It had been a week since the last wave of online controversy. Sato was gradually becoming more adept at completing various Elite Four missions, and today happened to be his rest day.
Over the past few days, he realized that most tasks offered little benefit in terms of strength improvement.
If being an Elite Four didn't come with free access to the Apex Mimicry Zone for a certain period, no one would probably want the job at all…
However, as someone who possessed Dark Energy, Sato wasn't all that dependent on the Apex Mimicry Zone.
'Still not enough subordinates…'
While supervising his Pokémon doing basic training, Sato thought to himself.
He had once believed that after all these years, the Shadownight Gym had produced a great number of talents. But in the end, none had offered him much real support.
Suddenly, a white figure was sent flying backward from the training grounds. But rather than crash to the ground, it flipped gracefully and landed solidly on all fours.
"Absoooool!"
With a long cry, Absol flung its bladed head, unleashing a massive two-meter-long dark energy slash straight across the field.
Night Slash!
In the training arena, Pikachu's red cheeks sparked with electricity. Facing the intense Night Slash, it didn't show the slightest fear and charged forward without hesitation.
At the last second, Pikachu flipped backward, narrowly avoiding the Night Slash, and instantly unleashed its charged Discharge across the field.
Watching the training area turn into a disaster zone in seconds, Sato sighed and rubbed his forehead.
The plan had only been to practice evasive maneuvers… how did it escalate into a full-on clash?
Clearly, they'd been holding back too long!
"Help me separate them," Sato turned to Gardevoir beside him.
"Gardeee~"
Gardevoir's eyes shimmered purple. In that moment, both Pikachu and the Dark-type Absol froze in place.
"That's enough for today. In a couple of days, I'll find you some new opponents."
'…Hmm?'
Immediately, every Pokémon in the training area turned toward Sato, eyes filled with…
PICK ME! PICK ME! PICK ME!
Sato closed his eyes, clearly overwhelmed.
Escaping the burning gazes of his Pokémon, Sato quietly slipped out to the front yard of the Gym.
Currently, the Shadownight Gym's full-time resident Gym Trainer was Ponyo. Her expertise at the Elite level was formidable, she could turn any equal-level match into a dazzling display.
After watching a few Gym battles, Sato noticed that the overall strength of the challengers had improved quite a bit compared to a few years ago.
But as sparring partners for Sato's Pokémon… they still weren't quite up to par.
Abandoning the idea of spending the day as a Gym Leader, Sato had to look elsewhere for worthy sparring partners.
But even after lunch, he still hadn't found anyone suitable!
---◓---
"…Leader, is something troubling you? You can talk to me, you know?"
Even Lotta, who had been holed up raising Hydreigon inside the Gym, couldn't ignore it any longer and finally asked.
Sato gave a sheepish smile and casually explained his issue in a few sentences.
"That's easy. Shadownight City's got a bunch of Grandpa-level Trainers living here now. You should go find them."
"…Grandpa-level Trainers?"
"Shadownight City is surrounded on all sides by dense forest, so its ecosystem has been very well preserved. And over the past few years, urban development has made life here way more convenient.
Plus, with you as a walking advertisement, tons of new people are settling in every day… including quite a few once-renowned veteran Trainers."
Just as Lotta finished speaking, she saw Sato's eyes light up as he eagerly nodded and immediately turned toward the training grounds.
"Oh! Oh! Thanks, Lotta!"
His voice echoed from a distance. Lotta chuckled softly, finding it a bit endearing that the Leader, famous since youth, could still be kind of cute…
---◓---
Sato returned to the training grounds and, without saying a word, recalled half of his Pokémon.
The remaining ones stared wide-eyed at each other, their expressions toward Sato full of wounded disappointment…
"Maa maa~ One group at a time. You'll all get a chance!"
With that said, Sato turned and slipped away!
Giving the others no chance to pout or act cute.
Leaving the Gym, Sato made his way to the Shadownight Intelligence Shop.
On the surface, it offered adventure tasks. But behind the scenes, it knew every corner of Shadownight City inside and out. Naturally, Sato's best source for intel.
Some time later, Sato walked out of the Intelligence Shop with Trish, who had tagged along out of curiosity, and headed to…
The Shadownight Retirement Home?
"…This is the place?"
Sato turned to Trish, his tone filled with uncertainty.
"This is it, Sato! Yoshi-jiji and the others are really strong!" Trish said obediently, clearly having matured a lot.
"Hmm? You've been here before?"
"Yeah, some of Amber's friends live here. I used to tag along when they caught up."
Acquaintances!
Sato immediately felt reassured. If they were already connected, this wouldn't count as storming in uninvited.
At most… well, it'd just be a junior paying a visit to ask for guidance from a senior!
Still, if he was going to make a visit, it wouldn't be right to show up empty-handed…
With that in mind, Sato and Trish stopped by a nearby shop to buy a bunch of fruit and supplements suitable for elderly folks. Only then did he enter the retirement home with a relaxed, "I totally planned this" demeanor.
The retirement home was well-built, with lush gardens taking up nearly seventy percent of the space.
The sounds of insects and birds filled the air, and the towering trees blocked out the blazing sun, providing cool and pleasant shade.
It was just after nap time, and the gray-haired elderly were scattered throughout the garden, laughing and chatting, it was a lively scene.
"Yoshi-jiji, I came to see you!"
Trish suddenly ran ahead to a small old man who was carefully studying a cicada on the tree trunk.
Startled by her sudden voice, the old man flinched.
"Eh…? Trish-chan! You came alone? Where's old Amber?"
The surprise quickly turned into joy. The frail Yoshi clearly shared a close bond with Trish, his eyes overflowed with affection and warmth.
"I came with Sato, the current Elite Four of the Johto Region, a genius Trainer!"
Trish introduced Sato with no exaggeration, though it made Sato scratch his cheek in embarrassment.
Sure, it was all true…
But hearing it stated so directly… well, some humility was in order.
"Nice to meet you, Yoshi-san. I'm Sato. I hope you're enjoying life here in Shadownight City."
"No need to be so formal, DarKnight Elite Four. The city is great, and so is Trish."
Yoshi showed no arrogance in the face of an Elite Four. His gaze was filled with admiration and contentment. His final remark, however, was rather meaningful.
"Y-Yoshi-jiji what are you saying!"
Trish blushed deeply and quickly shifted the topic by mentioning the task they came for.
"…I remember your Lilligant and Mienshao were both really strong. How about a battle with Sato?"
"Hm? A battle… with me!?" Yoshi blinked in surprise.
Sato hadn't planned on revealing his intentions so soon. But since Trish had already spilled it, he awkwardly rubbed his nose, there was no point hiding anymore.
"Yes. Sorry for the abrupt visit. I'm truly here to ask for some sparring partners."