"I'm already watching it!" Ash retorted, not feeling at all that he was wasting time.
"That was a recording of a trainer among trainers—Bruno, one of the Kanto Region's Elite Four. We figured that a master like Bruno might have learned some kind of great Pokémon secret technique, so we were watching it," Brock explained.
"That's right! A great secret technique? And then what? What is that exactly?"
Ash nodded confidently, then looked at Brock in confusion, clearly not understanding what he meant by a "great secret technique."
"You don't even know what it is and you're still nodding. I'm honestly amazed at how clueless you can be…" Misty said speechlessly.
"Ahem, the so-called great secret technique is the most important key for a Pokémon trainer to become stronger," Brock explained.
"That kind of thing doesn't exist at all."
At that moment, Red walked up to the three of them and spoke to Ash, who was trying to find a shortcut.
"If such a great secret technique really existed, then there wouldn't be so many Pokémon trainers wasting their sweat 'meaninglessly' just to become stronger."
"If there really is any so-called great secret technique, it would simply be the bond between a trainer and their Pokémon. That's probably the best shortcut to improving one's strength."
After hearing Red's words, both Ash and Brock fell into brief silence, clearly reflecting on their earlier foolish thoughts.
"If you really want to find Bruno, I can take you to see him. Coincidentally, I also want to find a worthy opponent for my Scizor today."
After speaking, Red gently touched a Poké Ball at his waist, calming the Scizor inside.
"Really, Red? The Elite Four are like superstars—we ordinary people can't even come into contact with them," Brock said, then suddenly realized something and quickly corrected himself. "Well, of course, except for you…"
"Just how unreachable do you think that musclehead Bruno is…" Red said helplessly.
To most Pokémon trainers, Elite Four members seemed like sacred figures, but that was only a one-sided misunderstanding. In reality, they were just ordinary trainers with exceptional strength—not nearly as grand as Ash and Brock imagined.
Bruno's reason for going to Mount Hideaway was actually very simple: he wanted to capture a powerful giant Onix, not to deliberately train deep in the mountains as the two had assumed.
"Recently, Bruno has been around Mount Hideaway. As for his purpose, you can ask him yourself when we meet," Red said casually.
"Can we really meet Bruno, brother?!"
Ash looked at Red with excitement, half-thinking he was being fooled, but the excitement in his eyes gave away his true feelings.
"Of course. I'm just afraid the image of Bruno in your mind might shatter later," Red joked. He then used Teleport, bringing Ash and the others out of the house and heading toward Mount Hideaway near Pallet Town.
This trip wasn't just about finding an opponent for Scizor, but also about returning the giant Steelix to its homeland.
Along the way, Red brought the group to a teahouse at the foot of Mount Hideaway. This was a place he frequented. Back when he first captured the giant Steelix before setting out on his journey, he had come here to enjoy delicious dumplings and tea.
While resting there, the four of them also helped the elderly woman running the dumpling shop deal with Team Rocket, who had disguised themselves as "wild hermits." Though in truth, the old woman had already chased them away with a broom before Red and the others even needed to step in.
"Come to think of it, we haven't run into Team Rocket in a while…" Ash complained, oddly feeling nostalgic about defeating them.
"Could Bruno be here for training?" Ash wondered.
"Possibly. After all, the environment of Mount Hideaway is perfect for tempering one's spirit," Brock said, sharing his own thoughts.
"You guys… sigh…"
Red shook his head helplessly. There was no such coincidence—Bruno was simply here to capture a giant Onix he liked. In fact, he had recently nearly gone hungry.
Afterward, Red and the others arrived beside a wide path. Rather than a road, it looked more like a track crushed flat by some massive creature.
"Come out, Steelix!"
With that, Red threw the Poké Ball at his waist, releasing the giant Steelix.
"ROAR—"
The giant Steelix roared the moment it appeared, savoring the familiar air of Mount Hideaway. After all, this had once been its home, the place where it had lived and survived.
With disdain, the giant Steelix crushed the already wide path even further, turning it into an even broader road.
As for why it bothered to do that—it was simply an inexplicable sense of competitiveness.
"You've been watching long enough. Time to come out, Bruno!"
Red tossed a small stone behind him, landing it precisely behind a massive rock.
"As expected of the young man recognized by Lance and Lorelei—you're truly extraordinary!"
The sound of the stone shattering came from behind, and a burly, muscular man stepped out. He was bare-chested, wearing loose white shorts, a black belt around his waist, and wrist and ankle bands. This man was Bruno.
Ash and Brock both froze when they turned to look at him.
"What's wrong with you two?" Misty asked in confusion.
"Bruno!" Brock exclaimed in shock.
"Strictly speaking, this is our first meeting, Red!"
Ignoring Ash and Brock's stunned expressions, Bruno stepped forward and shook hands with Red.
"So, did you achieve your goal?" Red asked jokingly.
"Hahaha, not yet. Judging by the size of your Steelix, it must have been the former king of Mount Hideaway. I didn't expect you to capture it so early," Bruno said helplessly. If given the choice, he would have very much liked to capture that giant Steelix here.
Unfortunately, because of Red's involvement, Bruno had to set his sights on another giant Onix instead.
Although he didn't understand the meaning behind Red and Bruno's conversation, Ash, who was eager to grow stronger, sincerely asked Bruno to give him some guidance.
Bruno glanced at Red in confusion. With such an outstanding Pokémon trainer right beside them, why had they gone all the way to Mount Hideaway just to find him? It seemed completely unnecessary.
"Can't be helped—they've mythologized you too much. I can't correct it in such a short time," Red said with a shrug.
"Hmm?"
Bruno suddenly came up with an idea—an idea that might just earn him a full meal, though it might also get him ridiculed by Ash and the others.
"I'll have them do something for me. You don't mind, right?"
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