Chapter 326: Chapter 326

“What’s an ‘anything-goes battle’?” Ash clutched Pikachu, looking completely lost.

“That’s why you’re still just a baby!” Lt. Surge let out a booming laugh and patted Ash’s head. Then he shouted behind him, “Someone, anyone—explain it to the little guy!”

“I’ll handle it,” said Biscuit with a nod. “An anything-goes battle is a format modeled after wild battles,” she explained. “In the past, Gym battles and even League tournaments used this format.”

“Both Trainers and Pokémon enter the field together. Pokémon can be rotated in and out. Whoever knocks out any one of the opponent’s Pokémon first wins.” “Pokémon can’t attack the Trainer directly,” she added coldly. “But the aftermath of the moves? That’s on the Trainer to deal with.”

“You kids from this peaceful generation have probably already forgotten this kind of match, huh?” Lt. Surge threw an arm around Ash’s shoulder and laughed. “But folks like Red, Green, and Professor Oak from Pallet Town? Total pros at this!”

This was the first Ash had heard of Trainers entering battle alongside their Pokémon. He suddenly thought of something and asked, “The year Red-senpai won the League… was it under this format?”

“That’s right.” Lt. Surge clicked his tongue. “But the format’s been phased out in recent years. Shame, really.”

As he spoke, Surge glanced over at Lu Ye, who was deep in thought, face serious. With you as the mentor… you won’t let me down, right?

In the manga, the Insulated Gloves were spoils Red took straight off Lt. Surge himself. (Golden Spirit of a Pokédex Holder: sneak attack Giovanni, strip Surge’s jacket.)

Both Red and Gold had used those gloves to stage comebacks. You could say they were sacred items—on par with The Secrets of the Earth.

Lu Ye fell into deep thought. If I get those gloves… doesn’t that mean my survival rate just skyrocketed?

Ash, somewhat reflective: “So Trainers in Vermilion got injured because of this format?” “We always have medics on standby.” Biscuit said flatly, “If you’re scared, feel free to go back to another Gym and watch some water-type shows.”

Poor Cerulean City, caught in the crossfire again… Lu Ye gave a dry cough.

To be fair, this format had been designed by the League to boost a Trainer’s survival skills in the wild. But once peace returned, the League shifted toward commercial, show-style matches.

Lu Ye didn’t reject the format—it just required extra caution. As long as Pokémon couldn’t attack Trainers directly… all he had to do was stay far away. Worst case scenario, he could just swap places like he did against Professor Oak.

“I understand,” Lu Ye nodded. “But if I win, don’t bother giving me a badge—just trade me something else.”

Already thinking about winning? Lt. Surge raised an eyebrow, then grinned wide. But this cocky attitude… yeah, I like that.

“Watch closely, baby Ash.” Lt. Surge cracked his knuckles and pulled down a lever at the gym door. “This is what real old-school battles are all about!”

Rrrrrk— With mechanical grinding, a battle stage slowly rose up. Clack! Clack! Clack! Spotlights flicked on one after another, white light bathing the arena as Surge flashed a fierce smile.

“Mentor… let’s battle!”

Tony scrambled to the referee stand, while Biscuit and Ash moved to the sidelines.

Ash asked, “So, uh… what’s Lt. Surge’s win rate in this format?” “To date,” Biscuit said in a low voice, “the captain’s never lost.”

Lt. Surge unlatched the three Poké Balls at his waist and placed them in the center of the arena’s dividing line. He stared at Lu Ye.

That look in his eyes… like a lone wolf ready to pounce—adrenaline pumping, ready for combat.

Lu Ye mirrored him, placing his three Poké Balls—Gengar, Sylveon, and Arcanine—on the center line. Whoever grabs their Poké Balls and sends out a Pokémon first gets a huge advantage.

“I’ll repeat the rules,” said Tony, swallowing hard. “No direct attacks on Trainers. First to knock out any of the opponent’s rotating Pokémon—wins!”

“Match…” Tony raised his flag and dropped it, “Begin!”

Instantly, Lt. Surge sprang forward. He dove toward the Poké Balls—but glanced over at Lu Ye mid-air and froze.

What the—he ran straight to the edge of the field?!

