In the audience, many people instinctively stood up, desperate to use their eyes like cameras -click click click- to capture this historic moment.
On the battlefield, a Jumpluff that had just temporarily broken through to Low Ace level was gasping heavily for breath.
Across from it, a severely injured Jynx lay flat on its back, staring upward, having already lost the ability to battle.
But even the referee was frozen in place, seemingly unable to believe that Elite Four Sato had actually made an incorrect judgment.
["Elite Four Sato, is that Jynx… playing dead?"] The MC tried to salvage something, but it was clearly the rhythm of a superfan defending their idol at all costs.
Clap! Clap! Clap…
Crisp applause rang out. Sato was the first to applaud, honoring the Jumpluff that had broken his prediction.
Immediately after, a wave of thunderous cheers erupted throughout the arena. The crowd was so excited it was as if their own hands had been the ones battling.
---◓---
Takeshin ¹[1]stood there dumbfounded, staring at Jumpluff. For a moment just now, he had felt like he was Jumpluff, and Jumpluff was him[2].
Then, together, they had won…
Only when the arena erupted into cheers did Takeshin truly realize that he had achieved victory.
Clutching the floating Jumpluff tightly in his arms, Takeshin couldn't help but look toward the judges' table at Sato.
No one else knew this -not even Sato might remember- but the one who had first inspired Takeshin to become a Trainer… was Sato!
---◓---
From the moment Takeshin walked out of Lingua Town, he had always carried a towering figure in his heart to chase after.
And that figure had risen like a comet, breaking record after record left behind by other so-called geniuses, crushing all opposition to become one of Johto's current Elite Four!
Takeshin was happy for him, excited for him… and even more proud that he had once received guidance from him!
...And deeply ashamed.
He had never spoken of this past to anyone, because he felt his strength was nowhere near worthy of bearing the label "trained by Elite Four Sato™."
So all he could do was keep pushing himself harder and harder. Training with reckless intensity alongside his partners, constantly challenging and surpassing his limits.
This time, he had fought his way through all the rounds and finally secured the slot to represent the Kanto Region in the Regional Exchange Tournament.
Then, he learned that Sato would be one of the judges, and even personally offering a special prize.
Excitement, nervousness, happiness, anxiety… all sorts of emotions surged through him, ultimately turning into a resolve to fight with everything he had.
"Jumpluff, no matter win or lose, we must show Elite Four Sato… our very best!"
"Jum~Jump!"
Jumpluff also remembered Sato -and that incredibly powerful Zoroark- so it responded with rare enthusiasm.
---◓---
"Jynx has lost the ability to battle. Jumpluff wins. The victor is the Kanto Region representative, Takeshin!"
After confirming several times that Jynx was truly down and that Sato hadn't gotten angry, the referee finally declared the result in a firm and proper tone.
"Prize!" "Prize!" "Prize..."
Takeshin had won, breaking Sato's pre-match prediction, so naturally, everyone's attention turned to what kind of prize this newly promoted Elite Four would offer.
Seeing the rising cheers, Sato didn't stall. He immediately stood up, walked onto the stage, and approached Takeshin.
"E-Elite F… Sat… Elite Four Sato," Takeshin called out excitedly, though in the end he still corrected the title a bit awkwardly.
He wasn't sure if Sato still remembered him…
"You're improving fast, just not very good at remembering names~" Sato teased with a smile, which made Takeshin's face flush red with embarrassment.
"I didn't… I-I…" Takeshin was so overwhelmed he couldn't even speak properly, but saw that Sato was still smiling warmly at him.
Then, Takeshin understood. He calmed his excitement, took a deep breath, and earnestly called out, "SATO!"
Sato's smile grew even more genuine. What could be more heartwarming than watching a boy grow into his own?
"Mm, you've grown up. You've raised Jumpluff well too. Obaachan Takeno would be proud."
"Yeah!" Takeshin nodded eagerly, surprised that Sato even remembered his grandmother.
"Alright, we can talk more after the tournament. Let's hand out the prize first."
As he spoke, Sato reached behind himself and pulled out a branch that shimmered with a brilliant green glow… a small twig?
Takeshin's eyes filled with confusion, but he didn't question it. He simply took the branch respectfully with both hands.
"Do you know what this is?"
"No," Takeshin shook his head honestly, then smiled brightly and added, "…But if it's from you, I know it's something good!"
"Haha… Of course it is!" Sato laughed heartily and continued, "If it were anyone else who broke my prediction, I definitely wouldn't give them this. But since you're my little buddy, how could I not~?"
As he spoke, Sato didn't forget to wink "mysteriously".
"Mm! I get it, Sato!" Takeshin nodded repeatedly, then carefully put the branch away.
Throughout the whole exchange, Jumpluff never took its eyes off the branch. The desire in its eyes was impossible to hide.
From the audience, most people only saw a flash of green light and still didn't know exactly what reward Elite Four Sato had given Takeshin.
But the joy on Takeshin's face couldn't be faked. The crowd was filled with envy, jealousy, and admiration.
Back at the judges' table, the terminal-stage fanboy -MC- immediately handed over the mic and excitedly asked the question everyone was dying to know.
["Elite Four Sato, what exactly did you give Takeshin just now?"]
The crowd: Great question!
Sato: …
Secretly marking the MC down in his mental notebook, Sato finally replied with meaningful implication, "Takeshin's Jumpluff has just broken through its limits and urgently needs to replenish its energy. So I rewarded him with a spring branch from the World Tree. I'll teach him how to use it after the tournament."]
World Tree branch? Wha…?
Most people present had never even heard of it, but that didn't stop them from quickly researching and learning about its effects.
Regional-grade Item…
Restores Origin energy…
Enhances Type potential…
Heals long-standing injuries…
Hsssssssssssssssssssssssss…!
One breath after another was drawn in, culminating in a chorus of shock across the venue. At this point, envy and jealousy were no longer sufficient to describe their feelings.
But Sato had made it clear. He would personally help Takeshin use the World Tree branch after the match, clearly indicating he intended to protect him.
A Regional-grade Item… and an Elite Four. That alone silenced many hidden schemes forming in the crowd.
No one dared think about it further.
At the judges' table, the MC wanted to ask more, but suddenly felt a cold aura creep up from beneath his feet…
At the same time, Sato turned and looked at him with a smile, cold and distant.
["Oh! We're already running late. Shouldn't we continue the matches?"]
Terrified, the MC froze for a second before nodding rapidly and urging the event forward, no longer daring to ask random questions.
Seeing this, Sato secretly breathed a sigh of relief. While he had the status and wasn't short on money, he wasn't some idiot who'd casually hand out Regional-grade Items.
The real reason behind this… was Takeshin!
•
¹.ARIADOS CHILL, ANEKE!
[1] ARIADOS CHILL ANEKE!
[2] Bond Phenomenon?????????