59. The Realm of Slashing Steel
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"Are you here to learn a secret technique from me as well?"
"Well... seeing the determination in your eyes, I'll teach you this move!!!"
Inside the captain's cabin of the S.S. Anne.
As Red initiated the conversation, the white-bearded captain, looking strong and full of energy, stepped up to a potted plant.
His expression grew serious, his gaze sharpening in an instant.
And then—
Swish!
A sharp hand chop slashed through the air.
He never even touched the plant, yet the potted greenery crumbled into fine dust and scattered into the wind.
"How about that? Did you catch it?"
Turning back without breaking a sweat, the old captain looked at Red and Zoro, his face calm and composed.
Red: "..."
'Old man, are you sure you're not a Pokémon!?'
Staring at the broken leaves and branches scattered across the ground, even Red was momentarily speechless.
Just then, a system notification flashed before his eyes:
[Your Pokémon Roronoa Zoro has learned the secret move: Chop Down!]
Red turned around just in time to see Zoro slowly opening his eyes, his gaze sharp as if he were about to unleash his sword energy at any moment.
But the moment he noticed Red's stare, the burning fighting spirit in his eyes faded slightly—replaced by a knowing smirk.
"...Did you just master it!?" Red asked, somewhat incredulous.
Zoro gave a slight nod.
Clang!
With a crisp sound, he drew Wado Ichimonji.
A mysterious aura surged around him, circling his body like an invisible current—coiling but never dispersing.
Then, Zoro's grin widened into something wild and untamed.
"Red, I think I've... figured it all out!!!"
"I feel like even if an iron mountain stood in front of me right now, I could slice right through it!"
"Is this… what you meant by the realm of slashing steel?!"
Just as Red had expected—learning Chop Down had pushed Zoro further in his swordsmanship!
And interestingly enough…
In the game Pokémon: Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee, secret techniques don't take up move slots. That meant Zoro still had four open slots for future techniques.
However, this also meant Red couldn't assess Chop Down's strength through a stat panel.
But…
Seeing the sheer confidence radiating from Zoro, he could make a pretty good guess.
Red smirked.
Though he was inwardly pleased with Zoro's rapid progress, he said casually:
"Don't get too excited, Zoro."
"The ability to cut steel is just the first threshold to becoming a true swordsman."
"We've still got a long road ahead."
Cutting steel was merely the entry-level qualification for a swordsman.
The true path lay beyond—mastering flying slashes, wielding a black blade, and reaching the pinnacle of swordsmanship!
"That's true!"
Clang!
Hearing this, Zoro swiftly sheathed his sword. The blazing spirit in his eyes dimmed slightly—but what replaced it was an even fiercer, unshakable determination.
Taking a deep breath, he suddenly said:
"No time to waste!"
"Red, take me to a fight—now!"
"This is a rare opportunity I got from Nami, and I'm itching to cut something down!"
"Hahahaha! As you wish!!!"
Red burst into laughter.
A young man who pushed himself forward, who demanded progress without needing a reminder—
That was the kind of person Red loved to see!!!
Shortly after—
The two left the S.S. Anne and arrived at the entrance of the Vermilion City Gym.
At this moment, in front of Vermilion Gym, a row of thick, lush trees had suddenly sprouted, completely sealing off the entrance.
Two days ago, when Red and Nami first arrived here, they struggled for a long time but couldn't break through the blockade.
It was clear that these trees were being reinforced by some special mechanical rules.
So, Red and Nami had no choice but to head south, leveling up aboard the S.S. Anne.
And now, two days later, Red had returned.
But this time, he had brought with him the Anti-Tree Noble Phantasm—Roronoa Zoro, who had just mastered Chop Down!
"Zoro, time to test out your new move!"
"Use Chop Down on these trees!!!"
Red pointed at the obstacle with confidence.
With Zoro by his side, there was no need to fear Vermilion Gym!
And more importantly—this meant another badge, another reward, and another step toward power.
He couldn't wait to see what kind of boosts or new moves the next badge would grant him.
"Leave it to me, Vice-Captain!"
Zoro grinned, lowering his stance with one hand gripping the hilt of Wado Ichimonji.
A piercing, lightning-like glint flashed through his eyes.
Then—
"One Sword Style Acting-Draw: Chop Down—Lion's Song!!!"
Swish!
The sword flashed like lightning.
In an instant, an invisible slash cut through the thick trees blocking the gym entrance.
Not even a moment later—
CRASH!
All the trees collapsed into neatly sliced pieces, scattering in the air like falling cherry blossoms.
A flawless strike.
Seeing this, Red merely smiled calmly.
"Well done."
Without another word, he stepped forward toward Vermilion Gym.
Zoro, sheathing his sword with a smooth motion, followed closely behind—walking through the shower of broken branches and leaves.
As the electronic doors slid shut behind them, the two finally stepped into the strangest-looking gym yet.
For a gym specializing in Electric-types, one might expect high-tech panels or lightning-themed decor…
Instead, what they saw was—
Rows and rows of identical metal trash cans!
The only electrical features in sight were the two high-voltage barriers in the distance, blocking access to the gym leader.
Just then, the man in overalls—a familiar sight in every gym—stepped forward and began his usual NPC dialogue:
"Congratulations on making it this far! That means you're qualified to challenge Vermilion Gym!"
"But first, let me explain the [trap] system!"
"You see those two electric barriers in front of the Gym Leader?"
"You need to find the switches hidden inside the trash cans to disable them before you can battle him!"
"Be careful~"
"The gym trainers won't make it easy for you to search!"
Red's face twitched.
"...Are you serious?"
Looking at the NPC, who had completely reverted to robotic game mode, Red sighed deeply.
"Hiding the mechanism inside trash cans… Who in their right mind came up with this!?"
Even when playing the game, he had always found this gym's design outrageous.
And now, seeing dozens of identical trash cans, some even filled with actual garbage… he truly couldn't accept it.
But complaining wouldn't change anything.
With a sigh, Red motioned to Zoro, and the two began digging through trash cans one by one.
Of course, the search wasn't peaceful.
Every few steps, they were forced into battles against the gym trainers.
Since this was an Electric-type gym, all the trainers used Electric Pokémon, each at level 22 or higher!
And while Zoro could easily cut through them…
The paralysis effects from various Electric moves were annoying as hell.
Even though the attacks barely hurt him, the static shocks made his muscles tense up repeatedly.
By the time they finally deactivated both electric barriers, Zoro's moss-green hair had turned into a spiky, static-charged afro.
"Pffft—"
Red almost burst out laughing.
"Do you… want to rest a bit, Zoro?"
Trying his best to look away from Zoro's hilarious new hairstyle, Red struggled to keep a straight face.
"...No need!"
"I just leveled up, and I feel great!!!"
Zoro gritted his teeth.
Holding his swords tight, he glared at the gym leader—Lt. Surge—with such intensity that it felt like his gaze alone could pierce through him.
"I swear… I'm going to CUT DOWN every single one of these electricity-using bastards!!!"