Gongping worked in the breeding area from morning until afternoon. After finishing the care of all the Pokémon, he took a quick shower, then hurried over to Agatha's breeding area next door to discuss the work ahead.
"There are currently more than twenty Gyms that need to be assessed. Each has deeply rooted local influence, but their Gym Leaders' deviation rates are far too poor. Downgrading them would be too harsh, yet without a downgrade, we can't put them on their guard."
"The Cerulean Gym has given away far too many Badges over the years, and it has four registered Gym Leaders. Even then, we're not going to downgrade it?"
At the mention of the Cerulean Gym, Agatha, wrapped in a heavy coat, smiled. "Local tourism relies entirely on the Cerulean Gym's regular water shows. Stripping them of their Gym status would deal a tremendous blow to Cerulean City's local finances."
"I have a suggestion. Put the news online that I'm going to assess the Cerulean Gym tomorrow, and that they may lose their Gym status. I'm sure that will stir things up."
Gongping had been a highly discussed figure online lately. Although he had not verified his identity on an account, news and reports about him had never stopped coming. People had even dug up videos of his past Kanto Region Gym battles and Regional Conference matches and posted them online.
"What's the point of promoting yourself like this?"
As an elder, Agatha was not particularly fond of these new things on the internet, and she found Gongping's approach somewhat difficult to understand.
Agatha had nothing against this newly appointed Sandstorm King. Her own sister was also a Ground-type Elite Four member, so she naturally felt an affinity with Gongping and did not want online matters to consume too much of his energy.
In response to Agatha's question, Gongping merely smiled nonchalantly. "They're already used to trashing me, anyway. One more thing doesn't matter. The main point is to sound a warning for the Cerulean Gym and make them rein themselves in and straighten out their attitude."
The Cerulean Gym was indeed troublesome. Relying on support from the local Cerulean City authorities, it felt free to disregard the League's Gym assessments. Gongping's proposal was certainly one way to give Cerulean City a warning.
Agatha called Lorelei. As the person who managed the Elite Four's online paid commenters, Lorelei burst out laughing after hearing the proposal. "That guy really is a troublemaker who can't stay quiet for a moment. I'm in."
A few hours later, the Kanto Region's official website published a regional Gym assessment list. Three Gyms had been stripped of their status, while the Cerulean Gym and five others were marked in red, indicating that a League King would soon visit in person to conduct a battle assessment. If they failed to meet the requirements, they would likewise lose their status.
The name of the Elite Four member responsible for assessing each Gym was listed. Gongping was responsible for three Gyms and Agatha for four. The next assessment would be at the Cerulean Gym in Cerulean City, scheduled for tomorrow.
When the news broke, it was no less than a massive earthquake for Cerulean City.
The local higher-ups knew perfectly well what the Cerulean Gym's three sisters were like, but they could make money. The number of tourists they attracted drove the entire city's tourism industry. If they lost their Gym status, the consequences would be unimaginable.
With that in mind, Cerulean City's higher-ups began frantically contacting the Kanto Region League's senior officials. Watanabe's and Agatha's phones, among others, rang off the hook, but not a single Elite Four member paid the matter any attention. They chose to avoid it.
Meanwhile, on an online social platform, Gongping posted his first message through his identity-verified account.
Sandstorm King Gongping: I'm going to Cerulean City for an assessment tomorrow. One Gym, four Gym Leaders, and a challenger pass rate of over 95% every season. Heh. I have just one question: what do we even need a Gym like this for?
Gongping's message initially attracted little attention. After all, he had only just verified his identity, and his following was limited. Soon, however, Lorelei used her registered account, The Most Gorgeous Ice-type, to repost the message. "Wow, you got verified! Congratulations!"
Although Lorelei expressed no opinion on the matter, Gongping's follower count began soaring a dozen or so minutes later.
Drifting Ice Leaf: Don't you dare be rude to Big Sis Sakura, you brute!
Divinity's Revival: Do you know how much the Cerulean Sisters contribute to Cerulean City every year?
Nameless and Nameless Again: Wait, Cerulean City has four Gym Leaders? Who's the fourth?
Phantom Star: I'm curious too. Are they actually the Cerulean Sisters with four members? The last one must be either a super-hot older-sister type or a cute little girl.
Heartwing Flight: This Misty has to be the older-sister type!
The commenters had originally been earnestly denouncing Gongping's offense against Cerulean City, but unexpectedly, more people focused on the fourth sister, Misty. Only the commenter called Divinity's Revival persisted in criticizing Gongping's offensive attitude toward Cerulean City.
That lofty attitude offends the entire Cerulean City Trainers' Association. Every trainer in Cerulean City has a duty to defend our Cerulean Gym in this incident!
"Come on, sis, that guy is practically bullying you on your own doorstep, and you're not even going to think of something?"
Misty, who was traveling with Ash and the others, also received the news through the local Pokémon Center. Indignant, she berated her sister for doing nothing, or accomplishing nothing, at such a critical time.
"But we really don't know how to battle..."
The eldest sister wore a helpless, slightly cutesy expression. Compared with the worried outsiders, the Cerulean Sisters were not concerned about the Gym closing down-or perhaps they simply had no interest in running it.
"No, I have to go back!"
Ash was currently training hard for the upcoming Indigo League. To avoid interfering with his tournament preparations, Misty decided to return in person and face that Sandstorm King from the League, to show him the Cerulean Gym's strength.
"The Pewter Gym has been flagged for attention. Although no Elite Four member will assess it, its deviation rate can't be too poor next season."
Brock, one of Misty's companions, turned his attention to the Pewter Gym's assessment instead. Unlike Misty's unreliable three sisters, Brock's brothers were young but took battling very seriously.
As a Gym in a city that Rookie Trainers frequently passed through early in their journeys, the Pewter Gym actually saw very frequent and intense battles. However, the League had singled it out because its challenger pass rate was too low. Its deviation rate was just as poor as the Cerulean Gym's!
"I'll have to get them to go a little easier..."
"Misty, I'll go back with you."
Ash, who had remained silent until then, suddenly spoke up, making Misty pause. "Ash, aren't you supposed to be preparing for the Regional Conference?"
"It's Sandstorm King Gongping! A legendary, incredibly powerful trainer! How could I pass up a chance to see him?"
Hearing Ash's explanation, Misty's expression stiffened, while Brock nodded in agreement. "That's true. With the Regional Conference coming up, seeing more high-level trainers battle would help Ash too. Misty, you'll have to give it everything you've got this time."
"Of course. How could I lose to a trainer who plays around with Ground-types?"
"He specializes in sandstorms, not entirely in Ground-types."
Misty paid no attention to Brock's reminder. Her mind was entirely occupied with stoking her anger, while Ash's face was filled with anticipation at meeting the Sandstorm King.
It was not just Misty; all of Cerulean City had grown lively. Quite a few people from the internet hurried over to support Cerulean City, or to see what Misty, the mysterious big sister of the rumored four Cerulean Sisters, looked like.
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