Facing the predicament.
The Gambler didn't struggle as long as Baimu thought he would.
After initially trying and realizing he lacked the talent for breeding Pokémon, he threw the issue to Team Rocket.
[You believe that even if you were lucky enough to earn a few badges, it wouldn't cause such a stir. It must be Team Rocket causing trouble behind the scenes]
[You understand that whatever Team Rocket wants, the bargaining chips for negotiation with them have increased]
Good heavens!
Negotiating with Team Rocket!
Baimu was starting to admire the Gambler; not everyone has such courage, unlike those who have watched Team Rocket's antics too much.
This long-reclusive organization in the Kanto region, aiming to expand outward, has never been composed of any good men and true.
Giovanni is definitely not the comedian that Meowth imagines...
Is it Giovanni's era to take the helm now?
As he pondered, suddenly on the screen, the Gambler was caught in a sack.
Immediately after.
A fierce beating commenced.
[You didn't expect Team Rocket's reaction to be so violent, and can only silently endure their assault]
Fifty-seven years old, even in the Pokémon World, is considered a somewhat awkward age range.
Although his stamina cannot compare to young people, he can still endure a beating, not as fragile as the seven or eighty-year-old seniors whose bodies are weak and cannot take hits.
In conclusion.
Team Rocket's brutal beating was endured by the Gambler as a warning against greed.
[You hear them agree to your request, and despite the pain all over your body, you reveal a smile]
"Hmm..."
Baimu's expression was a bit complex.
Interrogation and beatings are widespread in the Ore region, but appearing in the Main Series Regions always makes him feel a bit out of place.
Of course, he also understands this is due to the deep filter of his era.
The peace of the Main Series Regions wasn't established overnight, at least during the Gambler's era, Team Rocket lurking in the shadows wasn't shy about doing blatant evil deeds like loan sharking and threatening lives.
Nothing new under the sun...
And the Gambler's request is simple too, have Team Rocket help him find the remaining two Pokémon with sufficiently high energy levels to complete his team.
Having only levels doesn't matter, as his tactical style is One-hit Kill.
And addressing the upgrade for Krabby and Diglett.
Without levels, he has no chance of winning.
[You know if your reputation is built on Team Rocket's publicity, they would agree to your request no matter what]
The Gambler never hoped to use his reputation as leverage to plead with Team Rocket to spare himself and his grandson, even he would not believe such a daydream.
Team Rocket doesn't just readily fulfill the Gambler's requests, they ask him to appear on television to promote himself, enhancing the content's value.
Scenes begin to accelerate.
A few scenes flash of the Gambler and his grandson talking.
This makes Baimu curious whether he can search for the Gambler's television appearance news, which seems quite popular.
Soon after.
The Gambler receives the two Pokémon needed to complete the team from Team Rocket.
[You receive the pale-skinned Rhydon, another old friend added]
[You receive the long-fanged Dewgong, another old friend added]
High Pokémon Energy Levels result from two cases—
One, the age is advanced.
Two, the combat strength is potent.
Compared to the latter, the former is evidently easier to satisfy.
The narrator states that Team Rocket possesses many high-level Pokémon that are unsellable due to old age; their combat power is affected but fulfills the Gambler's needs.
The Gambler doesn't nitpick, happily accepting these two Pokémon.
As for enhancing the levels of Krabby and Diglett, Team Rocket's method is straightforward and forceful, given to the team's professional Pokémon Breeder, while various Pokémon serve as experience dummies.
This is the simplest method, cumbersome yet effective.
[You reject Team Rocket's idea to use research drugs on Krabby and Diglett]
The Gambler still has some conscience compared to the insane Team Rocket, not feeding Krabby and Diglett randomly, even if this slows progress.
With four Pokémon in hand, he embarked on a journey to Cerulean City.
Perhaps due to his television appearance.
The Gambler no longer seeks gambling places immediately upon arriving in a new city, fearing it would affect his reputation.
However.
This time the Gambler finally faced rejection.
[You are refused a challenge request by the Cerulean Gym Leader, who is reputedly strict, most disdainful of your gimmicky challenge methods]
Fame comes at a price, the Gambler is known by many Gym Leaders.
Some can accept the Gambler's tactical style, while others are extremely disdainful of his "tricky" method.
Pokémon should fight honorably!
Relying on One-hit Kill techniques is nothing like true Trainers!
The opposing voices aren't few.
"Xiaoxia's mother?"
Baimu looks at the pixelated female figure on the screen.
Her hair color is orange-yellow, somewhat similar to Xiaoxia, just aged.
Xiaoxia's grandmother or grandma?
Not impossible.
Speaking of Xiaoxia's three sisters' hair colors being yellow, blue and red, with her orange, it raises suspicion about how many hair color genes Xiaoxia's parents possess.
On the screen.
Receiving cold-shoulder, the Gambler has to leave Cerulean City, fortunately, he is in an animated background setting, even if a reputable Gym like Cerulean Gym rejected him, there are still other Gyms to choose from.