Yas and Kaz's expressions darkened instantly.
"You've got a big mouth, kid!"
"A rookie trainer like you, probably hasn't even earned a single badge, yet you dare provoke us here!"
"Exactly! I may not think highly of Kaz, but his Electabuzz still packs a punch! Who do you think you are to lecture us?" Yas actually sided with Kaz for once, defending the dignity of Gym Leaders.
Seeing that the two had taken the bait, Kazuki kept provoking them. "If you're not convinced, I'll accept your challenge."
"But I don't have enough Pokémon to take on all of you. If you're planning to bring your lackeys too, I might need to call in some reinforcements!"
"What did you just say?!" His taunt hit home, and both Yas and Kaz fell for it.
"I'm the Gym Leader of Yas Gym! Why would I need a mob to deal with a rookie trainer?"
"If Yas wouldn't stoop that low, then I, Kaz, definitely won't either!"
Yas and Kaz were still in the middle of a rivalry for official Gym accreditation.
Naturally, this was the time to show off and win public favor.
"In that case! Let me be the one to teach you a lesson today—so the citizens can see that I and my Scyther are capable of protecting Dark City!"
The nearby merchants and citizens, who had been hiding, peeked out when they realized the showdown wasn't erupting into chaos like before.
Yas took this chance to show off his power to the townspeople.
"Why should you be the one to fight? This arrogant trainer should be taught a lesson by me—Kaz, the future official Gym Leader of Dark City!"
Kaz wasn't about to let Yas take this golden opportunity to earn reputation points.
And so, the two started arguing again.
"Enough! Both of you can come at me, alright?" Kazuki was already speechless from dealing with these two fools.
"I might not have a full party to take on a whole Gym, but two Pokémon? I've got that covered."
"You two—Electabuzz, Scyther—I'll take you both on!"
Kaz and Yas straightened their clothes and sneered.
"If you've got two Pokémon, then bring it on! We've been arguing for nothing."
"Here?" Kazuki looked around at the surrounding vendors. "Not enough room to maneuver. How about the city center plaza?"
"Hah! You must've caught some big, dumb brute types, huh? Fine! Let's go!" Kaz's Electabuzz was level 39, just one level short of Quasi Gym tier. Against a rookie, he was still full of confidence.
Seeing Kaz agree, Yas had no reason to object. "Don't you run away, kid. Get your butt to the city plaza!"
The nearby shopkeepers all breathed a sigh of relief when the two Gym Leaders left.
Many were worried Kazuki wouldn't be able to win and told him to leave Dark City altogether.
Kazuki noticed their concerned looks and gave them a reassuring smile, waving his hand. "Don't worry, everyone. I wouldn't have accepted their challenge if I wasn't confident."
"Those two Gym Leaders may be strong, but they've got plenty of weaknesses. I've got this."
Kazuki had already assessed Electabuzz and Scyther—both were elite-tier.
But he had three Quasi Gym-tier Pokémon.
The advantage was his.
"Psyduck! Go! Bite it!" Misty's shout rang out before Kazuki even finished his thoughts.
They all turned to see Psyduck waddling toward Electabuzz, flailing its arms and baring its teeth as Misty shouted—"Bite?"
Psyduck froze mid-charge, opened its beak—
Only for Electabuzz to glance coldly at it. Psyduck immediately shrank back, turned around, and sprinted back to Kazuki, quivering.
Misty smacked her forehead in exasperation and scolded, "You dummy!"
"And now you're scared the moment you see Electabuzz? You embarrassed me again!"
Kazuki gently stroked Misty's cheek. "It's okay, Misty. I know you mean well."
"Other than Oddish, your team's mostly Water-types. It's better if I handle this Electric-type."
Misty finally quieted down under Kazuki's comforting gesture.
Just then, Nurse Joy stepped forward, her tone filled with concern. "Kazuki, are you really alright?"
"Kaz and Yas are both Gym Leaders. They're not to be taken lightly…"
"If it's too much, I can—"
"Nurse Joy, don't worry. I accepted their challenge because I'm prepared."
The romance event was nearly complete—Kazuki needed to finish this himself to progress the storyline, so he stopped Nurse Joy from revealing her identity again.
Seeing his determination, she sighed and nodded. "Alright, then. Just be careful."
"I'll be right here by your side—you'll be okay!"
Kazuki smiled and nodded, then headed for the city plaza with Misty, Suzie, and Nurse Joy in tow.
The surrounding vendors followed eagerly behind.
By the time they arrived, Kaz and Yas were already waiting.
Kaz crossed his arms and looked at Kazuki with disdain. "You actually showed up, kid? I thought you'd run off halfway!"
Yas chimed in, "Exactly! A rookie trainer challenging two Gym Leaders? You've got no sense of your place!"
Kazuki ignored their taunts and said flatly, "Enough talk. Let's get started."
"First match—Kaz, since you're using Electabuzz, I'll use Pikachu. Let's see how our Electric-types compare!"
Kaz burst out laughing. "Pikachu?"
"You're using that overgrown electric rat that can't even go into a Poké Ball to fight my Electabuzz?"
"That's hilarious!"
