The green-haired and red-haired brothers' Mankey soon followed Primeape's fate. Once seized by Lulu's psychic force, they were tossed around like rubber balls in midair before being slammed hard onto the training grounds paved with blue bricks.
The three brothers fled the dojo in utter panic, dragging their defeated Mankey and Primeape behind them. Kael didn't stop them. He still needed those three to carry word back to the Kaz Gym.
He was certain that once today's events reached them, both Kaz Gym and Yas Gym would realize the strength of this new dojo. The official League Gym status had long been something the two had treated as their rightful prize.
Local rivals competing bitterly was one thing. But when an outsider suddenly appeared to disrupt the balance, they would naturally join forces first—eliminate the interloper, then resume their own struggle.
Click.
A faint camera flash flickered from the rear wall. Kael turned, catching only a glimpse of blue hair vanishing beyond the eaves.
"Should we catch that little rat?" Lulu floated down and perched on the armrest of the grand chair, her slender legs swinging lightly.
"No need," Kael replied through their mental link. "If I'm not mistaken, that was someone from Yas Gym. I don't have time to play hide-and-seek. Let them come to us. Then we'll deal with them all at once."
"Close call…" Ann Chovy adjusted her crooked cap and patted her chest in relief. Looking at the camera in her hand, she smiled. "These photos should be enough. That black Rhydon is terrifying. I need to report back to Mr. Yas immediately. We must join forces with Kaz Gym and drive the 'Second to the World Gym' out of Dark City."
...
The sun dipped below the horizon. Night once again enveloped the ancient, backward city.
Unlike modern cities ablaze with neon light, Dark City grew dim after sunset. Though electricity had long been installed, most residents still kept to the old habit of resting early. And with the influence of Kaz Gym and Yas Gym, few dared wander the streets at night.
To undermine one another, the two gyms had once bribed passing trainers—and even recruited local and neighboring town thugs.
Their disciples were a mixed lot. Those with delinquent backgrounds ran rampant through Dark City, eating and drinking without paying, then forcing shopkeepers to put the bill on Kaz Gym or Yas Gym's tab.
Under the dominance of these two local powers, restaurant owners could only swallow their grievances in silence.
Old Lady Kurana—the one who had treated Kael to ramen—was among the victims. Her Granny Ramen had once been quite famous in Dark City. Yet those hooligans recruited by the gyms frequently ate there without paying.
...
After finishing the daily care routine for all his Pokémon, Kael went to bed early. A disciplined schedule kept the body in peak condition.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere inside Kaz Gym was unusually heavy.
"You swear everything you said is true?" Kaz—a short, stocky man with dark skin and a square jaw—stared sternly at the three brothers.
"Kaz-sama, we swear it's true!" the yellow-haired one wailed. "That brat is incredibly strong! He's got a gigantic Rhydon—and another Pokémon that looks like a little girl. My Primeape couldn't last a single exchange against it. It used some mysterious power to completely immobilize my Pokémon!"
Kaz fell into thought. If their story was accurate, then this new dojo had come prepared.
"Kaz-sama," a disciple in a blue uniform announced as the hall doors opened, "the leader of Yas Gym is here. He says he wishes to discuss something with you."
"Yas? What does he want?" Kaz muttered before waving his hand. "Bring him in."
...
A long table. A single lamp.
Kaz and Yas sat opposite one another at either end. Once, they had been close companions traveling together. Now they were sworn rivals. Even the deepest friendship could erode under time and ambition.
As the saying goes—your best friend hasn't betrayed you simply because the reward hasn't been tempting enough.
"Yas, I don't see what we have to discuss. Why are you here?" Kaz's temper flared quickly, his tone sharp from the outset.
Yas merely chuckled. "You've still got that rotten temper. Fine—I won't waste words. Ann, show Kaz the photos."
"Yes, Mr. Yas."
Ann Chovy stepped forward, laying the photographs from earlier that day across the table.
"Take a look. That's the so-called Second to the World Gym. See that enormous Rhydon?"
Kaz folded his arms, studying the images in silence—the long-haired young man seated in the grand chair, the girl-like Psychic Pokémon, and the terrifying black-armored Rhydon.
Yas tapped the photo of Rhydon and said mockingly, "I know your strength well. Even if every disciple of Kaz Gym charged together, you might not defeat that beast."
Kaz slammed his palm on the table. "And you think your disciples—including yourself—could handle it?"
Yas shrugged. "You're like a powder keg—always ready to explode. Alone, neither of us may be able to beat that new dojo. But if we cooperate and drive out that interloper first… wouldn't that be ideal?"
"Why should I trust you?"
"Do you have another choice?" Yas sneered. "Compete with me, and you might still have a shot at the official Gym title. But against that mysterious boy—and that Rhydon—do you really think you stand a chance?"
The words struck Kaz squarely in the heart.
He knew nothing about the boy's full strength. That single massive Rhydon alone was already overwhelming. If there were more hidden cards…
Then the official Gym qualification would become nothing more than the moon's reflection in a well—visible, yet forever out of reach.