Chapter 362: Jinghe: Kick! Gym!
Chapter 362: Jinghe: Kick! Gym!
Tuesday, a clear and sunny day.
Sinnoh, Binhai City.
The gentle winter sun bathed every corner of the city, casting an orange hue over Binhai City.
Binhai City was the most renowned port city in the Sinnoh Region, and its ferry service was one of the best options for those wishing to travel to Bellflower Island, where the Sinnoh League was located.
Built on a narrow promontory, the city compensated for its limited space by installing solar panels as elevated walkways, providing energy for the city.
It was said that Binhai City wasn't always like this. Despite being a port city, its location made development challenging.
Later, when Denji became the Gym Leader of Binhai City and vigorously promoted the development of various electrical appliances and high-tech facilities, the city transformed into the thriving metropolis it is today.
Denji's reputation as the "Binhai Thunder" echoed throughout the entire Sinnoh Region.
Walking on the smooth streets of Binhai City, Daye, with his hands in his pockets, looked around with a mix of awe and admiration.
"Every time I leave for a while and come back, I feel like the city has undergone significant changes."
As a native of Binhai City and a close friend and rival of Denji, Daye had chosen a path completely different from Denji's.
Denji stayed in Binhai City, developing the city and transforming it into the vibrant place it is today, which also established his reputation.
However, Binhai City seemed to become a cage that restricted Denji, confining him even as it brought him success.
In contrast, Daye chose to venture beyond Binhai City, exploring different landscapes, facing diverse Trainers, challenging stronger opponents, and gradually becoming stronger with each setback and transformation.
It's not a matter of which choice is better or worse.
Daye had encountered more powerful Trainers, and his desire to battle intensified with each setback and transformation.
Denji, on the other hand, could only face the challengers who came to him. Once his strength reached a certain level, these challengers could no longer stimulate his desire to battle, and eventually, he even began to detest battling.
Even so.
Binhai City remained the undisputed eighth Gym of the Sinnoh Region, and Denji's strength was almost universally acknowledged. He was still considered one of the most promising candidates for the next Four Heavenly Kings.
This alone demonstrated.
Denji's exceptional strength.
Moreover, in the animations, comics, and special editions Jinghe had watched, Denji was consistently recognized as possessing "Four Heavenly Kings-level" strength, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the Sinnoh Region would have five Four Heavenly Kings in the future.
This was Denji, the Fourth Generation.
"Compared to Denji, I feel like a useless fool," Daye said self-deprecatingly.
"Hmm."
Wusong hummed in response, "It's rare for you to show such self-awareness."
"But recently, Denji..."
Instead of arguing with Wusong, Daye sighed.
Concerned about his friend's condition, Daye chose not to respond to Wusong's taunts.
Noticing Daye's concern, Wusong's expression softened.
"Here comes Teacher Jinghe."
They turned to see Jinghe, standing by the railing, feeding Pelipper with Gramps and Ice Nine-Tails.
"Hmm~"
Gramps held a handful of food, tossing one to Pelipper and three or four into his own mouth.
It was unclear if he was feeding Pelipper or himself.
"A buffet restaurant?" Jinghe shook his head, "Let's not go to a buffet restaurant."
Gramps had told Jinghe that he had seen a buffet restaurant on the way and suggested they could teach the owner a lesson.
But Jinghe felt that.
Being considerate, buffet restaurants are places where people often get into fights.
The hovering Pelippers looked on helplessly at these "feeders."
You guys are supposed to feed us.
On their way to the Seaside Gym.
Impatiently, Daye asked, "Teacher Jinghe, how do you plan to 'treat' Denji?"
How to 'treat'? In fact, Jinghe had been pondering this question all along.
Humans, unlike Pokemon, sometimes have overly complex thoughts. Perhaps replicating Ash's approach from the animations could be an option.
However, Jinghe knew he couldn't transform himself into an Ash-like figure.
"Beat him up and ask questions while we're at it?" Jinghe rubbed his chin, pondering aloud.
Regardless.
A Pokemon battle was far more effective than mere lecturing.
"A battle?" Daye's eyes lit up, suggesting, "Maybe we can have a double battle: me and Denji against Teacher Jinghe and Wusong."
Jinghe paused.
A double battle?
That was indeed a viable option.
Wusong also found the idea intriguing!
"Or, we can demonstrate to Denji first. I'll battle Teacher Jinghe, then Wusong can battle Teacher Jinghe, and finally, Denji..."
Hmm.
Are you treating Denji or treating me? Jinghe thought to himself.
You're planning a series of battles against me, aren't you?
"I refuse!" Wusong firmly declined the suggestion.
If you want to battle Teacher Jinghe, don't drag me into it! He glared at Daye, "You should challenge Denji one-on-one."
