55. Kai vs Erika -1

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"Don't worry," Kai said solemnly. "After I challenge the Celadon Gym, I'll leave immediately."

"I believe in your strength, so I wish you success in the challenge," Looker said. Then, with a shift in tone, he added, "But I need to let you know something. At the base, a special operations team is being formed as a vanguard. You may be invited to join."

"Me?" Kai was momentarily stunned but quickly agreed. "Of course, I'd be glad to help. Since Team Rocket already sees me as a target, I can't just stand by and do nothing. But who else will be part of this special operations team?"

"Well…" Looker thought for a moment. "Only the best. We'll do our best to invite members of the Elite Four and also reach out to exceptional Gym Leaders from the Pokémon League."

Kai nodded thoughtfully. "If that's the case, the team might just be able to infiltrate and disrupt Team Rocket's base effectively."

After hanging up the phone, Kai followed the main road to the Celadon Gym.

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The gym's design resembled a school sports facility. Its roof was earthy yellow, and the walls were silver-grey. It stood in the middle of a sprawling garden in the city centre.

As Celadon City's official Pokémon Gym, its leader, Erika, specializes in Grass-type Pokémon. Trainers who manage to defeat her earn the Rainbow Badge.

Inside, the gym had a spacious hall where several women dressed casually in shorts were working. One of them, a blue-haired girl, approached Kai.

"Excuse me, can I help you?"

Kai explained that he was there to challenge the Gym Leader. The girl nodded and led him deeper into the gym.

As they passed through the hall, Kai noticed several glass greenhouses filled with lush greenery.

The greenhouses teemed with vibrant trees, shrubs, and flowers, giving the area the feel of an indoor garden rather than a battle arena.

Speaking of which, the perfume I bought yesterday was made here, Kai realized.

The staff, mostly young, beautiful women, not only maintained the gym but also managed the adjoining perfume shop.

Grass-type Pokémon roamed freely throughout the facility, playing and frolicking under the watchful eyes of the staff. It was clear they were well-cared for.

At the end of the path, they reached an elegantly simple room. Through the window, Kai saw Erika seated on a tatami mat, delicately trimming flowers in a vase while teaching a group of women.

The blue-haired girl noticed Kai's curiosity and explained, "Miss Erika is not just the Gym Leader; she's also a renowned ikebana artist. Every week, people come to learn flower arranging from her. Do you also enjoy ikebana, sir?"

"Well, in a way," Kai replied with a smile. "Arranging flowers is both calming and uplifting. It's a great way to ease the mind."

Soon, the lesson ended. Erika stepped out of the room and immediately recognized Kai.

"You're the one from the shop yesterday," she said with a smile.

"That's right," Kai confirmed. "I hope I wasn't a bother then. Today, I've come to challenge you."

Kai took a moment to observe Erika. She was petite, around eighteen or nineteen, with a graceful presence. Her traditional kimono and serene demeanour reflected her refined style, reminiscent of a Yamato Nadeshiko.

"Well, please follow me," Erika said.

The trio retraced their steps to a fork in the path that led toward the gym's battle arena. Along the way, Kai saw more Grass-type Pokémon.

"Oddish, Bellsprout, Exeggcute, Gloom, Victreebel, Vileplume… You have such a diverse collection of Grass-types," Kai remarked.

Erika smiled. "I've always loved nature and Grass-type Pokémon. They bring me peace. The perfumes in our shop are made using the leaves and flowers from these Pokémon."

At the battlefield, Kai noted its simplicity. The arena was open, with no special terrain that would favour Grass-types.

However, a skylight above allowed sunlight to pour in, illuminating the entire space, a natural advantage for Grass Pokémon during sunny weather.

A blue-haired girl stepped forward to referee.

Erika said, "The rules are simple. Each of us can use three Pokémon. If you manage to defeat all of mine, you win."

With that, she sent out her first Pokémon.

It was a Pokémon completely covered in blue vines. Only its red, boot-like feet and two large eyes were visible through the tangles.

Kai selected his first Pokémon and threw the Poké Ball.

"Go, Charmander!"

The small Fire-type Pokémon emerged, the flame on its tail burning brightly.

Erika frowned slightly but seemed composed. As a Grass-type specialist, she had likely faced countless Fire-type challengers before.

The referee raised her hand. "Begin!"

Erika took the initiative. "Tangela, use Stun Spore!"

"Charmander, Counter with Ember!"

"Charrrrr!"

A cloud of sparkling yellow powder drifted toward Charmander. However, the embers it exhaled ignited the powder in midair, causing it to burst into flames.

The resulting fire blazed toward Tangela, forcing it to evade. Despite Tangela's boosted speed under the sunlight, it narrowly dodged the attack.

Erika's strategy to paralyze Charmander early had failed. Now the battle was swinging in Kai's favor.

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