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After the match ended, Sato left immediately after collecting his rewards. His departure was clean and decisive — he didn't even say goodbye to Daisy and Whitney in person, only sending them a short message instead.
The prizes for this Goldenrod Department Store event were impressive. Along with TMs for Fire Blast, Thunder, and Blizzard — all top-tier moves — the champion also received a voucher worth five million PokeDollars.
As the champion, Sato's popularity exploded. Having just defeated Tobias, who wielded legendary Pokémon, his reputation soared to a new height. The moment he finished receiving his prizes and taking photos with the event organizers, swarms of fans and even a few international reporters surged toward him.
After a round of photos, handshakes, and brief interviews, Sato finally managed to slip away under the excuse of needing the restroom, seizing a short window of freedom.
Using that time, he quickly changed into a fresh set of clothes, donned a Ditto-crafted "common face" mask, sprayed on a reliable cologne, and then had his Natu teleport him far away from the crowded battle venue.
Because he moved so decisively — and thanks to his flawless disguise — he successfully evaded both the hordes of excited fans and the pursuit of certain trainers with darker intentions.
Sato knew all too well that by revealing his shiny Gyarados in battle, he had drawn the gaze of those who had originally been watching Tobias. Only in public, with so many eyes around, did those people dare not make a move.
But Sato was a psychic. Through subtle mental probing, he immediately sensed several individuals in the crowd whose malicious intent was directed at him.
Of course, he understood better than anyone the value of a shiny Gyarados. And after today's match — where his shiny Gyarados had defeated Suicune — he feared becoming a target just like Tobias had yesterday. That was why he had left so hurriedly and cleanly.
Unlike Tobias, Sato had no Elite Four-level protectors shadowing him. If someone of that caliber targeted him, escape might still be possible — but only at a serious cost.
For now, he blended in with the crowd like an ordinary man. Before long, he slipped into a nearby Pokémon Center.
Soon, he used the Center's videophone to contact Professor Oak, then transmitted his shiny Beautifly, Crobat, shiny Gyarados, and Flygon through the Capsule transporter.
"Well then, until next time, Professor Oak."
After sending off Flygon, his last partner, Sato chatted a little more before hanging up.
About ten minutes later, he took a taxi to Goldenrod's bus terminal, where he purchased a ticket to Ecruteak City from a clerk at the service counter.
The time was 11:23. With more than half an hour until departure, Sato booked a private dining room in an upscale restaurant inside the terminal and ordered a lavish meal to share with his Pokémon.
But they were only halfway through lunch when an uninvited guest appeared.
"Miss, did you perhaps enter the wrong room? I don't recall inviting you to dine with me."
Sato put down his chopsticks and looked at the elegantly dressed noblewoman before him. With a subtle gesture, he signaled his Pokémon not to act rashly. Then, narrowing his eyes, he fixed the stranger with a stare.
Although she carried no obvious malice and had no Pokémon by her side, Sato's instincts — sharpened by countless life-and-death experiences on the mysterious island — screamed danger. A tight, prickling unease sat heavy in his chest.
His muscles tensed, ready to react instantly. At the same time, he quietly issued telepathic instructions to his Pokémon, preparing them for anything.
'Ghost-types, huh? Truly troublesome to defend against Pokémon that can turn invisible. I really do need to capture a powerful Dark-type soon. Otherwise, I can't always rely on psychic scanning to protect me.'
Extending his mental senses out ten meters, Sato quickly located her hidden companions: a Gengar lurking behind the curtains, and a Banette crouched in the corner of the room.
To be honest, he was shocked. Clearly, this woman had come specifically for him. Yet despite all the measures he had taken to conceal his whereabouts, she had still found him.
The only place he had left any trace was at the Pokémon Center, where he had used his Trainer ID for healing services.
Which meant that whoever this woman was, she likely had a powerful organization backing her, feeding her his movements. Otherwise, no lone operative would dare hack the Pokémon Center's systems or have the influence to pull his records.
'Could she be from the League…?'
Sato thought grimly, replaying his journey in his mind.
In truth, there was no way this "Chris" could have found him on her own. It had cost her dearly to rely on her organization's resources to track him down through his brief appearance at the Pokémon Center. From there, she followed the trail straight to him.
"Good day, Mr. Sato. My name is Chris. Please forgive my uninvited arrival. I mean no harm. I only came here today hoping to make your acquaintance."
"Of course, this meeting must remain secret. Again, I ask your forgiveness for intruding."
Chris ignored the heavy hostility radiating from Sato's Pokémon, as well as the sharp glint in Swampert's eyes. Removing her lace sunhat, she bowed gracefully, then smiled warmly at him.
"Well, now we've met, Ms. Chris. If you have no other business, please leave. I have a bus to catch, and lunch to finish."
Sato's voice was calm, but his vigilance only deepened. His Pokémon were already primed for a sudden strike. He smiled politely, but the threat in his posture was unmistakable.
"There's no need to be so cold, Mr. Sato. I truly bear no malice. In fact, I came here to deliver a gift."
Chris's smile did not waver, though inwardly she sighed. Clearly, her beauty held no sway over this hardened Rocket member. Still, she pressed on, speaking sweetly.
And then, before Sato could react, she produced a pure-white PokeBall out of thin air. The instant it appeared, it burst open.
Swampert immediately stepped forward, shielding Sato. Kecleon vanished into invisibility. Shiny Pelipper and Nidoking appeared at either flank, moves already charged.
Meanwhile, Pichu and Natu flew to Sato's shoulders, glaring warily at the mysterious newcomer emerging from the ball.
"This… you call this your gift? Just who are you?"
Sato's pupils shrank as he scanned the Pokémon released. Slowly, he stepped out from behind Swampert, eyes grave as he addressed Chris.
That was because the Pokémon standing before him was none other than the legendary Celebi.