The audience watching the video through the screen was completely stunned — let alone Korrina and her Lucario, who had witnessed the entire battle up close from the VIP seats.
The match had been over for a while, and they had even been transported back to their own world.
Yet both of them still sat frozen, speechless.
After a long while, Korrina slowly came back to her senses.
[Korrina: T–too amazing…]
[Aaron: System-produced — always a masterpiece! Who was it just now saying this reward was mediocre? Just learning from Ash's Lucario — even a fraction of that would benefit you for life!]
[Raihan: I lost… I lost… I actually lost just like that!]
Raihan still hadn't fully recovered.
What happened to being invincible below Leon?
How could he lose to an eleven or twelve-year-old kid?
Ahhhh! Damn it!
If there had been a hole in the ground nearby, Raihan would've instantly burrowed into it.
[Champion Leon: No need to be discouraged, Raihan. Losing to Ash's Lucario is no shame. Even if it were me and my Charizard, we might not be able to defeat the two of them together.]
[Lucian: It's not scientific… How could such a massive Aura Sphere be condensed? My Lucario's tried several times and never succeeded.]
[Lt. Surge: Aaron's right — learn from Ash. There's no end to learning.]
[Misty: It's incredible… Ash actually became this strong.]
The Ash in the video looked at most eleven or twelve years old.
That meant in less than two years, Ash had gone from a new Trainer who relied on luck for Gym Badges, battled purely on instinct, and barely understood type matchups — to a Trainer with Champion-level strength.
Oh my goodness… What happened in just two years?!
[Brock: The world really is full of miracles.]
Other than marveling at the absurdity of it all, Brock didn't even know what to say.
[Ash: Hehehe~ Pikachu, did you see that? My future self is so cool!]
[Pikachu: Pika Pika~!]
After proving the rewards were powerful, the system continued playing videos from the parallel world.
On the third day after Riolu hatched, Ash could no longer suppress the impulse in his heart.
For years, he'd trained with wild Pokémon in the forest, rarely battling other Trainers.
That meant he didn't truly understand the level of his own strength.
So, challenging Giovanni this time was an excellent way to gauge his real power.
After checking his Pokémon's condition at the Pokémon Center, Ash headed straight for Viridian Gym.
At the entrance of the Gym, two burly guards wielding giant axes stood watch — responsible for verifying the qualifications of Trainers who came to challenge.
As Kanto's strongest Gym, Viridian's reputation was immense.
After confirming Ash's identity, the two guards struck their axes into the ground.
The heavy gates rumbled open.
The interior was dark and oppressive — that was Ash's deepest impression of Viridian Gym.
It was definitely not a pleasant place to linger.
Following the straight corridor into the main battle arena, the Gym Leader of Viridian Gym — Giovanni — was already waiting.
Unlike most Gyms, Viridian's Leader's seat was positioned on the second floor.
Giovanni, legs crossed and idly stroking his Persian, looked down at the young challenger entering below.
Meanwhile, in Kanto Town…
[James: Meowth, that's not right! Didn't you say that before you joined Team Rocket, you were the boss's 'Number One Meowth'?]
[Jessie: Yeah! Didn't you say the boss trusted you completely?]
[James: Then why is Persian the one sitting beside him in the video?]
[Jessie: Are you lying to us?!]
[Meowth: Th–th–this…]
He stammered for a long time, unable to say a word.
There was no way to patch this lie anymore.
Giovanni said, "I am Giovanni, the Gym Leader of Viridian Gym."
Ash replaied, "I'm Ash, from Pallet Town!"
"Ash? Are you a new Trainer who's just started your journey?" Giovanni asked casually.
"Yes." Ash nodded.
"Heh… A rookie dares to challenge Viridian Gym? Should I praise your courage — or mock your foolishness?" Giovanni said with a cold laugh.
"If I could choose, I'd prefer you praise my courage." Ash replied calmly.
Giovanni's hand, which had been stroking Persian, paused. Then he chuckled — genuinely this time.
"Interesting kid. I hope you can give me a pleasant afternoon." With that, Giovanni snapped his fingers.
The referee immediately stepped forward and announced the battle rules.
"Each side may use up to three Pokémon! No time limit! The official Gym battle begins!"
After explaining the rules, the referee rang a bell engraved with a red 'R'.
"It's up to you—Pidgeotto!" Ash has thrown the Poké Ball.
Three Pokémon.
Riolu was still a child — it would only serve as backup, so sending it out now was impossible.
Pikachu was his ace — his trump card — which couldn't be played right from the start.
That left only one logical choice for Ash's first Pokémon is Pidgeotto.
Coincidentally, Pidgeotto's Flying type could also negate Ground-type moves, making it the perfect lead against Giovanni.