Pokémon, Ash's art style is off!

"That……"

Xiaoxia astutely grasped the key point.

"...That Goldenrod Gym rating of 10.0 was definitely rigged!"

"That," the middle-aged man tugged at the corners of his mouth, revealing a helpless, bitter smile, "Yes."

"Ha! I knew it!"

Xiaoxia had an "I knew it" look on her face.

She put her hands on her hips.

"This is blatant deception! Doesn't the League do anything about it? This is a serious violation of gym rules!"

"Yes, we tried to manage it."

The middle-aged man shrugged, his expression even more helpless.

"But the problem is, the people who want to control her... can't beat her."

"But those who could actually beat her thought... it wasn't a big deal and didn't bother with it."

Seeing the puzzled looks on their faces, he explained further.

"In the eyes of those bigwigs in the League's upper echelons who spend their days dealing with regional crises and legendary Pokémon disturbances, Sabrina is just a temporary toy for trainers who fail in their challenges. After playing with them for a few days, I'll secretly find an opportunity to restore them to their original state and let them go—"

He even had to spend a lot of money on apologies and compensation each time.

Compared to those crises that easily destroy towns and impact the ecosystem, this is indeed nothing.

"Then why do you know so much, Uncle?"

Joey, who's always on the front lines of gossip, asked.

The middle-aged man looked up at the sky and sighed deeply, as if he wanted to expel all the weariness and bitterness he had endured over the years.

“Because,” he turned back to look at the young people and said, word by word, “I am Naz’s father.”

He awaited the expected gasps and surprised looks.

However, the others did not react.

"No? Aren't you surprised at all?"

"Um......"

Xiao Zhi scratched his head.

"I have a feeling... this plot seems familiar, like I've seen it somewhere before."

"really."

Xiaoxia nodded.

"The down-on-his-luck uncle is actually the owner's father or something, that's a bit old-fashioned."

"Pikachu".

Pikachu nodded in agreement.

Uncle: "..."

What's wrong with this generation of young people!

Such a shocking revelation of an identity, and they don't even give any reaction?!

“But speaking of which,” Ash’s attention quickly returned to the challenge, his eyes sparkling, “hearing that Sabrina is so strong makes me even more excited! Pikachu, right?”

"Pickup!"

Pikachu nodded vigorously, tiny sparks of electricity crackling on its cheeks, its fighting spirit soaring.

Xiao Zhi immediately thought of another possible target.

"By the way, sir, what about the Fighting-type gym? Are they that strong too?"

"That's not it."

The middle-aged man shook his head, his expression becoming somewhat subtle and pained.

"The martial arts dojo...the owner made some inappropriate remarks online a few days ago."

“It was seen by Naz, who spends all day surfing the internet intensely.”

"So... the dojo is still under reconstruction."

He subconsciously touched his pocket, looking distressed.

His father spent a lot of money rebuilding the dojo.

Xiao Gang, Xiao Xia, and Qiao Yi: "!"

The dojo is gone?

The three of them then realized how powerful Sabrina was.

"So," Xiaoxia concluded, "you stopped us because you were kindly advising us not to go and... not to take on the challenge?"

"No!"

To everyone's surprise, the uncle suddenly raised his head and looked at Xiaozhi with burning eyes, as if he had found a savior.

What I said before was based on the concerns of a stranger; now it's based on the expectations of an elderly father!

Times change!

"I'm urging you all—you absolutely must take on the challenge!"

The three of them: "???"

Xiaoxia could hardly believe her ears: "Wait! You just said that if you fail the challenge, you'll be turned into a doll! It's so dangerous, and you still want us to go?!"

"You only get turned into a doll if you lose," the man hurriedly explained, his logic crystal clear. "Wouldn't it be fine if you won?!"

Sabrina's elderly father looked at Ash with such fervent eyes that they almost seemed to ignite.

“My own daughter…I know her.”

"As for her character, I still... well, anyway, I have a way to beat her that I can tell you!"

Xiao Gang and Xiao Xia looked at Xiao Zhi.

"What method?"

Xiao Zhi asked.

"Huh?" Xiaoxia blinked. "I thought that, given your personality, Xiaozhi, you would just think about not caring about anything else and just go for it."

Xiao Gang nodded.

Xiao Zhi said.

"That's what I originally thought... but don't you guys think this plot development looks a bit familiar?"

"Arriving in a new city, I unexpectedly encounter the elderly father of a seemingly down-on-his-luck and rather incompetent innkeeper..."

"According to the plot, shouldn't my next step be to go ahead and challenge them, get defeated, and then this old father will give me advice...?"

Now that you mention it...

Xiaoxia looked at Nazi's father.

"...That's true."

Xiaoxia looked the man up and down and suddenly asked a question.

"Excuse me for asking, sir, do you have any particularly impressive achievements? For example, were you a very strong trainer in the past?"

Nazi's father paused for a moment, then shook his head somewhat awkwardly.

"Well... I've always stayed in Goldenrod City... dealing with the problems left behind by Sabrina, and I rarely go out to train, so I don't have any outstanding achievements. I did win some minor local awards when I was younger..."

Upon hearing this, Xiaoxia and Xiaozhi exchanged a knowing look.

It's confirmed.

It's a beggar version of a superpowered martial arts master!

80. The Story of Dumb Village!

Xiao Gang: "......"

We've spent so much time together.

With just one glance, he completely understood the nonsensical little dramas that Ash and Misty were having in their minds.

"You guys are really something!"

He clenched his fists so tightly that veins were faintly visible on his forehead.

"Stop making strange comparisons with other people's fathers!"

"But we didn't say anything."

Xiaoxia blinked, looking completely innocent.

Xiao Zhi nodded solemnly.

"And if you, Teacher Gang, didn't think the same way, how would you know what we're thinking?"

"That's right! That's right!"

Xiaoxia immediately chimed in, and the two of them worked together in perfect harmony.

For a moment, Xiao Gang was speechless, opening his mouth but unable to utter a rebuttal.

Sabrina's elderly father was a little bewildered by the whimsical conversation between Ash and his friends.

Young people today...

Is your thinking always so jumpy and unpredictable?

He shook his head, deciding to ignore the words he didn't quite understand and resolutely steer the conversation back on track.

"cough!"