Having received the Rising Dragon Badge, Uncle Ranch made his way down swiftly to the seventh city—
Violet City.
Unhesitant with a clear goal, he chose to challenge the Gym.
As a young Trainer, Asoo, who inherited the Gym from his father, proved his excellence, though there was still some gap compared to the seasoned fighters Uncle Ranch had battled before.
Thus, despite the strength of the seventh badge, Uncle Ranch, with matured battle techniques after three rounds of special training and his Three-word Truth, passed through once.
This left Asoo, who had claimed before the battle that Electric Attribute attacks were insignificant to Flying-type Pokémon, rather embarrassed.
[You have defeated the Violet Gym Leader Asoo and received the Flying Wings Badge]
[You heard from Asoo that his father is traveling outside, leaving him to manage the Gym, which made you somewhat envious]
Envious…
Envious of what? Your daughter isn't old enough to inherit your ranch?
You once said you wanted the Ranch Girl to pursue her own dreams!
Baimu looked at the screen speechlessly, while amidst serene background music, Uncle Ranch arrived at the final town in his sights—Azalea Town.
The Azalea Gym Leader is Api, a boy with a feminine appearance, and the youngest among the Gym Leaders, who is dedicated to researching Bug-type Pokémon with aspirations of becoming a Pokémon Doctor.
He even discovered and named the move [Continuous Slash].
During the Gym Battle, Api's Scizor showcased its characteristic strength tied to having eight badges, using Sword Dance to form a protective circle against long-range Fire Attribute attacks.
"Just spinning around can block flames? Really?"
Baimu felt dubious, sensing perhaps there were deeper techniques hidden within.
Something similar to the Reflected Fist Shield.
If Steelix and Mawile learned it, maybe they could at crucial moments amplify its effects... Should he go to Azalea Town to learn from Api?
Baimu bowed his head in thought.
Within the bright screen.
Seeing that the long-range flames were ineffective, Uncle Ranch soon changed his tactical approach, opting for close-combat fire moves and using [Hold On] at crucial moments, allowing Rapidash's Flashing Flame Charge to breach Scizor's defenses.
Ultimately, he successfully seized Azalea Gym.
[You defeated Azalea Gym Leader Api and received the Insect Badge]
A thirty-seven-year-old veteran successfully qualified to participate in the conference, a surge of joy made Uncle Ranch inform his wife and daughter back at the ranch via video call immediately.
And he hastily returned home.
Upon arrival, he found out that news of his upcoming participation in the Silver Conference had spread throughout the small town, where nearly all townspeople came to celebrate and wished him good results, promising to attend the event to watch.
This made Uncle Ranch feel very embarrassed and deeply pressured.
Originally, it was just to prevent his daughter from feeling inferior in school and to slightly fulfill his youthful dream, yet things developed beyond his expectation.
Seeing the hopeful glance from the Ranch Girl, Uncle Ranch couldn't merely say entering the preliminary rounds is a victory.
Thinking it over.
He ran to Azure City to seek help from Asi.
Thus, the fourth special training began in earnest.
Such diligent and focused special training was extremely rare in Baimu's past simulations, perhaps cognizant that his innate talent and battle experience were insufficiently compared to those ambitious young folks.
Uncle Ranch opted for compensating talent with effort.
But, noteworthy and somewhat mock-worthy stubbornly so, despite being Pokémon special training, Uncle Ranch himself grew increasingly robust as a Trainer.
Once relying on Big Battle to smack down Tauros, he now could grasp Tauros's two horns, pushing it back step by step, fully showcasing four-legged being bested by two-legged feat.
Riding on Rapidash's back simultaneously, he increasingly exuded a vibe akin to ancient warriors.
Give him a suit of armor and a Heaven-piercing Halberd, maybe he could even cosplay as Lu Bu.
When Piloswine evolved into Mamoswine, upon riding it, it strangely brought a sense much like barbarians invading civilized worlds in Western Fantasy novels.
He even arm-wrestled Ambipom, while Ambipom utilized two tails, he used just one hand.
Terrifying.
Baimu just wanted to rush in and remind the other party, trainers can't go on the stage to battle!
——
The special training lasted until a few days before the Silver Conference began.
Uncle Ranch believed that he had reached the pinnacle of effort; if results weren't favorable, there wasn't much more to say.
A breeder's talent infused his Pokémon with healthy and robust bodies, while a trainer's diligence endowed Rapidash and others with abundant battle experience.
Also, there is the [Three-word Truth], which in fact appears mystical but belongs to a manifestation of bonds.
Success or failure hinges on this moment.
Soon enough.
The screen flashed to the day of the Silver Conference inauguration.
As anticipated, townsfolk flocked to watch Uncle Ranch's matches.
Initially burdened, Uncle Ranch felt surrounded by spectators, mostly young individuals in their teens, making his presence seem out of place.
Yet quickly realizing that there were quite a few contestants around his age.
[You discover you're not the sole veteran participating in the conference, which greatly relaxes your emotions]
With newfound confidence, Uncle Ranch managed to smile and wave to the Ranch Girl in the stands, ushering in his first match.
However.
The battles were unexpectedly smooth.
Uncle Ranch hadn't even needed to leverage his Three-word Truth to secure a win over the opponent.
The second match was the same; he clinched victory in five minutes, successfully advancing.
Uncle Ranch grew increasingly confident, yet stayed humble and not overly arrogant, he was well aware in middle-age of the saying 'there's always someone better,' repeatedly his Pokémon claimed accolades through humility and effort.
Unexpectedly, just after overcoming the preliminary rounds, Uncle Ranch faced a powerful young Trainer.
The opponent possessed qualities that plunged Uncle Ranch into a tough battle; even the Ranch Girl in the stands felt apprehensive, often with worry-symbolizing punctuation bouncing on her forehead.
Fortunately, the Three-word Truth took effect.
The opponent was indeed strong, yet underestimated the tenacity of veterans.
Most of Uncle Ranch's Pokémon were already seasoned in age, not particularly those with notably extended lifespans, having bodies prone to degradation over time, this conference possibly serving as their last stage to shine.
They didn't wish nor were willing to just leave.
Uncle Ranch's dream was never solely his; it was the aspiration of Rapidash and the others too.
In youth, starting journeys with their Trainer, matched by Pokémon's presence considerations, during battles growing closer with shared soul resonance, how wouldn't conjure a yearning for the Alliance conference?
An old steed remains ambitious despite old age, yearning for a thousand-mile endeavor.
Uncle Ranch, together with his old companions, transfigured ardent will into resolute determination, forging step by step toward greater heights.
Top sixty-four, thirty-two, sixteen, eight…
Championship Finals!
Finally, it came to the last moment.
Uncle Ranch himself couldn't believe he reached this point, inciting his inner small person into overwhelming agitation.
Baimu outside the screen, due to the background music, felt calm, naturally curious about Uncle Ranch's endpoint… conference champion?
That depends if some unexpected dark horse emerges.