Elf: Rewriting the script, starting with Black Stocking Hanako

"Uncle, how much are these stones?"

Jiang Chuan walked to the foot of the rock wall, looked up and asked casually.

Wu Neng's previously hunched back straightened up instantly.

His eyes shone even brighter as he climbed down the rock face almost using both his hands and feet, his movements surprisingly agile.

"Ah! You have excellent taste, sir!"

He pointed to the dusty stones on the stall, his tone filled with a long-lost enthusiasm:

"This is a type of limestone commonly found in the nearby Tsukimi-yama area; it's solid and has a natural texture!"

"Perfect for adding aquascape to a fish tank, or it works great as a paperweight too!"

He then pointed to several other smooth pebbles:

"These...are great stones for making kimchi!"

He rubbed his hands together and hesitantly quoted the price:

"All of them... are 50 Alliance Coins for two."

"What?"

Before Jiang Chuan could speak, Xiaoxia called out first.

She rushed to the stall, hands on her hips, her big eyes glaring at Wu Neng:

"50 Alliance Coins? Two broken stones?"

"Uncle, why don't you just rob it?"

Although she came from a wealthy family with the Cerulean Dojo, she was "spoiled" by her three older sisters from a young age and had to carefully manage her allowance.

They are very sensitive to prices.

"50 Alliance Coins can buy two delicious burgers!"

"You can also add cheese and bacon!"

She turned her head, tugged at Jiang Chuan's sleeve, and gently shook it:

"Hey, Jiang Chuan~"

His voice softened, carrying a persuasive tone:

"This uncle is acting strangely, don't fall for his tricks."

"Let's hurry up and challenge the Pewter Gym!"

"Ignore him."

As she spoke, she tried to pull Jiang Chuan away.

"You... want to challenge the Pewter Gym?"

Wu Neng suddenly spoke.

His voice was a little hoarse, but his tone revealed a complex emotion that was hard to describe.

He stared at Jiang Chuan, then glanced at Xiao Xia.

Then...

"Hahaha!"

He suddenly burst into laughter.

The laughter was dry, even somewhat grating, echoing along the empty roadside.

Coupled with his slovenly appearance and abrupt arrival.

Xiaoxia and Huazi were both startled by the sudden, strange laughter and took a half step back.

Hanako subconsciously moved closer to Egawa.

Xiaoxia frowned and tugged at Jiang Chuan's sleeve even harder:

"Jiang Chuan, let's go quickly!"

"This guy seems to have some mental issues too."

Wu Neng's laughter gradually subsided.

His gaze fell on the Pikachu at Jiang Chuan's feet.

Pikachu had just collected a bunch of experience packs and traveled a long way, so it was a bit tired.

Seeing that its owner was talking to someone else and there was nothing for it to do, it found a shady spot, an old wooden shelf next to the martial arts stall, and sat down.

The little paws even wiggled leisurely.

"If you challenge the Pokémon at the Pewter City Gym..."

Wu Neng's voice lowered, carrying a certain professional scrutiny:

"It's that lazy and weak Pikachu..."

He shook his head, his tone resolute:

"Then you definitely can't win."

Pickup truck?

Pikachu's eyes, which had been squinting, suddenly widened.

It raised its head, tilted its head, and stared at Wu Neng with an incredulous expression.

Me? Lazy? Weak?

It seems we've found this strange human, Dian Dian!

A few sparks crackled from the electric sacs on its cheeks.

Jiang Chuan reached out and gently rubbed Pikachu's head.

Pikachu, soothed by its owner, huffed and turned its face away.

But its tail still twitched defiantly.

Jiang Chuan raised his head, looked at Wu Neng, and his smile remained unchanged:

"Looks like you've done quite a bit of research on the Pewter Gym, huh?"

Wu Neng remained silent.

He lowered his head and stroked a piece of gray rock on the stall with his rough fingers.

The rock surface has fine lines, like the marks of time.

He did not answer Jiang Chuan's question.

The atmosphere became somewhat tense for a moment.

Jiang Chuan understood.

He squatted down and picked out two ordinary-looking pebbles from Wu Neng's stall.

"Please wrap two stones for me."

He took out 50 Alliance Coins and handed them over.

"Hey buddy, you have great taste!"

Wu Neng's expression instantly brightened.

He practically snatched the money, quickly wrapped the two stones in old newspapers, and stuffed them into Jiang Chuan's hand.

His attitude became so enthusiastic, it was like he was a completely different person.

"I've done extensive research on the Pewter Gym!"

He straightened his chest, a hint of reminiscence flashing in his eyes:

"After all... I once had a dream of striving for success."

That was said very lightly.

It sounded like he was talking to himself.

"Yeah?"

Jiang Chuan took the stone, casually put it into the side pocket of his backpack, and asked, following up on the conversation:

"I'm heading to Pewter City to challenge the Pewter City Gym."

"Uncle, do you have any good suggestions?"

His tone was sincere, as if he were asking a senior for advice.

However, he keenly observed the changes in Wu Neng's expression.

He was looking for that "awakening" opportunity.

