"Let's head there. Not only is it our next Gym, but the two following Gyms are also there and there." Ash's finger pointed on the table, causing Misty and Brock's expressions to change dramatically.
"Fuchsia, Vermilion, Pewter... Ash, are you really that audacious now? You want to challenge all four of Kanto's major Gyms?"
That's right, the three Gyms Ash wanted to challenge next were among the remaining of Kanto's four major Gyms!
Among Kanto's four major Gyms, Ash had already faced the Saffron Gym, the difficulty of which was self-evident. Even using an Elite Advanced Level, the ancient Gengar that survived for a thousand years almost capsized.
The following Gyms, while perhaps not as unpredictable as Sabrina's Saffron Gym, certainly did not lack in strength compared to her.
Of course, unlike Sabrina, these Gyms had difficulty settings and would go easy, but the level of the four major Gyms was a notch above the regular Gyms, making even the easiest challenge an Elite Level!
A bit stronger is the Professional Level, then the third level is Gym Level, and the most challenging difficulty is their true strength - the Elite Level!
While the difficulty of the Pokemon can be selected, the level of the trainers is undeniably real!
Other Gym Leaders don't have Sabrina's unfathomable psychic powers, but their command abilities far surpass hers!
Facing them, Ash wouldn't even think of challenging them like before; it would be fortunate not to be outclassed.
That's why Brock mentioned if Ash had become arrogant, treating the remaining four major Gyms as challenge targets.
"Without pressure, where's the motivation? Haven't I always progressed like this on my journey? Because I've challenged many seemingly unbeatable opponents, I've been able to improve so quickly. So why not continue this experience to the end!"
Ash declared resolutely, having already decided on which of the three remaining Gyms he would conquer.
Fuchsia, Vermilion, and finally, Pewter!
If he could obtain the badges of these three Gyms, he would have a significant chance of winning the Quartz Conference!
Winning the League Conference on the first try... just thinking about it makes one excited!
"So is your next Gym definitely Fuchsia?"
"Yes." Ash nodded.
The next Gym, Fuchsia Gym, was located in Fuchsia City, and its Gym Leader, Koga, specialized in Poison-type Pokemon, with the strength of an Elite!
"Regarding Gym Leader Koga, I don't know much, as Fuchsia City is quite far from Pewter City. Back then, information wasn't as easily transmitted as it is now, so I only know a general idea of Koga as a Gym Leader."
In the team, Brock naturally had the most knowledge as he had been a Gym Leader for several years, with access to information Misty couldn't match.
However, even Brock didn't know much about Koga. Partly because Fuchsia City was too far from Pewter City, and back then, there wasn't the advanced network we have now.
It's said that in a while, there will be portable phones, which should make information transmission even more convenient, incomparable to the previous era.
Another reason is that Koga is a proposed Elite in the Johto Region.
A proposed Elite may not yet be an official Elite, but at such a level, they would have at least six Elite-level Pokemon, as that's the minimum requirement to become an Elite.
A proposed Elite can become an official Elite in two ways: one is to wait for the current Elite to retire, at which point the proposed Elite can naturally take over; the other is to directly challenge the current Elite and if successful, become the new Elite.
However, the status of a proposed Elite isn't easily achieved. Standing in that position means you're just a step away from being an Elite and can challenge the Elite anytime. Without a certain level of contribution to the League, or exceptional strength and talent, it's impossible to hold that position.
Koga, as a proposed Elite, keeps information about his main Pokemon highly confidential because he wants to become an official Elite through the second method!
Yes, Koga is gearing up to challenge the Elite of the Johto League, so he must keep his Pokemon information sealed. If his details were leaked before the battle, his chances of winning would greatly diminish.
"...So whether it's the situation of Koga's main Pokemon or some other reserve Pokemon, the outside world doesn't know much. The only thing known is that Koga uses Poison-type Pokemon, and even the easiest challenges are Elite-level."
"Those who come to Kanto to challenge the Quartz League aren't foolish enough to challenge at the Professional Level," Brock said, casting a strange glance at Ash.
Isn't there a fool right in front of us?
Challenging Erika's Professional Level Pokemon was indeed passive, but challenging Lt. Surge's Professional Level Pokemon was Ash's active choice, right?
Trainers participating in the Quartz Conference have been training for less than two years, and how many of them could have more than three Professional Level Pokemon in under two years of travel?
"Hey, hey, hey! What do you mean I'm foolish? I'm challenging myself!" Ash protested, pounding the table, and Misty quickly tugged at his sleeve to stop him from making a scene in public.
Finally, Ash sat back down, realizing.
"Let's just go to the Fuchsia Gym then. I also want to see how far Ash can go, but before we head to Fuchsia Gym, accompany me to Beauty Street first."
"Beauty Street? *2"
"Yes, it's a street in Celadon City. On Beauty Street, there's a Breeder I admire; I became a Breeder because of her."
Upon hearing this, Misty and Ash exchanged glances, both curious.
Who knew Brock became a Breeder because of someone? What kind of charisma did that person have?
"Ash's Pokemon have completely recovered, please come to the front desk to retrieve them." As the three chatted, an announcement timely rang out, and Ash's group headed to the Pokemon Center front desk to retrieve their Pokemon.
Ash glanced at the time; it was already late. Although the Beauty Street Brock mentioned was in Celadon City, it wasn't near. Walking would take at least a few hours, and they'd likely arrive at midnight. Plus, who knew if that street had a Pokemon Center?
So Ash suggested they stay here for the night, wander around the area, and head to Beauty Street early the next morning.
Brock agreed since they were already in Celadon City and not in a rush.
The group asked Miss Joy if they could stay there, and after being led to an empty room by Joy, they put down their luggage and headed to the center street of Celadon City for a walk.
Celadon City was full of tall buildings, and compared to Pewter City and Pallet Town, there were no mountains or water in sight, making it a bit hard for Ash and friends, who were used to seeing mountains and water, to adjust.
But it's just for a while; they'll be leaving soon.
During their leisurely walk, they arrived at the largest perfume shop in Celadon City. Ash wasn't particularly interested, but both Brock and Misty wanted to take a look inside.
The latter's thoughts were obvious; what girl doesn't like perfume? Even if there were some, they were a minority.
As for the former... he was simply hoping the perfume shop would have many young ladies inside.
So with the two pulling him along, Ash could only resign himself to entering the perfume shop, where he unexpectedly encountered a very familiar face.
"Erika?!" Upon entering the perfume shop and seeing the shop manager, Ash exclaimed.
Who else could it be but Erika, the Gym Leader of Celadon Gym?