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To the North of Kanto exists ancient and more traditional cultures, think Arceus Game/Sinnoh. Basically a rough people that still follow feudal laws. The Grass Gym leaders hail from a very traditional Japanese village, maybe related to Erika, her brother or cousin, distrust in her due to her moving to the city down South.
7th Gym Leader (if I read these right), you fight him again at the Tournament League, rematch team is all Lv. 83 outside of Trevenant and Dhelmise being Lv. 85.