Kazuki had originally thought Lt. Surge's bizarre greeting style—charging in for a hug—was just a strange detail in the original script. He hadn't expected it to still trigger exactly the same way in this world.
Thankfully, Kazuki's Aura Power sensed Surge's intent in advance. He moved swiftly and caught Surge's wrist mid-lunge!
Team Rocket's appearances weren't always 100% faithful to the original script, but this... this weird greeting from Lt. Surge? It hit without fail.
That made Kazuki suspicious. Was this man hiding some shady secrets?
Lt. Surge was the stereotypical soldier, with a naturally aggressive streak. No wonder he'd ended up as a Team Rocket executive.
Kazuki made a mental note to stay cautious around him.
"Gym Leader Surge, we don't exactly greet each other like that around here!"
Surge gritted his teeth, shooting Kazuki a fierce glare. Why the hell was this kid so strong?!
Damn it! He's crushing the bones in my wrist…!
If I scream now, I'll lose all face!
He tried pulling his arm back with all his strength, but Kazuki smoothly twisted and shoved him away.
With his balance thrown off, Surge stumbled backward. If not for the support of his two grunts, he would've tumbled straight down the steps.
Misty looked at Kazuki, stunned. His commanding presence was nothing like the playful boy she usually joked with.
Watching the cocky Vermilion Gym Leader get knocked down a peg sent a wave of satisfaction through her heart—and stirred something else, too. Her gaze toward Kazuki now shimmered with just a touch of fangirl admiration.
Being protected… felt amazing.
With Kazuki standing up for her, Misty's posture instantly straightened. She stepped forward with a fierce aura of her own and rebuked Surge:
"That's right! Gym Leader Surge, show some respect!"
"We're here to challenge the Gym!"
"Heh! What a joke!" Surge grumbled, rubbing his bruised wrist, though he still ran his mouth with disdain. "You brought a bunch of baby Pokémon to challenge me? Pathetic!"
"C'mon, kid. I'll give you a lesson you'll never forget."
Still seething from the wrist grab, Surge stared at Kazuki's Pikachu with disgust and refused to start with Raichu.
Instead, he sent out his second-best: Voltorb.
Clearly, he wanted to humiliate Kazuki by defeating him with a weaker Pokémon—making it seem like he wasn't even worthy of facing his ace.
But that overconfidence played right into Kazuki's hand.
If Surge wasn't going to use Raichu right away, then Kazuki could use this chance to complete his Type disadvantage Mission.
"Pidgeotto, you're up for the first round!"
"Hahahaha!" At the mention of Pidgeotto, Surge and his two grunts burst into laughter.
"Kid, are you stupid?"
"Using a Flying-type baby against my Electric-type Voltorb? You gotta be dumber than you look!"
"Man, I've never called someone brawny but brainless before, but today's a first!"
Surge shook his head. Even he felt weird using those words.
"Today, I'm gonna roast that little bird of yours—"
But as soon as Pidgeotto appeared, the laughter froze on Surge's face.
Standing over two meters tall, its massive form left him momentarily speechless.
"Wha… what kind of Pokémon is that?!"
"Hah! And you call yourself a Gym Leader? Don't even recognize a Pidgeotto?" Misty snapped, clearly holding no respect for Surge and seizing the chance to fire back.
Given her status as a half-Gym Leader herself—her sisters may manage Cerulean Gym, but the real strength came from Misty—she didn't feel inferior to Surge at all.
"P-Pidgeotto! O-of course I recognize it!" Surge forced a grin, then awkwardly buttoned up his shirt to hide his own not-so-impressive chest. Eyeing Pidgeotto's muscular frame, he tried to save face.
"But so what if it's big? Still just a baby Pokémon!"
"Voltorb, turn that oversized chicken into crispy nuggets!"
Crackle!
Voltorb glowed, powering up for Thunder Shock.
"Pidgeotto, rise up! Stay out of range!"
With its current level and muscle strength, Pidgeotto could easily take a few hits. But why bother, when it had the Swift Wing equipped?
No reason to get hit when you could dodge.
Once Voltorb's Thunder Shock went on cooldown, Kazuki immediately issued the next order:
"Use Quick Attack!"
"Voltorb, use Quick Attack too! Meet that baby head-on!"
Voltorb glanced up at the mountain-sized bird. If it could talk, it'd definitely scream!!
Bracing itself, Voltorb shot forward—but was instantly blown out of the ring by Pidgeotto's sheer power.
A Type Disadvantage Type win… and it was laughably easy. Even easier than Pewter Gym.
