Viridian meant an enduring, timeless shade of green.
Setting out from Saffron City in brand-new gear, Xia You followed a secluded path to a city surrounded by dense forest-Viridian City.
Despite its modest size, this city was a transportation hub, an important economic center in western Kanto, and an essential stop on the way to Indigo Plateau to compete in the Pokémon League tournament!
However, because it was so close to Viridian Forest, Bug-type Pokémon frequently entered the city and pestered its residents.
As the place where Giovanni had worked for years, Team Rocket's influence was naturally deeply rooted here. Walking along the streets, Xia You had initially worried about being attacked by remnants of Team Rocket, but the sight of police patrolling everywhere finally put him somewhat at ease.
Presumably, Looker and the others understood this too, which was why the searches here were second only in intensity to those in Celadon City!
After crossing more than half the city, he finally arrived at the Viridian Gym.
Perhaps the forest occupied so much land that it limited the Viridian Gym's size. The entire gym consisted of just one two-story building, but although its grounds were smaller than those of other gyms, it was still imposing and grand. Had it not been for the familiar Pokémon League emblem atop the building, he would have mistaken it for some consulate on his first visit!
He had to admit that, stylistically, it really did have the cold austerity of Giovanni of the Earth.
In fact, even before Agatha became its interim Gym Leader, the Viridian Gym had been the hardest of all the gyms to challenge.
It was not that Giovanni had demonstrated such incredible strength, but rather that this gym was closed to visitors most of the time, leaving many Pokémon