[Rock Will (Red): You possess a will as strong as stone. When the Trainer shouts "Hold on!" and your stamina is depleted, you have a 50% chance to restore 5% of your stamina through sheer willpower.]
Equipment exploded… No, it was the items that exploded!
Ash looked at the red item that dropped after defeating Onix.
He was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized—
A red entry had dropped this time!
And it wasn't one of those useless red entries, but a rule-type one!
Before this, Ash had also obtained red entries.
But those were truly disappointing.
Either they increased speed only under certain conditions, or boosted a move's power when flying at high altitude.
While those effects weren't completely bad,
The limitations attached to them were far too troublesome.
So Ash had simply used those entries to feed experience points into his entry system.
But now, after defeating an advanced Onix, a genuine red rule-type entry dropped!
Simply put, this entry meant—
When a Pokémon was on the verge of defeat, it would be judged by the system.
There was a 50% chance it could instantly revive on the spot and recover 5% of its stamina!
This effect was practically divine in the middle of battle!
If this entry was placed on a Pokémon with immense endurance,
It would be an absolute nightmare for any opponent!
It's like fighting tooth and nail to knock out a Pokémon,
Only for it to suddenly stand back up again!
If luck favored you, the power of this entry could even rival that of a golden one!
Ash didn't have a Pokémon that perfectly suited this entry yet.
If there was a fit in the future… perhaps Snorlax would be the best candidate.
But that was a matter for later.
After receiving the entry, Brock also recalled his fainted Onix.
"You won this battle. Here is the Boulder Badge. Take it."
Brock took out a badge shaped like a gray gem and handed it to Ash.
Ash accepted it and pinned it to the inner lining of his jacket.
He had obtained his first Gym Badge!
"Thank you, Brock, for allowing me to challenge you!"
"Pika-Pi!"
Ash and Pikachu shared a fist bump.
Brock blinked, puzzled by the strange gesture.
What kind of ritual was that?
But judging by Ash's polite tone, it seemed to be a sign of respect.
"Ash, you must be an experienced Trainer. Your battle timing and command of moves are far beyond my imagination!"
At this time, Misty and Serena came over, having overheard Brock's words.
Misty quickly interrupted, "Ash has only been traveling for less than two weeks!"
"What?! Only two weeks? You mean he reached this level in just two weeks?!"
Brock's eyes widened in disbelief.
Then, his expression turned thoughtful.
Suddenly, he remembered something.
"Come to think of it, a few Trainers from Pallet Town came here to challenge me not long ago."
"One of them, Gary, was very strong too. It seems Pallet Town really hides some incredible talents!"
Brock sighed with admiration.
Although the Pewter Gym was known as the starting point for many new Trainers,
It was still a true Gym with real standards.
Even when he didn't use his full strength, it was enough to defeat most rookies.
But recently, he had been losing repeatedly—
Four times in a row!
All to new Trainers from Pallet Town.
It was clear that Pallet Town was no ordinary place.
"Hey, who's stronger then? That Gary guy or Ash?" Misty asked curiously.
Brock thought for a moment.
"Hm… probably Ash. Gary's strong, but I think there's still a gap between them."
That was actually a polite way to put it.
In truth, there was no comparison at all.
Both had challenged him using Water-type Pokémon.
Gary had struggled to defeat his team.
But Ash?
Froakie had taken down Geodude in seconds,
And then Pidgeotto—whose type was completely countered—had utterly dominated Onix!
Brock could tell the Pokémon levels weren't far apart.
The real difference lay in the Trainers themselves.
From Ash's clever tactics and his quick thinking,
Brock could tell the boy was on a completely different level.
To put it simply—Ash had crushed him!
Then, another question popped into Brock's mind.
"By the way, Ash, can I ask why your Pidgeotto can use Water Gun?"
It was the question that had bothered him since the start of the battle.
Honestly, Brock's strategy hadn't even been at 80% of his usual standard this time.
Ninety percent of that distraction was because of that one shocking moment—
When Pidgeotto fired a Water Gun.
It had completely broken his rhythm!
A Pidgeotto using Water Gun?
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would've thought anyone who said that was insane!
How could a Pidgeotto possibly learn Water Gun?
But the fact had been right there before him, undeniable.
So now, Brock couldn't resist asking.
If Pidgeotto could learn Water Gun, did that mean his Onix could one day learn Solar Beam or something?
Misty and Serena were equally curious.
Especially Misty—she had wanted to ask this question for a long time.
But Ash had been too focused on the battle earlier, and afterward, he was talking to Brock,
So she hadn't found the right time.
Now she would finally hear the truth!
Ash, still in high spirits from his victory, didn't mind explaining.
"Actually… my Pidgeotto is just incredibly gifted. He can learn any skill or move that other Pokémon can't."
Brock: …
Misty: …
Both were completely speechless.
Did he seriously just say that?
"Can learn any moves"?
Was that supposed to be a joke?
Even Arceus wouldn't say something that exaggerated!
Brock and Misty both thought Ash was just brushing off the question.
After all, letting a Flying-type learn a Water-type move was simply impossible to explain casually.
But Serena knew Ash better than anyone.
He never lied without reason.
If he didn't want to say something, he would stay silent.
But if he spoke—he meant it.
So... could Ash's Pidgeotto really learn any move?
(End of the chapter)