Pokemon: I am Gary

In the data room, this was a place for reviewing contestant information, allowing trainers or coaching teams to develop battle strategies.

In front of the computer, Gary was watching the screen with a cold smile.

Kaito – a top eight finalist in the Johto League Silver Conference, an experienced trainer specializing in Rock and Ground types. He was the opponent who had once sent Gary packing from the Indigo League!

In the corner by the computer desk, three heads peeked out.

"Do you think Gary has become a bit twisted…" Ash asked cautiously.

"Not sure, but I feel like Kaito definitely owes Gary a lot of money…" Brock nodded, thinking he was insightful.

"However, I think it could also be a case of love turning to hate?" Misty raised an eyebrow.

Ash and Brock rolled their eyes together; they had told her not to read those romantic novels...

"You three! Can't you whisper without hiding from people?" Gary turned his head in exasperation.

"Hahaha… Caught!" Ash scratched his head as he emerged from underneath the pile of bodies.

"How's it going, Gary? Are you confident for the fourth round?" Brock asked curiously.

"It's not really about confidence," Gary shook his head, his gaze icy. "I'm going to do my best to take him down."

"Yikes~ Looks like this guy has definitely offended Gary," Ash gasped.

It had been a while since they had seen Gary so filled with killing intent.

"By the way, how's your own opponent research going? You still have time to come watch me?" Gary frowned and asked.

"Ugh~" Brock and Misty sighed simultaneously.

"Hehe, I don't need to do anything that complicated; I just improvise and go on a killing spree!" Ash proudly lifted his head with his nose in the air.

Since the start of the tournament, he had won match after match; this kid was getting a bit too full of himself—he was floating!

"Let me give you some advice," Gary said seriously. "Anyone who has made it this far is not an easy trainer. If you don't take your opponent seriously, don't come crying when you lose."

"Pfft! I wouldn't do that," Ash scoffed. "Let's meet in the finals!"

"I hope so~" Gary nodded and parted ways with the three.

"Gary really seems so mature now." Watching Gary's back, Misty began to understand why his three older sisters were so infatuated with him...

"Yeah, if Ash can keep winning, Gary might become a formidable opponent," Brock nodded seriously as well.

"Gary~" Ash clenched his fists. As a rival, what Ash wanted most was to beat Gary at least once.

The two had competed in countless matches in various forms since they were young.

Currently, Ash's record stood at 352 losses and 1 tie; the only tie he ever had was when he and Gary fought over a Poké Ball they both fished out of the water—they ended up splitting it in half with neither gaining an advantage.

That half-rusted Poké Ball represented both Ash's trophy and their friendship.

"Gary's match is tomorrow morning, right?" Ash suddenly asked.

"Yeah. That's right; it's the fourth match of the morning. You're up first in the afternoon," Brock nodded.

"No matter what, let's go watch live," Ash said earnestly.

Misty smiled. "You're clearly concerned but still say you're not; you really are just a kid~"

...

The next day at Indigo League, in the Grass Arena, it was time for the last match of the morning session.

The audience's enthusiasm blended perfectly with the blazing holy fire.

It was a showdown between Gary and Kaito! This match was highly anticipated as a clash of strong competitors!

Having already advanced to the top sixteen were Giselle, Janine, Team Rocket's trio selling snacks and drinks at the venue, and Ash's group—all eagerly waiting for the match to begin.

In Team Rocket's hideout within Giovanni's office, in a dark room illuminated by TV broadcasts, light reflected off Giovanni's face—scaring anyone who looked at it; it felt like a horror movie...

In Vermillion City, after school, Koharu tossed her backpack aside and quickly turned on the television.

"Ladies and gentlemen~ In the Grass Arena, for the fourth match, we have contestant Gary facing off against contestant Kaito! The match is about to begin!" The announcer's voice rang out.

"Koharu! This match is lame; it's just preliminaries—nothing exciting about it. Want to go observe Pokémon in the wild with me?" A dark-skinned boy with a cheeky grin invited her over.

"You're Goh right? We've only just met as classmates; we're not that close," Koharu frowned angrily. "Besides, these trainers are anything but lame! Making it to round four of regional preliminaries is already impressive; you're not even worthy enough to carry their shoes."

"What did you say?!" Goh barked angrily. "I've seen Mew before—I'm above all that league stuff! I just can't be bothered!"

"Heh! Stalker! Why didn't Mew accidentally take you out back then? How disgusting!" Koharu didn't look back as she focused her eyes on the screen searching for that familiar figure.

"You! Hmph! I'm not playing with you anymore!" Goh sneered as he rolled out like a dog.

Koharu slightly pouted. "What trash—how dare you speak ill of Gary!"

At the player tunnel entrance, dressed in an elegant black suit, Gary adjusted his bowtie lightly before stepping into the arena.

The broadcast screen immediately zoomed in on him—a graceful youth in formal attire—Gary revealed a confident smile.

"Wow! Gary is really handsome!"

"This outfit is too stylish today; it's making me excited!"

"Sluurp! Hey you up front—don't block my view while I drool!"

A chorus of female fans swooned over Gary's stunning looks!

In the audience, only Ash shivered slightly. "Whoa! Looks like Gary is completely serious now!"

"Eh? What do you mean?" Brock asked curiously.

Ash recalled with a grim expression. "Generally speaking, if Gary dresses very formally and looks exceptionally handsome, it's a sign that he's preparing to go all out. I remember back when we were eight years old—he wore a tuxedo and kicked me into a river…"

"Why?" Misty gasped covering her mouth in shock.

"Ahem! Because I tore apart a puzzle he spent a month working on…" Ash admitted awkwardly.

Brock and Misty were both shocked into silence by Ash's actions—his antics were truly something else!

"You didn't get killed for that? You two really are true friends…" Brock shook his head speechlessly.

Kaito furrowed his brow slightly; clearly, Gary's flashy appearance annoyed him greatly.

"You've successfully angered me, Kid from Pallet Town," Kaito said solemnly from his position on the command platform facing Gary.

Gary smirked. "Well then—that makes me happy~ After all, I didn't plan on getting along harmoniously with you!"

From their initial battle onward, Gary had kept his trump card hidden but having witnessed Squirtle battle at training grounds gave Kaito confidence that he knew what Gary's ace was.

"A Water-type Squirtle can be quite tricky; however, if I bring out my Magneton, how will you deal with that?" Kaito thought coldly to himself.

Winning this match would secure his place at Indigo Stadium; today Kaito felt confident and determined!

Looking at Kaito across from him, Gary smiled but his eyes were icy cold.

This time let's see how it feels to fall outside of Indigo Stadium!

Kaito was indeed an expert in Rock and Ground types—but—

Gary planted his feet firmly on the ground. "Who isn't~"

The referee crossed his arms and announced loudly: "The match officially begins! Both sides prepare!"

Kaito eagerly threw out his Poké Ball. "Go! Donphan!"

A stout Pokémon with sharp tusks rolled onto the field like a wheel rolling forward—a well-known Ground-type Pokémon that accumulates advantages through rolling attacks!

Gary took out his Poké Ball and gently opened it. "It's your turn to shine—Nidoking!"

"Roar!!" Nidoking landed heavily on its feet, pounding its chest fiercely as its aura became intimidatingly fierce!

The referee waved his flags down decisively: "The match begins!"