"Not that I blame you. Rookie trainers struggling to catch and control their Pokémon? Happens all the time. You're not even the worst case I've seen."
"Relax, I'm on my way to becoming the official Gym Leader of Dark City. I'll go easy on your little cutie."
Kazuki didn't respond to the mockery. He simply patted Pikachu's head gently.
"Pikachu, let's show him what real thunder looks like."
"Pika!"
Pikachu was fired up, its eyes filled with vengeance for the wasted ketchup earlier.
The moment it stepped onto the field, sparks began to crackle around its body.
Kaz waved it off. "Electabuzz, go! Show this punk what a real Electric-type looks like!"
Electabuzz let out a low growl as it entered, crackling with electricity and radiating a fierce presence.
"Electabuzz—attack!"
"Teach that overconfident Pikachu a lesson!"
Kaz shouted, venting the frustration of their unresolved duel.
Electabuzz nodded, then charged, fists clenched and glowing with electricity, aiming straight for Pikachu.
"Pikachu, Quick Attack!"
With a level advantage, Pikachu already outsped Electabuzz.
In a flash of yellow light, Pikachu dodged easily.
Then, leaping high, it slammed Electabuzz square on the forehead with Iron Tail!
Caught off guard, Electabuzz let out a painful roar.
Kaz's expression changed. "Electabuzz, don't panic! Use Quick Attack to counter!"
Electabuzz gritted its teeth, adjusted its stance, and lunged, turning into a streak of light.
But trying to outspeed Pikachu? That was another mistake.
Pikachu dodged effortlessly again, then landed multiple Iron Tails in succession.
Electabuzz was forced back several steps, nearly falling on its rear.
Kaz's face twisted in disbelief.
What the hell? This brat's Pikachu is that strong?
Not only had Electabuzz's attacks failed, it was being completely overwhelmed!
He glanced over at Yas, who was watching smugly.
No way… If I lose to a rookie trainer, how can I compete with Yas later?
Electabuzz roared, its body surging with power. Bolts of lightning shot toward Pikachu!
Kaz, caught up in his own theatrics, thought this finishing move would impress the crowd—but to Kazuki, it was laughable.
This level of Thunderbolt? Pikachu fired off a dozen like it every day during training.
"Pikachu! Head in!"
Under Kazuki's command, Pikachu leapt straight into the attack.
The moment the lightning struck, Pikachu absorbed it, its body glowing even brighter with electricity!
"What?!" Kaz's eyes widened in disbelief.
Kazuki smiled calmly, his tone sharp and authoritative. "Pikachu—show them what Thunderbolt really means!"
"Pika!!"
Electricity exploded from Pikachu in a radiant surge.
The area of effect was massive—Electabuzz had nowhere to hide.
Electabuzz took the full blast head-on, its body engulfed in lightning, letting out a shriek before collapsing to the ground, unconscious.
Silence.
Everyone was stunned by the outcome.
Even Suzie and Misty, who had followed Kazuki all this way, hadn't expected Pikachu to be this powerful.
After all, Kazuki had been mowing down wild Pokémon in bulk along the journey.
Now finally facing a Gym Leader's elite Pokémon—he was going to enjoy this proper lightning beatdown.
Kaz's face turned ashen. He couldn't believe it.
His pride and joy—Electabuzz—defeated by a rookie's yellow mouse?
He glared at Kazuki, teeth clenched, eyes burning with resentment and rage.
Yas was equally shaken. Though he feigned composure, his palms were slick with sweat.
That… that Pikachu is this powerful?
How the hell did a rookie trainer raise something like that?
It must be… It had to be… Some family legacy! A gift from his elders!
Thank Arceus I let Kaz go first!
My Scyther would've been in serious trouble too!
Alright. His family-gifted ace Pikachu's already been used. He said he'd use two Pokémon—that means I've got nothing to worry about!
Yas shook out his limbs and seized the moment to pile on Kaz.
"Hahaha! Kaz, that was pathetic!"
"Beaten by a rookie's Pikachu?"
"And you always go on about how amazing your Electabuzz is!"
"Elite Electric-type? Yeah, right."
"Looks like your Electabuzz isn't all that after all!"
Humiliated by Kazuki, and now mocked by Yas, Kaz was seething. He couldn't take on Kazuki, so he turned his fury on Yas. "Yas, shut your damn mouth! You think you can do better? Go on then!"
Yas smirked and turned to Kazuki, eager to throw down—clearly learning nothing from Kaz's defeat.
"Kid, I'll admit—your Pikachu's got some skill!"
"But your luck ends here!"
"As the future true Gym Leader of Dark City, I'm not just about Electric-types!"
Kazuki stroked Pikachu, who had returned to his side, then glanced at Yas's Scyther.
"The Electric-type lesson is over."
"Too bad my Bug/Flying Pokémon isn't here right now."
"So I'll just have to use a pure Flying-type to teach your Scyther a lesson!"
"Hah! Talking big, huh? Don't think just because you won with some family-heirloom Pikachu, you're hot sh—"
Before Yas could finish his bluster, Kazuki tossed a Poké Ball into the sky.
Instantly, the sun was blotted out—
A massive shadow loomed over Kaz's head…
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