“This is the proof of defeating the Cerulean Gym, the Cascade Badge.”

Ash took the teardrop-shaped badge, his expression spirited and his morale greatly boosted. Even Pikachu, who had been slacking off beside him, flashed a “V” sign.

A great general should preside from the rear.

At this moment, the eldest sister, Daisy, suddenly asked:

“Speaking of Misty, are you going out again after coming back this time?” “That’s right, your strength is good; you’re more than capable of handling Gym challenges.”

Misty, however, shook her head resolutely:

“Not traveling outside makes it impossible to achieve my dream.”

Upon hearing this, Ash and Brock exchanged glances; their dreams—one to become a Pokémon Master, the other a great breeder—were both set. But neither of them seemed to have heard Misty talk about her dream.

“Please state your dream.”

Ash asked with anticipation.

“To become the strongest Water-type Pokémon Trainer, or, in your words, a Pokémon Master exclusive to Water-type Pokémon!” Misty clenched her fists, her voice filled with passion.

Upon hearing this, Ash’s brow relaxed, and his expression became somewhat surprised.

“So your dream is to become my subordinate?”

Everyone: “???”

“You want to become a Water-type Master, and I want to become an All-type Master. So, rounding up, aren’t you just trying to become my subordinate? What’s so difficult about that? Call me ‘Boss’ now, and I’ll accept you as my little brother, and your dream will instantly come true.”

“I will definitely become a Pokémon Master in the future.” “Anyway, you won’t lose out.”

He explained methodically. Well-reasoned and convincing.

Everyone: “...”

Logically, there didn’t seem to be any major flaws...?

...

Misty suppressed the urge to go over and beat him up, shouting at her three sisters:

“In short, the Cerulean Gym is our ancestors’ glory; we cannot abandon it. While I am away from the Cerulean Gym, you absolutely cannot hand over the badge so easily!”

Though the youngest, her aura was like that of a mother. Upon hearing this, Ash nudged the tough guy beside him, whispering:

“Are you blushing? You’ve no idea where you threw the Pewter Gym’s glory.”

Brock’s face darkened, and his eyes narrowed into slits. He couldn’t think of a verbal retort and could only force out a single sentence in rebuttal:

“My face is dark.”

Ash: “...”

...

On the other side.

“But we still have to prepare for water ballet…” “This isn’t just a hobby…” “We also need to eat…”

The three sisters explained pitifully. Even Misty fell into a dilemma now. After all, everyone has their own aspirations, and her three sisters were not cut out for battle. She couldn’t possibly force them to abandon their dream of slacking off and become Gym Leaders, could she?

“Ahem…”

A cough interrupted everyone’s attention. Brock had slowly walked into the center, surrounded by the four Cerulean sisters.

“I have a suggestion, but I’m not sure if I should say it…”

“Just say what you need to say, don’t get so close.”

Misty pulled him back behind her. Although they hadn’t known each other for long, this man, who appeared honest and resolute, seemed very reliable, and often boasted of his Rock Will, actually had a bit of a problem. He could fool the naive guy next to him, but she saw through Brock’s true nature at a glance.

Rock Will · Tsundere Yellow Version.

“Actually, my suggestion is to pick the strongest of the three sisters here to guard the Cerulean Gym as the Gym Leader, while the others can peacefully perform water ballet.”

Upon hearing this, all four pairs of eyes lit up simultaneously. This was a good idea. As for who was the strongest…?

“Violet sister, the Cerulean Gym is entrusted to you.” “Lily sister, our ancestors’ Blue Will is also entrusted to you. If you don’t do well, our grandfather might chat with you in your dreams tonight.”

Daisy and Lily simultaneously placed their hands on Violet. It was truly impossible to tell who was the strongest. But the youngest was clearly evident.

Violet: “...”

At this moment, Brock jumped out again, saying gracefully and amicably:

“Ahem, I have another suggestion…” “Since the Gym and the Aquarium have split, that empty lot in the center of Pewter City would be a good choice. In the future, water ballet… Ahhh!”

Before he could finish, Misty had already grabbed his ear and was pulling him outside. Such a wolfish ambition; one could not relax their guard for a moment.

Ash quickly followed suit when he saw this.

“By the way, isn’t it too smooth? I always feel like someone is missing...?”

