Knowing that Hitmonchan specialized in close-range fighting moves, the Blood-Red Gyarados didn’t bother changing its form, directly withstanding the four-times super-effective damage from Thunder Punch.

However, the Hitmonchan was then sent flying by the Gyarados’s powerful tail slam. The enraged sea serpent opened its massive maw and aimed a beam of ice at Hitmonchan’s thigh, instantly freezing its legs and restricting its movement.

(Damn it!)

Seeing this, Hitmonchan quickly used Fire Punch to melt the ice on its thigh, enduring the searing pain as it did so. As the ice quickly dissipated, Hitmonchan immediately changed its position, trying to evade the Gyarados’s next attack, but it was already too late.

A close-range Ice Fang froze Hitmonchan’s fists solid. It still tried to turn the tide, intending to melt the ice again with Flame Fist, but the Blood-Red Gyarados attacked once more. Finally, under Hitmonchan’s unwilling gaze, the Gyarados defeated it with a single, brutal Iron Tail.

Hitmonchan, having taken a direct hit, briefly collapsed. But out of sheer pride, it struggled back to its feet, still maintaining a punching stance, wanting to continue the fight.

The Blood-Red Gyarados shook its head helplessly. ‘Another stubborn one?!’

After noticing Red’s signal, the Gyarados discreetly used Water Pulse, knocking the struggling Hitmonchan back to the ground.

“Do you submit?” Red asked, smiling as he looked down at the fallen fighter.

Hitmonchan struggled for a few seconds, but its injured body could no longer support it. It finally nodded in submission, realizing that its current strength was insufficient to defeat the Blood-Red Gyarados. Continued struggling would be futile. After thinking this through, Hitmonchan looked at Red with a persistent gaze, its eyes full of hope that this trainer could help it become stronger—strong enough to one day defeat the mighty sea serpent.

Seeing that Hitmonchan had acknowledged Red, Kiyo took the Poké Ball from his disciple.

“Red, this is Hitmonchan’s Poké Ball. I am now officially transferring its ownership to you!” Kiyo handed the Poké Ball to Red, who accepted it politely with both hands, grateful that the master would entrust such a talented Pokémon to him.

Red did not immediately recall Hitmonchan. Instead, he turned to look at the Blood-Red Gyarados.

The Gyarados seemed to realize what was happening and put on a pitiful expression, begging Red not to send it back to Professor Oak’s Laboratory.

“Be good. This is just a temporary farewell. I’ll send Pidgeot back to accompany you later,” Red said, stroking the Gyarados’s cheek and signaling it not to be so sad. Pidgeot had been sent back twice and hadn’t complained, after all.

Upon hearing that Pidgeot would also be sent to the lab, the sad Gyarados felt much better. At least its old friend would be there, so it wasn’t a complete loss.

Red pressed the transfer button on his Pokédex, sending both Pidgeot’s and the Blood-Red Gyarados’s Poké Balls back to Professor Oak’s Laboratory.

Afterward, Red released his Viridian Power to heal Hitmonchan’s injuries. Then, the Fighting-type Pokémon accompanied him as they left the Dojo. When passing through a deserted alley, Red added a new ability to his new partner.

[Ding! Successfully stacked the Iron Fist ability!]

Hitmonchan suddenly looked at its fists in shock, vaguely feeling that they were now more powerful. It looked at Red with an incredulous gaze.

Pokémon: Hitmonchan

Type: Fighting-type

First Ability: Inner Focus

Second Ability: Iron Fist

Known Moves: Fire Punch, Ice Punch, Thunder Punch, Drain Punch, Mach Punch, Bullet Punch…

Personality: A master of continuous punching, eager to meet powerful enemies.

Experience Introduction: Possesses extremely keen perception, able to detect an opponent’s weaknesses in close combat, and used this ability to seize a resource-rich habitat. But the good times did not last. One day, a pair of Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee brothers came to the territory and challenged it. After being defeated, it was unexpectedly captured by Kiyo and has remained at the Fighting Dojo ever since.

“Come with me to the Saffron Gym first,” Red said.

As soon as he finished speaking, the Hitmonchan in front of him suddenly waved its fists excitedly, mistakenly thinking Red was taking it to challenge a gym.

“Nothing like that. I’m just taking you to welcome a new companion,” Red said helplessly, pressing a button on his Pokédex. Sabrina’s father had informed him that he could go and collect a Pokémon.

A moment later, Red and Hitmonchan arrived outside the Saffron Gym. They immediately saw Pikachu being trained by Sabrina’s father and his Alakazam, with Ash standing anxiously on the side, cheering them on. Misty and Brock had already returned to the Pokémon Center.

“Young Red, I didn’t expect you to get a Hitmonchan at the Fighting Dojo. In fact, the Psychic-type Pokémon I’m about to give you is much more precious,” Sabrina’s father said with a look of regret, clearly thinking Red didn’t need to waste time on a Fighting-type Pokémon.

This was understandable. As the former leader of the Saffron Gym, he would naturally look down on Fighting-types. After all, they were mostly helpless against Psychic Pokémon; otherwise, he wouldn’t have handed over the gym’s management rights in the first place.

“Chan!”

Hitmonchan was immediately displeased. Why look down on me like that? If Red hadn’t stopped it, Hitmonchan would have already punched the man in the face.

“Is this my big brother’s new companion?” Ash asked excitedly upon seeing Hitmonchan, pulling out his Pokédex to analyze its data. “Hitmonchan, the Punching Pokémon. Its punches are like drills! Under its attacks, even concrete walls will be drilled through.”

“Wow, that sounds pretty amazing!” Ash exclaimed, startled by the information.

“I’m going to train it to be an excellent boxing master,” Red said, patting Hitmonchan’s shoulder with a guarantee.

“Ash, let’s take a break from training for now!” Sabrina’s father said, signaling Alakazam to stop its psychic suppression.

“Pikachu!” the little mouse sighed with relief. It could finally rest. It was completely exhausted.

After receiving Red’s request, Sabrina’s father had immediately found Ash and offered to train him to overcome psychic abilities. Ash and Pikachu had excitedly accepted.

“Uncle, can Pikachu really overcome psychic control?” Ash asked anxiously, eager to know the results of the training.

“Complete resistance is impossible; one can only become slightly immune,” Sabrina’s father explained. “Unless it’s a Dark-type Pokémon, which perfectly counters Psychic-types, ordinary Pokémon cannot completely overcome psychic powers.”

“Don’t worry, Ash. My friend’s experience in overcoming psychic abilities is definitely superior to mine. That’s why I entrusted him with helping you. I believe that with his guidance, Pikachu will be able to resist,” Red encouraged.

“Yeah, I also believe that Pikachu and I can definitely get the Marsh Badge!” Ash said confidently. At his feet, Pikachu smiled with the same unwavering confidence.

(End of Chapter)

***

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