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The stock of Electric-type Pokémon in Team Aqua's base was extremely small. Sato counted carefully — only sixteen in total. Half of them were the very common Magnemite, while the rest were split between Voltorb, Electrike, Mareep, and a single Pikachu.
There was only one Pikachu in the storage room, and its quality naturally couldn't compare with Sato's own Pikachu. Its overall individual value was just 125, and its Ability was the most common one, Static.
However, its level was surprisingly good — as high as 33. That alone made it a perfect cover for Sato's Pikachu.
From Baku's perspective, choosing an Electric-type here was perfectly reasonable.
After all, more than 90% of Team Aqua's members specialized in Water-types. Having an Electric-type would greatly enhance his ability to deal with internal rivals.
On top of that, this gave Sato confidence that he could quickly rack up Team Aqua contribution points in the base.
His Swampert's strength far surpassed that of Baku's, and although Sato ordered it to hold back, using it too much would easily alert Baku's old enemies.
The saying "your enemies know you best" wasn't just empty words.
As for how Sato planned to quickly earn those contribution points? The fastest way — and also the riskiest — was through gambling.
This base was surrounded by endless seas, with little room for entertainment.
Most of the members were men. Without outlets for their excess energy, tensions would quickly boil over.
That was why the entire third floor of the base was dedicated to entertainment — bars, women seeking lucrative pay, and all sorts of gambling games.
The most popular attraction was the battle arena. Here, Team Aqua members could settle disputes themselves, watch exciting Pokémon battles, and bet on the outcomes for extra thrills.
If Sato sent Pikachu to fight in those gambling matches, it would be an absolute slaughter.
Since 90% of the members specialized in Water-types, no matter how many came, they would just be handing Pikachu free experience.
So, to quickly gather the 100,000 contribution points he needed for the incomplete The Complete Psychic Guide, Sato didn't hesitate to use one of his free Pokémon picks on that Pikachu.
But for his last free Pokémon, he needed to think carefully.
The storage room was filled with all kinds of Water-types, and not choosing a good one would be a real waste.
After circling the entire Water-type section, Sato really did find a gem — a Staryu, level 25.
Although its overall IV total was only 150, it had something truly extraordinary. Perhaps it once lived in an area of abnormal seabed gravity, because it had mastered an extremely rare move.
Yes — this Staryu had learned Gravity.
Until now, the only other Pokémon Sato had seen with that move was the near Elite-Four level Alakazam he had released.
...
Staryu's Data:
Pokémon: Staryu
Level: 25
Type: Water
Ability: Analytic
Gender: Genderless
Known Moves:Tackle, Harden, Water Gun, Rapid Spin, Recover, Swift, Bubble Beam, Camouflage, Gyro Ball
Egg Moves: None
Tutor Moves:Gravity
TMs: None
Held Item: None
IVs:
HP: 23 (31)
Attack: 20 (31)
Defense: 25 (31)
Sp. Atk: 31 (31)
Sp. Def: 23 (31)
Speed: 28 (31)
Overall IV Rating: 150 (Purple-grade)
...
The move Gravity was devastating against flying opponents. Once activated, it could instantly drag all Flying-type Pokémon out of the sky like startled birds.
The sudden increase in gravity would leave them disoriented. Unless they had prior training under similar conditions, they would inevitably crash.
And once a flying Pokémon lost its aerial advantage, it was like a tiger with its fangs pulled — helpless before its enemies.
Thus, Gravity was a perfect countermeasure against Flying-types, especially pure Flying-types.
Even aside from that, this Staryu's Analytic Ability was excellent. It boosted the power of its moves by 30% when moving second.
But its true strength lay beyond numbers. A Staryu with Analytic meant its brain was highly developed, making it much smarter than the average Staryu.
That intelligence meant it could quickly analyze opponents' movements and weaknesses in real battles, then exploit them.
Its ability to learn Gravity — such a difficult move — was proof of its exceptional perception.
Sato didn't hesitate. He quickly picked up the PokeBall containing Staryu and left the storage room.
After registering his two Pokémon at logistics, he spent 10,000 contribution points to exchange for a Thunderbolt TM.
Of course, this was for Staryu. As one of the rare Water-types that could learn Electric moves, once it mastered Thunderbolt, it would have a clear advantage in Water-type matchups.
Finally, gritting his teeth, Sato spent another 10,000 points for a standard Light Ball.
He knew that profit required investment.
His Pikachu still couldn't fully control the mutated Thunder Orb, and the newly acquired Pikachu was just an ordinary one.
If that Pikachu suddenly showed extraordinary power in battle, it would be impossible to explain.
With the Light Ball, however, even if people grew suspicious, he could brush it off easily.
After all, giving a Pikachu a Light Ball and seeing its strength skyrocket was perfectly natural.