After dinner, Suzie and Misty clung to Kazuki for a while before returning to their rooms to rest.
Kazuki, meanwhile, headed to the rooftop to survey the main street where the Yas and Kaz Gyms were preparing for their grand showdown the next day.
According to the restaurant owner, this was the city's largest thoroughfare—both Gyms wanted to claim dominance, and every major battle between them started here.
Kazuki's sharp gaze swept over every corner of the street, his Aura Power committing every detail to memory.
"Yas Gym's Scyther—fast, with razor-sharp attacks, but... has a weakness..." he muttered under his breath, fingers lightly tapping the railing as he organized his Pokémon knowledge.
"Kaz Gym's Electabuzz—powerful electricity, but also reacts strongly to certain stimuli..."
"Individually, handling these two aces wouldn't be too difficult."
"The real problem is the hordes of underlings they've recruited. The chaos will be hard to manage."
"Need a way to make them stop fighting and redirect their focus..."
Just as Kazuki was deep in thought, soft footsteps approached from behind.
"Kazuki, it's so late. Shouldn't you be resting?"
Nurse Joy's gentle voice carried a teasing lilt as she joined him at the railing, her eyes following his line of sight.
Kazuki glanced at her with a smirk. "Nurse Joy isn't resting either, huh? Worried about me?"
She inhaled sharply, momentarily caught off guard, before forcing a playful retort.
"I—I'm not at the level of worrying about you yet!"
"But when I passed by your little girlfriends' rooms earlier, I overheard them whispering. They were definitely talking about you."
"—Not that I was eavesdropping! The walls are just thin!"
"My point is, if you don't go comfort them, will they even be able to sleep?"
Kazuki burst out laughing. "Hah! They're not kids. They'll be fine without me for one night."
Nurse Joy arched a brow. "Oh? Is that so? Guess I overthought it."
Kazuki shrugged. Since she seemed to enjoy banter, he decided to tease her back.
"And you? Can't sleep unless someone's holding you?"
Her cheeks flushed pink. She raised a hand as if to swat his shoulder but stopped midway, realizing how intimate the gesture might seem.
Fidgeting with her fingers, she pulled back and cleared her throat awkwardly.
"I've never had a boyfriend! I've always slept alone!"
"Tonight, I just... I saw you up here so late and wondered if you were worried about tomorrow."
"Actually, you don't need to—" She was about to reveal her inspector identity when Kazuki chuckled.
"Worried? Not at all. I've already got a plan."
Her eyes widened. "Oh? Already?" She quickly shelved her revelation. "What's the plan?"
Kazuki laid out his strategy.
"Both Yas Gym's Scyther and Kaz Gym's Electabuzz are sensitive to color."
"I'm going to douse them with something vividly colored to throw them into confusion and halt the battle."
"And to ensure the Pokémon's safety, I'll use food—like tomato sauce!"
Nurse Joy's heart skipped a beat at his consideration for the Pokémon. Her admiration soared.
But then she frowned. "Wait, if they realize you sabotaged them, won't they turn on you together?"
Kazuki grinned. "Don't worry. I can handle that too."
If they gang up on me, I've got Millennium Gastly and the ancient Dragonite as backup.
Though if those two show up, they might level the entire street...
Best to avoid that unless absolutely necessary.
Nurse Joy, infected by his confidence, found herself eager to see just how capable this mysterious man was.
If things go south, I can always step in with my authority...
Her fingers nervously twisted the hem of her dress as she unconsciously leaned closer.
"I'll be there tomorrow too. Don't push yourself too hard... I'll help when the time comes!"
"Anyway, get some rest! With two girlfriends to attend to, you'll need your stamina!"
Her teasing tone sent a jolt through her, and she recoiled like she'd been shocked, quickly stepping away.
But after a few paces, she paused and glanced back.
"In this world, the strong can have multiple wives. At first, I thought you were just a brash young trainer who somehow charmed two girls."
"But now... even though I haven't seen your full strength, your problem-solving and Pokémon knowledge prove you're the real deal."
"Most importantly, your attitude toward Pokémon... I admire that."
