Brock at this moment also woke up from the charm and started calmly analyzing the situation.
"But why would he do that?" Ash expressed his confusion, isn't the Gym Leader's responsibility to help challengers learn more, improve, and lay a foundation for participating in the League Conference in the future?
What kind of gym wants challengers to back down? Isn't the Gym badge important?
"Maybe... he doesn't want to battle with weak challengers? If he gets a bad reputation, then only strong Trainers would come, allowing him to have exhilarating battles." Miss Joy speculated.
This relates to Lt. Surge's identity as a retired soldier; in the military, there's no such thing as holding back, train hard until you drop, so after retiring to become a Gym Leader, Lt. Surge knows nothing about holding back.
If not for the League's regulations, he wouldn't even bother setting beginner and intermediate levels; he would go all out right from the start!
"This is troublesome... Ash, are you still going to challenge him?" Misty asked with some concern, looking at Ash.
Originally, I thought the difficulty here would be similar to the Celadon Gym, but judging by his personality, Ash's challenge will definitely far exceed that of the Celadon Gym. This battle might become Ash's first defeat, and if not handled well, it could even affect his confidence.
"...I'm going! I want to teach that guy a lesson! It's not about being harsh on challengers, but because of what he's done to the Pokémon! Even if it's a battle, causing such severe injuries is too much! That must have been intentional!" Ash looked at the Pokémon Center filled with the injured, with a determined gaze and said firmly.
Ash's love for Pokémon may not be unmatched, but it definitely ranks among the world's top. He's the type who, when his Pokémon are in danger, would first ensure their safety and stay behind to cover their escape.
Pokémon's lives are more important than his own.
He also cherishes his Pokémon very much, enduring tough training together, and sometimes even more than them. After training, he uses basic massage techniques he learned to help them relax.
Usually, he and Brock also study what foods their Pokémon like, what ingredients to use, and how to make them, ensuring deliciousness with sufficient nutrition...
Therefore, Ash cannot stand those who mistreat Pokémon, be it abandoning or severely injuring them to near death... both are unacceptable!
The latter is even more despicable.
Lt. Surge's actions have undoubtedly ignited Ash's anger, and this time he challenges Lt. Surge not only to give him a lesson but also to make sure he doesn't do such things again.
Although it's uncertain if he can achieve this, one must take action first! How can you know if something is achievable if you don't try?
If successful, future challengers of Vermilion Gym wouldn't have to endure the same suffering as the Trainers now in the Pokémon Center.
"This opponent won't show any mercy, and might even be heavy-handed, Ash are you sure?" Brock furrowed his brow, slightly concerned asked.
The average Gym Leader, upon seeing Ash with two badges and knowing he has been traveling just over a month, should choose the beginner level to face him.
But this Vermilion Gym Leader doesn't follow common rules...
Brock knows well the level of Ash's Pokémon, and if the Vermilion Gym Leader chooses the intermediate challenge level, Ash should still have a good chance of winning.
However, if the opponent chooses the highest difficulty challenge for Ash... Currently, Ash would find it very difficult to handle.
"Hmm... Miss Joy, do you know what Lt. Surge's strongest Pokémon is?" Ash nodded firmly and then turned to Joy asking.
"His strongest Pokémon... should be Raichu, it's said to be the Pokémon that has been with him since his military days, and its strength seems to be at the Professional Level."
"Professional Level... I see, thank you, Miss Joy. Let's go, Brock, Misty," Ash said, leading Pikachu and Ralts out of the Pokémon Center first.
Misty and Brock exchanged a glance, then helplessly followed Ash out the door. Misty even thought, if their opponent dared to be heavy-handed with Ash's Pokémon, she'll step in to block them!
Given Ash's degree of care for his Pokémon, if his Pokémon ended up like those in the Pokémon Center, he would probably break down in tears.
On the road to Vermilion Gym, Ash walked in front, Misty and Brock closely followed behind, but neither of them noticed Ash had his eyes closed.
...
[Newbie Ash: Big Shots, I need help, if I go all out with Pikachu now, can I beat a Professional Level Raichu?]
Seconds later
[Tactical Master Ash: If I had Aura Fusion and Partner Form, I'd say 99% win rate, I have 99 ways to bring it down.]
[Newbie Ash: ... What about me?]
[Tactical Master Ash: For you... depends on who you're fighting. Is it an Elite opponent? What's the time and Professional Level?]
[Newbie Ash: No, it's the Vermilion Gym Leader Lt. Surge, Professional level... not sure yet.]
[Tactical Master Ash: Oh, it's Uncle Lt. Surge, as long as his Raichu isn't at Professional Senior Level, you should have over a 70% win rate, he's not very bright, if you use what I taught you, it's almost impossible to lose, if you lose, don't say I taught you.]
[Newbie Ash: Ahem, even if I win, I wouldn't dare say you taught me. I'm going then.]
...
After less than a minute of exchange in the group, Ash opened his eyes, filled with confidence.
Since even Tactical Ash said he has a 70% chance of winning, it means his current strength is definitely capable of matching Lt. Surge.
Tactical Ash's estimates usually fall short rather than exceed. If he says 70%, realistically it's at least 80%.
Though Lt. Surge from other worlds can't compare to this world's, Tactical Ash's words have given him some confidence.
That's right, if you want to fight, you must take down the opponent's strongest Pokémon!
Thus, Ash's target this time is Lt. Surge's strongest Pokémon—Raichu!
The trio approached the doors of Vermilion Gym,
When Ash stated his intent to challenge the Gym, the doors of Vermilion Gym opened.
Inside, a muscular, robust blond man with a playful expression looked at the three.
"Yo, are you the challengers? Haha, these challengers are kind of cute~"
As he said this, the man turned his attention to Misty beside Ash,
Then he approached Misty, seemingly wanting to greet her with a hug.
Misty took a frightened step back but couldn't avoid the hug due to the man's massive size, almost twice that of Misty.
At this moment, Ash stepped in front of Misty, pressing his hand against the man's chest, and the man found himself unable to move forward.
Seeing this, the man was puzzled, looking at Ash's slender, seemingly muscle-less arm with bewilderment.
How did that slender arm manage to stop him single-handedly?
Ash gave a gentle but firm push, causing the tall and large man to stumble back over ten steps, creating distance between him and Ash.
At this moment, the man's face was filled with disbelief.
Where does this kid get such strength to push him so far with just one hand?
That small arm and leg, is it reasonable?
"Please don't bother my friend, and by the way, the one challenging the Gym is me." Ash said coldly.
Originally, he didn't have a good impression of Vermilion Gym, and encountering harassment towards Misty as soon as he entered worsened his impression—what kind of people are here!
The man paused for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Haha, little boy, are you kidding me? You're challenging with a Pikachu? This is a Gym, not a children's playground!"