"Then there's no need to search for the Gym Leader," the girl said proudly, lifting her chin. "I'm Whitney, the Gym Leader of Goldenrod City."
Ash blinked.
A Gym Leader?
He could clearly sense her strength. She was at the peak of Elite-level—strong, yes—but still far from what he would consider fully qualified to evaluate challengers independently.
"Gym Leader?" Ash repeated. "Elite peak?"
In theory, an Elite-level Trainer could temporarily manage a Gym. But a true Gym Leader did more than battle—they assessed challengers.
To earn a Gym Badge, a challenger didn't always have to win outright. As long as their strength, potential, and bond with their Pokémon were acknowledged by the Gym Leader, the Badge could still be awarded.
That required judgment.
And judgment required experience.
At the very least, one needed the foundation of a quasi–Champion-level Trainer—someone who had mastered battlefield rhythm, environmental control, and deep familiarity with Pokémon habits and combat patterns.
It was only after stepping into that tier that a Trainer's observational growth accelerated dramatically.
Ash wasn't mocking her.
He was genuinely confused.
Whitney narrowed her eyes. "What kind of look is that? Don't tell me you don't believe me."
"It's not that," Ash replied calmly. "I'm just wondering—if you're the Gym Leader, why are you free to take a break? Even during leave, there should be an acting Gym Leader covering your position."
His words struck home.
Whitney's proud posture faltered. She scratched the back of her head awkwardly.
"I don't have a choice. After my parents passed away… people started distancing themselves. If Grandpa weren't still helping me run the ranch, I'd probably be out on the streets."
Ash froze.
His thoughts turned sharp.
So that's how it is.
—
Originally, the Goldenrod Gym had belonged to Whitney's father.
He had recently advanced to the quasi–Champion level—though he possessed only one Pokémon at that tier. Even so, that was enough to qualify him as Goldenrod's Gym Leader.
The foundation of that position came from the family ranch.
The Miltank raised there produced exceptionally high-quality milk, rich in nutrients and widely welcomed across regions.
But Miltank husbandry required specific environmental conditions—pasture balance, mineral content, seasonal temperature stability. If those standards dropped, milk quality would decline sharply.
Large-scale industrial expansion wasn't possible.
Even with careful breeding, the ranch maintained only about fifty Miltank.
That number might sound small.
It wasn't.
The annual profits were comparable to the income of a stable middle-class household. More importantly, Whitney's father regularly contributed significant funds to the Pokémon League. With both strength and financial backing, he secured the Goldenrod Gym position.
It wasn't just status.
It was strategy.
Becoming a Gym Leader increased visibility for the ranch brand. And unlike other large-scale dairy operations, Whitney's father refused to overbreed. He chose quality over quantity.
A boutique route.
After her parents' sudden death, Whitney inherited everything.
The ranch.
The debt.
The Gym.
If not for her grandfather's support, the ranch might have already collapsed. The League required continuous operational fees to maintain Gym status. Miss payments, and the position would be revoked.
In Ash's eyes, the Johto League's Gym system felt disturbingly transactional.
As long as you had sufficient strength or capital—and didn't threaten higher interests—you could remain in position.
Remove the contributions?
You'd be replaced.
Recently, the ranch had entered a critical milk-production period. Whitney had no choice but to help manage the Miltank personally. That meant temporarily closing the Gym.
And finding an acting Gym Leader?
No one wanted to step into a sinking position.
Outsiders already believed her Gym status would be stripped sooner or later. Her grandfather's health was failing. If he passed away, she would lose both operational stability and political support.
Former friends had begun distancing themselves.
In their eyes, Whitney was no longer a rising Gym Leader.
She was a future liability.
Ash's gaze hardened slightly.
Strength.
Influence.
Capital.
Those were the real badges in this world.
And right now, Whitney possessed only the first—barely.
"It turns out that you people from the Johto Alliance are really that snobbish. Didn't your parents consider moving to another region? With so many Miltank, regions without established dairy ranches would definitely welcome you."
After listening to Whitney's explanation, Ash and Sabrina finally understood the situation.
What Ash couldn't figure out was this—if things were so difficult in Kanto, why didn't Whitney's parents simply relocate to another region?
Whitney shook her head.
"It's not that simple. For Miltank to produce high-quality milk, the environment has to be extremely stable—climate, soil, pasture nutrients, even water quality. My dad paid a very high price just to lease this land."
"And if we want to move to another region, we'd have to transport all fifty Miltank. That means a dedicated cargo ship. The shipping costs alone would be terrifying."
Ash fell silent.
He suddenly realized how detached his thinking had become.
Ever since he stopped worrying about money, problems like transportation or logistics felt like a simple phone call—just transfer funds and it's done. Cost barely registered in his mind anymore.
But for Whitney's family, this ranch wasn't some hobby.
They weren't raising Miltank for prestige. They were sustaining a livelihood.
If they relocated, they would need to find a new pasture suited for Miltank husbandry, rebuild supply networks, retrain distribution channels, and ensure the Pokémon adjusted to the new environment without stress—otherwise milk production quality would drop. Reestablishing everything could take years.
Ash let out a quiet, self-mocking laugh.
He had thought he wouldn't be influenced by wealth.
Yet without realizing it, he already had been.
"If you don't mind," Ash said gently, "could you take us to see your ranch?"
Whitney smiled.
"Sure. I came out during my noon break. I still have some time. Follow me."
—
Not long after, Whitney led Ash and Sabrina to the ranch.
Before them stretched a vast expanse of green pasture.
The grasslands rolled endlessly under the sunlight, nourished by Kanto's mild climate. The air carried a faint sweetness of fresh grass and milk.
Fifty Miltank grazed peacefully across the fields. Compared to the enormous pasture, their numbers seemed almost sparse, yet each one looked exceptionally well cared for—sleek pink hides, healthy builds, and relaxed expressions.
They weren't just livestock.
They were partners in a carefully maintained ecosystem.
Ash crouched slightly, observing one Miltank up close. Its breathing was steady, its eyes clear—no signs of stress or illness.
"They're in great condition," he commented sincerely.
Whitney's eyes brightened with pride.
"My parents personally monitor their diet ratios every day. We even consult Pokémon nutritionists from Saffron City to keep their milk quality consistent."
Sabrina quietly extended her psychic senses—not to intrude, but to observe.
The emotional waves across the pasture were calm.
Contentment.
Security.
Trust.
This wasn't a failing ranch.
It was simply struggling against the harsh economics of regional competition.
Ash straightened, gaze sweeping across the land.
A quiet thought formed in his mind.
The problem wasn't the quality of the milk.
It was branding, distribution, and influence.
And those… were things he might actually be able to help with.