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After Sato blended into Team Aqua's retreating forces with Prof. Todd in tow, the two quickly entered an emergency undersea escape tunnel. With the help of Swampert and Lapras using Dive, they swiftly made their way through the tunnel and escaped the Team Aqua base.
Halfway through, Sato quietly led Prof. Todd away from the main group, breaking off toward the eastern side of the deserted island.
At this point, most Team Aqua members knew they were facing a full-scale League siege. Breaking off into smaller units to escape was clearly the smartest move.
So when Sato and Prof. Todd slipped away midway, it didn't raise any suspicion.
Thanks to Swampert and Lapras, they soon surfaced safely.
But the sea was far from calm. Thick storm clouds loomed overhead, and a violent tempest swept across a vast area spanning dozens of nautical miles, with the Team Aqua base at its center.
Meanwhile, countless wild Water-type Pokémon were surging toward the island, frantically attacking the League forces in the skies above.
Because these wild Pokémon were occupying much of the League's attention, Team Aqua's forces were able to retreat with minimal interference.
However, the wild Pokémon had become uncontrollable — striking at friend and foe alike — and were causing chaos for the fleeing Team Aqua members as well.
"I knew it... Team Aqua's using that weapon to control wild Water-types again. I have to get back to the submarine fast, or this whole place will turn into another bloodbath."
Watching the red-eyed wild Pokémon swim furiously toward the island and join the aerial battle above it, Sato's expression darkened as he cursed under his breath.
But his top priority right now was to get Prof. Todd safely to Captain Reggie.
He immediately released Pikachu, Staryu, and Crobat, ordering Pikachu and Staryu to work with Swampert in holding off the berserk wild Pokémon nearby.
Then, lifting Prof. Todd into his arms, Sato had Crobat carry them up into the sky before recalling his other Pokémon back into their PokeBalls.
According to their arrangement, Captain Reggie's ship was waiting for him roughly ten nautical miles east of the island. With Crobat's exceptional sonar range, finding it wouldn't take long.
Sure enough, using its ultrasonic detection, Crobat quickly located the ship and carried Sato and Prof. Todd above it.
Without a word, Sato used his telekinetic ability to gently lower Prof. Todd onto the deck.
"Old captain, the man you wanted — I've brought him back in one piece. He's just exhausted and will recover after a day or two of rest. From this point on, our debt is settled. Farewell."
With those telepathic words to Captain Reggie, Sato and Crobat immediately turned and vanished into the stormy sky.
"Old friend, I went all out to save you this time. You'd better make it worth my while later... and that goes for that young fellow, too."
Reggie chuckled as he checked Prof. Todd's condition, confirming he was merely unconscious. Still, when he looked toward the direction Sato had gone, his eyes showed a faint trace of emotion.
While Sato successfully delivered Prof. Todd, the submarine stationed in the underwater port on the fifth floor of the Team Aqua base also submerged and began retreating eastward.
Above the island, Drake continued to battle alongside League members against the crazed wild Water-types attacking from the sea.
But after receiving Sato's signal, he quickly ordered a retreat, leading a few subordinates to fly eastward.
Once Sato finished the rescue, he had Swampert use Dive again, plunging into the depths. Guided by the psychic marker he had left earlier, he swiftly headed toward the submarine's location.
When he was within two hundred meters, Sato used Teleport to reappear inside the vessel with Swampert.
His goal in returning was simple — to complete the mission given by Dragon-type Elite Four member, Drake. From a Team Aqua researcher named Charlie, who had once come into close contact with the Kyogre Crystal, Sato had learned that the artifact was housed within the submarine's command room.
However, Sato didn't charge straight for the command room to seize or destroy the Kyogre Crystal — that would've been suicide.
He knew that the crystal was Team Aqua's greatest treasure. The moment he made a move on it, every top-ranking member in the base would turn on him.
And against that many elite enemies, even he wouldn't survive. Sato wasn't the kind of fool who ran headlong into death.
So, playing it safe, he chose a simpler, more direct method to accomplish Drake's mission.
Yes — he would destroy the submarine itself.
If he sank it, Team Aqua would lose their means of using the Kyogre Crystal to control wild Water-types. The submarine's crew would be forced to flee, and in the ensuing chaos, Sato would have his chance to seize or eliminate the crystal.
According to Charlie, the Kyogre Crystal couldn't be stored in any spatial device, and once it touched seawater, it would emit a brilliant blue light and unleash an enormous surge of energy.
In other words, the moment it hit the ocean, it would shine like a beacon in the dark sea — impossible to miss.
With that in mind, Sato gave his orders the instant he reappeared inside the submarine: Swampert, Pikachu, and Staryu were to attack and sabotage the hull.
Even though the submarine was built with top-grade materials and reinforced to withstand immense pressure, it couldn't withstand Swampert's brute strength and Pikachu's high-voltage strikes for long. Soon, a massive hole was torn through its side.
Underwater, even a small breach could spell disaster. Seawater flooded in at once, shorting circuits and triggering explosions in the ship's electronic systems.
Under the crushing pressure of the ocean depths, the submarine's frame began to warp, the holes widening rapidly.
"Who did this?! My ocean lab—!"
In the command room, Dr. Peter's face twisted with rage as water poured in.
"No—! Don't touch it with wet hands! Stop! NO!!"
He screamed when he saw the scar-faced Team Aqua elite stationed beside the Kyogre Crystal reaching for it with drenched hands.
But the man's condition was abnormal — his eyes glowed red, and eerie crimson patterns spread across his skin.
Despite Peter's desperate warning, the scar-faced elite's hand closed around the Kyogre Crystal, which pulsed with a blood-red gleam.
The next instant, a blinding blue light burst forth, followed by a terrifying surge of energy.
And somewhere, far beneath the sea — in a deep, dark ocean trench miles away — a pair of colossal, glowing eyes slowly opened in the abyss.