Daye's eyes widened, "Wusong, we're partners! We've been through life-and-death situations together!"
Amidst the bickering of this odd couple, the three arrived at the entrance of the Seaside Gym.
The gym's entrance was firmly shut.
However, next to the gym was a box filled with badges, all of them the "Lighthouse Badge" representing the Seaside Gym.
Anyone could take a badge directly from the box.
With this setup, Denji still maintained his position as the Gym Leader of the Seaside Gym, which could only be attributed to his high reputation in Binhai City and his formidable strength.
Daye approached the door and began pounding on it with a series of loud knocks.
"Denji! It's me, Daye! Open up!"
"Hengga~!"
Gramps took out a Lighthouse Badge from the box and gestured towards Jinghe.
Yeah! I got the Lighthouse Badge!
"Pika?"
Daye's commotion attracted the attention of a yellow-skinned Rattata, which cautiously poked its head out from a side door.
"Pikachu!" Daye spotted the little guy.
"Pika~~"
Denji's Pikachu was clearly familiar with Daye, waving in greeting.
"Hengga!"
Gramps also noticed it and smiled, waving back.
Long time no see, Pikachu!
Upon hearing this, Pikachu stared at Gramps for a moment before slowly realizing, wasn't this the Ghastly from back then?
Its eyes lit up, and it ran towards the group.
Daye crouched down with a cheerful smile, but before he knew it, Pikachu dashed past him and gave Gramps a high-five.
Wusong looked at Daye, who was frozen in place, and smirked disdainfully.
"You fool."
"Wusong, I challenge you to a one-on-one battle!" Daye sprang up from the ground.
Wusong shrugged, "Pfft."
He and Daye had fought before, not as many times as Daye had challenged Sharon, but still a considerable number.
Their win-loss record was
evenly split.
It mainly depended on Daye's fluctuating condition, while Wusong's performance was relatively stable.
"Pikachu, where's Denji?" Jinghe asked.
"Pika."
When it came to Denji, Pikachu's ears drooped.
It pointed towards the gym, indicating that Denji was inside.
He was just tinkering with his electrical research and hadn't heard the commotion outside.
"This guy..."
Daye clenched his teeth and walked back to the door, knocking loudly again.
"Hengga?"
But as he knocked, he noticed Gramps poking its head out of the door, scratching its head in confusion.
Daye looked at the tightly closed door and then at Gramps on the door.
"."
"We'll have to use some unconventional methods to get in," Jinghe sighed softly.
Then he said,
"Rotom, please open the door."
"No problem, Rotom!"
Rotom immediately flew out of the Pokedex and dove into the gym's electrical circuits.
Click—
With a hiss, the sturdy gym door slowly opened.
Sizzle—
The door and walls of the gym flickered with golden arcs.
"Pika!"
Pikachu immediately warned everyone that it was Denji's anti-theft electric net, and they must not get close!
But before it could finish its sentence, the electric arcs on the door and walls disappeared.
Even.
The entire gym's power seemed to.
"Rotom~burp~"
Rotom emerged from a circuit, its body glowing with golden light, and then belched.
"Pika?"
A question mark appeared above Pikachu's head.
Did it...eat its fill?
It had consumed most of the gym's electricity, and Wusong also showed a few moments of surprise.
This Rotom...couldn't be considered one of Jinghe's main Pokemon, right? How could it devour so much electricity in one go?
Recalling the Ghastly that had competed in eating contests with Regigigas, a Bite Shark two sizes larger than a regular Swift Dragon...
What kind of Pokemon did Jinghe have?
"Let's go!"
Daye waved his hand and strode in as if he were entering his own home.
However.
After opening one door, they were greeted by yet another door.
"Denji's anti-theft measures are quite impressive," Wusong marveled.
Now, a problem arose.
Although the first door was open, due to Denji's anti-theft electric net, Rotom had consumed most of the gym's electricity, causing the second door's airlock to completely shut down.
But then Jinghe spoke softly,
"Gigaforg."
Red light flashed, and Gigaforg, holding a hammer, landed in front of Jinghe.
Jinghe crouched down, gently patted the little guy's head, and then pointed at the tightly closed door, saying,
"Smash it open."
"Cha!"
Gigaforg grinned.
This was its specialty.
It took a deep breath, swung the hammer without hesitation, and aimed at the heavy metal door.
Then,
Boom!!!
A violent roar shook the air, and the entire door shattered into pieces.
Amidst the rising dust and debris, Wusong swallowed.
This combination of a nonchalant intruder Ghastly, a Rotom that invaded the electrical network to open doors, and a violent door-smashing Gigaforg...
What kind of team was this?
"Who's there?"
The commotion finally caught the attention of those inside.
Jinghe smiled slightly and said,
"Kick! Gym!"
(End of Chapter)
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