Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

"What's all the noise, meow meow? Can't you see we're busy?"

Musashi roared in annoyance.

She slammed her hand on the side of the lawnmower, which emitted a painful roar.

"This damn machine... Kojiro! Are you even capable of doing this?!"

"I... I've tried my best. You've already spent all the money."

Kojiro looked aggrieved.

"Even the parts were salvaged; it's a miracle it can even run..."

Kojiro turned off the machine that was emitting black smoke and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

"What's wrong, Meow Meow? Did you ask the Flower Queen about the gym's security situation?"

"More important than that, meow!"

Meow Meow excitedly waved her arms and legs.

"It's those brats! They just entered the Jade Rainbow Dojo!"

"Even if they come, we won't be able to turn them against us, will we?"

Musashi said casually.

"No! It's not a matter of turning them into defectors!"

"This...this might actually be an opportunity!"

Kojiro looked at Meow Meow; their thoughts were fairly clear.

"Yeah, meow!"

"Chance?"

Musashi looked at the two of them with suspicion.

"It's impossible to explain this to you."

Kojiro said it subconsciously.

"After all, it's Musashi, meow..."

"Um?!"

Upon hearing this, Musashi narrowed his eyes and a dangerous smile appeared on his lips.

He immediately executed a skillful chokehold, tightly locking the man and cat in his arms until their eyes rolled back in their heads.

"I'm going to die! I'm going to die, meow! Let go, let go, Musashi!"

The cat waved its paws.

But Musashi remained unfazed.

"Speak quickly!"

Kojiro struggled to speak quickly.

"Because today is the dojo's rest day, it's not normally open to the public!"

"Now that those kids are inside, what do you think that means?"

"Did I tell you to speak or ask questions?!"

Musashi increased the pressure in his hand.

"Goo!"

Kojiro suddenly felt himself being squeezed even tighter.

He quickly patted the cat.

Meow Meow seized the opportunity to quickly chime in.

"This means that besides Rika and the kid, there are probably no other visitors or staff in the dojo right now, meow!"

"And their attention is definitely focused on gym battles, meow!"

"No, that's right!"

Kojiro gasped for breath, his face turning slightly red.

"This is the perfect opportunity for us to infiltrate! While they're locked in a fierce battle, we can sneak into the gym!"

After hearing this, Musashi loosened his grip and nodded.

"So, to face the challenge, that woman would be distracted, I see..."

"Not bad!"

"The three of us were absolutely right!"

……

Ash and his friends followed Rika through a corridor hidden by ferns.

We arrived at the main battleground of the dojo.

The venue was not a standard flat ring, but rather a place where various plants grew in a staggered pattern.

Rocks, bushes, and even a few short trees with gnarled branches.

"Can the venue be arranged like this?"

Xiaoxia couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"It's simply like a work of art!"

"The design of the Yuhong Dojo is meticulously conceived and maintained by specialists over the long term."

Lijia explained with a smile, her tone tinged with pride.

"Besides, it's more pleasing to the eye if it looks nicer."

Xiao Gang, standing to the side, didn't think so.

In his reliable state, he habitually begins to analyze.

"That's true, but the irregular terrain and diverse plant environment... will be quite a challenging environment for non-Grass-type Pokémon."

She glanced at Xiaogang with surprise.

Rika then gracefully walked to the trainer command area.

He turned to face Ash, placing his hands together in front of him.

"Well then, Ash, the rules are simple."

"This battle is a standard three-on-three gym battle, and only the challenger can change Pokémon midway through the battle."

"The battle ends when all three Pokémon on either side are unable to battle."

Xiao Zhi nodded vigorously.

"understand!"

"To be honest, this is the first time I've ever played a proper 3v3 in a gym battle!"

The voice just fell.

Xiaoxia suddenly turned her head and stared at him with a questioning look.

"...???"

Doesn't my match count?

Ok?

Didn't we already say it was serious?

Xiao Zhi scratched his cheek and thought seriously for a few seconds.

"...I guess you could count it as half?"

"Half?!"

“Look,” Ash said, counting on his fingers, “your Staryu threw right away, and Goldeen is a master at blowing bubbles—the only one that will truly battle me to the end is Gyarados.”

"That's...that's a tactic!"

Xiaoxia blushed and defended herself.

"And what's wrong with blowing bubbles? Blowing big, round bubbles is pretty impressive too...!"

"Alright, that's the end of our casual conversation."

Lijia spoke up at the right moment, interrupting the conversation that was gradually drifting away from the topic.

Her expression turned serious, and she regained her dignified aura as a gym leader.

She took a Poké Ball from her kimono, flicked her wrist, and tossed it forward.

"So, my first one is this one."

A flash of light.

A Pokémon that can be considered a cure for trypophobia has appeared.

Its entire body was tightly wrapped in blue vines, with only two bright red eyes and a pair of round feet showing.

Dark colors peeked through the gaps between the vines.

Countless tiny, tendril-like vines swayed gently around it, as if they had their own life.

"A vine monster?"

Ash nodded, recognizing the Pokémon.

He then took the Poké Ball from his waist.

"Then... I've decided on you!"

"Pickup!"

Pikachu, who had been perched on his shoulder, immediately perked up.