The dream of becoming a Pokémon master

Bob was a bald old man.

He is also an old man with many stories to tell.

In his youth, he had a thick head of hair and had participated in wars, making countless contributions to the League alongside his beloved Pokémon.

When he grew old and bald, all he wanted was to return to his hometown, Red Lotus Island.

Blaine declined the Elite Four invitation and chose to become the Gym Leader of Cinnabar Island.

Despite refusing the Elite Four appointment and choosing to become a gym leader in a small town, the League did not conceal Blaine's great achievements; on the contrary, they increased their publicity efforts.

Thanks to the League's promotion, Blaine's immense strength, and his unique methods for training Fire-type Pokémon, Cinnabar Island has become a holy land for Pokémon trainers.

And how many trainers don't have Fire-type Pokémon? Almost none.

Therefore, Cinnabar Island gradually became a place that all trainers longed for.

With such a rich and fulfilling retirement life—returning to his hometown with his beloved Pokémon, being able to bully young trainers whenever he wanted, and engaging in riddle games at will—what more could Blaine possibly want?

However, as people age, many unexpected things can happen.

After losing all his hair, and before he developed health problems, a large number of hot springs suddenly appeared in Blaine's hometown.

While Blaine was delighted that her hometown, which had been impoverished by a volcanic eruption, had been revitalized and prospered thanks to the hot springs, she was also finding it increasingly difficult to tolerate those who came to visit and challenge the gyms—whether they were tourists or trainers.

I have the right to manipulate you, what right do you have to make fun of me?

Blaine is like a child at heart; if he's unhappy, he'll just close the dojo.

The league naturally wouldn't punish Xia Bo for this, after all, he's a big shot who can do whatever he wants and there's no way to control him.

Bob then lived a normal life for a while.

However, the fiery spirit of a Fire-type Pokémon Trainer won't be extinguished so easily!

And then, the path of courting death began...

Crossing mountains and ridges, trekking through rivers...

Finally, one night, he returned to the volcano on Crimson Lotus Island and jumped off.

Perhaps turning into flames in the magma of a volcano would be a good end for a fruit trainer, Blaine thought.

However, Blaine, who thought he was going to die, never expected that he would be saved by the firebird, the symbol of his faith!

Bob believed this was the new life that God wanted him to have!

The flamingo led him into a cave in the volcano and then left.

Blaine, using his authority within the League, transformed the cave into a new, hidden Cinnabar City Gym and disguised the volcano, thus becoming the Cinnabar City Gym Leader once again.

Unlike before, this news was not made public.

Blaine also opened a bed and breakfast at the entrance of the cave to the outside, wearing a wig and becoming a strange old man boss. Every day he would stand guard at the port of Cinnabar Island, in front of the ruins of the old Cinnabar Dojo, watching the crowds come and go.

If you discover a true trainer who also has a talent for riddles, and preferably has a Fire-type Pokémon, Blaine will use a series of guiding riddles to lead them to a new Cinnabar Gym for a gym challenge.

This is also Xia Bo's latest lifestyle for the elderly.

In Blaine's opinion, this was much more interesting than before.

Until a few days ago, he discovered a trainer who had come from out of town.

Remarkably, the trainer approached Blaine on the cruise ship and asked for directions: "Excuse me, which way is the Pokémon Center?"

Blair was a little excited; he hadn't expected to run into a trainer who had come to him on his own the moment he stepped out.

As for how he made that judgment...

Have you ever seen a tourist come to Cinnabar Island and head straight for the Pokémon Center instead of looking at the scenery and wanting to soak in the hot springs? And does Cinnabar Island have anything else besides the hot springs and Cinnabar Gym that attracts other people?

With a simple judgment, Blaine determined that the other party was a young trainer who wanted to go to the holy site to worship.

But we can't just let him pass the test!

Blaine asked his most classic and favorite riddle: "What is something with a cold head but a warm body?"

"An open-air hot spring. So, which direction is the Pokémon Center in?"

He replied instantly! Who knew he was such a riddle genius? Seeing an opportunity, Blaine, intrigued, decided to test him again.

"You must be a trainer, right? Are you here to challenge the Cinnabar Gym? What's that thing so close yet unseen?"

"I know this dilapidated building used to be the Cinnabar Gym, so where exactly is the Pokémon Center?"

An impatient young man, you know you're in trouble when you find all the rooms are full. But as an elderly person, you must show him plenty of care and concern.

"Anyway, if you have any questions, feel free to come find me here." After handing over the card with the guesthouse address hidden in the puzzle, Xia Bo left with a flourish.

Then, after waiting all night at the guesthouse, the other party still didn't arrive.

Did he just happen to get a room at the Pokémon Center? What a lucky kid. Blaine knew that was the only possibility.

The elderly man got up early and went to the Pokémon Center early the next morning to wait for people. He happened to see Kyosuke wandering around outside and followed him, where he saw the special training session.

Is that an Omanyteilung? It looks a little different. Special training at the Cinnabar Gym? What a diligent kid. And he even has Charizard! Blaine's opinion of him rises even higher.

After that, the trainer started wandering around Cinnabar Island again, and Blaine was certain he was looking for the Cinnabar Gym.

Early the next morning, Xia Bo went to stake out him again.

This time, Blaine discovered that the young trainer's Shiny Spearow could actually use Flamethrower! This is a challenge to any Pokémon's standard moves! But since it's a Fire-type, I'll let you off the hook.

After that, they went around searching for the Crimson Lotus Dojo.

The third day was the same...

But searching aimlessly, let alone three days, it would take forever to find it!

Blaine decided to give him a hint.

It reappeared in front of the trainer.

"What you can see but can't reach is the goal you need to achieve."

After speaking, he left.

It should arrive tomorrow, right?

The following day, as Shaper was waiting for Mimi to arrive at the guesthouse, he felt an unscientific tremor.

A volcanic eruption? No, something's wrong with the gym!

Rushing to the gym, Blaine discovered that the specially reinforced roof had a large hole in it, and all the liquid that had been disguised as magma had leaked out!

A Charizard flew down from the big hole, with the trainer on its back!

"You brat, if you're going to challenge the Crimson Lotus Gym, then do it properly! What, are you trying to tear this place down?"

"Bald old man? What are you doing here! Where's Moltres?!"

Wait, did I mention Moltres before? Also, when did you realize I'm bald? I was clearly disguised!