Still mid-dive, Surge whipped a small knife from his pocket and hurled it at Lu Ye’s Poké Ball.

CRACK! The knife hit the button dead-on.

Surge snatched his own Poké Ball and grinned nastily. “Not sure what your plan was, but if your Poké Ball switch is busted, no way you're sending anything out!”

He hurled his ball. “Raichu, Thunderbolt that Poké Ball!”

“Can’t even summon a Pokémon… this is just sad,” Biscuit muttered, hand to forehead. “No, wait—that’s…” Ash gawked.

“Gengaa!” Gengar auto-deployed from the jammed Poké Ball, grinning wickedly. He’d been charging a Shadow Ball the whole time— BOOM!

As the smoke cleared, Raichu stood arms crossed in a defensive pose, gasping for breath.

“…It still popped open automatically?” Surge’s eyes narrowed as he rolled to avoid the shockwave and leapt to his feet.

A red beam retracted Raichu. Surge readied his next Poké Ball.

“Gengaa!” Gengar, meanwhile, grabbed the remaining two Poké Balls and dashed toward Lu Ye.

“Magneton, Flash!” A blinding white light filled the arena.

Surge threw on sunglasses and bolted for Lu Ye, aiming to take him out in one blow. A sly smirk played on his face. Nobody said Trainers couldn’t attack each other!

His fist swung forward with brutal force, slicing through the air—

CRACK! Their fists collided. Surge’s eyes widened. How did he react that fast?!

“Sorry about that,” Lu Ye said sheepishly, also wearing shades. “I was going to use Sylveon’s Dazzling Gleam, but…”

“Hmph.” Surge’s smile grew sharper as he used military-grade hand-to-hand techniques.

A fierce left jab flew toward Lu Ye’s ribs. All 240 pounds of muscle backing it.

Lu Ye dodged with a sidestep, returning a swift roundhouse kick— and still had the composure to shout, “Gengar, take out the Magneton first!”

WHAM! Surge backflipped to avoid the kick, his heart pounding.

He’d trained in military close-combat. But this bookish mentor… could keep up with him? Was he, like Red or Giovanni, also a wild-fighting specialist?

Biscuit and Ash stared in stunned silence. “To defend and give commands at the same time…” Ash muttered. Biscuit pressed her lips tight. Captain Surge… was at a disadvantage?!

“Tch.” Surge glanced at his heavily damaged Magneton, pulled it back, and sent out Raichu again.

“Raichu, Thunder Wave!” “Dodge it!”

Lu Ye’s mind was sharp and focused. As long as he stayed safe, this was just another match.

Gengar dodged the Thunder Wave.

Surge grinned, eyes cold. “Mentor… the aftermath still hits the Trainer!”

The electricity flew past Gengar— straight at Lu Ye.

“Don’t worry about me,” Lu Ye said sharply.

But if a Trainer just stands back, what’s the point of an anything-goes match?!

Surge smirked. Even a weak electric shock would mess up your reflexes. Once hit, you won’t be able to command—game over.

Then—he gasped. The Thunder Wave hit Lu Ye… …who calmly pulled out a Pecha Berry, crunched it, and ordered, “Gengar, Shadow Ball!”

Surge’s expression twisted. Who the h*ll carries a Pecha Berry on them?!

A chill crept into Surge’s heart. Had he… predicted this from the start?

“I can’t believe it…” Surge gritted his teeth, excitement blazing in his eyes. “I’m freaking loving this!”

Operating at max capacity now, Surge sent Raichu forward.

Lu Ye recalled Gengar and sent out Sylveon. A Quick Attack launched her at Raichu—almost taking it down.

Surge’s grin turned feral. His third Pokémon appeared—yellow and black, pulsing with electricity: Electivire. “Electivire, Thunder!!”

CRACK! A massive bolt tore through the ground. Sylveon leapt nimbly, but the thunder kept crashing.

Lu Ye recalled her and looked up at the raging storm.

“That’s… the captain’s strongest move!” Biscuit said, voice trembling. Ash swallowed hard. “It’s even stronger than Pikachu’s Thunderbolt…”

Lu Ye looked conflicted. This Thunder? Not even ten lives would survive it. Honestly, he was starting to regret taking this fight.