Guess Surge had done too many brainless Gym matches and forgotten what real strategy looked like.
"Th-this… Hmph! That little bird's got something after all…"
"But just like you—it only knows brute force!"
Say what you will about Surge, but the man had a steel-plated ego. Even as Voltorb lay twitching, he kept yapping.
"But now… it's your hell, kid! Let's go, Raichu!"
Surge finally called out his ace.
"Raichu, give that little baby the beatdown it deserves!"
His Raichu was already at level 40—Quasi Gym-level. Among rookie Trainers, it was a near-unbeatable beast.
So even with Voltorb out, Surge showed no sign of panic.
"Return, Pidgeotto!"
With the type disadvantage mission complete, Kazuki switched to Pikachu to finish the Gym challenge.
But Surge reacted like a rabid dog, barking at him as soon as he recalled Pidgeotto.
"Haha! Scared now, are ya? Heh, figures! Baby Pokémon like yours don't stand a chance against my Raichu!"
"Raaaai~chu!"
Raichu wore the same smug smirk as its Trainer.
"Scared? Hardly. I just thought it's time you saw what real Thunder looks like. Pikachu!"
"Pika-pi!"
Pikachu leapt into the arena, full of spirit.
"Pikachu?! Real Thunder?! Hahaha! Kid, you kill me!"
"Raichu! Burn that baby Pikachu to a crisp!"
Surge's laughter quickly turned to rage—probably still bitter about his wrist.
"Raichu! Thunderbolt!!"
Kazuki had originally planned to exploit Raichu's slower speed, but the small arena meant Thunderbolt covered the whole field with ease.
So instead, he countered directly:
"Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt too!"
"What? That baby knows Thunderbolt?!"
Thunderbolt was considered a high-tier move for Pikachu, so Surge instinctively balked at the command.
But he didn't think for a second that Kazuki's Pikachu could match his Raichu in power.
Until the electricity flew.
In a flash, Pikachu's Thunderbolt swallowed Raichu's whole attack like a tidal wave.
Surge and his grunts stood slack-jawed.
"No… no no no!"
Surge was so stunned he forgot to issue any commands.
Not that it mattered—Raichu was too slow to dodge anyway.
Pikachu's Thunderbolt overwhelmed it, smoke exploded across the field, and when it cleared…
Raichu was down, completely unconscious.
"G-Gym Leader! Pikachu won!" a grunt reminded the dazed Surge.
He stood there muttering, "This… this can't be real. That Pikachu's level is definitely lower than Raichu's…"
"How… how could it have such a powerful Thunderbolt?!"
It wasn't like Surge had never lost before—but losing in a straight Thunderbolt duel?
That wounded his pride worse than anything.
"Well, Surge, you may be trash, but even trash speaks truth sometimes," Kazuki said as he accepted the badge.
"What?"
"You said it yourself: if the Trainer's a baby, their Pokémon are babies too. And weak."
"AAAAARGH! DAMN IT, KAZUKI, YOU BASTARD!" Misty screamed with joy, jumping up and cheering before Surge could even process the insult.
He stood frozen while Kazuki and Misty exited the Gym.
Then, it finally hit.
"Shit! That brat! I'll get him for this!"
He punched a nearby pillar in frustration—only for his face to twist in pain.
"Gym Leader! Are you okay?!" his grunts rushed over.
"Aaaaah! Don't touch me! It's broken! It's broken!!"
Misty turned around and scoffed. "Hmph. Is he crying? A full-grown Gym Leader, crying after losing? Weak!"
With a shake of her head, she happily skipped over to Kazuki and linked arms with him, swaying playfully.
"Kazuki, Kazuki, you were amazing!"
"Thanks for standing up for me! Now I admit—you're totally manly!"
Kazuki had stood up to Surge and protected Misty. This time, she didn't hold back—she praised him openly and clung to his arm like it was second nature.
"Oh? If I'm manly, then when will you be feminine?"
"M-me? Feminine?" Misty blushed and tried raising her voice delicately. "Kazuki-kun, do I sound feminine now~?"
"?????"
Kazuki stared, confused. "Where did you learn that weird crap?"
Misty blinked innocently. "Isn't that how idols talk in TV commercials? Did I get it wrong? Then I'll try another!"
"Eh—no, no, Misty, you're going the wrong direction!"
"If you really wanna learn how to be feminine… look over there. Two perfect examples—different styles, both top-tier!"
Kazuki nodded toward the approaching pair in white stockings and uniform—Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny.