As Su Sheng stepped out the door, Yue Yibu jumped onto the windowsill, watching its master’s figure gradually disappear into the distance, momentarily lost in thought.

Am I just going to wait here?

While my master is out working hard for me, I’m just lazily sleeping at home?

At that moment, Yue Yibu noticed a few "familiar faces" passing by outside.

"Brother Ytree, are you finally going to challenge the Azure Gym today?"

"I'm so envious! We're the same age, yet you can already challenge gyms. If only we were as strong as Brother Ytree, we wouldn't have had my favorite Pikachu cookie snatched away by that guy..."

Yue Yibu recognized two of the human kids. They were the two unfortunate ones who had their snacks snatched... oh no, won away by its master two weeks ago.

But this time, there was another kid in their group.

He looked to be a year or two younger than its master, a chubby-faced little human.

However, what Yue Yibu cared about more was what the three kids were saying.

A gym?

When Yue Yibu was following the old woman, it had also heard about this term.

It seemed to be a title of respect for humans who possessed very powerful Pokémon.

So, the question arises: last night, which was stronger—the "Champion" that the annoying old man talked about or the "Gym Leader" that these kids mentioned?

After a brief moment of contemplation, seeing the three kids’ figures grow further away, Yue Yibu activated the window switch and leaped out.

Like a black cat darting along the eaves, it followed behind the three children.

…

Not long after, inside the Azure Gym.

A middle-aged man with a small mustache, a muscular build, and six-pack abs that stood out in the sunlight filtering through the window shouted,

"I am A Si, the Gym Trainer of the Azure Gym! State your name, challenger!"

A self-satisfied smile appeared on the boy's face as he introduced himself,

"I am Ytree, a genius traveling around Johto, specializing in Psychic-types!"

Ytree, who looked to be about a year or two younger than Su Sheng, bowed to A Si, but there was little respect in his tone.

"Ytree? I've heard about you from Sutian; your potential seems quite impressive."

A Si recalled.

The Sutian he mentioned was the current Gym Leader of the Azalea Gym in Johto and the future Gym Leader, Asu's father.

"Heh, I didn't expect my name to spread so quickly. The old man from Azalea City isn't very strong; I hope you won't disappoint me, Uncle A Si."

Ytree pulled back his collar, revealing three badges, among which was the Fast Badge from the Azalea Gym.

"A gifted but arrogant young man, huh..."

A Si, who hadn't yet developed a belly like in the future and still had six-pack abs, smiled slightly.

"Then let's see what you've got, little one!"

A Si took a stance, performing a karate starting move while tossing out a Poké Ball.

That was... a Pokémon from the Unova region, a Transporter!

Clearly, A Si was going easy on him.

After all, this kid was only eight or nine years old.

How strong could he be?

Even though his friend Sutian lost, A Si wouldn't use his old partner to suppress him just to save face for an old friend.

That would be too low.

"Heh, it’s up to you now, Natural Sparrow."

Ytree tossed out his Poké Ball.

A small bird Pokémon, whose eyes seemed unfocused, landed.

The Natural Sparrow, a dual-type Psychic and Flying Pokémon, had a complete advantage over A Si, who used Fighting-types.

"The Gym Challenge between Gym Leader A Si and challenger Ytree begins now... Let the battle start!"

The referee announced the start of the duel, and in an instant, Ytree launched a fast attack.

Just after the engagement began, A Si realized that this bold kid was not just all talk.

His talent was indeed undeniable.

If he could be nurtured by a renowned master, he could definitely reach the level of the Elite Four.

However, neither the two fighters in the arena nor the scattered audience in the stands noticed.

In a corner of the audience, Yue Yibu was crouched on the back of a chair, its blood-red eyes intently fixed on the battle within the arena.

…

"Machoke has lost its ability to battle; Ms. Lipstick wins."

Moments later, the referee raised the flag and declared,

"Since Gym Trainer A Si's two Pokémon have lost their ability to battle, the winner is challenger Ytree."

"Uh-oh, Sutian is going to laugh at me now."

A Si scratched his head and recalled Machoke.

After the Transporter was defeated, he took the match more seriously, sending out Machoke, which, while not his absolute main force, was a stable second-tier member of his team.

Yet, it still lost to Ytree.

"Well, well—there's a bit more pressure than at the Azalea Gym, but that's about it."

Ytree shrugged and raised his hands.

I must say, he really looks like he needs a good beating right now.

But A Si didn't say anything.

What does it matter how strong you are if you're arrogant?

He wouldn't say he lost because he didn't use his main force.

Even with a non-main force Pokémon, losing to Ytree as a trainer in command—that was the reality.

"Alright, Psychic kid, this Strike Badge is yours."

A Si handed Ytree the badge symbolizing his victory in the Azure Gym Challenge.

He was a bit excited for this year's Quartz Conference.

If no new geniuses emerged, he believed no one could stop Ytree from winning the league championship.

But what he looked forward to even more was the subsequent Elite Four challenge and even the championship challenge.

By then, who would take this kid down?

Would it be that young girl with glasses, who had a physique that could rival an adult's?

Or that dragon master, who always wore a cloak and looked like everyone owed him money?

Hehe, given their personalities, neither would go easy on Ytree.

A Si was already looking forward to it.

"Who will be the next Gym Leader I defeat as this genius? Honestly, I'm a bit bored."

Ytree, still with an irritating tone, spoke as he took the Strike Badge.

Thud!

Suddenly, a loud thud caught the attention of A Si, Ytree, and the few scattered early morning spectators.

A Pokémon, most of whom had never seen before, was approaching them.

Its body was crouched, knees slightly bent.

It was clearly in battle mode, closing in on the two in the center of the arena.

"That’s the bad Pokémon of the bad guy!"

"Darn it! My Psyduck chips!"

Among all the spectators, only those two unfortunate kids recognized Yue Yibu.

But the two looked around and found no sign of that bad guy.

This made them suspicious.

Could it just be a wild one?

"Hmm? An unfamiliar Pokémon, what do you want?"

A Si spoke up.

In this era, before Professor Oak had developed the Pokédex, even a Gym Leader's knowledge base wasn't as comprehensive as it would be in later generations.

Let alone Dark, Steel, and Fairy types, which hadn’t even been included in the official textbooks by the League.

Yue Yibu slightly raised its right paw, extending one of its claws and beckoning towards A Si.

The meaning couldn't be clearer.