Ash's Pokémon Travel Has Big Problems

"As for these three useless older sisters, let's just ignore them for now!"

The current situation is somewhat different from what Xiaoxia imagined, which makes her a little uneasy.

Xiaoxia originally planned to wait until Xiaozhi arrived:

①: My three older sisters first gave me a little warning.

②: Then the three older sisters parted to the sides.

③: Misty herself makes a stunning appearance as a gym leader.

Unfortunately, this perfect debut was ruined because of the three unruly older sisters.

...Uh...Xiaoxia wouldn't have done this in the past, so why is she doing it now?

I guess I was corrupted by Ash.

After all, Ash likes to show off.

Chapter 40 Xiaoxia: You bastard, you only wanted to trick me out of my fishing rod!

Xiaoxia took a deep breath, grabbed Xiaozhi's wrist, and walked towards a side passage without looking back.

We can't let these three older sisters keep joking around.

I'm shivering with anger. How could the Cerulean Dojo be entrusted to these three good-for-nothings?

"Follow me! This arena... isn't suitable for real combat!"

Xiaoxia spoke with unwavering conviction, her voice carrying an unquestionable resolve, her orange ponytail swinging nimbly behind her.

—My parents in heaven.

—Xiaoxia, I must uphold the last vestiges of dignity of Hualan Dojo!

Xiao Zhi was pulled along by her, and he followed somewhat unsteadily.

Pikachu quickly grabbed Ash's shoulder to steady itself and curiously glanced back at the still noisy performance pool.

Watching the two figures disappear into the shadows of the passage, the three sisters on the floating platform exchanged glances.

"Oh dear, Misty's angry~" Sakura tossed her long golden hair, a playful smile on her face. "But she's actually taking it so seriously... It seems this guy named Satoshi is a bit different?"

Changpu yawned lazily, leaning against the edge of the platform: "Yeah, he's completely different from that arrogant Zhenxin Town kid who came with a bunch of cheerleaders."

"That guy named Xiao Mao is actually pretty good, but he's too arrogant." Ayame admitted that Xiao Mao was indeed quite talented.

However, I don't have a very good impression of Xiao Mao.

Peony nodded gently, her voice soft: "Shigeru's tactical skills and Pokémon training are outstanding, he truly deserves the badge."

"I was thinking... since we're both from Pallet Town, I might as well just give the badge to this Ash out of respect for Misty, to save myself the trouble."

She paused, her gaze drifting in the direction Xiaoxia and Xiaozhi had left, a thoughtful expression on her face.

"But now it seems... Xiaoxia is planning to 'give it away for free'."

They said they didn't plan to send it.

In fact, it is a more serious matter of [sending].

As the three sisters talked, they started to smile like doting aunts.

Cerulean Dojo has a worthy successor!

However, this has nothing to do with the three of them.

The three of them don't have much talent as trainers, and they don't have much interest in it either.

"We just need to look beautiful~"

"Leave the rest to Xiaoxia."

As the three sisters talked, they decided to continue their slacking off.

Otherwise, what else can be done?

They're quite famous now, which is good.

Those guys in the shadows didn't dare go too far, because it would attract too much attention.

But if they are not famous, no one cares.

Then some trainers will resort to less-than-ideal methods.

The competition for gym leader positions is still very fierce.

Many powerful trainers want to open gyms, but they are hampered by the League's restrictions on gym slots and the procedures involved... many are stuck.

So these three beautiful older sisters are also protecting the Cerulean Dojo in their own way.

The lighting inside the passageway was dim.

The air smelled stronger of moisture and disinfectant.

In the distance, the faint hum of a water circulation system could be heard.

In stark contrast to the lively and bustling atmosphere of the performance venues outside, the atmosphere here was serious and professional.

A proper dojo duel arena is definitely not an aquarium.

Xiaoxia walked quickly, the sound of her heels hitting the ground echoing in the empty corridor.

"Listen, Ash!"

She didn't turn around, her voice carrying an unprecedented solemnity.

"The performance pool outside is for tourists; the real battleground for the Cerulean Gym... is up ahead!"

She shoved open a heavy metal door bearing a teardrop emblem.

A blinding light burst forth.

Behind the door is a smaller but extremely high-standard professional battle arena.

The venue is a standard water venue.

Several floats floated neatly on the crystal-clear water.

The surrounding area is equipped with high-tech energy barrier generators.