He muttered.

In the middle of the road between Viridian Forest and Pewter City, three figures lay sprawled at the entrance of a deep pit, covered in sand and looking disheveled.

“It’s all your fault, James, why did you dig the hole so deep!” Jessie complained. “Wasn’t it your Ekans who dug the hole?” James retorted.

“Stop nagging, Meowth!”

Meowth suddenly shook its body, shaking off the dust, and muttered:

“Fortunately, we brought some biscuits with us to sustain ourselves, otherwise we would have starved to death down there these past few days…”

Upon hearing this, James also felt a wave of fear, then patted Meowth’s head, saying thankfully:

“We almost had to use our emergency rations…”

Emergency rations? Meowth’s eyes sparkled with confusion. Did the three of them carry emergency rations with them?

“Cheer up, Meowth, you are our emergency… Pokémon Translation Master! We’ve fallen far behind the brat these past few days, we must hurry and catch that strange Pikachu!”

Jessie also clenched her fists and encouraged. The three of them regrouped, planning to rush to Pewter City in one go for a free meal to regain their strength.

“Beep beep…”

At this moment, a communicator-like device fell out of James’s pocket. Because they had been in the deep pit, the signal couldn’t even get through, and the message only popped up now.

“All Team Rocket members, listen up! On the 15th of this month, we will hold a large group activity on the St. Anne. All members with free time are requested to follow organizational arrangements, participate together, enhance club relations, and contribute to the great construction of maintaining world peace.” “The location is at Vermilion City Pier 3.” “Boarding password: Stinky fish, stinky fish, I am rotten shrimp.”

The three: “...”

It seems Team Rocket is planning a big move... The three checked their watches and found they had about 10 days, so they quickly rushed towards Vermilion City.

Cerulean City Pokémon Center.

Ash set out two half-person-tall barrels of Pokémon food, then released Metapod and Pidgeotto.

“Eat, eat, especially Pidgeotto, eat more, look how skinny you are.”

Before Pidgeotto could say anything, he directly stuffed a large mouthful of food into its mouth. Changing the name was impossible; after all, he had already made a vow that he would fulfill his promise with Pidgeotto only when he became a Pokémon Master.

This was a vow between men! Changing it now would make him seem untrustworthy, wouldn’t it?

“Pikachu, you don’t need to eat. Look how fat you’ve gotten from slacking off all day. Just do a dance to accompany their meal.”

Pikachu: “???”

Then he pulled out his Pokédex.

“Pokédex, you too, you talk so much normally, now sing a song to accompany Pikachu’s dance.”

Pokédex: “Beep... beep... beep..... beep... beep...”

Brock, Misty: “...”

Seeing his Pokémon in such a warm atmosphere of brotherly respect, Ash felt deeply moved and stood up, walking to the side. He called his mother, Delia, to report on his recent situation.

“Hello, Mom, I already have two badges... Huh, Professor Oak, why are you at my house?”

The phone screen lit up, and seeing the white-haired elder behind Delia, Ash couldn’t help but ask in confusion.

“Oh, oh, oh, I was passing by for a meal.”

Is it mealtime now?

Professor Oak continued to speak gracefully and amicably:

“Speaking of which, you already have two badges, that’s very fast. So, your next stop must be Vermilion City, right? Vermilion City has an Electric-type Gym.”

Upon hearing this, Ash nodded:

“Then it’s decided, next stop is Vermilion City.”

“Since you’re going to Vermilion City, could you do me another favor? Actually, it’s not for me, but for a junior of mine, Dr. Sakuragi, who plans to open a Sakuragi Research Institute in Vermilion City.”

“But recently, that Research Institute seems to have strange occurrences. Please go and help check it out. I’ve praised you highly in front of Dr. Sakuragi!”

Sure enough, a set of flattery made Ash instantly agree. After chatting about some trivial things, before hanging up the phone, he casually asked, feigning indifference:

“By the way, why isn’t my best friend, Gary, going?”

“Ahem... That boy Gary isn’t afraid of anything except ghosts. He wouldn’t dare touch such things.” Professor Oak replied awkwardly.

Upon hearing this, Ash’s eyes lit up.

“Then I truly feel sorry for my dear friend. Hehehe.”