Pokemon: With Title System

Chapter 91 - Misty and Brock

Green had been deep in thought ever since leaving the Gym.

She replayed everything she had seen and heard since meeting Asahi—from the Rocket Game Corner to Lt. Surge's downfall.

And then, she thought about his history as a Ranger, where he had captured countless poachers.

…Could it be?

Had Asahi's actions always been for the good of the League?

With just one person's efforts, he had single-handedly disrupted Team Rocket's operations, achieving what the League had failed to do for years.

Forget what he said—his actions told the real story.

From that perspective… Asahi truly was the heart of the League.

"…So this is the real you, huh?"

Green looked at him, her expression one of realization.

Asahi noticed her stare and frowned. "What's with that look?"

"Don't tell me… you actually believed what those guys said?"

He sighed, exasperated. "I was just running my mouth. I'm not some 'moral pillar of the League.'"

Green's expression said, 'Yeah, sure.'

She wasn't buying it.

Everything he had done—the evidence was right there.

"…Whatever, believe what you want." Asahi gave up.

If people wanted to idolize him, then fine. It wasn't like it was a bad thing.

Green smirked. "So, where to next? Pewter Gym?"

She was eager.

Being an examiner was fun.

But Asahi wasn't in any rush.

"No need to hurry." He stretched lazily. "Let's get some lunch first."

"I didn't get to try the high-end restaurants in Cerulean City last time. Let's fix that now."

---

Meanwhile, in Blueport City…

Ash, Brock, and Pikachu had just finished a grueling shift at their temporary part-time jobs.

Even Pikachu was sprawled out on the sand, exhausted.

Ash and Brock slumped over a table, completely drained.

"Why do we have to work here?!" Misty finally snapped.

She had been looking forward to relaxing, but instead, she was stuck working.

An old man, the owner of Sea House, scoffed. "Because you three wrecked my boat! Until you pay me back, you're not going anywhere!"

Misty slumped, utterly defeated.

Then, suddenly—her communicator rang.

Too tired to care, she picked it up.

"…This is Misty, and I'm already dead inside. If this isn't urgent, call me tomorrow…"

She was about to hang up.

But then—her eldest sister's voice came through.

"Misty, we have some bad news."

"…What is it?"

Her tone was indifferent. What could possibly be worse than this?

"Well… the League's Gym Evaluator came by today."

"…Okay?"

"And… we failed."

Misty froze.

"What…?"

Her sister sighed. "Cerulean Gym has been put on mandatory restructuring for 60 days. If we fail the re-evaluation… we lose the Gym."

She explained everything.

Misty, now completely awake, stared blankly at the sea.

Her voice trembled.

"…You guys…"

"…I…"

She struggled for words.

Her sisters had one job.

And they had completely screwed it up.

"…You… you lost the Gym?!"

"Wait for me, I'm heading back right now!"

Misty turned to Ash and Brock, who were busy figuring out how to pay off their debt, and said, "Something urgent came up at the gym… I need to go back immediately."

Ash was confused. What kind of emergency could happen at a gym?

Brock, being a gym trainer himself, was more perceptive. "What happened?"

Misty gave them a quick, concise explanation.

"The League has started a new round of gym assessments. My three sisters messed things up, and Cerulean Gym has been ordered to undergo renovations... Brock, you should probably check on your own gym too."

With that, Misty rushed off to the rental Pokémon flight service in Lampul.

"Gym assessment…?"

Ash still didn't quite get it.

But Brock's expression darkened as he processed Misty's words.

Even though he had left Onix at the gym and his father was overseeing things, it still didn't feel secure enough.

If his guess was right, this assessment was likely related to Lt. Surge's Rocket Team ties being exposed.

Realizing this, Brock knew he had to return. Pewter Gym was too important—it was his family's livelihood.

Brock grabbed Ash by the shoulders. "Ash, I need to go back to my gym too. I'm leaving this to you! I'll be back in a while!"

With that, he ran off after Misty, heading for the rental flying Pokémon service.

Leaving behind Ash and Pikachu, staring at each other in bewilderment.

"What the heck is going on!?"

Ash was completely lost. How did he suddenly end up alone?

Just then, Grandpa Yagi emerged from the Beach House. Seeing that only Ash remained, his face changed, and he eyed Ash warily.

"Where did the other two go? Listen, don't even think about running away!"

Ash and Pikachu suddenly remembered—they still had a debt to pay.

Three people had turned into one.

Now he had to do three times the work. Just thinking about it made Ash feel hopeless.

But at that moment, he suddenly noticed a familiar figure…