Granite Cave

The battlefield was pitted and uneven, with one enormous crater.

Brawly handed Baimu the Knuckle Badge and said with admiration:

"I have to praise the way you and Aggron worked together. Type matchups are a wave many trainers struggle to overcome, but you two proved you've conquered it."

"Thank you."

Baimu accepted it with both hands.

True to its name, the Knuckle Badge was shaped like a boxing glove, with a yellow gemstone in place of the thumb. It was quite beautiful.

The battle at Dewford Gym had been far tougher than the number of badges Baimu held should have warranted. That Hariyama had even been one of Brawly's strongest Pokémon—

It was seriously tough.

It had taken a Rock Tomb and then a Low Kick before showing the slightest hint of fatigue. That alone showed how absurd its endurance was.

Had surfing maxed out its durability or something?

Baimu put the badge in the case he had prepared and found himself looking forward to his next Gym challenge.

He had already learned from the Simulator that the Gym Leaders had a group chat. They probably shared news of especially talented or formidable challengers there all the time.

His future challenges would likely be tougher than his badge count suggested.

While he was thinking, Brawly spoke again.

"Let's go surfing together sometime. You're in great shape, so I'm sure you'd pick up surfing on a board in no time."

"Sure."

Baimu nodded. He rather liked this man who couldn't go three sentences without mentioning surfing.

After all, he had played the original Hoenn games and their remakes countless times, and beaten Brawly with fully evolved Starter Pokémon just as often. He couldn't help seeing him through a fan's eyes.

Besides, Brawly had been so friendly.

Shinobu, standing nearby, finally seemed