Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

But Gyarados is also desperate when it comes to losing control of itself.

"...Calm down, Gyarados." Ash's tense body finally relaxed slightly.

"Once you become stronger, you'll be able to control yourself."

So trust me.

"Don't be sad, and don't be confused."

"I will take you with me on this journey."

Xiao Zhi walked to the treatment table, ignoring the gruesome wound and the pungent smell of blood and burnt flesh, and reached out his hand.

"Open your mouth."

In the palm of his hand was the only remaining specially made energy cube, radiating a blue light.

We must train Gyarados to develop conditioned reflexes to ensure it regains its sanity.

This is the trainer's individualized instruction.

Gyarados's huge eyes rolled, looking at the energy cube that was like dust to it, and then at Ash's calm face.

Its huge mouth opened slightly, emitting a weak "hoarse" sound.

Ash accurately flicked the energy cube into its mouth.

"Roar..." Gyarados moved its jaws symbolically, letting out a low, almost ingratiating gurgling sound from its throat.

This guy is thick-skinned and tough, he only remembers the good times and not the bad ones.

The tip of its enormous tail brushed very lightly, with a hint of caution, against the edge of the treatment table where Ash was standing.

"Miss Nurse Joy, please." Seeing that Gyarados had calmed down, Ash stepped back to make room, his gaze still fixed on Gyarados.

Joey took a deep breath and stepped forward with Chansey.

The soft white light shone again, and this time the energy conduit smoothly guided the healing waves, beginning to repair those hideous wounds.

Gyarados's massive body trembled slightly, but it no longer struggled violently, only occasionally letting out a few suppressed, painful growls from deep in its throat.

Outside the treatment room.

Xiaoxia had been holding her breath and leaning against the heavy door of the special care room until now, when she finally dared to exhale a long breath, her back pressed against the cold door panel.

She didn't go to take a shower as she had told her.

“I said…” Xiaoxia’s voice drifted out softly.

"When you're battling the gym tomorrow... please, whatever you do, don't let anything go wrong..."

As for why she didn't go in, it was because Xiaoxia was too scared.

In fact, she hadn't even gotten close to the Golden Gyarados in all these days.

Xiao Zhi pretended not to notice this.

Chapter 21 The Super, Super, Super Awesome Pewter Gym

Nibi City.

Nibi Gym.

This is one of the largest and most impressive buildings in the entire city.

It's different from anime.

This Nibi Road pipe is not poor at all.

As a vital military force protecting the entire city, its status is equivalent to that of a military region stationed in the city.

Even without government funding, they could make a fortune just by doing a little business.

Their social status and position were quite high.

Deep within the Nibi Dojo, built of gray-white rocks, the lights of the training area illuminated only a small central area.

The air was filled with the smell of mineral dust and old sweat.

Xiao Gang leaned against the cold rock wall with his arms crossed, his rock-like face appearing even more angular in the shadows.

His giant rock snake was coiled beside him, its rough, rocky body gleaming matte in the dim light.

"Father, mother."

Xiao Gang's voice was deep and steady, echoing subtly in the open space.

Wu Neng and Xiao Mi emerged from the shadows.

Father Wu Neng's tall figure exudes a calm and steady demeanor honed by the years.

Mother Xiaomi is like a piece of warm jade, with gentle yet resilient eyes.

...Uh...If Brock hadn't suddenly received a communication from Professor Oak, Xiao Mi wouldn't have come back.

The couple has been having disagreements lately.

“I’ve relayed Professor Oak’s message.” Brock’s gaze swept over his parents. “He wants us to ‘seriously evaluate’ that newcomer from Pallet Town named Ash, and if he’s suitable, to do our best to train and protect him.”

The gym leader of Pewter Gym was originally Brock's father, Wu Neng.

But Wu Neng often irresponsibly goes out to capture various Pokémon... so the position of Gym Leader was handed over to Xiao Gang.

Even though he was only 15 years younger than Xiao Gang, he gained the respect and admiration of the people in the city because of this.

Brock, as a gym leader, is an extremely serious and strong individual with an unwavering will.

In other words, as a gym leader, one has a certain degree of idol image to maintain.

So... if he steps down... it's hard to say.

after all.

Xiaogang would rather be a breeder than a gym leader.

He also wanted to go out and have some fun.

Perhaps this would be a good excuse to run away.

Hmm... No matter how much people say he's mature, Xiaogang is actually only 15 years old.

Isn't it normal to want to go out and have fun?