"No wonder Suzie and Misty cling to you so much."
"You earn having multiple wives."
With a final approving glance, she hurried away, her heart pounding.
Kazuki watched her flustered retreat with amusement. "They stick to me because I've got something sticky to help~"
After memorizing the street layout, he left the rooftop.
---
The Next Morning
Kazuki woke early and began his preparations.
Misty, still half-asleep, jolted upright when she heard him moving and immediately jumped into action, helping him set things up.
The restaurant owner, hearing Kazuki's plan, generously donated all his tomato sauce.
As the traps were set, the main street began filling with people—though only uniformed Gym members, no civilians.
The leaders of Yas and Kaz Gyms marched toward each other like rival gangs, their postures aggressive and far from the dignity expected of Gym Leaders.
Shopkeepers along the street hastily locked their doors, afraid of getting caught in the crossfire.
From a rooftop vantage point, Kazuki observed the scene, trigger in hand.
"Kaz! Today, we settle this—once and for all!" Yas shouted, breaking the tense silence.
Kaz sneered. "Perfect. Time to show you Electabuzz's true power!"
Trainers on both sides released their Pokémon, the atmosphere crackling with tension.
Kazuki pressed the button.
Instantly, tomato sauce rained from the sky like crimson hail.
Pikachu, watching beside him, whimpered in despair. Such a waste of good sauce...
While some loved tomato sauce, others hated it.
Scyther and Electabuzz, blinded by the red deluge, flailed in confusion.
"What the—?!" Yas and Kaz yelled in unison.
With their aces incapacitated, the underlings lost their nerve, hesitating to attack.
"Who's interfering?!" Yas roared, stomping in fury. "Who dares stop me from becoming Dark City's official Gym Leader?!"
"You becoming official? The winner is me!" Kaz snarled. "Show yourself, coward!"
Kazuki leapt down from the roof, landing gracefully.
"Such fiery tempers," he remarked dryly. "If I were a civilian, you'd have eaten me alive."
The two Leaders whirled toward him. "Who the hell are you?!"
Kazuki smirked. "Just a passing trainer—Kazuki."
"Your little feud has turned this city into a warzone. I couldn't even eat in peace."
Yas and Kaz exchanged glances before scoffing. "Eating? Who cares about eating?! We're deciding Dark City's official Gym!"
Kazuki snorted. "Official? This is how you think a Gym should act?"
"Look around you. Shops closed, streets in chaos—this is your contribution to the city?"
Yas and Kaz faltered, glancing at the shuttered windows. A flicker of guilt crossed their faces before anger took over.
"This chaos is temporary! We're proving whose Pokémon is stronger!"
"Once I win, I'll protect this city with my Electabuzz!" Kaz thumped his chest.
"Your Electabuzz? This is between me and Scyther!" Yas shoved him.
Kazuki laughed coldly. "You two and your so-called 'aces'?"
"They're no better than stray dogs—all bark, no bite."
"Pathetic. I bet they couldn't even beat my Pokémon."
On the rooftop, Suzie, Misty, and the restaurant owner broke into a cold sweat.
"Uh... ladies, isn't your boyfriend pushing his luck?!" the owner stammered. "They look pissed!"
"I'm not—!" Nurse Joy started to correct him but cut herself off. Now's not the time!
This idiot! Does he have a death wish?!
Fumbling for her inspector badge, she bolted for the stairs.
"Nurse Joy, where are you—?" Suzie called, but she was already gone.
She turned to Misty—only to find the girl clutching her Poké Balls, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"She's going to help Kazuki!"
"As his women, we can't fall behind! Let's go!"
Normally, Suzie would've hesitated—but after their shared night with Kazuki, Misty's impulsiveness had rubbed off on her.
She nodded firmly. "Let's go!"
Misty grinned and made to jump off the roof.
"What are you doing—?!" Suzie yanked her back.
"Huh? We're helping Kazuki! Time for a brawl!"
"By taking the stairs, you maniac!" Suzie dragged her toward the stairwell.
"But Kazuki jumped! Why can't I?!"
"Kazuki's a superhuman!"
With that, she hauled Misty away.
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