Pokemon: With Title System

Chapter 58: You've Let This City Down

Returning to the hotel with Green, Asahi noticed that the three Team Rocket members had already been taken away by Lance.

This meant that a high-stakes battle between the League and Team Rocket was about to erupt in Celadon City.

"It's time to leave and head to Vermilion City."

Asahi had no intention of staying in Celadon. With Lance and Bruno around, they were more than enough to handle the situation. Staying would only risk exposing his identity.

Though Lance was currently the acting head of the International Police's Kanto branch, it was a temporary position. The headquarters could assign a new leader at any time.

Asahi preferred his carefree lifestyle and didn't want someone overseeing him.

His plan was to use the chaos in Celadon to quietly head to Vermilion and investigate Lt. Surge. By earning enough credit, he aimed to become the head of the Kanto branch himself.

Wouldn't that position be more exhausting?

Not at all. He could simply recruit a few competent subordinates like Green and delegate tasks to them!

Praising his own cleverness, Asahi smiled.

"Green, let's go to Vermilion City. On the way, we'll catch a Pidgey to start your desensitization therapy."

"What? A Pidgey? Why? They're harmless!"

"Don't worry. With me by your side, you have nothing to fear!"

...

As the Gym Leader of Vermilion City and a director of the Shipping Association, Lt. Surge led a tightly scheduled life.

Every morning, he woke at 6:00 a.m. for breakfast and hygiene.

At 6:30, he trained with his Pokémon and assigned tasks to his team.

At 7:30, he watched the League's morning news to stay updated on major events.

By 8:00, he opened the Gym to welcome new trainers, teaching them advanced battle strategies.

But today, something unusual greeted him at the Gym's entrance.

Instead of the usual handful of challengers, a crowd had gathered, buzzing about something.

Lt. Surge raised his eyebrows, and his subordinate immediately understood the boss—no, the Gym Leader's meaning.

"What are you all doing gathered here!" The subordinate stepped forward and shouted at the crowd.

The onlookers turned their heads to see Lt. Surge, their gazes filled with a strange curiosity.

Feeling uncomfortable under those stares, Lt. Surge walked forward as the crowd parted to make way.

Finally, he saw what had drawn everyone's attention.

It was a piece of paper, pinned to the Gym's front door with a coin.

Lt. Surge tore the paper down.

The contents made his face darken instantly.

Then he pulled out the coin embedded in the door. Seeing the emblem of the Celadon Game Corner on it, Lt. Surge clenched his fists.

Throwing the paper to his subordinate, he growled, "Check the surveillance footage! Mobilize everyone! Find the person who dared to slander me!"

The subordinate instantly stood to attention. "Yes, sir!"

As Lt. Surge stormed into the Gym, the subordinate let out a long breath. The boss was clearly furious.

But what could have provoked him this much?

The subordinate unfolded the piece of paper.

There was only a single sentence written on it:

"Lt. Surge, you've let this city down!"

Hiss!

Reading the paper, the subordinate couldn't help but suck in a breath.

This was going to cause a big commotion!

---

In a hotel across the street from Vermilion City Gym, Asahi and Green, both in disguise, sat by the window. They watched the Gym from afar through the glass.

On the table stood a Pidgey grooming its feathers. Every time Green's gaze fell on the Pidgey, she instinctively averted her eyes.

But knowing this was part of her therapy for overcoming her fear of bird Pokémon, she forced herself to keep looking at it.

"Pidgey~!"

Sensing Green's gaze, the Pidgey hopped closer to her and rubbed her gently with its wing in a gesture of friendliness.

"…" Green froze entirely.

Beside her, Gardevoir noticed her fear. Its eyes glowed blue as it used its psychic powers to soothe Green's emotions.

After a moment, Green finally relaxed. "...Thank you, Gardevoir."

"Na~"

Gardevoir waved off the thanks and sat back down to continue reading its novel.

"Is Lt. Surge really with Team Rocket?" Green asked Asahi after recovering.

The idea that a League-sanctioned Gym Leader could be involved with Team Rocket felt utterly surreal.

Asahi, ignoring Pidgey's annoyed glare, ruffled its feathers into a mess and replied, "Your reaction to Pidgey has already improved."

"As for whether Lt. Surge is with Team Rocket… here, take a look." Asahi pointed toward the Vermilion City Gym below.

Green looked and saw small groups of trainers wearing the Gym's uniforms leaving the building and dispersing throughout the city.

"If he weren't with Team Rocket, why would he react so strongly?" Asahi asked.

"After all, my note didn't explicitly accuse him of anything. I only included a token from the Celadon Game Corner."

Hearing this, Green was fully convinced of Asahi's judgment.

"So, what's our next move? Should we sneak into the Gym?" Green asked, a hint of eagerness in her voice.

The Gym seemed almost empty, making it the perfect opportunity to infiltrate.

However, Asahi shook his head. "Wait."

"Wait for what?"

[Of course, wait until I finish selecting my reward!] Asahi thought to himself.

[You've successfully captured six Pokémon, officially stepping into the ranks of Pokémon Trainers. You've earned the title 'New Trainer.']

[Please choose your reward:]

[Eevee (Elite Level)]

[Pikachu (Elite Level)]

[Clefairy (Elite Level)]

System, are you trying to test me, Asahi? Don't you know I raise all my Pokémon myself?

Is this supposed to challenge my integrity?

What trainer wouldn't pass such a simple test!

Hmm… but this is such a tough decision. Which one should I pick?

---

Asahi's current Pokémon lineup and levels, along with held items:

[Pokémon: Gardevoir (♀)]

[Level: 57]

[Held Items: Gardevoirite, Psychic Plate]

[Pokémon: Dragonair (♀)]

[Level: 35]

[Held Items: Mystic Water]

[Pokémon: Shelgon (♂)]

[Level: 33]

[Held Items: Dragon Fang, Charcoal]

[Pokémon: Magikarp (♂)]

[Level: 22]

[Held Items: Mystic Water]

[Pokémon: Mudkip (♂)]

[Level: 6]

[Held Items: Exp. Share]

[Pokémon: Pidgey (♂)]

[Level: 15]

[Held Items: None]

---

[Asahi]

[Skill: Viridian Power]

[Held Items: Dragon Crystal]

---

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