Chapter 48: Wu Neng
(Fourth update! New book seeking collections and flowers!!)
“Nibi City Gym Trainer Gary is very strong. It won't be easy to defeat him.” Wu Neng naturally replied, listening to Xia’s words.
“I know better than you that Gym Trainers are strong, but Satoshi is very strong too.” Xia began to speak for Satoshi, listening to Wu Neng’s words, and inadvertently blurted out the truth.
Satoshi also couldn't help but glance at Xia. In the original story, she had been concealing her identity. It wasn't until she arrived in Celadon City that her identity was exposed, but now Satoshi knows that she is from the Celadon Gym.
Therefore, she is, of course, the one who knows the strength of Gym Trainers best, but... Celadon City is not really a particularly powerful Gym.
“Because you can tell at a glance that you’re new Trainers, I sell stones here and have seen many Trainers, can’t you tell at a glance who’s a newbie?”
“New Trainers need more practice. It’s impossible to challenge Gary right away.” Wu Neng confidently and calmly replied, seeming very confident in Gary.
“Thanks, uncle, for the reminder, but you seem to know Gary very well! I wonder if it’s my imagination, but you seem very proud when you mention Gary, just like an elder feeling proud of their junior's achievements.”
Others don't know the identity of this uncle, but how could Satoshi not know? Honestly, if you were a viewer of the anime, you could probably tell at a glance.
It’s just that Satoshi, as the protagonist, doesn’t understand, but now Satoshi knows that Wu Neng is Gary’s father.
However, this is their family matter, and Satoshi doesn't plan to expose it, but he underestimated himself, so he deliberately made things difficult for him.
“Uh…”
Indeed, upon hearing Satoshi’s words, Wu Neng was immediately choked. Satoshi knew that this father had always felt guilty toward his son Gary.
For many years, he hadn’t dared to return home, leaving Gary alone to take care of the many younger siblings at home. Honestly, in the anime, Satoshi wouldn’t know anything.
But as someone familiar with the plot, Satoshi didn’t agree with Wu Neng’s actions. As a father, such an approach was a betrayal of his fatherly role, but this was after all their family matter.
“Yes...is it? Well...of course! Hehehe, because I am also from Nibi City, Gary became a Gym Trainer, so it’s only natural for us in Nibi City to feel proud, hahaha!”
Choked by Satoshi’s words, Wu Neng replied awkwardly. This kind of response, to Xia, who doesn’t know the truth, still seems reasonable.
There are many cities in a region, but there aren’t many towns with Gyms. Each Gym Trainer is certified by the League, confirming that they are an elite Trainer before they can take on the role. Naturally, the citizens of a city with a Gym will feel proud.
“I see! If you hadn’t said it, I would have thought that you were Gary’s father or something! But yeah, having a son who is a Gym Trainer must be very proud, there’s no need to deny it.”
“Unless the father had done something wrong! Hehehe! It’s getting dark, we won’t chat with you anymore, Xia, let’s go!”
Satoshi deliberately said those words, and he could clearly feel Wu Neng’s body suddenly tense, his hands resting on his knees suddenly clenched tighter. Obviously, he was hit where it hurt, causing him to feel ashamed.
Satoshi’s words sound normal, to anyone, they are normal, but to Wu Neng’s ears, they are ironic.
Yes! Anyone should be proud as the father of a Gym Trainer, but he doesn’t even deserve to be a father.
He not only failed to achieve his dream of becoming a powerful Trainer, but his life also became impoverished, falling into selling stones here. Although selling stones is the main industry in Nibi City, he wouldn’t have to be in this remote place if his business was doing well.
So, for him, he’s not only not a powerful Trainer, but also not a qualified father, even his business is a failure, Satoshi’s words make him even more ashamed.
He even had the audacity to boast to people who wanted to challenge the Nibi Gym that they wouldn’t be Gary’s opponent. What right does a father like him have?
Satoshi didn’t pay attention to Wu Neng’s thoughts now, he wouldn’t want to cheat him out of his guide fee, would he?
“Okay!” Xia didn’t pay any more attention to Wu Neng either, and didn’t hear the meaning behind Satoshi’s words, after all, she doesn’t know Wu Neng’s identity.
In her opinion, Satoshi is actually too kind. He’s not angry at being looked down upon. She has no idea how cruel Satoshi’s words are.
Wu Neng remained silent after watching Satoshi and Xia leave. After a while, he murmured quietly...
“Is it a coincidence? Regardless of whether it’s a coincidence, it seems like Gary has met his opponent this time!”
The coincidence Wu Neng mentioned is because of Satoshi’s words, making him question himself, was he perhaps too proud of Gary? That’s why this boy was able to see something?
If it was indeed because of these words that he was suspected, then this boy is really extraordinary.
Just relying on this keen insight alone, it’s absolutely clear that this boy is no ordinary boy. He’s going to challenge the Nibi Gym, which also made his heart itch, wanting to see his match with Gary.
“This uncle is so strange, you can still bear it.” Xia was still complaining on the road.
“It’s just a stranger, why would we bother with him? I only like to speak with actions. Once I defeat Gary, won’t he be the one who is embarrassed?” Satoshi shrugged indifferently.
“That’s true, so let’s hurry to the Pokémon Center!”
“Yeah! Hmm??” Satoshi also nodded, but suddenly a small shop on the side of the road caught his attention.
It’s a roadside stall, similar to Wu Neng’s, with many ores, rocks, and some handicrafts displayed on the table. Satoshi looked at the handicrafts and unconsciously stopped to walk over.
“Welcome, we have all sorts of fine products here! Please feel free to browse!” The boss saw business coming and immediately started promoting his wares.