Chapter 113: Resolving Misunderstandings and Going to the Fuchsia Gym

"You little brat, what are you messing around for?!"

The foreman angrily glared at Gary, who had retorted him. He had humbly requested a trainer to come help, not to attract a troublemaker like Gary.

"You can have a trainer send out a Pokémon to try." Gary provoked, as he had already analyzed why the Diglett were obstructing the dam construction plan.

"Diglett are pests that hinder the progress of human civilization; they are definitely not good creatures!" The foreman was still condemning the Diglett's actions when suddenly, sounds came from nearby. It turned out the Diglett inhabiting the area were resisting again.

The trucks transporting construction materials were all trapped underground by the Diglett using Dig, unable to be moved. This was an act the Diglett were forced to take to prevent the dam's construction. But the Diglett would not harm humans; they merely kept the trapped drivers there temporarily, and then personally lifted the truck drivers back to the surface.

"Fight, Pokémon Trainers! Free three-day, four-night hot spring invitations to the Hot Spring Village are waiting for you!"

To ignite the fighting spirit of the trainers gathered there, the foreman waved the hot spring invitations in his hand, urging these trainers not to just stand there foolishly watching the show. Upon receiving the hot spring invitations, the gathered trainers became excited and all threw out their already prepared Poké Balls, sending out their Pokémon to deal with the Diglett.

Of course, the trainers who participated did not include Red and his friends. Countless Poké Balls were thrown by the trainers, but the Pokémon inside resisted. Not a single Pokémon was willing to come out of its Poké Ball, clearly unwilling to be enemies with the Diglett.

"See? Because the Diglett are protecting the natural environment, everyone's Pokémon are unwilling to harm them. Not one of them will come out of their Poké Ball!" Gary explained his viewpoint to the bewildered crowd.

"That's right. Building a dam here will only cause further land erosion. By then, there will be no Pokémon able to live here." Red explained, agreeing with Gary's view.

Under the astonished gaze of the crowd, Red used his psychic power to make the foreman float in the air.

"Ah—no!" The foreman exclaimed in terror.

"See the tragic 'scenery' around you with your own eyes!"

Floating in the air, the foreman could see the condition of the surrounding mountains at a glance. To construct the dam as quickly as possible, the construction team had indiscriminately used explosives, blowing up mountains and causing the Pokémon inhabiting the forests to flee, forced to leave their homes.

"So that's it. If the dam is built, this entire forest will be submerged, and no one will have a place to live!"

The foreman witnessed a Pidgey reluctantly looking at the destroyed forest, tears flowing as it lingered on a rock, silent for a long time. The hillside behind it, also damaged by the destruction of the forest, occasionally dropped soil, almost hitting the Pidgey.

"This world does not belong solely to humans; it also belongs to Pokémon."

A heartwarming yet comical scene unfolded: the Poké Balls thrown by the trainers were picked up by the Diglett underground and politely brought one by one to the trainers.

"Thank you!" "Sorry!"

The ashamed trainers, after retrieving their Poké Balls, had no intention of battling the Diglett, as they now understood the reason the Diglett were stopping the construction team.

"Since the truth of the matter has been revealed, I have no need to remain here." Gary jumped into his sports car, waving goodbye to everyone. "Farewell, everyone. I look forward to meeting you at the Indigo Plateau Conference, my future rivals!" With that, Gary and his beautiful cheerleading squad left everyone's sight.

"Wuwuwu~ I still haven't gotten the young ladies' phone numbers…" Brock cried, gazing at the departing backs of the beautiful cheerleading squad, unable to let go for a long time.

"Hey, hey, hey, they don't seem to have anything to do with you, do they?" Misty said with disdain.

After realizing the importance of Diglett and Dugtrio in maintaining ecological balance, the foreman voluntarily surrendered to Officer Jenny, canceling the plan to build a dam on the mountain. To make up for his mistakes as much as possible, the foreman swore to undertake the construction of the natural environment in the area, further protecting the mountain's ecosystem.

Late at night, the trainers who came here all enjoyed a free, comfortable hot spring bath. Red was also among them, as a free hot spring bath was right before his eyes, and he didn't want to miss it regretfully.

The next day, after crossing two mountains, Red arrived alone at a forest area. According to the map's instructions, Fuchsia Gym would be reached not far from there. Fuchsia Gym is different from other Gyms; it stands independently deep within the mountains. Therefore, Fuchsia City might not leave much of an impression on some trainers.

Taking a sip of cool mountain spring water, Red casually picked up a stone and gently tossed it onto a large tree in front, which then emitted a crisp sound. A Venonat with a bump on its forehead fell in front of Red, looking at him pitifully.

"Little fellow, don't you know it's impolite to peek at others?" Red teased, knowing that this Venonat was a Pokémon from Fuchsia Gym. Seeing the Venonat still in a daze, Red picked up another stone as if to scare it. Upon seeing this, the Venonat quickly hopped on its little legs, wanting to escape, and instinctively ran towards the location of Fuchsia Gym.

"I hope you, my guide, will be useful." Red murmured, and after filling his water bottle with mountain spring water, he quickly followed the Venonat.

A moment later, after crossing a log bridge, Red followed the Venonat to the outside of a traditional Japanese-style building. This was Fuchsia Gym. Fuchsia Gym has the largest area among the Gyms in the Kanto Region because it is not only a League Gym but also a ninja training academy, a ninja Gym specializing in Poison-type Pokémon.

Inside Fuchsia Gym, various mechanisms are set up to test the challenging trainers. However, for Red, it was still too childish. After figuring out the route, Red pushed open the mechanical door in front of him. To 'welcome' Red's arrival, several shurikens flew from the shadows, which Red precisely caught one by one with his fingers, and then Red 'returned the favor' by throwing them back. Immediately after, a girl's scream came from the shadows. With a grumbling tone, the girl hiding in the shadows appeared before Red.

"Born in darkness, living in darkness, this is the fate of a ninja. Female ninja, Janine, reporting for duty."

Wearing a vibrant pink ninja outfit, Janine knelt on one knee and delivered her opening lines.

"...?"

Red silently watched Janine for a few seconds.

(Doesn't this guy feel awkward?)

Seeing Red looking at her like she was an idiot, Janine quickly stood up and coughed a few times, trying to alleviate the awkwardness of the moment.

"You bullied my Venonat, didn't you? I challenge you." Janine questioned, standing up for her Pokémon.

"If you want to avenge it, I'm quite looking forward to a Pokémon battle." Red said calmly, slowly taking a Poké Ball from his waist.

"To get the Fuchsia Badge, you have to defeat my Venonat first!"

After saying that, Janine sent out her Venonat to battle.

"I'm counting on you, Cubone!"

The white light faded, and a Cubone holding a Bone Club appeared on the field, its eyes filled with fighting spirit as it looked at the Venonat.

"Headbutt followed by Bone Club Boomerang!" Red commanded.

"What kind of tactic is this?!" Janine exclaimed in horror.

The Cubone immediately swung the Bone Club in its hand, then approached the Venonat.

[Chapter Complete]

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