Inside Pewter Gym.
Jiro looked at Rainbow with a complicated expression, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.
“Um…
Rainbow, you can just call me Jiro.
You don’t have to add ‘Uncle.'”
“But you’re way older than me.” Rainbow tilted her head.
“And you’re Uncle Brock’s younger brother.
Isn’t calling you Uncle normal?”
Jiro slowly turned toward Brock.
His eyes clearly said, Brother, help me explain this.
Brock crossed his arms and replied expressionlessly.
“Don’t look at me.
She called me Uncle too.”
Jiro: “…”
Seeming to notice something was wrong, Rainbow carefully asked,
“Um…
did I say something wrong?”
Jiro took a deep breath and forced out a smile.
“No, no.
You can call me whatever you like.”
Then he turned to Brock.
“Brother, about today’s Gym Battle…”
“I’ll handle it,” Brock said.
Jiro blinked.
“You’re doing it?
I thought you said you usually stay out of Gym matters.”
“Misty’s daughter is different.”
Brock walked toward the battlefield.
“You stand off to the side and watch.
Learn something.”
Jiro opened his mouth as if he wanted to argue, but eventually just laughed and shook his head.
Then he shouted toward the surrounding Gym staff.
“Hey!
We’ve got a challenger!
My brother is battling personally, so everyone come watch!”
The entire Gym instantly became lively.
[VIP Chat Group]
Brock: That brat…
Even in a parallel world, Jiro is still unreliable.
Gary: Looks like younger brothers enjoy watching their older brothers make fools of themselves no matter the universe.
Brock: …You have a point.
Ash: Brock, you’re battling personally!
Are you nervous?
Brock: Why would I be nervous?
Ash: Because you’re fighting Rainbow!
She’s going to be a future Water-Type Elite Four member!
Brock: That’s the future.
Right now she’s just a ten-year-old girl.
Daisy: Brock, if you bully Rainbow, be careful.
Misty might come all the way to Pewter City to settle the score.
Brock: How is that bullying?!
I’m just giving her some guidance!
Misty: …
Brock: Ha…
haha…
Let’s just keep watching the video.
The video continued.
Inside the Gym.
Brock stood on one side of the battlefield while Rainbow stood on the other.
Jiro took his place as referee and waited for both sides to prepare.
“Rainbow.”
“Did your father ever teach you what the most important thing is when facing Rock-type Pokémon?”
Rainbow thought for a moment before answering seriously.
“Don’t fight head-on.
Use the flexibility and type advantage of Water-types to find the weaknesses of Rock-types.”
“And?”
Rainbow tilted her head.
“…If you’re not sure what to do, run first?”
Brock’s mouth twitched.
“Your father taught you that?”
Rainbow scratched her head awkwardly.
“Yeah…
He said, ‘A gentleman can take revenge ten years later if necessary.’ But Mom said that was terrible advice and told me not to listen to him.”
[VIP Chat Group]
Ash: HAHAHAHAHA!
“If you’re not sure what to do, run first”?!
Gary: …What kind of parenting is that?
Misty: I told you he was unreliable!!!
See?!
What kind of nonsense is he teaching our daughter?!
Brock: But…
from a tactical perspective, he’s actually not wrong.
Misty: ???
Brock, what did you just say???
Brock: Strategic retreat is also a tactical option!
I don’t mean literally running away!
It’s about judging the situation properly!
Misty: That’s enough.
Stop talking.
Lorelei: Hehe.
Asher Winter may sound unserious, but when you think about it, a lot of what he says actually makes sense.
Bruno: Exactly!
A true warrior knows when to attack and when to retreat!
The video continued.
Brock cleared his throat and brought the conversation back on track.
“What your father said…
isn’t completely wrong.”
Rainbow’s eyes lit up.
“Really?”
“But it’s not entirely right either.”
Brock changed tone.
“When facing Rock-types, the most important thing isn’t running.
It’s knowing where the rocks are coming from.”
Rainbow tilted her head.
“Huh?”
Brock took a Poké Ball from his pocket and tossed it lightly.
A flash of red light burst forth.
A Tyranitar appeared in the center of the field.
Its massive body occupied nearly half the battlefield, and at the same time, a fierce sandstorm swept across the arena.
“Rock-type attacks are rarely simple straight-line attacks.”
Brock’s voice became serious.
“Rock Slide, Stone Edge, Stealth Rock…
the trajectories of these moves can all be predicted.
If you can figure out where the rocks will fall, you’ll find openings to dodge.”
Rainbow looked up at Tyranitar.
Its enormous figure was reflected in her golden eyes.
“But…
it’s so huge…”
She swallowed nervously.
“Wouldn’t its attacks cover a huge area too?”
“That’s right.” The source of this chapter is g.com.
Brock nodded.
“Which is why dodging alone isn’t enough.”
He raised a hand.
Tyranitar casually swept its tail.
A large boulder at the edge of the battlefield shattered into pieces.
“Rock-type Pokémon possess tremendous strength and defense.
Water-type attacks are effective, but if they lack power, hitting them is like scratching an itch.”
Rainbow’s expression grew serious.
“Then…
what should I do?”
Brock looked at her and smiled faintly.
“What do you think?”
[VIP Chat Group]
May: Brock is testing her now!
Lance: This is what a real Gym Battle should be.
It’s not merely a battle.
It’s guiding challengers to think about how to achieve victory.
Cynthia: Brock’s teaching style…
reminds me a little of Lucian.
Lucian: Haha, it really is quite similar to my approach.
Diantha: Cynthia, you’re paying attention to these things too?
Cynthia: Of course.
Observing how different trainers teach can reveal a lot.
The video continued.
Rainbow lowered her head and glanced at the Poké Balls on her belt before looking back at Tyranitar.
Brock seemed to notice what she was thinking.
He smiled.
“Rainbow, do you know the true meaning of a Gym Battle?”
Rainbow paused.
“…To test a trainer’s strength?”
“That’s part of it.”
Brock nodded.
“But more importantly…”
His voice softened.
“A Gym Battle allows challengers to see themselves clearly.
To understand what their Pokémon can do, what they can’t do, and then discover the direction they need to grow.”
Brock chuckled.
“So when the battle begins, all you need to do is trust your Pokémon.
Show me the strength of your bond and the power you’ve built together.”
[VIP Chat Group]
Ash: Here it comes!
Here it comes!
Gary: Why are you so excited?
Ash: Because it’s a Gym Battle!
Gary: You’re not the one battling.
Ash: I can still be excited!
Misty: …Can you two be quiet?
Lorelei: Hehe.
Misty, are you nervous?
Misty: Why would I be nervous?
Lorelei: Because it’s your daughter battling.
Misty: …A little.
Daisy: Hahaha!
That’s what being a mother feels like!
Misty: Daisy, can you stop laughing?!
Daisy: Okay, okay, I won’t laugh.
Daisy: …Pfft.
Misty: …
The stage was set.
Rainbow’s first Gym Battle was finally about to begin.