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Chapter 87: Gym Evaluation Specialist Asahi
🕑 Added 2025-02-03 14:59:03 +0000 UTCChapter 87: Gym Evaluation Specialist Asahi
(T/N: Bill's Japanese name Masaki)
Masaki was starting to feel a bit lightheaded.
Clearly, it was because of all the equipment Green had requested—it was making his head spin.
Fortunately, Asahi had provided him with some additional research funding, which barely allowed Masaki to regain his composure.
Leaving the lighthouse, Asahi walked alongside Green and said, “You went a little overboard this time. Masaki is a researcher, not a wish-granting machine. You bombarded him with so many requests all at once—how could he possibly fulfill them all? If you scare him off, where am I supposed to find another suitable researcher?”
Green lowered her head in embarrassment upon hearing Asahi’s words.
Just as she was about to reflect on her actions, Asahi suddenly changed his tone: “You should start by making some simple requests first. You can always have him refine the final product later.”
Green was stunned.
So... that’s what Asahi meant?
Seeing Green’s thoughtful expression, Asahi was pleased that she understood.
“We should head to Cerulean City first—”
Asahi was about to call Green to head out when the communicator on his belt suddenly rang.
The call was from Lance.
“Asahi? What’s going on?”
“Asahi, your hunch was right—Team Rocket was indeed aboard the S.S. Anne.”
Lance couldn’t help but be amazed. Every time Asahi provided intel, it was always incredibly accurate.
“So, what happened? Did you catch them?” Asahi asked with concern.
There was a brief silence before Lance gave a simple summary of the situation.
In short, they managed to capture most of the Team Rocket members. However, the battle had caused significant damage to the S.S. Anne, forcing it to cancel its upcoming voyage and dock for repairs.
“......”
Asahi wasn’t sure how to evaluate the Kanto League’s performance.
On one hand, they had taken action quickly and apprehended most of the Rockets.
On the other hand, they had caused so much damage that the ship nearly sank on the spot if not for the captain’s skillful maneuvering.
Still, overall, the Kanto League’s combat capabilities seemed decent. Maybe there was still hope for them.
“Asahi, you probably guessed this isn’t the only reason I called…”
Lance wouldn’t call just for something like this.
“Knew it.”
“This incident with the S.S. Anne has alarmed the League Council. They’re furious about Team Rocket’s brazenness and have decided to implement stricter standards for the upcoming Gym evaluations.”
“They left the specifics to me… but since you’re the one conducting the evaluations on my behalf, I trust your judgment. You have full authority to set the standards.”
“I’ve got other matters to handle, so I’ll leave everything to you.”
With that, Lance hung up.
Listening to the busy tone from the communicator, Asahi took a moment to process it.
So, they were giving him full control?
If he was the one setting the evaluation standards, didn’t that mean he had the final say on which Gyms passed or failed?
Things were suddenly getting interesting.
---
Cerulean City
After a month, they had returned to the city where the two of them first met.
Cerulean City was still plastered with posters of the Sensational Sisters.
But unlike last time, when Asahi didn’t care, this time he was here as an official examiner on behalf of Lance.
“Is the team ready?” Asahi asked Green.
“The League’s personnel are all here, but… making such a big scene—are you sure Lance is fine with it?” Green asked, though her eager expression betrayed her excitement.
“This was the League Council’s decision. If there’s a problem, they can deal with it. Besides, Lance has my back.” Asahi waved dismissively.
Hearing this, Green was fully reassured. “Then when do we start?”
“Right now!”
---
Cerulean Gym
As the famous Water Ballet performance center of Cerulean City, the Gym was one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
Although it was located in the outskirts, every performance day attracted a flood of tourists and fans, along with countless vendors gathering around.
However, today was not a performance day, so the only visitors were novice trainers looking to challenge the Gym.
“What? Fully booked?” A trainer exclaimed in shock. “I was fourth in line!”
“Apologies,” the staff member said, “but the first three challengers already defeated all three Gym Leaders’ Pokémon. They are currently resting, so we can’t accept any more challengers for now.”
This announcement immediately caused an uproar among the waiting trainers.
“I’ve been in line so many times! How is this happening again?!”
“Next time…? But the upcoming days are all Water Ballet performance days! How long do we have to wait?”
“Why not just give us the badge directly? We’re gonna win anyway.”
The Gym staff seemed used to these complaints and calmly responded, “We understand your frustration, but the Gym Leaders’ Pokémon simply can’t handle so many battles in a row.”
“There are too many challengers today. Perhaps you could try other Gyms first.”
The crowd fell silent.
Then someone muttered, “If we could beat other Gyms, why would we even bother with Cerulean Gym?”
Many others nodded in agreement.
But no matter how much they protested, it didn’t change the fact that Cerulean Gym was no longer accepting challengers.
Suddenly, the Gym doors swung open.
The staff instinctively began, “Apologies, but the Gym is about to close—”
Halfway through the sentence, they froze upon seeing who had walked in.
At the entrance stood a sharply dressed young man in a suit and glasses, exuding an elite aura.
That wasn’t what shocked them, nor was it the secretary-like girl by his side.
What truly stunned them was the formation of individuals marching behind them in two orderly lines—each radiating an overwhelming sense of authority.
The insignia on their chests… That was the emblem of the League Audit Department!?
A sense of impending doom filled the staff member’s heart. “May I ask who you are…?”
Asahi remained silent.
“We are the League’s Gym Trainer Evaluation Specialists.” Green smiled politely.
The staff member was bewildered.
An evaluation?
Was it that time of the year again?
---