“Nurture and protect?” Wu Neng’s rugged brows furrowed. “A junior whom Professor Oak has chosen must have extraordinary potential.”

"But protection?"

"How far can a newcomer who needs the close protection of a dojo master go?"

"What the doctor said is quite interesting."

Wu Neng is reflecting on the current situation.

To be honest, the biggest problem for the Kanto League right now is the Rockets and the Elite Four.

We'll leave the Four Heavenly Kings aside for now.

The Rockets are too big to handle and difficult to manage.

The only entity that can openly restrain Team Rocket is the academic community, led by Professor Oak.

As for the Kanto Alliance?

It's better not to say anything!

Wu Neng looked at Xiao Gang: "What do you think?"

Xiao Gang was silent for a moment: "The doctor's instructions are very important."

"But the gym's emblem represents the will of the rock, it's real recognition, not just a favor or a token of respect."

He paused, then added, "Besides, protection?"

"If that child is truly as special as the doctor says, what he needs is probably not the protection of a greenhouse, but a whetstone to hone his sharpness."

Xiao Gang felt that Professor Oak's words must have a deeper meaning.

It's important to know that Professor Oak is not just a professor; he was once a powerful player who could compete for the League Championship... and he's an old friend of Akiko, one of the Elite Four.

Mother Xiaomi sighed softly: "The doctor's considerations are perhaps deeper than we can see."

"That child may be carrying something we don't know about. But Brock is right, the badge represents the recognition of Pewter Gym, and this recognition must be earned with strength."

She looked at Xiaogang.

"The key lies in the word 'suitable'."

"The doctor didn't say 'must,' which gave us room to make our own judgment."

"Brock, use your eyes, use your Rock-type Trainer's intuition, to assess him."

“If he truly has the capacity and is worth your effort to ‘cultivate,’ then it will be in accordance with the doctor’s wishes.”

"If he has potential but lacks the willpower to match it..." Xiao Mi didn't finish her sentence, but the unspoken meaning was crystal clear.

Even a genius must realize their potential to be considered a true genius.

A genius who hasn't developed is nothing more than a weakling.

“I understand.” Brock nodded, his eyes sharp as knives. “I will give him a test worthy of Professor Oak’s expectations.”

"Using the Nibi Dojo method."

Xiao Gang said he was going to take it seriously.

Of course, this doesn't mean he's going to go all out.

He will use Pokémon of similar level to compete fairly, in accordance with the league's rules and regulations.

After all, this is just a gym challenge.

He can't possibly go all out and bring out his main Pokémon to fight a newbie who's just started playing, can he?

He doesn't have that kind of twisted sense of humor.

"Good!" Wu Neng said in a deep voice, "Let that kid see what the true Will of Stone is!"

For the next few days, the atmosphere at Pewter Dojo was as heavy as a mountain.

Xiao Gang personally adjusted the training area and prepared the Pokémon: Onix, Graveler, and Kabuto—all of which significantly increased the intensity of the training.

Especially the rumbler, its rolling combat training produced a dull rumble that seemed to shake the ground.

Brock even unusually didn't go to the Pokémon Center to help out. Instead, he stayed in the gym or looked down from a high place at the main road leading to the gym, like a silent rock, waiting for his target to appear.

However, one day, two days... the new couple from Zhenxin Town were nowhere to be seen.

Even the other gym members at Pewter Gym were wondering what Brock was up to.

Yes, they don't know what happened.

Brock would never tell anyone that Professor Oak contacted him.

The only people who received information from Xiao Gang were his father, Wu Neng, and his mother, Xiaomi.

Even Xiaogang's other younger siblings didn't know what had happened.

This evening.

Wu watched his son walk silently back to the training ground from the dojo entrance once again, and couldn't help but say, "Tsk, did that kid get lost in Viridian Forest?"

Theoretically speaking, this is not impossible.

Pallet Town is very close to Viridian City, which is even located below Mt. Silver, the League headquarters.

Viridian City is quite far from Pewter City's Gym.

We need to pass through a Viridian Forest.

Furthermore, the paths in Viridian Forest are intricate and complex, and every year new trainers die there.

But no matter what, this is someone Professor Oak values, so he won't just die on the way here, right?

"..." Xiao Gang did not answer, but picked up a rock and felt its rough and cold texture, his eyes still calm.

In a corner of the training ground, a fossil helmet nervously scratched at the hard rock with its claws, making a soft scraping sound.

Xiao Mi gently patted Wu Neng's arm, signaling him to calm down.