The overhead lights illuminated the entire venue as if it were daytime, and the air was thick with moisture.

Clearly, Water-type Pokémon will be much stronger here.

Electro-type Pokémon will also receive a damage boost buff.

But if you bring a Fire-type Pokémon here to fight a Gym... if it can use even 10% of its full power, it's considered to have excellent Pokémon skills.

In addition to this, there are other hidden restrictions.

① Birds' flight is limited by their range of flight in the sky.

②Large, heavy rock and steel structures are unable to move.

③Those who cannot swim can only hop around in a fixed area.

In short, there are not many Pokémon suitable for this place.

Many Pokémon are not suited to battle here; in fact, it's fair to say that their very presence here is suicidal.

It's very different from the Pokémon games.

But that's just how gym challenges are.

Dojo challenges are not about fairness.

Gym Challenges are a mechanism for training trainers.

Experiencing various harsh environments during gym challenges is better than dying in a sudden, harsh environment in the wild, right?

Although it may sound harsh, that's how the League designed the gym challenge process.

Many skills are simply unusable in certain situations.

When training Pokémon, trainers need to make their Pokémon versatile.

You can have special skills, but you can't have weaknesses.

For example, the team must have someone who knows the Pokémon "Detect" or has the ability to find Ghost-type Pokémon.

Otherwise, it would be too ridiculous to encounter a ghost in the wild and be killed by a weak Ghost-type Pokémon.

"This is where the Cerulean Dojo tests its challengers!"

Xiaoxia turned to face Xiaozhi, her previous embarrassment and awkwardness completely replaced by the seriousness and pride of a gym leader.

No matter what, I, Xiaoxia, am a gym leader.

Even if this identity is inherited from one's parents.

She took a deep breath, her eyes sharp: "I won't hold back, Ash!"

"Let me see if you're qualified to take the Cerulean Gym's blue badge!"

"Pikachu!" Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder and landed on the command post at the entrance, its cheeks crackling with energetic sparks.

Looking at Xiaoxia, whose demeanor was completely different from before, and then at this standard professional venue, Xiaozhi slowly curled up an excited smile.

He raised his hand and straightened the brim of his hat, revealing eyes that shone with an astonishing brightness.

"Just to my liking."

"Come on, Xia!"

Ash is ready to use his electric fishing technique!

A water-based terrain is a huge boost for Pikachu.

"Wait!" Xiaoxia saw Pikachu eager to try and immediately stopped it.

"Pikachu is forbidden!" Misty turned her head away embarrassedly. "You're using Gyarados today!"

"Huh? Do you have to use the same Pokémon for gym challenges?" Ash wanted to tease Misty on purpose.

"Shut up, you bastard!" Xiaoxia started to get angry. "You told me you loved Water-type Pokémon and wanted to become a Water-type Pokémon Master, you were lying to me, weren't you?"

"You're just trying to trick me out of my fishing rod!" Xia wasn't stupid; after all this time, she naturally realized what was going on.

"Aha~ Aha~" Ash turned his head somewhat awkwardly, "If I want to become the strongest trainer, I definitely can't be bad at Water-type Pokémon..."

How did this silly girl suddenly become so smart?

Could it be that I learned from the saying "one is influenced by one's company"?

"Don't play word games with me! You jerk, Ash!" Misty released the Poké Ball in her hand. "You have to use Gyarados for me today!"

The reason is certainly not just what she says; Xiaoxia also wants to surpass herself.

Chapter 41 Xiaoxia: What domineering nonsense?! You don't know anything!

The air in the water-filled area is stagnant and humid.

The light from the overhead lamps refracted into dazzling spots of light on the gently rippling water.

Xiaoxia stood at the command post.

Her eyes were fixed on the figure wearing a baseball cap across from her.

"The rule is one-on-one, one match to determine the winner."

Xiaoxia's voice carried a hint of tension that was barely perceptible, yet it sounded exceptionally clear in the open space.

She was actually a little nervous.

Ash, send out your Pokémon!

Xiaoxia took a deep breath and suddenly threw the Poké Ball—

"Go, Gyarados!"

A burst of red light!

With a deafening roar, a massive, deep blue figure crashed into the pool, creating towering waves.

The menacing head was raised high, its scarlet pupils burning with a ferocious aura, and its thick body was coiled between the floating platforms, bringing an almost suffocating sense of oppression.

It was that colossal beast that had appeared countless times in her childhood nightmares, representing absolute power and fear.