"Why would you, a Gym Leader, have something that only Breeders would use?" Misty glanced over the notebook's contents, curiosity shining in her eyes as she asked Brock.
In the Pokémon world, even Trainers were divided into different types: Gym Leaders, battle Trainers, Coordinators, and more.
And beyond Trainers, there were countless other professions. The most popular of them all was the Breeder.
A Breeder was exactly what the name implied—a professional dedicated to raising Pokémon and improving their condition.
Strong Trainers often had Breeders backing them, or at least knew some breeding knowledge themselves. With a Breeder's help, a Trainer's Pokémon could grow at a pace far beyond those without such support.
But compared to becoming a Trainer, the bar for Breeders was higher. Knowing a few massage tricks or being able to cook a little Pokémon Food wasn't nearly enough. At minimum, a Breeder needed methods that could push a Pokémon's growth and condition to levels far above normal.
Pokémon Food recipes were one such method. Some powerful formulas could even restore a severely injured Pokémon to Peak condition in an instant.
If those dishes could be mass-produced, the benefits were obvious: Trainers could recover quickly from the wear and tear of battles and training, allowing their Pokémon to improve at an astonishing rate.
And the recipes Brock had just handed over—if given to someone aspiring to be a Breeder—they were nothing short of priceless. So why did Brock have them?
"Actually, my dream's always been to become a Breeder…" Brock's expression turned helpless as he explained his situation.
He was barely past twenty, yet he had to raise nine younger siblings, managing their daily lives while also running the Gym. The reason? His father had left home to chase his dream of becoming a Champion, and not long after, his mother left too—perhaps to travel, perhaps to train Pokémon.
Whatever the reasons, the result was the same: the Pewter Gym and nine children had all been left to Brock. He'd had no choice but to give up his own dream of becoming a Breeder.
"…So I'm entrusting my dream to you, Ash. I think you could handle both roles—Breeder and Trainer. These recipes are the result of years of my own research. They're invaluable for raising Pokémon. Even if you don't want to be a Breeder, they'll still help smooth your path as a Trainer."
Making Pokémon dishes wasn't particularly demanding; with some practice, anyone could learn the basics.
So whether Ash wanted to pursue breeding or not, that notebook would still be of immense help.
Ash hesitated for a moment, then reached out to take it, ready to accept Brock's request. After all, he'd already decided to become a Breeder himself.
His Eye of Insight, which played such a crucial role in capturing and battling Pokémon, was itself a Breeder's gift. And in the Chat Group, Breeder Ash had taught him countless things with tireless dedication.
That was why Ash had resolved to follow Breeder Ash's path—to become an outstanding Breeder. That was also Breeder Ash's wish for him.
Besides, apart from him, no one else in the group could really discuss breeding at a professional level. Sure, there were plenty of Ashes who'd raised Pokémon to Peak condition, but those were amateur-level insights at best.
Without the support of Breeders, it was nearly impossible for Pokémon to reach the world's top tier. That's why Trainers at the Peak, more often than not, also knew at least some breeding knowledge—even if they could never match true professionals.
Just as Ash accepted Brock's notebook, the Gym's front doors suddenly slammed open with a thunderous crash. Misty, still at Ash's side, flinched in shock, then jumped to the other side, clutching his arm tightly.
Ash and Brock both snapped their attention toward the entrance.
"I heard everything you just said, Brock. Go—chase your dream with everything you've got! As for the Gym, leave it to me." A deep, booming voice rang out from the doorway.
The bright light from the doors gradually faded, revealing the figure standing there: a scruffy-looking man in a cap, his jaw covered in an unkempt beard. His face was hidden beneath the brim of his hat, and his gloved hands were stained with grime. He looked for all the world like a laborer who'd been working rough jobs outside.
But why would such a man say he'd take over the Gym for Brock?
"Could it be…?" Brock froze for a moment, then his expression suddenly turned emotional.
"That's right. I am… your father, Flint."
With those words, the man ripped off his disguise, tossing away the cap and fake beard.
Beneath was a middle-aged man—one who looked so much like Brock that it was nearly impossible to tell them apart. The resemblance was ninety-nine percent identical.
Ash and Misty's eyes darted back and forth between father and son, almost mixing the two up.
"It's been years, Father… why are you suddenly back now?" And at such a suspiciously perfect time, no less.
Flint went on to recount his years away. Back then, he'd left to chase his dream of becoming a top-level Trainer, aiming for the Elite Four or even Champion. He had left Brock's mother and the children to manage the Gym on their own.
But the results had been disappointing. Forget the Elite Four—even winning a regional Conference outside of Kanto had been beyond him.
The Indigo Plateau Conference was considered a cradle for Beginners. Trainers Flint's age were no longer eligible.
The Conferences in other regions were on a whole different level. Even top-tier Gym Leaders couldn't guarantee a victory, let alone Flint, who had only taken the Gym's mid-level Pokémon with him.
So after more than a year of traveling, he'd won nothing, returning home to Pewter City in defeat.
When he got back, he discovered Brock's mother had also left, leaving Brock alone with nine siblings and a Gym to run.
Ashamed to face his son, Flint set up a small stall near the Gym, selling the local ores and stones common in Pewter City.
He had planned to appear only when Brock faced real hardship. That way, he could step in dramatically, save the day, and earn forgiveness more easily.
But to his surprise, Brock had faced almost no hardships. Alone, he had managed the Gym with skill and raised all nine younger siblings into healthy, strong children.
And so Flint had never found the chance to show himself—until now.
Hearing Brock's true dream at last, Flint finally had a reason to step forward!