While Ash and Professor Oak were still in a sort of "standoff," the others were chatting casually in the lounge.
[Lance: I have to say, Ash really has some skills. That Krabby's attack speed and power were both pretty good, and Ash actually managed to subdue it.]
[Bruno: I said it before — Ash has the talent to be a fighter. It's a shame I'm not taking any more disciples, or I'd definitely make Ash my apprentice. Oh, right — Bea, isn't your family's Gym still short on people? You could let Ash try out.]
[Ash: No way. I want to be a Pokémon Master. I'm not interested in being a fighter or anything like that.]
[Bea: Hmph, arrogant brat. You think becoming a fighter is easy?]
[Bruno: To be fair, with Ash's talent, if he focused on fighting training, he would definitely become an excellent fighter in five years.]
[Bea: Whose side are you on, anyway?!]
[Bruno: The side of justice.]
Inside Bill's Lighthouse, Ash contacted Professor Oak through the video phone. Only after confirming that Krabby was safe and sound did he finally relax.
After that, they rescued Professor Bill, who had been trapped in the lighthouse. Under Bill's guidance, they witnessed a massive super-gigantic Pokémon.
Unfortunately, due to the thick sea fog and Team Rocket's interference, Ash and his companions failed to get a clear look at the Pokémon's true form.
[Bruno: Ah! Just a little more — just that little bit!!! Damn it! Those three Team Rocket idiots are truly damnable!]
[Lance: Is that a Gigantamax Duraludon? It was huge!]
[Leon: Dynamax and Gigantamax require special energy. Even in Galar, not all places can perform Dynamax.]
[Cynthia: If it's not a Dynamax Pokémon… then what is it? Godzilla?]
[Steven: Hehe, let me tell you its true identity! Groudon. It's Groudon!]
[Wallace: Don't say it… but that silhouette really does look a little like Groudon.]
[Maxie: Don't joke around! I guarantee on my honor that it is absolutely NOT Groudon!]
[Flannery's grandfather Moore: Honor? Do you even have such a thing? Besides, you've never even seen Groudon. How would you know it's not Groudon?]
[Maxie: Hmph! I'm the president of the Groudon Research Society! Would I not recognize Groudon? What a joke! I could recognize Groudon with my eyes closed!]
[Norman: It's indeed unlikely to be Groudon. If it really were Groudon, Kyogre should have shown up as well.]
[Steven: You're right.]
As everyone discussed the sighting, the white-bordered screen (Original Ash) slowly dimmed.
It was replaced by a Black-bordered screen (Parallel World Ash) gradually lighting up.
After receiving the Gray Badge, Ash was preparing to leave when Flint suddenly called out to him.
"Wait a moment, young man."
Ash turned around, confused. "Huh?"
Flint hesitated, rubbing the back of his head.
"Can my eldest son, Brock, travel with you? I've always wanted Brock to inherit the Pewter Gym, but his growth has slowed a lot these past years."
In Flint's opinion, the biggest reason for Brock's stagnation was the burden of caring for his younger siblings.
With nine siblings at home to take care of every day, Brock barely had time to train.
Under those conditions, it would've been strange if he could grow stronger.
This couldn't continue — Brock's talent was being buried.
For the sake of his beloved eldest son, Flint swallowed his pride and made the request to Ash.
Ash replied cautiously, "Can I spend a few days with Brock first?"
Finding a reliable partner was as important as finding a wife — Ash didn't want to travel with a complete stranger.
"No problem. You'll love Brock," Flint said proudly.
[Brock: Comparing people just makes you angry. The dad in that other world is much more reliable than ours…]
Both versions of Flint were Brock's dads, yet why did the other one know how to take care of his child, while his own dad always chased his personal dreams?
For his so-called "passion," Flint left home for years at a time.
If Brock didn't work himself to the bone, his younger siblings wouldn't survive.
It was heartbreaking.
[Flint: I-I-I'm not that unreliable, am I?]
[Daisy: Hehe, you are that unreliable dad!]
[Brock: You have no right to talk! You're just as unreliable as Dad!!!]
Flint wasn't wrong — after two or three days of traveling together, Ash genuinely "fell in love" with Brock's cooking.
Brock wasn't just an excellent cook; he was good at taking care of Pokémon, and his gentle personality made him very easy to get along with.
His arrival instantly improved Ash's and his Pokémon's meals.
They no longer had to eat dry rations — Brock's cooking brought life back to the camp.
While crossing Mt. Moon, Ash and Brock encountered the Clefairy tribe. Though they didn't see the gigantic Moon Stone, they still gained quite a lot.
Brock caught a talented Zubat in a cave. Ash didn't catch one, but with Mew's help, he found many precious stones.
Once they reached Cerulean City, selling the stones would earn them a fortune.
[Steven: Selling stones? How good are these stones? Why sell them?!]
Parallel World Ash's stones were all top-grade. Selling them was criminal.
[Wallace: What else do you do with stones if you don't sell them? Like you — take them home and worship them as treasures?]
[Steven: You unartistic fellow. I'm too lazy to argue with you.]
[Wallace: I don't understand art?! I don't understand art?]
[Cynthia: Stop arguing! You're making us miss the video!]
In Cerulean City, when challenging the Gym, Ash swept through the Cerulean Sisters with overwhelming strength.
After winning the Badge and preparing to leave, a girl with short orange hair and hot pants stepped forward and stopped him.
"What's your name?" the girl asked sternly.
"Ash." Even though he didn't understand her attitude, Ash answered politely.
"How old are you?"
Ash blinked. Is this a census? He still answered honestly.
"9 years old."
"9 years old? What?! 9 years old?!" the girl gasped.
Brock grinned. "Yeah. It's shocking, right? I was startled too when I first learned."
Daisy laughed. "Oh my, oh my. Two nine-year-olds, yet Ash is so much more impressive than our Misty."
Lily nodded. "That's right, that's right. Misty doesn't even have a starter Pokémon, but Ash is already a strong Trainer."
Violet added, "Misty, you really need to work hard, or you won't become a great Trainer."
Misty erupted. "Do ANY of you have the right to talk about me?!"
...
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