While traveling through Route 7, Ash makes a call to Professor Oak from a public phone and shows off his four Badges, but Oak mentions that Gary and the other two Trainers from Pallet Town all have five Badges and have already passed through Celadon City. Ash is infuriated, and Oak advises that he should catch more Pokémon in order to become a better Trainer. He ends the call, leaving Ash despondent.
Misty and Pikachu are eating rice balls as Misty notices Ash's mood. Ash laments how far behind he is when Brock points down the path to Celadon City. Misty reassures that Ash needs to get there his own way as Brock mentions that it's about quality over quantity, but Ash seems to miss the point. At that moment, Pikachu notices a Mankey peeking from behind a rock nearby as Ash checks... Show Full Summary
