While Ash was still reflecting on his mistakes, Red called over Lucci, who wore a face full of guilt, and quietly left the scene.
"Red, just go ahead and scold me as much as you want!" Lucci lowered his head sincerely, looking as if he were confessing his crimes.
"No. I called you here because I want you to help me train Ash!" Red said earnestly.
"Ask me? Why?" Lucci asked in confusion. Wouldn't it be better if Red trained him personally?
"I'm planning to head to the Fighting Dojo for a challenge match soon, so it's not convenient for me to train Ash. Besides, isn't it the responsibility of a Gym Trainer to temper challengers?" Red said with a faint smile.
Saying he had no time was obviously an excuse. Red entrusted Lucci with training Ash mainly for Ash's physical and mental well-being. If he continued training Ash himself, not only would it hinder Ash's own growth, but it would inevitably cause Ash to develop a negative mindset.
After all, every time Ash trained against him, he could barely defeat any of Red's Pokémon. If this kind of training continued for too long, it would also give rise to negative emotions in Ash—something Red did not want to see.
Although he felt his silly brother probably wouldn't think that much about it, in order to find a suitable excuse to slack off… no, for Ash's healthy growth, Red silently reassured himself that this was the right choice.
"Since you trust me so much, Red, I won't let you down!" Lucci promised firmly.
After a brief farewell to Ash and the others, Red headed alone to the Fighting Dojo not far from Saffron City's Gym.
The Fighting Dojo specialized in Fighting-type Pokémon battles. If a Trainer defeated the Karate Master, Koichi, here, although they would not receive an official League Badge as in the past, they could choose one Fighting-type Pokémon they favored as a reward—a fairly good option.
Thinking it over carefully, Red realized he indeed did not have a Pokémon specializing in Fighting-types, so he decided to challenge the dojo.
"Ha! Hah! Hah!"
As soon as Red arrived outside the dojo, he heard the sounds of intense training. Though it lacked the former glory of an official League Gym, the dojo still gathered many youths who admired martial arts, even a few young women among them.
"Someone's here to challenge the dojo!"
A young man wearing a white karate uniform and a headband hurried toward the back to notify Koichi, who was training his disciples.
"Hm? I didn't expect someone so young to come challenging. Looks like I'll have to let you experience the strength of the Karate Master—Koichi!"
The burly Koichi stepped forward, looking down at Red.
Red showed no sign of panic. He merely glanced at Koichi before walking calmly to the battlefield, preparing for a Pokémon match.
"The Fighting Dojo challenge match will now begin. On one side is Karate Master Koichi, and on the other is Red from Pallet Town. Each side may use two Pokémon. There is no time limit. The battle begins now!" the referee announced.
"I'm counting on you, Hitmonlee!" Koichi shouted, sending out his Pokémon first.
"Go, Pidgeot!"
As the white light faded, the golden Pidgeot appeared in the sky, its radiant feathers drawing everyone's attention. Koichi watched gravely, noting its unusually well-developed physique.
"This is bad… I didn't expect a Flying-type Pokémon. As expected, anyone who challenges my dojo comes prepared!" Koichi muttered. Flying-types had a type advantage over Fighting-types, which put him at a disadvantage.
"You make the first move," Red said calmly, giving Koichi the initiative. After all, they were battling on Koichi's turf; Red didn't want him to lose too much face.
"Oh? You're quite easygoing, kid!" Koichi laughed, instantly understanding Red's intention.
"Hitmonlee, use Double Kick!" Koichi ordered.
"Wing Attack," Red replied coolly.
Pidgeot's wings glowed white as it swiftly closed in. Hitmonlee, fearless, relied on its proud legs, fiercely clashing against Pidgeot with powerful kicks.
"Pull back and widen the distance!"
Seeing that strength alone wouldn't suppress Pidgeot, Koichi had Hitmonlee retreat, carefully watching for Pidgeot's next move.
"Aerial Ace!"
Pidgeot flapped its wings and accelerated, swiftly appearing behind Hitmonlee to deliver a lethal strike.
"Hitmonlee, use High Jump Kick head-on!" Koichi commanded. Since it couldn't avoid the attack, it would confront it directly.
"Boom—"
A violent collision erupted, the shockwave sweeping everything nearby. The force of the blast knocked many karate students off their feet. Only Red and Koichi stood firm like mountains, unmoved.
"Your Pidgeot is extremely powerful!" Koichi said solemnly.
As the air currents dispersed, Pidgeot still hovered calmly in the sky. In contrast, Hitmonlee was breathing heavily, clearly having expended significant stamina in the clash.
"It's time for the final exchange," Red kindly reminded him.
"Of course! Hitmonlee, use Mind Reader!" Koichi ordered.
Mind Reader allowed the user to lock onto its target, ensuring the next move would hit with perfect accuracy.
"Pidgeot, use Brave Bird!"
"Hitmonlee, use Jumping Knee Strike!"
Pidgeot let out a piercing cry that echoed through the dojo, its body bursting with fierce blue flames as it charged at incredible speed.
Unwilling to concede defeat, Hitmonlee leapt up and drove its knee fiercely toward Pidgeot.
"Boom—"
Both Pokémon poured their strength into overpowering the other. Koichi watched nervously as the decisive outcome approached.
Under everyone's gaze, the stalemate broke. Pidgeot, shrouded in blue flames, smashed Hitmonlee down into the ground, creating a deep crater.
"That power… It seems your Hitmonlee has the Reckless Ability!" Red judged. As Pidgeot's Trainer, he knew its strength well; it shouldn't have struggled that long unless the knee strike itself exceeded normal limits.
"That's right. This Hitmonlee has the Reckless Ability. Many times I've turned the tide because of it. But I still lost to your Pidgeot. I accept this defeat wholeheartedly," Koichi sighed, recalling the unconscious Hitmonlee.
(Reckless: Moves that cause recoil damage increase in power by 20%. This includes Jump Kick and High Jump Kick, but not Struggle, Mind Blown, or Steel Beam.)
"It's your turn, Hitmonchan!" Koichi shouted, throwing his final Poké Ball.
A flash of white light dispersed, revealing Hitmonchan, clad in armor resembling a skirt and wearing boxing gloves on its hands.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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