But it was too late. He took a deep breath.

“Stay calm. Just treat it like a regular match.”

BOOM! Lightning roared down.

Surge folded his arms, eyes cold. Your fragile Gengar won’t survive this.

“Awooo~!!” A roar echoed. Surge’s eyes went wide.

Lu Ye’s third Pokémon—Arcanine, cloaked in lightning. He used Wild Charge to cancel out most of the Thunder’s damage. Then blitzed forward with Extreme Speed, slamming Electivire across the field!

“Tch…” Surge clenched his teeth. Did Arcanine have a super-effective move on Electivire? Yes. Lu Ye’s gaze sharpened, one hand raised.

The Secrets of the Earth surfaced in his mind—his dramatic flair off the charts.

“As long as I stand upon this earth…” “I cannot lose.”

And with that, he dropped his arm. “Arcanine, Stomp!”

“Awooo!!” Arcanine reared back and stomped down on Electivire— Earthy shockwaves rippling outward!

Lu Ye let out a long breath.

“Winner…” Tony dropped the flag, voice dry, “Lu… Lu Ye!”

“No way…” Biscuit’s pupils shrank. This guy’s skill as a Trainer… surpassed even the captain’s?!

“That was amazing, Teacher Lu!” Ash jumped up. “So cool!”

Staring at his defeated Electivire, Surge stood frozen. He looked down at his trembling hands, stunned.

In that moment… he had felt fear? As if…

As if he’d seen a glimpse of someone else in Lu Ye.

Surge took a long breath. For a proud, stubborn man like him, the only Trainers he’d ever truly respected were Red and Giovanni.

He looked at this calm, composed Trainer before him.

“Mentor, huh…” Surge closed his eyes and smiled bitterly. Maybe… just maybe, like Sabrina had said— He would be the one to lead Team Rocket into a new era.

“……” Lu Ye clutched his chest, still shaken.

This anything-goes format… nearly turned him into fried dust!

He finally understood how Sirfetch’d felt. The match had escalated too fast—no time to even be scared.

But at least the quest was complete, which offered some comfort.

[Ding! Quest Complete!] [Insulated Gloves (Enhanced): Woven from a special material. Fireproof, corrosion-resistant, freeze-proof, shockproof… (Red-senpai limited edition! On sale now!)]

Lu Ye raised an eyebrow. So I can now send Gengar out pre-charged and drop a Sludge Bomb the moment he appears?

“Nice… this one’s a keeper,” he muttered.

Also, the Electric-resistant berry shop had unlocked in his system. With that, he wouldn’t have to worry about surprise Thunderbolts from Pikachu again.

“Teacher Lu!” Ash ran over, eyes shining. “That format was so cool!”

Lu Ye laughed. “You might be even better suited for it than I am.”

Ash blinked. “Really?”

Lu Ye glanced at Surge—who was scratching his head, grinning to himself like an idiot.

“Lt. Surge!” Lu Ye called out.

“Yes, sir!” Surge snapped to attention and saluted with a loud smack.

This sudden switch in attitude left Lu Ye confused. It was just one win… did you really have to change that much?

But Lu Ye didn’t realize— To Lt. Surge, in this format, there were only two people who had ever beaten him: Giovanni and Red.

And now… maybe a third.

Lu Ye pointed at Ash. “This kid’s really interested in the format too. Could you give him a round?”

“A match with baby Ash, huh?” Surge scoffed.

But since his mentor had asked, he reluctantly stepped onto the field. And five minutes later—

To Surge’s utter shock…

“Don’t underestimate me!” Ash roared, taking Raichu’s Thunderbolt head-on and knocking Lt. Surge off his feet.

Tony and Biscuit dropped their jaws. Was that even humanly possible?!

“Pallet Town Trainers… are terrifying,” Biscuit whispered.

“W-Winner… Ash from Pallet Town…” Tony croaked.

Surge lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, doubting everything.

If his mentor beat him, fine. But baby Ash too?!

Recalling the moment Ash tanked a full-power Thunderbolt, Surge sat up slightly, looking at the beaming Ash with a complicated expression.

“This kid… is a monster,” he murmured.