Chapter 36: Grandma Mizue!

"Are those three the current trainers of the Cerulean Gym?"

"Yes," answered Misty. "Just like me, they're only temporary Gym Leaders. Grandma Mizue is already quite old, and with her status as a former Elite Four-level trainer, she can't personally handle every battle anymore."

"How pathetic," Ash muttered. "To think that even as the granddaughters of someone like Mizuharu, they're still stuck at early-stage Senior rank. You're better than them, Misty. When you took over as the acting Gym Leader, you were already mid-tier Elite. Even if you're not the strongest, you still had late Senior-level power."

Ash and Brock were watching the Water Flowers of Cerulean perform their ballet show from the audience. Ash looked on with clear disdain.

"No wonder Cerulean Gym has the reputation of being the weakest in Kanto," Ash said, eyes narrowed in contempt. "With granddaughters like that, I bet Mizuharu has constant headaches."

In this world, there are all kinds of professions, but the most popular revolve around Pokémon cultivation—trainers, breeders, coordinators. Of course, entertainment has its place too, with models, actors, and singers raking in plenty of Pokédollars.

But the ballet performance the Cerulean sisters put on? Garbage. Maybe they're known in Cerulean City, but in the broader world? Laughable. Their show wouldn't even make a ripple.

Most of the audience were men, probably drawn in more by the sisters' looks than any actual talent. The ballet itself? At best, slightly above average. Nowhere near professional.

After discussing Full Restore Capsule distribution with Masaki Oak, Ash and Brock had come to Cerulean City. What shocked Ash was that the Cerulean Gym had been transformed into some kind of ballet-aquarium hybrid!

"Let's go." After the ballet ended, Ash said to Brock and made his way backstage. They entered a corridor behind the stage.

"Who are you two? Fans? If you want an interview, you need to go through our management first," said the three sisters, spotting them in the hallway. Mistaking the pair for fans, they struck proud poses.

"Who'd want to interview you three nobodies?" Ash scoffed. "I'm here to challenge Mizuharu. If it's left to you clowns, you're just tarnishing the Gym's name."

Ash couldn't stand their self-indulgence. Pretending to be celebrities while neglecting the Gym? No wonder Cerulean was the weakest Gym in Kanto—it was run by glorified stage performers.

The three sisters—Daisy, Violet, and Lily—each had different hair colors: Daisy with light pink medium-length hair, Violet with long blue hair, and Lily with long golden hair.

"You…!"

"Who are you to speak to us like that?!"

"Yeah! Just because you want to challenge our grandmother doesn't mean we'll let you. Get lost!"

Having always been surrounded by adoring fans, this was the first time the sisters had been talked to like this. They were furious.

"Oh, please," Ash replied coldly. "Cerulean's Cascade Badge is the easiest badge to earn in all of Kanto. It's practically given away for free."

"And if you're not going to accept my challenge, fine. I'll report you to the League and request a temporary shutdown of the Cerulean Gym," he added. "A Gym Leader can't refuse to battle based on personal feelings. That's against regulations."

"Hmph! So you're that brat," came a voice from behind.

An elderly woman, about the same age as Brock's grandfather Garan, appeared before them. Her presence immediately calmed the room.

"Grandma Mizue! How have you been? Do you remember me?" Brock greeted warmly upon seeing her.

"Brock, of course I remember you. Your grandfather contacted me just a few days ago," Mizuharu replied kindly. Her eyes then turned toward Ash.

Before Ash had defeated Garan, the old man had informed several of his old friends—Mizuharu among them—about Ash's strength. Upon hearing that Ash had bested Garan's main Pokémon, she'd been deeply impressed.

"So you're Ash. I've heard a lot about you," Mizuharu said after looking him up and down.

"Yes, ma'am," Ash replied respectfully. "I'm Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town. I've come to challenge you for the Cascade Badge."

Even though he had no patience for the three sisters, Ash still treated Mizuharu with the respect due to a veteran trainer, especially one of her stature—once worthy of the title of King-tier.

As they walked toward the battlefield, Mizuharu turned to Ash. "Tell me, what do you think of my granddaughters' abilities?"

"It's not good enough," Ash said bluntly, responding to Mizuharu's question. "By Gym Leader standards, they wouldn't even qualify."

His words were direct—he wasn't one to sugarcoat the truth.

"You…!!"

"You jerk!"

"Grandma, did you hear what he just said?!"

The three sisters immediately erupted in anger, pointing fingers at Ash, their faces flushed with indignation.

"Enough!" Mizuharu snapped, her voice sharp and commanding. "The three of you still haven't matured. Ash is right! If it weren't for Misty, do you think I'd tolerate your antics this long?"

Among her four granddaughters, only Misty had real talent and potential. Mizuharu had always intended for Misty to inherit the Cerulean Gym. But Misty was still young—too inexperienced to settle down. That's why, reluctantly, Mizuharu had left the Gym in the hands of the three older sisters while Misty traveled. She hadn't expected them to run Cerulean Gym into the ground and make it the weakest in Kanto in less than a year.

"I saw Misty when I first started traveling," Ash added. "She was already stronger than these three. No wonder you left the Gym to them temporarily. But eventually, it's obvious Misty will be the one to take over. She's the real successor."

As Ash spoke, Mizuharu remained silent, clearly agreeing with his assessment.

"Hmph! What's so great about Misty? If that ugly duckling can inherit the Gym, why can't we?!" protested Daisy, pouting in frustration.

"Oh please," Ash sneered. "You're in no position to insult Misty. If she's an 'ugly duckling,' then you three are… well, just empty vases. Your ballet is mediocre, your battling is worse, and all you seem good for is laundry and cooking."

He looked at Daisy with a smirk, voice heavy with disdain. "You talk big, but all you've done is disgrace the Cerulean Gym."

Mizuharu still said nothing. She didn't need to. She knew better than anyone what her three granddaughters were like.

…

TN:

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