After the special training ended, Kashiwagi could clearly feel that the Ranch Uncle and his Pokémon had changed. Perhaps their levels had increased?
Regardless, in the subsequent Cianwood Gym challenge, he very easily defeated Chuck, who used a one-badge difficulty setting. At the end of the match, the two middle-aged men looked at each other and smiled, their powerful arms locked in a firm handshake.
[You defeated Cianwood Gym Leader Chuck and earned the Storm Badge.]
[You heard Chuck's wife teasing him about his "spare tire" belly and felt a bit awkward—because you have one too.]
The fatal weakness of middle-aged men... the "General's Belly." However, with the Ranch Uncle's physique, that spare tire was likely a buffer layer, making him a "tanky" warrior who could both take hits and dish them out.
Well, Pokémon battles don't usually require the Trainer to step into the ring.
As Kashiwagi thought this, the Ranch Uncle had already run back to show off his two badges to his daughter. Combined with the relaxing music Terry was playing in the car, the scene felt uniquely heartwarming. The simulator even gave a special shot of the pasture: the daughter's Ponyta was snuggling with the Uncle's Rapidash, while Tauros and Ampharos each had offspring of their own.
People reach middle age, and Pokémon reach middle age too, finding their own place in the world. A "Middle-Aged Idol Group" participating in the Conference together? Kashiwagi, just turned seventeen, hugged Chansey and began to wonder if he would still have that kind of mindset when he reached thirty.
-----
On the light screen, the Ranch Uncle stayed home for one night before heading toward Goldenrod City, which was closer than Ecruteak. Kashiwagi wondered if he'd know Whitney, too; since he knew Chuck and Jasmine, knowing Whitney wouldn't be a stretch.
Just as he suspected, the Uncle's car suddenly stopped on the highway. The camera panned up to reveal a massive flock of Psyduck blocking the road completely.
[You learned from Officer Jenny that these Psyduck are blocking the road due to severe headaches. A Breeder has been dispatched, but you'll have to wait a while.]
[You decide to step in and help the Psyduck yourself.]
As a professional Breeder, the Uncle's battle skills might still be rusty, but his breeding knowledge was top-tier. He knew exactly how to soothe a Psyduck's headache. Unfortunately, the graphics were too simple for Kashiwagi to see exactly what he did—no chance to learn that trick here. Under the Uncle's care, the flock soon dispersed, and Officer Jenny thanked him.
Just as he was about to leave, the Uncle spotted a Pokémon Egg lying in the middle of the road.
[You intended to hand the egg to Officer Jenny, but after learning you are a Breeder, she insisted that it should be raised by you.]
[You accepted.]
Is the [Maternal Aura] talent kicking in? Kashiwagi knew that to go far as a Breeder, one needed a heart that truly loved Pokémon. The Ranch Uncle might be a burly man, but he didn't lack affection for them. He was curious to see what would hatch, but the system didn't specify the species yet.
The Uncle got back on the road. Thanks to his vehicle, he soon arrived at Goldenrod City and went straight to the Gym to see Whitney. Unsurprisingly, he knew her.
Whitney's grandfather, Milton, ran a Moomoo Farm just like the Uncle. She had already heard about the daughter being teased and the Uncle's comeback tour. Whitney proactively offered to help him with special training to master more battle techniques.
The Uncle initially thought about refusing, but then decided more skills were always better. Cue another long training montage. Rapidash and the others benefited greatly.
Interestingly, a Aipom at the Gym took a liking to the Uncle—it seemed to admire his raw hand strength, especially the power of his "Big Slaps." Whitney generously let him have the Aipom. In the world of Breeders, finding a Pokémon a Trainer it likes better is common practice; it's a mutual choice.
[You obtained Aipom. Your party for the Gym circuit run has grown.]
With a new companion, the Uncle challenged the Gym. The results of the training were evident. Although he and his Pokémon were older, they weren't so old that it hindered their performance. The training had awakened their dormant battle memories. He secured the Plain Badge smoothly.
After the challenge, the Uncle bought a bunch of gifts in the metropolis, brought them home, and said his goodbyes. Since he was heading to eastern Johto, he wouldn't be able to commute daily anymore. He would be staying on the road.
His daughter was reluctant to let him go but understood he was doing this for her and for his own youthful dreams. She held back her tears to cheer him on. He promised to call every day, shared a tender moment with his wife, and set out again.
-----
First stop: Ecruteak City. As the city that best represented Johto's traditional style, the Uncle had spent a lot of time playing here with friends in his youth. He spent some time sightseeing and buying local specialties before challenging the Gym.
To Kashiwagi's slight disappointment, the Uncle didn't know Morty. It seemed he wasn't connected to every Gym Leader.
The battle began.
Since Morty specialized in Ghost-types and the Uncle relied heavily on Normal-types, it was a tough fight. However, thanks to the sheer physical grit of Rapidash and Ampharos, he pulled through.
[You defeated Morty and earned the Fog Badge.]
Kashiwagi watched the pixelated Uncle sprite shaking with excitement. He suspected that if the rules allowed it, the Uncle would have charged across the field to slap Morty's Gengar himself. Physical-style Trainers are always so straightforward and blunt.