Before crossing over, Nozomi had assumed that every Pokémon Trainer would be like Ash—fiery, passionate, and brimming with fighting spirit.
But reality proved that every world had its share of slackers.
"Alright then," Nozomi thought, harboring no disdain. Everyone had their own way of living, and it wasn't his place to interfere.
He nodded to Yuuji. "Since your destination is also the Cerulean Gym, let's go together."
With that, he led the way forward.
Yuuji immediately quickened his pace to follow.
"Boss, this is your first time in Cerulean City, right?" Yuuji said as they walked. "If you come here, you can't miss the Cerulean Trio's synchronized swimming performance at the Cerulean Gym. It's absolutely spectacular!"
"Oh? You've been here before?" Nozomi asked.
"Once! I watched the Cerulean Trio perform, and they were breathtakingly beautiful," Yuuji said, his eyes glazing over in admiration.
Nozomi clicked his tongue.
Besides being weak and fond of taking shortcuts, he now noticed another flaw in his cheap little subordinate.
"So, you still want to challenge the Cerulean Gym?"
"Watching the swimming show doesn't conflict with challenging the Gym," Yuuji said matter-of-factly.
He had a point Nozomi couldn't argue with.
Still, Nozomi doubted whether he'd remain so calm when he actually saw the Cerulean Trio.
…
Cerulean Gym, Cerulean City
Unlike the Pewter Gym in Pewter City, the Cerulean Gym was closer to the city center. Its surroundings were lively rather than isolated, giving it a bustling vibe.
Even before reaching the Gym, Nozomi could hear thunderous applause echoing from inside.
"Is it really that exaggerated?" he murmured.
After presenting his trainer credentials to the doorman, Nozomi pushed the door open.
Inside, he was met with a sea of people.
The stands surrounded a massive swimming pool at the center. While not completely full, the audience occupancy had surpassed eighty percent.
Though the figure might not seem high, for the Cerulean Trio, who frequently held synchronized swimming shows, it was still impressive.
Unfortunately, they seemed to have arrived at the wrong time. As they entered, the performance was already concluding.
Nozomi and Yuuji only caught sight of the Cerulean Trio bowing in the water to the audience.
"What a pity!"
Yuuji's face fell. "It ended so early?"
He was disappointed. The reason he had hurried with Nozomi to the Cerulean Gym, instead of waiting at a Pokémon Center to restore his team's energy, was to watch this performance. Yet he had arrived a step too late.
"I think it's perfect timing," Nozomi said with a faint smile. "The show is over, which means we can challenge the Gym immediately instead of waiting around."
He felt no regret.
Being able to start the Gym challenge right away meant he could save time instead of sitting through a synchronized swimming show.
"If you want to become an excellent Trainer, you should spend more time training your Pokémon," Nozomi said to Yuuji.
Since Yuuji acknowledged him as his boss, Nozomi thought it necessary to give his subordinate some guidance.
Upon hearing he could potentially grow stronger, Yuuji perked up.
"Boss, are you saying I can become as strong as you?"
Yuuji's eyes widened.
Having always been at the bottom, no one had ever said this to him. For a moment, Yuuji's eyes glistened with tears.
"It's impossible to reach my level in a short time," Nozomi said gently, not wanting to crush his spirit. "But with enough training, you can become far stronger than you are now. Challenging a Gym won't feel so difficult."
Nozomi had already noticed during their battles that Trainers like Yuuji, though weak, didn't necessarily have Pokémon without potential.
If Yuuji devoted some time to training his team, he could see significant improvement.
"I'll train hard… I understand, Boss!" Yuuji nodded earnestly.
"Remember, don't just train blindly. Focus on your Pokémon's strengths, engage in frequent battles, and refine your synergy with them," Nozomi explained, sharing some of his experience.
Yuuji immediately took out a notebook and began recording everything diligently.
As one spoke and the other took notes, Nozomi soon realized that the stands were beginning to empty. Spectators trickled out, leaving the Cerulean Gym almost deserted.
Only Nozomi, Yuuji, and a few other Trainers remained.
"You two are…" Daisy, one of the Cerulean Trio, spoke first.
"We're Pokémon Trainers here to challenge the Cerulean Gym," Nozomi replied.
"Trainers? I thought you were fans coming for autographs," Lily said, a hint of disappointment on her face.
"Please, mind your manners," Daisy scolded. "Apologies, everyone. Please follow me."