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"Pewter City's Gym Leader, Brock, is very strong. It's not that easy to defeat him," Flint responded naturally to Misty's words.
"I know the Gym Leader is strong better than you do, but Ash is also very strong." Misty, listening to Flint, began to speak up for Ash, inadvertently revealing the truth.
Ash couldn't help but glance at Misty. In the original story, she had always hidden her identity, only revealing it after arriving in Cerulean City. But now Ash knew she was from the Cerulean Gym.
So, of course, she was the person who knew best how strong Gym Leaders were. However... the Cerulean Gym wasn't really considered a very strong Gym.
"Because I can tell at a glance that you're new trainers. I sell rocks here and have seen many trainers. I can tell a new trainer just by looking."
"New trainers should train more. Trying to challenge Brock right away is impossible," Flint responded confidently and leisurely, appearing very confident in Brock.
"Thank you for the reminder, Uncle, but you seem to know a lot about Brock! I wonder if I'm mistaken! Uncle seemed very proud when he mentioned Brock, like an elder seeing a junior's accomplishments and feeling proud."
Others didn't know this uncle's identity, but how could Ash not know? To be honest, any viewer of the anime could probably tell at a glance.
It was only Ash, as the protagonist, who couldn't tell, but now Ash certainly knew that Flint was Brock's father.
However, this was their family matter, and Ash didn't intend to expose it. He just deliberately made him feel a bit awkward because he looked down on himself.
"Uh..."
As expected, upon hearing Ash's words, Flint choked. Ash knew that this father had always felt ashamed of his son, Brock.
For many years, he hadn't dared to return home, leaving Brock to care for his many younger siblings alone. To be honest, Ash in the anime might not have known, but Ash, who was familiar with the plot, didn't quite agree with Flint's actions. As a father, such actions were a disgrace to his role. However, this was, after all, their family matter.
"Is... is that so? Then... that's natural, hehe! Because I'm also from Pewter City. Brock being able to become a Gym Leader, it's only natural that we in Pewter City would feel proud, hahaha!"
Choked by Ash's words, Flint responded somewhat awkwardly. This response, to an outsider like Misty, still seemed reasonable.
There were many cities in a region, but not many towns had Gyms. Every Gym Leader was certified by the League and had to be an elite trainer to serve. So, citizens of a city with a Gym Leader would naturally feel proud.
"So that's how it is! Uncle didn't say, and I really would have thought Uncle was someone like Brock's father! But then again, having a Gym Leader son should be something to be proud of, there's no need to deny it."
"Unless this father did something wrong, right? Hehe! It's getting dark, let's not chat with Uncle anymore, Misty, let's go!"
Ash deliberately said this, and he could clearly feel Flint's body suddenly tense up, his hands resting on his knees suddenly clenching. It was clear that Ash had hit a nerve, making him feel ashamed.
Ash's words sounded normal, completely innocuous to anyone else, but in Flint's ears, they were purely sarcastic.
Yes! Any father of a Gym Leader should be proud, but unfortunately, he doesn't even qualify as a father.
He not only failed to achieve his dream of becoming a strong trainer but also became impoverished, reduced to selling rocks here. Although selling rocks was Pewter City's main industry, if he had done well in business, he wouldn't need to be in this secluded place.
So, for him, he was not only not a strong trainer but also not a qualified father, and his business was a failure. Ash's words made him even more ashamed.
And I had the nerve to proudly tell people who wanted to challenge the Pewter Gym that they were no match for Brock. What right do I, a father like this, have?
Ash ignored Flint's thoughts at this moment. Compared to now, he probably wouldn't want to scam them out of their travel expenses anymore, right?
"Okay!" Misty didn't pay any more attention to Flint, nor did she understand the meaning behind Ash's words. After all, she didn't know Flint's identity.
In her opinion, she even thought Ash had an exceptionally good temper, not getting angry despite being looked down upon. She didn't realize how much Ash's words had wounded him.
After watching Ash and Misty leave, Flint remained silent. A moment later, he murmured softly...
"Is it a coincidence? Coincidence or not, it seems Brock has met his match this time!"
Flint's mention of "coincidence" was because Ash's words made him self-doubt. Was he too proud because of Brock? Is that why this boy noticed something?
If he was indeed suspected because of those words, then it meant this young man was truly extraordinary.
With such keen observation skills, it definitely showed that this young man was no ordinary youth. His previous underestimation seemed to be unwarranted. The thought of him challenging the Pewter Gym also made his heart itch, wanting to see his showdown with Brock.
"That uncle is so weird, how can you stand it?" Walking along the road, Misty was still complaining.
"He's just a stranger. Why should I bother? I prefer to let my actions speak. When I defeat Brock, won't he be the one humiliated?" Ash shrugged indifferently.
"You're right, let's hurry to the Pokémon Center then!"
"Mm! Huh??" Ash also nodded, but suddenly his attention was drawn by a small roadside stall.
It was a roadside stall, similar to Flint's, with various ores, rocks, and some handicrafts displayed on the table. Ash couldn't help but stop and walk towards the handicrafts.
"What's wrong, Ash??" Misty also followed curiously. Ash glanced at the handicrafts on the table.
"Welcome, everything here is a fine product! Please feel free to look!" The boss saw a customer and immediately began to promote his goods.