"Please! I'm begging you! Please don't take my gym sign!"
"That thing is my lifeline!!!"
The battle ended. Red and Usopp stood there in stunned silence, staring at Kiyo—who moments ago had worn the fierce air of a powerhouse—now groveling like a homeless cur.
Even knowing this was just part of the game's scripted design, Red still felt several black lines form on his forehead.
But Kiyo's next sentence made Red's eyes light up instantly.
"As long as you don't take my sign, to thank you, I can give you one of my precious Fighting-type Pokémon!"
The moment he heard that, Red stepped forward without hesitation.
"A true gentleman does not steal another man's beloved possession!"
"So…"
"Quickly take them out and let me have a look!"
A moment later, two Fighting-type Pokémon appeared at Kiyo's sides.
One was Hitmonlee, its body below the neck made almost entirely of legs.
The other was Hitmonchan, standing like a professional boxer with clenched gloves.
Unfortunately…
Even in this fully materialized game world, Red could still only choose one.
After only a brief moment of hesitation, Red made his decision.
It really wasn't a hard choice.
After all, among their group, only Sanji possessed a Fighting-type attribute. Naturally, the best match was Hitmonlee, who specialized in kicking techniques just like him.
A flash of red light shimmered.
Hitmonlee instantly transformed into a Technical Machine and dropped into Red's backpack.
[Move: Low Kick][Type: Fighting][Category: Physical][Power: Variable][Description: A powerful kick aimed at the opponent's lower body. It has a high chance to make the target fall over. The heavier the opponent, the higher the success rate—and the stronger the move's power!]
"Not an overwhelmingly strong move, but one that might show special effectiveness against Giants or Sea Kings!"
After reading the description, Red formed his evaluation immediately.
Regardless, acquiring another Technical Machine was more than enough to put a smile on his face.
What a pity, though—clearing this so-called Fighting Gym didn't grant Red any sort of Gym challenge reward.
Apparently, not even the system itself acknowledged this place as a real Gym.
Poor Kiyo indeed~
After finishing the Gym battle, they still had about an hour and a half of game time remaining.
Just then, the Gym's doors suddenly swung open.
A tall, curvy woman in a green uniform strode inside, smiling as she spoke to Red.
"I'm an Elite Trainer here on a business trip. I saw your fantastic battle just now!"
"So? Care to have a match with me? If you win, I'll give you some very generous rewards~"
She gave Red a sweet smile as she extended the invitation.
At the same time, a choice window popped up before his eyes.
[Accept!] or [Maybe Later…]
Without the slightest hesitation, Red chose the latter!
Was that even a question?
An Elite Trainer appearing at this point would definitely be far stronger than Kiyo!
Usopp had managed to beat Kiyo largely because he had a massive stockpile of ammunition—and because Fighting-type Pokémon tended to be warriors who were heavily countered by ranged attackers.
Sending a level 23 Usopp to fight Pokémon of other attributes carried a huge risk of failure and would only waste precious time. Completely not worth it.
Besides, Elite Trainers weren't going anywhere. They could deal with her later while challenging the Saffron Gym.
Decision made, Red immediately led Usopp out of the Fighting Gym.
They still had over an hour of game time left—no way they were letting that go to waste.
Red first took Usopp to the Pokémon Center, enjoying a free full-body recovery.
If they wanted to advance the story next, they should head to Lavender Town and clear the Pokémon Tower, which was filled with Ghost-type Pokémon.
However, considering Usopp's current level and combat style, Red instead brought him to the route between Saffron City and Lavender Town, hunting down wild Pokémon!
The Pokémon here were around Usopp's level. Each battle only gave a bit over 100 experience points, but with Red helping from the side…
Their leveling speed was actually faster than during the Gym challenge!
Just as the final sliver of battery power ran dry, Usopp was only a few hundred experience away from leveling up.
A flash of white light burst forth, and Red and Usopp's consciousness returned to the real world.
Silent moonlight streamed through the clean windows into the cabin.
Fresh out of battle, Usopp found it hard to calm his excitement. Still, not wanting to disturb his crewmates, he pulled the blanket over his head and stifled his laughter.
Already accustomed to this way of life, Red quietly activated Ancient Power and began his daily meditation.
The night passed without incident.
In the blink of an eye, the Going Merry had been sailing for three full days.
And over those three days, the seas they passed through were unexpectedly calm—nothing like the danger they'd faced upon first entering the Grand Line!
Perhaps the Grand Line simply wanted to give newcomers a harsh welcome earlier on… or maybe the Straw Hats were just extraordinarily lucky.
Either way, under the power of Rare Candy, Luffy's level successfully rose to 52!
Usopp, under Red's dedicated training, also reached level 24.
After that, Red switched his active Pokémon to Nami, Sanji, and the others, spending the next two days of game time smoothly clearing the Pokémon Tower storyline.
And they obtained a Technical Machine that even made Red feel envious—
[Teleport]!
As its name implied.
The effect of this move was just as straightforward and intuitive as it sounded.
The only unfortunate part…
Yet another Psychic-type move none of the Straw Hats could use.
At present, Red's collection of Technical Machines already included five Psychic-type moves:Teleport, Psychic, Rest, Light Screen, and Reflect.
That alone accounted for one-sixth of all his TMs.
And that was before counting the Psychic-type partner move Glitzy Glow from Celadon City.
Six incredible moves—offensive, defensive, and escape-capable—
Yet not a single person could learn them!
Of course, that wasn't entirely true.
As a Fairy-type, Luffy could learn Rest and the two defensive moves.
But those didn't fit Red's expectations for him at all.
Luffy's current four-move set consisted of Bulk Up, Tri Attack, Hyper Beam, and Play Rough.
Bulk Up allowed Luffy to maintain peak condition at all times—an outstanding move for both combat and training.
It was also standard equipment for Zoro and Sanji.
As for Tri Attack, while it was a Normal-type move fitting Luffy on paper…
Red's true intent was for Luffy to learn how to control Fire-, Electric-, and Ice-type Pokémon energy through it.
To further enhance his own combat prowess!
Just like the techniques he used in the future timeline, two years later—
Even deep underwater, he could still ignite blazing flames on his fists, dealing both physical and burn damage.
Reducing the value of the Flame-Flame Fruit again and again!
If even Usopp had already succeeded in experimenting with it, Red firmly believed Luffy would soon grasp the essentials as well.
Hyper Beam needed no explanation.
Even if Luffy hadn't fully mastered it yet, a move capable of explosive bursts of massive damage might just create a miracle at a crucial moment someday.
And Red even hoped…
That one day, Luffy and the others would perfectly master it.
As for Play Rough~
While its power and effects weren't exceptional…
It was the only Fairy-type move Red possessed.
Since it was already confirmed that Luffy's Fairy-type attribute came from his Devil Fruit ability…
Red wanted to test whether cultivating Fairy-type Pokémon energy could help Luffy gain mastery over his power faster—perhaps even accelerate his awakening.
So that Gear Fifth Luffy could descend upon this world sooner!
…
…
"What a shame… If only we had a Psychic-type partner who could actually use all these powerful moves."
Afternoon.
A gentle sea breeze swept across the Going Merry's deck, bringing cool refreshment to Zoro and the others as they trained.
Inside his private cabin, Red gazed at the Psychic-type moves in his list, sighing softly to himself.
And as if the heavens had heard his plea…
A sudden knock echoed from outside his door.
Bang bang bang.
Then came Vivi's gentle voice from beyond it.
"Mr. Red, may I come in?"
(End of Chapter)