The fame and recognition of top Trainers generally came from two sources: outstanding rankings in major tournaments, and contributions made to their region and the League.
The former spread faster and reached wider audiences, but usually only lasted for a limited time, unless one reached the Elite Four or Champion level.
After all, champions appear every year… just like people switch partners every month!
But the latter was more lasting. Deeds and contributions didn't fade with time. On the contrary, they were repeatedly mentioned, admired, and remembered with gratitude.
So, after defeating the newly crowned Ace Tournament Champion, Sato felt only a small sense of satisfaction from steamrolling a weaker opponent, nothing more.
In the VIP suite, Sinnoh League branch President Dawashi was all "smiles" as he watched the match alongside Fujin.
Watching Sato defeat Sinnoh's Masaki with overwhelming strength, his face showed not a trace of displeasure. In fact, he started throwing a wave of compliments at Sato.
"This is all thanks to you, Fujin-san, for your careful guidance. That kid, Sato, has a bright future!"
Fujin glanced at Dawashi out of the corner of his eye. He didn't even need to guess what was going on in the guy's head… it was just another excuse to keep him close, clinging onto his leg.
But honestly, even though Fujin had quietly stayed in Sinnoh for decades, he didn't have the best impression of the Sinnoh League.
Not because he was treated coldly during his time in that wooden house. Rather, it was because he wasn't originally from Sinnoh. He had stayed on only because of his mentor's dying wish.
At the beginning, he had felt frustration and resentment. He couldn't blame his mentor, so he projected it onto the Sinnoh League.
'If it weren't for your incompetence… would a Unovan like me need to "plug the leak" for decades?'
Now that he had regained his freedom, Fujin had let go of those feelings. But precisely because of that, he no longer wanted to spend the little time left in his life doing anything against his will.
The world was big… and he wanted to see it all!
Seeing Fujin remain silent but then flash a satisfied smile, President Dawashi rubbed one of his abs and thought to himself, "Locked in~!"
Sinnoh was about to gain another Champion level powerhouse. Just thinking about it made him giddy with excitement!
Ding~dong~
The doorbell rang. Sato and Masaki entered; Sato looking calm, Masaki dazed.
Clap! Clap! Clap…
Applause rang out. It was only Dawashi clapping, but he had long since passed the point of being embarrassed by that.
He cheerfully patted Sato on the shoulder, then launched another barrage of praise. Talented youth, limitless future, destined for greatness, the only "golden boy"… he spewed every flattering idiom he could think of, as if he hadn't noticed Masaki's face getting gloomier by the second.
Masaki stared at his own League President, and all he wanted to do was ask, sincerely… "So… love really does disappear, doesn't it?"
Maybe his eyes were too direct, too raw. Because Vice President Dawashi finally noticed his presence.
"Ah…! keep working hard. I still believe in you!"
"…"
Just then, the doorbell rang again. This time, it was staff bringing Fujin his new identification documents.
"Er… apologies, Fujin-san. We can only issue you a Sinnoh-region ID from here. The League still owns plenty of property. You can choose any you like, and we'll register your household based on that address."
Fujin took the ID and looked it over. He noticed even the photo had been professionally edited. The registered address was written boldly as "Sinnoh League," almost like they were afraid no one would notice.
Fujin smiled, then casually handed the ID back to the dumbfounded staff member.
"Hoho, Sinnoh is nice, but I've been here for decades. I'm tired of it. I already have one of these."
With that, Fujin didn't give Dawashi any chance to plead again. He had already turned toward Sato.
Sato immediately understood and said, "The plane tickets to the Unova Region are booked. We can leave anytime!"
"F-Fujin-san, this…" Dawashi tried once more, but Fujin raised his hand to stop him.
"It's been so long since I last went home. I need to see who among my old friends is still alive."
At those words, Dawashi had nothing left to say.
Strength aside, just thinking about how Fujin had devoted himself to protecting Sinnoh for so many years… Dawashi had no grounds to stop him from going home.
"Then take care, Fujin-san. The people of Sinnoh will forever remember your service, and the Sinnoh League will always have its doors open to you."
Fujin smiled indifferently, then left the Sinnoh League HQ with Sato, light and unburdened…
---◓---
Lily of the Valley Airport. Sato and Cynthia had come together to see Fujin off at the gate.
"Are you sure you don't want us to come with you?"
After spending so much time together, even Sato couldn't help but feel a little worried. Even if Fujin was a Champion Trainer, he was still getting old.
"Hohoho~ You young people should be doing young people things. What fun is it for you to tag along with some old guy retracing his past? Don't worry. When I'm really ready to retire, I'll come find you, kid."
Fujin laughed freely, eyes full of excitement for the journey ahead. There was no sign of reluctance at all.
Sato couldn't stop him -nor did he want to-. The only thing he could do was make sure Fujin's trip went as smoothly as possible.
"I've already arranged everything in the Unova Region. A guy named Marshal will come pick you up. If you need anything, just ask him."
"Umm… got it," Fujin replied dismissively, then waved his hand and eagerly boarded the plane.
Cynthia leaned in slightly closer to Sato, softly reassuring him… "Marshal's calm and reliable. He'll make sure everything's fine."
Sato smiled and gently took Cynthia's hand.
"Heh! I'm not worried about him. I'm just upset we'll be apart again so soon."
Cynthia's face blushed slightly. She made a small show of pulling her hand back, but in the end, she let him hold it. Though she was shy about public displays of affection, she had never wanted to hide their relationship.
And deep down, both of them were thinking the same thing…
Claiming each other! Loud and clear!
---◓---
After spending a bit more time flirting at the airport, Sato was also sent off by Cynthia, boarding his plane back to Johto.
Now that his "secluded" training was over, it was time to return to Shadownight Town.
And for the sake of their shared future, Sato would need even greater strength… to earn better, bigger resources!
---◓---
Just half an hour after Sato boarded his flight, the photo of him holding Cynthia's hand at the airport shot to the top of Sinnoh's trending list, crashing the system entirely!
And once the servers came back online, another headline rocketed to number one, knocking Sato and Cynthia's picture into second place…
[The Crisis in the Sinnoh Region: Centuries of Silent Guardians!]
The article detailed the ongoing threat of spatial collapse in Sinnoh, and listed the names and photos of each lonely guardian throughout the centuries…
Among them, unmistakably… was Fujin.