Join my p@treon for more chapters
[email protected]/Tempest_29
Faced with this situation, Ash said nothing, looked at both sides, and then walked toward the wall on the right.
"Ash, what are you doing?" Misty asked in confusion upon seeing this.
Ash didn't respond, but approached the wall in front of him and pushed forward with his hands. One side of the wall suddenly recessed, while the other side pushed outward.
"What is this?!" Looking at the scene before them, both companions were surprised.
"So this wall is also a revolving door?"
Only then did they realize that the wall was the same as the revolving door they had encountered at the entrance. It was actually a disguised passageway.
"Let's go!" Ash entered first, with Misty and Brock immediately following. The moment all three walked through the doorway...
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!!!!
The sound of objects cutting through the air rang in their ears. Brock and Misty were shocked by what they saw—several darts flying directly toward them. Misty screamed in fright.
"Pikachu, Iron Tail!!"
Ash remained calm, giving an order with focused eyes. Pikachu reacted instantly, a metallic gleam shining on its tail. With quick movements, it swung its tail through the air, knocking down all the approaching darts with the power of Iron Tail.
The darts clattered to the floor and walls around them. Brock and Misty sighed with relief, then looked around to find themselves in an empty room.
It was more like a training area than a typical room. A calligraphy scroll hung on the wall before them with the character for "forbearance" written on it.
"Darts? Who would do something so dangerous?" Looking at the scattered darts, Misty couldn't help but shout angrily.
Ever since they had entered this place, they'd encountered one strange thing after another—it was really becoming unbearable.
"Hahahaha!" Just then, a burst of laughter echoed through the room. A figure leaped down from the ceiling beam, landing gracefully on one knee with head bowed.
"Born in darkness, living in darkness, this is the way to survive through endurance! I am the female Ninja Aya!"
It was a woman with long green hair tied in a ponytail, wearing a bright pink ninja uniform. She looked up at the three of them with pride.
"Well, but don't you think that, as a Ninja, your clothes are too flashy?"
Ninjas were supposed to blend into the shadows, but this woman's outfit was conspicuously bright. Dressed like this, she would be discovered immediately while sneaking around.
"That's none of your business, but you... actually foresaw the trap I set. Impressive!" Aya's eyes fell on Ash with appreciation.
"What! Who suddenly throws darts at people? That's extremely dangerous, isn't it Brock?" Misty said with indignation.
But Brock didn't respond. Ash tapped Misty's shoulder and pointed in Brock's direction. When Misty turned to look, her expression soured.
Predictably, Brock's old habit had resurfaced. He was approaching Aya with a flushed face and a love-struck expression.
"That's right, that bright pink color is perfect for you. Not only as a female Ninja, but you'd make a first-class celebrity. Miss Aya, my name is Brock. May I shake your hand? Hehe!"
Witnessing this scene, Misty couldn't help covering her face in embarrassment.
SLAP!!!
"Owww!! That hurts!!"
Aya showed no politeness whatsoever, forcefully pushing away Brock's hand. Though dressed flamboyantly, the female Ninja's strength was considerable—Brock's hand swelled dramatically from the impact.
"Don't waste my time. This is a place of training. You should be mentally prepared when you enter!" Aya pushed Brock aside and crossed her arms, responding to Misty without ceremony.
"I came to challenge Gym Leader Koga, not to play Ninja games with you," Ash stated directly. He had already wasted enough time navigating the building.
"Hmph! If you want to challenge my brother, you'll have to defeat me first." Aya responded, hostility flashing in her eyes. All the traps she had carefully arranged had been anticipated by this boy, leaving her visibly uncomfortable as she issued her challenge.
"Then let's not waste any more time!"
"You have a really unpleasant attitude. Let's see what you're capable of! Go, Venonat!" Irritated by Ash's demeanor, Aya immediately called out her Pokémon.
Another figure dropped down from the ceiling beams.
"Wait—that's the Venonat from earlier? So it was your Pokémon all along!" After looking closer, they realized it was indeed the same Venonat. Misty was even more annoyed, realizing that Aya had sent Venonat to lead them into traps.
"That's right! Now, Venonat, use Stun Spore!"
Aya confirmed this and immediately launched an attack, not even waiting for Ash to select his Pokémon.
"Pidgeotto, use Gust!"
Ash responded swiftly, throwing his Poké Ball. In a flash of light, Pidgeotto emerged, its wings beating rapidly to create a powerful whirlwind that blew back the approaching Stun Spore.
"Venonat!"
The Stun Spore reversed course, enveloping Venonat instead. Though it could produce Stun Spore itself, it wasn't immune to the paralyzing effect. After being hit by its own attack, Venonat fell into a paralyzed state.
"No! Venonat!"
Seeing her Pokémon paralyzed and in pain, Aya could only try a strong counterattack.
"Don't give up, Venonat! Use Psybeam!"
Following her command, Venonat's eyes flashed with colorful light, but due to its paralysis, its movements were severely slowed.
"Too slow! Pidgeotto, use Aerial Ace!" Pidgeotto's speed rivaled even Pikachu's among Ash's team, especially against a paralyzed opponent like Venonat.
Hovering in the air, Pidgeotto easily avoided Venonat's delayed Psybeam. Silver light streaked around Pidgeotto's body as it circled once before diving straight toward Venonat.
WHAM!!