Finally, we arrived in Vermilion City. As soon as the boat docked at the port, Jett and I could feel the excitement and vibrant energy of this city, famous for its Pokémon fan club, the home of someone known as the Fishing Guru, and its gym. After disembarking and ensuring all our equipment was in order, we decided to find a place to eat before beginning our exploration.
We walked through the busy streets, taking in every corner, until we found a small restaurant near the port called The Crimson Crustacean, with a Krabby theme. As soon as we entered, the aroma of the food made us momentarily forget the purpose of our visit, and after several days of limited meal options on the ship, it felt like a luxury. We sat by a window, enjoying the view of the sea, when suddenly, an older man with a fishing cap and a huge smile on his face approached us. He turned out to be the famous Fishing Guru of Kanto.
Without waiting for us to speak, he began telling us about his passion for fishing and how he had dedicated his entire life to traveling through Kanto with his old rod, which he held as if it were a trophy. His eyes sparkled as he spoke about the thrill of patiently waiting, connecting with nature, and the incredible aquatic creatures he had caught with that rod over the years. Though I thought Jett might get annoyed with the Guru, not only did he listen intently, but he was also smiling. Perhaps he was a bit impatient, but the Guru's enthusiasm was so contagious that I, too, found myself captivated by his story. He showed us his rod, which, though simple and worn, seemed to have a special kind of magic in his hands. Before leaving, he recommended we try fishing on Route 12 if we had the time and wanted to relax, telling us that if we were lucky, we might catch a Horsea, a Pokémon that had become rare in the area since the massive appearance of Tentacruel.
After that unique conversation and with our stomachs full, Jett insisted that we take advantage of the afternoon to watch a few battles at Surge's gym. He was eager to see firsthand the strategies of Kanto's electric-type leader and, at the same time, compare them to those of his idol, Wattson, the Mauville City leader from Hoenn, who he was certain could beat Surge with a single Pokémon. After paying 1000 Pokédollars, we finally entered the gym. Fortunately, it was full of challengers, each with their own style, so at least we didn't waste our money. Surge maintained a firm and confident stance in each battle, using the speed and power of his Electric-type Pokémon to disorient his opponents. Jett observed closely, making mental notes and muttering ideas to improve his own strategies.
After watching several battles, the sun was already setting, so we headed to the Pokémon Center, where we rented a small room on the second floor. We took the time to settle in and review our route for the next day. Early tomorrow, we would head north, crossing Route 6 and entering the Underground Path. I felt a mix of anxiety and excitement knowing we were getting closer to our goal. Although there was still a long way to go, I fell asleep with the conviction that we were ready to face whatever Kanto had in store for us.