After traveling west by boat, Xia You and Erika stepped onto the docks of Cianwood City at noon.
Cianwood City lay on the western border of the Johto Region, not far from the Whirl Islands. Far removed from the Johto mainland, it boasted beautiful scenery and a pleasant climate. Though the city was not particularly large, its streets were spotless, making it an excellent place for a vacation.
The two headed straight for the Cianwood Gym without stopping.
But they had barely left the harbor when they heard cries of "Hah! Hyah!" coming from the beach.
The sound was so conspicuous that it was hard not to notice.
Turning to look, they saw a Machoke sparring with a bare-chested man!
The man had an odd hairstyle and a thick, drooping mustache. He wore loose white judo pants, and his bronze skin gleamed in the sunlight. He looked very strong.
For a human to trade blows with a Machoke without giving an inch, he truly had to be one tough customer!
Beside him, Erika took one glance before losing interest and starting to walk on. After a few steps, however, she noticed Xia You was still standing there and turned back to give him a puzzled look.
"What is it?"
"I think we can skip going to the Cianwood Gym." Xia You tipped his chin toward the man, signaling for Erika to look. "He should be the Gym Leader."
At Xia You's words, Erika could not help looking the man over in surprise.
"Huh? That's him?"
Xia You nodded.
The Cianwood Gym's leader was Chuck, a judo master and a Pokémon Trainer who specialized in Fighting-type Pokémon.
In truth, Xia You did not remember Chuck's face. After all, the man had received little coverage or screen time, remaining inconspicuous even among