Here's why:
* He's guarding the entrance to the final challenge. The man represents the final hurdle before you face the true final boss of the game. This is similar to how the gates to the Tower of Darkness and the Seafoam Islands are locked until you beat the trainers inside.
* He's not a puzzle. His presence is not a riddle or a task you need to figure out. It's a simple barrier that disappears once you complete the game's main objective.
What you need to do:
1. Beat the Elite Four: This is the final challenge in the main storyline.
2. Defeat the Champion: Once you win against the Elite Four, you face the champion, Blue (or Gary).
3. Complete the credits: The game concludes after you defeat the champion, and the ending credits will play.
4. Return to Cerulean Cave: Once the game ends, the man will be gone, and the entrance to Cerulean Cave will be open.
Let me know if you have any other questions about the game!