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As a Rookie Trainer who had only been traveling for less than half a month, even if Ash didn't understand a lot of knowledge, he still knew one thing: a Gym badge shouldn't be something so easily obtained.
For example, when he faced Brock, on the surface, he seemed to handle it very easily, almost beating Brock without any ability to fight back, defeating him with overwhelming force. But in reality, he was only dealing with Brock's lowest difficulty challenge.
Moreover, Ash was influenced by Tactician Ash to come up with such tactics. As a tactical master, even Champion-level Trainers would get a headache when facing him, so isn't it normal to tactically crush a Gym Leader?
In summary, a Gym badge is actually not something that can be obtained so easily; it is a token that can only be given after the Gym Leader determines if the challenger is qualified and gives them sufficient trials.
If other Gyms were all like Cerulean Gym, casually giving out Gym badges, then wouldn't the entire Kanto League, and even the Pokémon League, be in chaos?
Therefore, even Ash didn't quite understand the actions of Violet and Lily.
"A Gym badge is just the result; isn't the process of challenging a Gym what's important? If you just give me the Gym badge like this, I won't get any improvement. What's the difference between that and not getting a badge at all?" Ash frowned slightly, saying with some displeasure.
Challenging Gyms and improving himself was the simplest, most direct, and brutal method of self-improvement that the big shots in the group had outlined for him. As the number of badges obtained increased, the difficulty of later Gym challenges would also grow.
This gradual challenge would also allow Ash to receive corresponding trials at different stages and improve himself when overcoming those trials.
After defeating Brock, Butterfree's level directly increased, and Pikachu also advanced to intermediate level and quickly stabilized within just one day.
This is the benefit of challenging a Gym that matches one's level: one won't fail to gain experience points due to being too weak, nor will one be severely beaten due to being too strong.
But what was the deal with Cerulean Gym? They just gave him the badge directly. Then he would become a Trainer with two badges, and when he faced the third Gym, the difficulty would probably become chaotic.
He wanted experience! Battle experience!!
However, after Ash spoke out, looking at the three beautiful, innocent-looking faces in front of him, he suddenly realized that even if he fought these three, he wouldn't gain any experience.
What's the point of defeating Trainers of this level? Could he improve? That was definitely not going to happen.
Thinking of this, Ash felt a little tired for a moment. He regretted not listening to Misty and not coming to Cerulean Gym. Although there weren't the fierce women Misty talked about, this place was indeed quite unqualified as a Gym for training.
"Since you've said so, then I'll accept your challenge. The challenge rule is one-on-one, and I only have..." Just as Daisy reluctantly prepared to accept Ash's challenge, the tightly closed back door burst open, and a clear voice sounded behind Ash.
"Your challenge to Cerulean Gym will be accepted by me, the true Gym Leader of Cerulean Gym!"
Ash looked over upon hearing this. Standing at the doorway, uttering these righteous words, was none other than Misty, who had left the group earlier.
Suddenly, Ash's expression became incredibly strange. He looked at the Cerulean Three Sisters, then at Misty, his mouth opening and closing as if to speak, his finger pointing back and forth between the three sisters and Misty, looking utterly confused.
The big shots in the group had mentioned once that Misty was the Gym Leader of Cerulean Gym. At the time, Ash hadn't paid much attention, only thinking that it seemed a bit unscientific for Misty, who was similar in age to him, to already be a Gym Leader.
But considering Misty's outstanding knowledge and her powerful Pokémon, it seemed not impossible.
However, later, Misty continuously disparaged Cerulean Gym, even saying that the Gym Leader of Cerulean Gym was a fierce-looking person, which made Ash dismiss the idea that Misty was the Cerulean Gym Leader.
The development of parallel worlds is different. In other worlds, Misty might be the Cerulean Gym Leader, but in his world, it might not be so.
After arriving at Cerulean Gym and seeing the Cerulean Three Sisters, Ash had already confirmed his thoughts.
But then Misty suddenly appeared, claiming to be the Cerulean Gym Leader, which made him feel utterly bewildered.
No, if you're the Cerulean Gym Leader, why are you disparaging your own Gym so much? And constantly saying bad things about yourself! Is that how you play?
Seeing Ash so confused, Misty's pretty face couldn't help but show a hint of apology. Then she briefly introduced her identity — the legitimate successor of Cerulean Gym, the youngest of the Cerulean Four Sisters.
"You... no wonder you didn't want me to come to Cerulean Gym. So you didn't want me to come to your territory!"
"What do you mean 'my territory,' that sounds awful, okay? I didn't want you to come to Cerulean Gym because I told my sisters I wouldn't come back until I became a strong Trainer, but you stubborn mule wouldn't listen to me and insisted on coming, so I could only come back with you!" Misty rolled her eyes.
If it weren't for her earlier quarrel with her three sisters, she wouldn't have been afraid to return to Cerulean Gym.
The result now was that she had made such a big threat, only to return in less than a month. This was a bit embarrassing in front of her sisters.
But there was no other way. Losing face in front of her sisters was better than letting Cerulean Gym lose face in front of Ash!
Anyone could look down on Cerulean Gym, but Ash couldn't! She didn't know why, but that's what Misty thought. She didn't want Ash to look down on Cerulean Gym, so she still stepped forward, even knowing she would lose face.
"Misty, you're back!"
"Didn't you make a vow before that you wouldn't come back until you became a Water-type Pokémon Master? How did you come back so quickly?"
As Misty expected, her sisters started scolding her as soon as they saw her.
But Violet and Lily had barely finished a sentence when Daisy blocked them with her fair, delicate hand, stopping their scolding.
"Alright, Misty is back to help us now. To be honest, we are far behind Misty in terms of battling. You've also felt how hard it has been to be the Gym Leader during this time, haven't you?" Daisy's words made the two women silently swallow the words they wanted to continue saying.
During this time, with Misty gone, the three of them took turns as Gym Leader and were then repeatedly beaten soundly.
This also made them realize how excessive their previous words to Misty had been. They worked hard earning money by performing water ballet, but Misty also worked very hard guarding the Gym, perhaps even more so than them.
Their previous scolding of Misty was just an unconscious act, as they had been used to bickering with Misty for a long time.
"Misty, I'm entrusting Cerulean Gym to you again." Daisy walked up to Misty and handed her the water drop badge.
"Big Sister Daisy... don't worry, I will protect the honor of Cerulean Gym! Ash, let's battle!" Misty took the water drop badge from Daisy's palm, then said to Ash with high spirits.
"Gladly! I can finally battle you, Misty!!"
...A moment later, the two arrived at the battle arena of Cerulean Gym. As a Water-type Gym, Cerulean Gym naturally used a Water-type field. Misty and Ash stood at opposite ends of the field, and the former began to explain the rules to Ash.
"The rules for this match are a bit special. Ash, you can send out three Pokémon, while I will only use one. But I will use my strongest Pokémon to battle you. What do you think, do you accept these rules?"