When you exit Petalburg Woods, a flower shop appears right before you. Speak with the person at the door to receive the "Bullet Seed" TM.
Bullet Seed is a move that has a power of 25 but can attack 2 to 5 times randomly.
For someone like him,The future Pokemon Master, this grass-type skill mesure an astonishing power of 125! Even more impressive than the 120 power of Solar Beam!
What? Are you questioning my status as the Future Pokemon Master?
'I could unleash this move with my shiny Ralts for the rest of my life!'
'Unfortunately, I currently has no grass-type Pokémon, so this TM can only sit idle in his backpack.'
John regretted not choosing Treecko at the beginning; otherwise, he would have faced the Rock Gym, and with this trick, Bullet Seed, it would have been a breeze!
Nearby, he noticed three fruit trees, from which he collected two Cherry Berries, two Oran Berries, and three Pecha Berries.
You can find the Wailmer Pail in the flower shop.
With the Wailmer Pail, you can plant seeds and water them in the soil where the fruit is harvested.
However, John didn't have the habit of burying seeds.
It seemed too troublesome to him. Burying a Cherry Berry would mean waiting a day or two to harvest 2-5 fruits, each selling for one or two hundred Pokedollars.
That income was far too low, and he'd have to run back and forth to collect them one by one.
With that time, John might as well take his Pokémon out to pick up items in the grass.
He defeated trainers on the road to Rustboro City one by one and encountered a "Wealthy boy," rewarding him with 1,400 Pokedollars.
After defeating the" Young master", Froakie finally reached level 16, enveloped in white light, and evolved into Frogadier.
[Frogadier (Water)]
[Level: 16]
[Ability: Battle Bond (Effect unknown)]
[Individual Values: HP (31), Attack (31), Special Attack (31), Defense (25), Special Defense (27), Speed (31)]
[Moves: Bubble Beam, Pound, Growl, Quick Attack, Lick, Water Pulse]
[Held Item: None]
"Frogadier… that's such a dumb name."
John couldn't help but curse whoever named it.
He continued north and crossed the bridge.
At the entrance of Rustboro City, an elderly woman gave him a Chesto Berry that can cure sleep status.
Beside the grandmother, there were three fruit trees, and all the fruits ended up in John's bag.
The old woman offered him a Chesto Berry, which must have been worth at least two Cherry Berries, two Apple Berries, and eight Oran Berries.
John: "Thank you, grandma!"
[Grandma: You better do something useful with it.]
Upon entering Rustboro City, John began exploring, encountering various characters and dialogues.
He spoke with a teacher at a school and received a "Quick Claw."
[Quick Claw: When held, there's a 20% chance to activate at the start of each round. If activated, if the moves performed by the holder have the same priority, they will go first.]
In reality, Pokémon equipped with Quick Claw occasionally speed up for short durations. The actual effect aligns with that of the game.
John decided to give it to Ralts.
Combusken and Froakie didn't need Quick Claw since they weren't as fast as the others.
In a residential building in Rustboro City, he found a man called 'Uncle Cut', who held the move "Cut."
In every version of the Pokémon game, certain moves can be used not just in battles but also during the protagonist's journey.
They are called HM.
For example, the "Surf" move that allows travel over water; the "Fly" move that enables direct travel to previously visited cities; or the "Waterfall" move that allows ascending waterfalls. These unique functions make them essential for trainers.
Cut is one of those moves.
After learning Cut, John would be able to chop down certain trees throughout the game.
Just on his way here, there was a small tree blocking a path. After learning Cut, John was eager to chop it down.
He let Froakie learn Cut right there.
He vividly recalled the scene when Ash's Greninja used Cut—it was stylish and impressive.
However, the old man informed him that after learning the Cut, he would't be able to use it until he gains the Gym Badge "Stone Badge" in Rustboro City.
Otherwise, even if he learned the move, he could only use Cut in battles.
It wasn't a major issue; John was now ready to challenge the Rustboro Gym.
He made a quick stop at the nearest Pokémon Center to heal his Pokémon before heading to the Rustboro City Gym.
Upon entering Rustboro Gym, he faced three trainers who had trained there.
Their strength far surpassed that of the ordinary trainers he encountered earlier, with Pokémon levels reaching up to 15.
This made John feel somewhat apprehensive, but after adjusting his Pokémon's conditions, he was prepared to challenge Roxanne at Rustboro Gym.
In a flash of light and shadow, John found himself standing at the battle seat.
This was a standard Rock vs. Battlefield. The arena was covered in rocks, and a girl resembling a student was dressed in a blue skirt and red stockings (the reason behind this choice remains a mystery; you'll have to experience it for yourself).
Beside her stood a referee, already prepared.
"Hello, I'm Roxanne, the Gym Leader of Rustboro Gym."
"I became a Gym Leader to apply the knowledge I gained at Pokémon Trainer school in actual combat."
"Since you challenged me, let me see your strength!" said Roxanne, a smile permanently gracing his delicate features, exuding absolute confidence in his abilities.
The referee began announcing the rules of the battle.
"Trainer John is now challenging Roxanne, the owner of Rustboro Gym. Each side has three Pokémon available, and there will be no chance to switch Pokémon. The battle concludes when one trainer runs out of Pokémon."
"The Gym Leader will send out thier first Pokémon first."
Roxanne raised his hand, throwing a Poké Ball, and a Geodude landed on the rocky field in a burst of silver light.
John could only gauge its strength based on Geodude's level; this one was level 17.
Wait a minute!
Was the first Pokémon level 17 in the first Gym Trainer of the game?
John was taken aback.
If he hadn't leveled up recently, he might have been easily defeated by 'Roxannes level 17 Geodude.
This Geodude could definitely pose a threat!
"Please send out your Pokémon, challenger," the referee reminded John when he noticed that he hadn't moved for a while.
Taking a deep breath, John sent out his newly evolved Frogadier.