena transform, Red couldn't help but mutter to himself, then quickly led the eager Luffy to their side of the field.
To be fair, all this flashy display from the system completely dazzled Luffy.
The battle was about to ignite!
"Alright, my first Pokémon"
"Go, Geodude!"
As soon as Red was in position, Brock swiftly drew a Poké Ball from his waist and sent out a Geodude, a standard issue among Pewter Gym trainers.
But Brock's Geodude was noticeably larger than the others and clearly stronger.
And the level above its head confirmed it:
[LV:12, HP: 38/38]
"A level 12 Geodude? Too bad it doesn't seem like you can give us much fun~"
Red murmured softly, then turned to Luffy: "Go, Luffy! Take it down!"
"Yosh~!"
As Luffy entered the arena, a massive dome area expanded, enveloping the three of them and the Pokémon.
Brock's eyes became sharp and alert, then, suddenly
"Hmm!?"
As if realizing something, Brock's beady eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Luffy on the field.
Because of the system's influence, even though Luffy had gained intelligence, Brock still perceived him as a Pokémon.
But as an outstanding gym leader, Brock instantly sensed the overwhelming aura coming from Luffy!
"How can this be…"
"A rookie with such a powerful Pokémon?!"
Brock's expression grew more shaken and incredulous.
Meanwhile, Red had already given the order:
"Luffy, the usual move! Use Soru!"
As the saying goes, a signature move works wonders everywhere.
Against a slow Geodude, Soru was practically a cheat!
Even though this was the Gym Leader's Pokémon
Whoosh!
Like a gust of wind, Luffy's figure darted across the arena at lightning speed.
Brock's stunned thoughts quickly snapped into focus as he concentrated on the battle.
"Hmm!? Is that Quick Attack!?"
In this game world, when trainers were given intelligence, they were also granted battle experience fitting their status.
Before Luffy could get behind Geodude, Brock made a snap judgment and shouted: "Geodude, use Defense Curl and Rollout!"
"Luffy, attack!"
"Hah!"
"Gomu Gomu no…"
As both trainers gave commands, Luffy and Geodude sprang into action.
But just as Luffy's fully extended, power-charged fist came flying toward Geodude—
The Geodude's body suddenly became round and smooth, arms tucked in, and it quickly rolled to the side.
Bang!Boom!!!
Luffy's fist struck the rocky ground, blasting a deep crater and spiderweb cracks into it.
"Hmm!?"
Both Luffy and Red paused, a bit surprised at how Geodude dodged by rolling.
Then Red's eyes sparkled with interest.
"Using Defense Curl to boost Rollout's speed for fast movement?"
"That actually covers Geodude's speed weakness."
Red murmured inwardly: "As expected of a Gym Leader, to react in an instant… Looks like becoming a top trainer isn't as easy as I imagined!"
Assuming Brock hadn't secretly observed Red's previous battles…
That quick command just now was clearly an advanced-level predictive strategy.
But—
"Unfortunately, no amount of clever commanding can make up for the huge power gap."
Red's thoughts flashed rapidly, and he quickly shouted to Luffy: "On your right, Luffy! Catch up and finish it!"
"Got it!" Luffy called back loudly.
Honestly, he didn't even need Red's reminder, his Observation Haki had already picked up the unusual energy on his right.
Luffy's feet pounded the ground again, transforming into a blur as he chased after Geodude.
"Soru!"
This time, Brock didn't issue any command.
Maybe even the Gym Leader didn't know how to counter Luffy with just a level 12 Geodude, all he could do was have Geodude roll and stall for time, hoping to drain Luffy's stamina.
But how could rolling compete with Luffy?
In no time, Luffy's ultra-high-speed movement cut off Geodude's path, ready to strike.
Seeing this, Brock gritted his teeth, no longer struggling pointlessly, and shouted with a trace of unwillingness: "Geodude, use Rollout plus Tackle!"
Is this really how you're supposed to fight a Gym battle?! This is just crushing a lower-tier opponent!
Sensing Brock's unwilling determination, Geodude gathered that emotion into strength, launched off a small rock, and hurled itself toward Luffy!
The move was smooth and flawless, showing the battle discipline of a Gym Pokémon.
Too bad they were up against the utterly broken Red and Luffy.
"Gomu Gomu no… Bazooka"
After missing once earlier, this time Luffy went straight for a wide-range double-fist attack, perfectly intercepting Geodude.
Boom!
Geooo-
With a loud crash, Geodude let out a pitiful cry as Luffy's twin-fist rocket attack blasted it straight into a rock mound.
"Geodude!"
Brock shouted in concern, quickly recalling Geodude into its Poké Ball.
Then he turned a grave look toward Red:
"I didn't expect you to have such a powerful Pokémon!"
"But I won't give up so easily!"
"Next up, it's your turn, go, Onix!!!"
With practiced skill, Brock threw his last Poké Ball.
A flash of red light-
And in an instant, a giant serpent made of dark gray rock, its head brushing the ceiling, appeared at the center of the battlefield.
"Waaah!!! So cool~!!!"
Seeing such a huge, awesome Pokémon for the first time, Luffy's eyes turned into stars, drooling as he cheered.
"ROAR!!!"
The moment it entered, Onix let out a fierce roar, eyes locked fiercely onto Luffy.
It had seen Geodude's defeat from inside its Poké Ball.
Now, it was time to avenge its fallen comrade!
…
…
One minute later.
[Congratulations! You have successfully challenged the Pewter Gym. You gained 236 experience points.]
[Battle rating: Average.]
[Bonus reward: +47 experience points.]