Chapter 93

Black World—

Ash and his party arrived at the first Gym of the Orange League.

Xiaogan Gym is the Western Star Gym of the Southern Cross in the Orange League, run by Gym Leader Dunmei. The Gym's battle rules differ from those of the Kanto region, not limited to simple Pokémon battles, but decided by moves.

Dunmei is the Gym Leader of Xiaogan Gym, known as the Western Star of the Southern Cross in the Orange League.

"That's it ahead!"

Ash pointed excitedly ahead, his eyes sharp, indicating a house at the edge of the beach, then pointing to a coconut tree not far ahead, and he whispered to Xiaoxia and Xiao Jian: "Someone's there, and there's a trap!"

Following the direction of Ash's finger, Xiaoxia immediately noticed a bucket of water hanging from the tree and a lone coconut beneath it. The trap's setup wasn't complicated, but it was clever enough to ensnare anyone careless.

To test Ash's judgment, Xiaoxia picked up a stone and lightly threw it over.

With a "pa" sound, a childish shout came from the bushes, and immediately the bucket on the tree tipped over, a stream of clear water instantly drenching the coconut on the ground.

Watching this, Xiao Jian's eyes were full of surprise; he turned his head to look at Ash, his heart filled with doubt and admiration.

How could Ash tell someone was hiding in the bushes? Moreover, just moments ago he knew Team Rocket was hiding nearby—such perception… could it be psychic ability?

"How did you know I was here?"

A boy walked out of the bushes and shouted loudly.

With the trap you set up, it's hard not to notice it; I know three guys who wouldn't set such a low‑level trap.

Ash looked at the coconut placed on the ground and chuckled: "You must have fallen for your own trap, so he must be a careless person."

【Ma Zhishi: Is Black Satoshi complaining about White Ash? Looking at Ash under the White Light Curtain, he really is careless.】

【Xiaomao: Ash is not bad; he actually managed to criticize himself and didn't get it wrong.】

【Musashi: What that brat said is correct; our Team Rocket wouldn't set such a low‑level trap—finally he said something pleasant.】

【Xiaojuer: This is the first time I've seen myself being snarked at by the Black World.】

"Are you challengers? Is your strength enough? My sister doesn't have that much time to waste on you!"

Junta crossed his arms, his tone tinged with contempt and provocation; he clearly doubted their abilities and seemed hostile toward anyone trying to challenge his sister.

Facing Junta's challenge, Ash narrowed his eyes and replied calmly and confidently: "So you want to battle us?"

He saw through the boy's intention; he probably wanted to duel them.

Just as Junta was about to nod and agree to battle Ash, the Gym Leader Atsumi appeared and interrupted their conversation.

"Don't cause trouble, Junta; stay over there."

Afterward, Gym Leader Atsumi led Ash and his group into the Gym, explaining the rules in detail: the challenge at the Summer Gym isn't just a plain Pokémon battle; victory is decided by two moves.

It tests both the challenger's strategic thinking and their mastery of Pokémon moves.

Junta used a remote controller to instantly turn the central battlefield into a water‑type field, the blue surface sparkling. Along the side of the field, a row of water bottles was neatly placed,

The contest uses Pokémon's Water Gun to see who can knock over more empty cans, testing the accuracy and power of the Pokémon's move.

Gym Trainer Atsumi sent out Seadra.

Isn't that exactly Squirtle's forte? Ash sent out Squirtle.

"Just a little Water Gun will do!"

Ash cautioned Squirtle not to fire a Water Cannon‑like Water Gun; he estimated one shot could blast most of the cans away, not knowing if it would be a foul, so better be careful to avoid losing the advantage through a foul.

"Kameh!"

Squirtle pushed up his glasses and said, "Leave it to me!"

"Tch, still just a little Water Gun."

Junta snorted, face full of disdain, utterly convinced Ash's Squirtle couldn't beat his sister Atsumi's Seadra.

Just looking at Squirtle's pose, you know he's showing off; his ability is surely nothing special.

Yet the opposite happened: Squirtle easily fired two Water Gun attacks, the speed extremely fast; in both speed and number, Squirtle completely outclassed Atsumi's Seadra.

"Ash, you're awesome!"

Atsumi watched Squirtle's splendid performance and couldn't help but praise him sincerely. She hadn't expected to meet a trainer who raises Squirtle so well today.

The first battle was won; Ash successfully took the opening victory.

"He even beat him!"

Squirtle's two cannons can fire two attacks, while Seadra can only fire one at a time.

Junta watched this scene, his face showing surprise and reluctance; he had thought his sister's Seadra would win easily, but instead was defeated by Ash's Squirtle.

Kojiro was also surprised; Squirtle's aim is good—could it be because he's wearing glasses?

"Next up is hitting moving targets."

The contest still tests the Pokémon's move accuracy; this time it's relatively harder than shooting stationary cans—namely, hitting flying discs moving in the sky, scored by Junta, the younger brother of Gym Leader Atsumi, and there are even several discs flying consecutively in the air.

Seadra went first and hit them all.

Squirtle also managed to hit them all.

The final disc goes to whoever hits it first to win.

This time Squirtle was the first to hit it.

"Kameh!"

Squirtle's specially shaped glasses flashed a light; having the Wave Guidance in hand, this is child's play.

From the start, it used Wave Guidance to constantly monitor the discs' motion; the cannons on its shell were already primed, and Seadra's speed couldn't match it, so there was basically no pressure, and it won this match as well.

"Nice job, Squirtle!"

Ash stepped forward, patted Squirtle's shell—Squirtle had grown big, so he couldn't hug him like he could when he was a Wartortle.

"No way!"

Junta looked at Ash in astonishment; Squirtle's reaction speed is too fast—the disc gets hit the moment it flies out.

Sure enough, a trainer recommended by Professor Oak... Kojiro recorded Squirtle's pose—so cool and powerful!

"Amazing!"

Dunmei's eyes sparkled with anticipation and approval as she looked at Ash.

She could feel that Ash and the Water Gun Turtle weren't exerting themselves; the task she set was too easy!

After winning both battles, Ash directly obtained the Sakura Badge.