Wu Neng was indeed drawn to this topic.

He rubbed his beard and carefully examined Jiang Chuan:

"Besides Pikachu, what other Pokémon do you own?"

His tone carried the analytical attitude typical of a professional trainer.

"There's also a Pidgey."

Jiang Chuan answered truthfully, then paused:

"Hmm... these are the only two that can fight."

"what?"

Wu was so startled that he moved so much that he almost tripped over his own cloth.

He steadied himself and stared wide-eyed at Jiang Chuan:

"Did you know that Pewter City Gym is a Rock Gym?!"

"You're only preparing two?"

"And they're all Pokémon that are weak to Rock-type Pokémon?"

His voice rose, filled with disbelief:

"Electric types have little effect against Rock types, and Flying types are also weak to Rock!"

"With a lineup like yours..."

He shook his head repeatedly, his tone heavy:

"Then winning this challenge will be extremely difficult!"

His gaze toward Jiang Chuan even carried a hint of sympathy and admonition:

"I advise you... to give up the challenge and bypass Nibi City."

"Going to the next city might offer better prospects."

These words were spoken.

Jiang Chuan has not yet reacted.

Xiaoxia was the first to object.

"Hey! Uncle!"

She stood with her hands on her hips, her voice clear and crisp:

How do you know Jiang Chuan can't win?

"His Pikachu and Pidgeotto are really strong!"

"In Viridian Forest..."

Before she could finish speaking, Jiang Chuan raised his hand and gently patted her shoulder.

Xiaoxia paused for a moment and looked at Jiang Chuan.

Jiang Chuan smiled slightly at her and shook his head.

He gestured for her not to rush.

Jiang Chuan turned to Wu Neng.

His expression was calm, but his eyes held a sharp edge.

"Do you run away from difficulties as soon as they arise?"

He asked the question very softly.

But it was like a needle, precisely piercing Wu Neng's hidden sore spot.

Wu Neng's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.

Jiang Chuan continued speaking, his tone calm, yet each word clear:

"If I always choose to avoid it..."

"Then how can I improve?"

"How do we know what the situation will be like after facing it?"

"At the Alliance Tournament, you can't always fight battles with the same elemental advantage."

Wu Neng remained silent.

He kept his head down, his fingers unconsciously picking at a hole in the cloth.

His shoulders were drooping slightly.

That once straight back hunched over again.

Seeing this, Jiang Chuan knew that the time was almost right.

He stopped talking and his tone became relaxed again:

"Okay, thank you for the information, uncle."

"but……"

He bent down, picked up Pikachu, who was still sulking, and rubbed its soft ears:

"I still choose to face this type-reversal battle with Pikachu and Pidgeotto."

The word "face".

He spoke very harshly.

"Face...face to face?"

Wu Neng repeated the word to himself.

He raised his head and looked at Jiang Chuan.

There was not a trace of hesitation or fear on the boy's face.

Only calm steadfastness.

There is also an undisguised trust in the Pokémon around them.

That look in his eyes...

Wu Neng's heart was gently touched.

In a long-forgotten corner, dust seemed to be falling softly.

"Um... buddy!"

Wu Neng suddenly spoke, his voice somewhat hurried.

He stepped forward, almost grabbing Jiang Chuan's arm:

"Are you really going to challenge the Pewter City Gym with Pidgeotto and Pikachu?"

"Not going to change it?"

Jiang Chuan nodded, his gaze fixed on Wu Neng:

"Facing challenges bravely is always more effective than running away."

"good!"

Wu Neng suddenly shouted.

This startled Xia and Huazi who were standing nearby.

Suddenly, the dejected middle-aged man stood up straight.

The hazy weariness in his eyes seemed to have been partially washed away by something.

A faint light was revealed beneath.

"Then I'll... face it with you this time!"

His voice was loud and clear, carrying a long-lost sense of passion:

"I can help your Pikachu become stronger!"

"Please follow me, buddy!"

After he finished speaking, without waiting for Jiang Chuan's reply, he turned around and began to pack up the stall.

The speed of their movements was astonishing.

In a few quick movements, he wrapped the stones in old cloth, packed them into a bundle, and tossed it onto his back.

Jiang Chuan looked at Wu Neng, who had suddenly become passionate, and a subtle smile appeared on his lips.

Those allusions about "facing" and "escaping" worked.

He turned his head and waved to Xia and Huazi, who were still in a daze:

"Let's go, keep up."

After saying that, he picked up Pikachu and followed Wu Neng.

Xiaoxia and Huazi looked at each other in bewilderment.

Both of them looked completely bewildered.

"Forehead……"

Xia blinked her big eyes and looked at Hanako:

"Why did those two suddenly get so passionate?"

"What do you mean by facing it or running away from it..."

"I didn't understand a word of that!"

Hanako shook her head blankly as well.

She glanced at Jiang Chuan's departing figure, then at Xiaoxia.

Finally, whisper:

"Although I don't understand the situation either, I'll just trust Jiang Chuan."

"Let's go."

She took Xiaoxia's hand and jogged after her.