But this time—half a month after the last incident—when Ash once again left Pallet Town for Viridian City, he did so openly and without fear for his safety.
On one hand, he now understood Team Rocket's true objective, and their phone conversations had eased relations somewhat.
On the other, the web of interests involving the Kanto League and the major Kanto families now acted as a powerful restraint.
And most importantly—
Professor Oak had left a Champion-class Charizard by his side, a constant personal guardian who could protect him at any moment.
With enough backing and confidence now in place, Ash could finally act more freely—no longer nervous, no longer restrained by excessive caution.
"Pikachu, Frogadier—hold tight. We're setting off!"
Ash hooked his foot onto the pedal and called out to Pikachu in the front basket and Frogadier seated behind him.
"Pika~ Pika~!"
"Gero~ Gero~!"
The two Pokémon responded energetically.
Pidgeot didn't say anything, but it circled directly above Ash's head in the sky, acting as a vanguard and aerial scout.
Ding-ling~ Ding-ling~
"Departure! Destination—Viridian City!!"
With their responses received, Ash pushed down on the pedals and rode his bicycle straight onto the main road.
Pallet Town dirt road →
Pallet Town outskirts dirt highway →
Viridian Forest asphalt road →
Viridian City Route 370 entrance →
In just under thirty minutes, Ash pedaled his way into Viridian City with his Pokémon.
He didn't wander around elsewhere. With Rotom Phone broadcasting navigation, Ash rode straight toward Viridian Gym.
Viridian City was a perfect fusion of modern metropolis and forest ecosystem—a smart ecological city, and a flawless example of humanity reaching a high level of technological development while still coexisting harmoniously with nature.
As one of the city's most important landmarks—and its most iconic symbol—Viridian Gym's architectural style was vastly different from the surrounding urban buildings.
The gym was constructed from white marble and gray-white limestone, adorned with elegant yet antique reliefs and stone pillars, giving it the distinct impression of a Greek-style classical temple.
"Pika—!"
"So this is Viridian Gym?"
Seeing a Pokémon Gym in the human world for the first time, Pikachu looked visibly astonished.
Frogadier on the back seat and Pidgeotto—now perched on the handlebars after descending from the sky—both tilted their heads, curiously examining the imposing structure.
"Yes," Ash nodded.
"This is the strongest Gym in Kanto—Viridian Gym."
His gaze rose to the emblem above the entrance: a League Gym insignia formed by a red-and-white Poké Ball fused with the English letter P.
Viridian Gym Leader Giovanni—even his publicly known strength already surpassed that of Sabrina of Saffron Gym and Blaine of Cinnabar Gym, making him the undisputed strongest among all Kanto Gym Leaders.
And that was only the strength Giovanni displayed openly.
As the true leader of Team Rocket, Giovanni's real power was solidly Champion-class.
Even Lance, Champion of the Johto Silver Conference, was no match for him—let alone the Kanto Indigo League, which lacked a Champion-level powerhouse.
That was precisely why both the Kanto Indigo League and the Johto Silver Conference had been suppressed to the point of stagnation.
Or rather—
It wasn't Team Rocket restraining the two Leagues.
It was Giovanni alone.
Setting aside his identity as the leader of an evil organization, and judging him purely as a Trainer—Giovanni was undoubtedly someone worthy of deep respect.
Even Ash couldn't help but feel a trace of admiration for the man.
…..
"Pidgeotto, are you going back into your Poké Ball, or staying outside?" Ash asked.
"Pidgeot~ I'll stay outside," Pidgeotto replied.
"Alright. Then take a flight around Viridian City's skies—but don't go too far. I should be done here fairly quickly."
"Charizard—come out."
"ROAR!!"
After releasing his personal bodyguard, Ash headed straight toward Viridian Gym.
Outside the gym's massive doors—thick and heavy like dragon-severing stone—stood two burly men clad head-to-toe in steel armor, holding long-handled battle axes.
When they saw Ash approaching with his Pokémon, there was no cliché 'halt, who goes there' confrontation.
Clearly, Giovanni had already informed the guards in advance after receiving Ash's call.
Boom—!
Rumble…
"Honored guest, please enter."
The two armored guards slammed their axes into the ground in unison as the massive doors slowly rose, their tone respectful rather than domineering.
Ash nodded and led his Pokémon inside.
Like most Gyms, the entrance led through a sealed corridor that opened directly into the battle arena.
For ordinary Trainers challenging the Gym, this was where they would stop. Beyond lay the Gym Leader's private working and living areas.
But the moment Ash stepped into the arena, the mouths of the massive stone dragon statues lining the walls ignited with crimson flames, instantly filling the entire venue with a solemn, awe-inspiring pressure.
However, Ash wasn't alone inside.
Standing in the arena was the woman he had seen during the video call earlier—
Matori, Giovanni's secretary.
In the original canon, she frequently appeared during the Alola arc as well.
"Ash Ketchum," she said politely, making a guiding gesture.
"Gym Leader Giovanni has been expecting you. Please follow me."
"Alright." Ash nodded calmly.
Although he had seen Viridian Gym in the original anime, what animation showed was, at best, a simplified version.
Just like Viridian City itself—clearly a massive, futuristic metropolis, yet depicted in the anime as something closer to a small inland city.
Compared to that, the real Viridian Gym was far more magnificent.
From the outside, it resembled a temple.
But once inside—
It felt less like a Gym…
And more like a fortress steeped in military authority.
Looking at such a grand structure, a quiet desire stirred in Ash's heart.
One day—
He wanted a place like this too.
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T/N:
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