Wu Neng's appearance gave Brock a choice: continue to stay at the Gym and become a Gym Leader, or pursue his dream of becoming a Breeder.
After hesitating for a few seconds, Brock stood in front of Wu Neng: "Father, I'm entrusting Jirou and the others to you. I have a lot to tell you, so listen carefully."
Wu Neng nodded solemnly. He knew without being told that his dereliction of duty as a father over the years would likely make Brock want to scold him fiercely. Let him scold, it was what he deserved, as long as Brock could vent his anger.
"Jirou likes red miso, Saburou likes white miso, and our little sister likes mixed miso, and also..."
"Wait, wait, wait! Let me get a notebook to write this down!" Brock unexpectedly reeled off many of his younger siblings' dietary habits and life habits they needed to remember.
There were so many habits that Wu Neng filled more than ten pages with notes. Wu Neng thought, it would have been better if he had just scolded him...
But at the same time, with so many habits, filling more than ten pages of notes, and Brock remembering them all, it was clear how difficult and responsible Brock's life had been over the years.
Ash and Xiao Xia watched from the side, exchanging helpless smiles. Then, Xiao Xia suddenly realized that she was still holding Ash's arm, with two soft mounds pressed against his arm.
Realizing this, Xiao Xia's face turned beet red, and she jumped away from Ash, then pretended to casually twirl her hair, glancing at Ash's reaction from the corner of her eye.
Ash seemed completely oblivious to Xiao Xia's close contact just now, instead listening intently to Brock.
This made Xiao Xia's pretty face twitch slightly. It wasn't that she had a great crush on Ash or anything; it was just that, normally, if a great beauty (as she called herself) pressed against someone, would there be no reaction at all? At least a blush! Is he really fifteen years old?
This little interlude quickly passed. After Brock finished giving instructions to his father, he packed his luggage and came back to Ash: "You've seen the situation. I wonder if you'd welcome me to join your team."
"Of course! I couldn't ask for more than to have a Breeder! And Brock, you're also a Gym Leader, so you can definitely teach me a lot!" Ash readily agreed.
"Heh heh, as long as I don't bother you guys. As for Gym Leaders..."
"Ah ah ah ah! It's almost time to head to the next city, isn't it?" Brock's words were cut off directly by Xiao Xia.
Ash looked at Xiao Xia, puzzled, not knowing why she suddenly had a fit.
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Only Brock understood the reason. As for Gym Leaders... there was actually another one in this team, but for some reason, Xiao Xia wanted to hide her identity.
...
After bidding farewell to Wu Neng, the three embarked on their journey. Increasing the team from two to three people actually had no negative impact; in fact, it was even better for Ash.
Although Brock wasn't a formal Breeder, having taken care of his younger siblings and managed the Gym all these years, he was second to none when it came to caring for both Pokémon and people.
After Brock joined, Ash and Xiao Xia finally no longer had to eat instant food, and the Pokémon no longer had to eat generic food.
However, customizing food for the two Pokémon would still take some time. Until then, Pikachu and the others would still have to eat generic rations.
Along the way, Brock curiously asked Ash where he learned the tactics involving Sleep Powder and Supersonic. Ash replied that he learned them from Professor Oak before he started his journey.
Even Xiao Xia knew Professor Oak's reputation, and Brock was naturally no exception. After learning that it was Professor Oak's teaching, Brock was not so surprised.
However, even with Professor Oak's guidance, being able to use tactics so precisely so soon after starting his journey and catching Pokémon was inseparable from Ash's talent.
After defeating Brock, it was already noon. Coupled with Brock packing his things and giving Wu Neng a list of instructions, it was already afternoon when they departed.
The scorching sun beat down, and even Xiao Xia, wearing a vest and short overalls, was sweating profusely. Midway, Xiao Xia even brought out Staryu to use Water Gun to cool down.
Along the way, the three also discussed where to go for the next city.
There were three cities close to Pewter City with Gyms: Viridian, Cerulean City, and Vermilion City.
The first one could be ruled out immediately; if Ash wanted to battle, he would have challenged it when he was in Viridian City. Comparing the routes for the remaining two, Ash decided to go to Hua Lan Gym first.
There were two reasons: first, Hua Lan Gym was a Water-type Gym, which was very advantageous for him with Pikachu; second, after reaching Cerulean City, they could then go to Vermilion City, as the distance between them was not far, and it could even be considered on the way.
Therefore, Hua Lan Gym was definitely Ash's top choice.
Despite Xiao Xia's constant dissuasion, Ash firmly chose to go to Cerulean City.
However, Ash also stated that as long as Xiao Xia gave him a reasonable reason, he could choose not to go to Cerulean City.
The reasons Xiao Xia gave were completely unreasonable, such as Hua Lan Gym being too easy or the Gym Leaders being fierce-looking women.
Such reasons could not stop Ash from challenging Hua Lan Gym.
Ultimately, Xiao Xia couldn't win against Ash and could only choose to go to Cerulean City with him. Brock had no objections; as long as he was out of Pewter City, anywhere was fine.
To go to Cerulean City, they had to pass through Mt. Moon. Mt. Moon was not as vast as Chang Pan Forest, so at a normal walking pace, they could reach Cerulean City in just two or three days.
By evening, the scorching heat had slightly subsided, and the three decided to set up camp just before entering Mt. Moon.
After all, going up the mountain at night was a bit risky, and since there was no rush, everyone chose to camp at the foot of the mountain.
Ash and Xiao Xia also tasted Brock's cooking for the first time. They had to admit, he truly lived up to his reputation as someone who single-handedly raised nine children. His cooking was simply delicious, leaving a lingering taste. Compared to Brock's dishes, what they had eaten before was simply pig slop!!
Ash also expressed his desire to learn cooking from Brock so that if Brock ever had to return to Ni Bi Gym, he wouldn't have to eat instant food. More importantly, Pikachu and the others wouldn't have to eat those tasteless Pokémon rations!
Brock readily agreed. He was more than happy to have someone learn cooking from him.
After eating and drinking their fill, the group chatted for a while, played with their Pokémon, and then prepared for bed. This bedtime was also Ash's nightlife—chatting in the group!