"Some of those young Trainers succeeded thanks to my funding, but far more of them struggled bitterly, gradually surpassed by newcomers, and eventually faded into obscurity…
I don't regret the sponsorships that yielded no return. And of course, I won't deny that every successful investment brings me ten or even a hundred times the return."
Dafu paused briefly here, as if his eyes were filled with stories. But in order not to ramble, he chose not to elaborate.
"That was my original intention, but now it's gone... As for you, you've always refused my investment. You're highly vigilant, and your impressive background means I can't force anything."
Dafu spoke with a cheerful tone, so direct that it made Sato want to roll his eyes.
"You reject my investment and say we can only cooperate or trade? Fine, then today let's make a trade!" As he spoke, Dafu took a small box out of his pocket and handed it to Sato.
With things laid out like this, Sato naturally wouldn't nitpick. Judging from Dafu's behavior so far, he indeed didn't seem to have any malicious intent.
Taking the box, Sato opened it halfway and immediately confirmed what was inside, those were the two Dark-type Energy Crystals.
Clack!
"What do you need me to do?" Sato closed the lid and asked directly.
"I'm very interested in Sharpedo's aerial movement technique. You can trade it to me through a training method."
"Not enough." Sato shook his head.
Sharpedo's aerial movement could be applied to many Water-type Pokémon, and it involved the coordination of two moves. The applicability was too broad.
"How many do you think would be fair?" Dafu chuckled, completely unfazed by Sato's demand for more.
Business is business. At this moment, he was a merchant, and haggling was a survival skill.
"Add one Rock-, Flying-, and Fire-type crystals."
"That's too much. Aerial movement isn't unique to you, Sato. At most, I'll add one more."
"It's true that there are multiple aerial movement techniques, but have you seen any faster and more agile than my Sharpedo? Add three more, no less than that," Sato insisted firmly.
"I can give you three more, but just one technique won't cut it," Dafu held his ground as well.
"This is actually a fusion of two techniques that makes the aerial movement so agile. How about this, once I return to Shadownight Town and take my role as Gym Leader, you can send someone over directly, and I'll teach them personally." Sato thought for a moment, stepped back slightly, but didn't specify when he would return to the Gym.
"Truly unyielding. Alright, I accept." Even though he was giving away three more Energy Crystals, Dafu seemed to be in good spirits.
He waved his hand, and a subordinate came over. After Dafu gave him a few quiet instructions, a few minutes later, another similar-looking box was handed to Sato.
"I'm about to disembark. Once I'm off the ship, I'll organize the training materials as soon as possible, then-"
"No need. Just let me know once you become Gym Leader. I'll have someone go learn it directly then."
"Fair enough." Sato nodded and agreed readily.
The two made a verbal agreement, no documents, no proof. But both knew that was enough.
Woo~~~
At that moment, the cruise ship's horn sounded, signaling it had docked. The gangplank was lowered, and people began disembarking one after another.
"I'm heading off first, Captain Dafu." Sato nodded and said his goodbye directly.
"Stop calling me Captain from now on," Dafu still chuckled cheerfully, "because I'm a merchant!"
"Alright then, Dafu."
"…"
------
As everyone disembarked, Dafu watched Sato gradually disappear into the distance, stretched his somewhat sore legs from standing too long, and walked straight back into the ship.
"Boss, what were you guys talking about for so long?" Mark had already run out of patience. If it weren't for someone guarding the area while Dafu and Sato were "chatting", keeping him from approaching, he would've gone over to eavesdrop a long time ago.
"It was just a trade. Got a lot of good stuff out of it." Sato didn't bother hiding it. Skipping over Dafu's whole "heartfelt" speech, it really was just a transaction.
"So many Energy Crystals… This captain's seriously rich. Boss, don't tell me you sold yourself to get them?" Mark exclaimed, then immediately realized something felt off…
"Sold myself? Your boss, ME, is only worth five Energy Crystals?" Sato smiled kindly… at least it would've seemed kind if one didn't look at his hand clutching Mark's shoulder, fingers already curled.
"A-AAH!"
A pig-slaughtering scream rang out at the port, instantly startling everyone nearby into backing away. Sato and Joseph took the opportunity to walk forward, pretending not to know him.
The cruise had docked at the bustling East Port. The three of them made their way to the local Pokémon Center to settle down and recover from the fatigue of nearly half a month at sea.
"Gulp gulp~ Why did Captain Dafu give you so many Energy Crystals? Did you really sell yourself?" Joseph downed a glass of ice water in one go and teased. Dewford Island was at the southernmost point of the Hoenn Region, and the temperature was clearly several degrees higher.
Sato rolled his eyes. Under Mark's resentful glare, he explained, "I sold Sharpedo's aerial movement 'technique'."
"Alright then, as long as you didn't sell yourself." Joseph kept pushing the joke, continuing his suicidal trajectory.
'…Is it really that funny?'
Sato crossed his arms. With Mark's gloating look beside him, he slowly walked over to Joseph again.
"Everyone must be hungry. I'LL GO COOK!" Joseph shouted, grabbing the empty glass and dashing into the kitchen. Using cooking as leverage, Sato ultimately caved.
"Hmph!" Mark voiced his dissatisfaction loudly.
"…Hmm?"
"Joseph, you've been working hard today. Why didn't you ask me to help? Hmph~" Mark grumbled while also heading into the kitchen.
"Togepeh~" Togepi stood on the table, clapping its hands to the left and right toward Pichu, full of joy.
On the sofa, Ralts shook its head in a humanlike manner while sipping Sweet Milk, clearly unfazed by this kind of scene.
Seeing this, Sato couldn't help but chuckle quietly to himself. Then he took out both small boxes.
Two Dark-type, one Flying-type, one Rock-type, and one Fire-type. Five Energy Crystals in total were now neatly laid out in front of him.
At this point, the only ones who hadn't used Energy Crystals or Origin Ore were Houndoom, Umbreon, and Pupitar, plus Murkrow being raised in the Forest of Shadows, and the recently "captured" Ralts.
Now, the Energy Crystal issues for the first three were completely resolved, and even the Murkrow being raised had its own share.
As for Ralts, her strength no longer needed this kind of thing to improve, giving it to her would be meaningless.
Judging that it would still take some time for Joseph and Mark to finish cooking, Sato stepped outside immediately to Transfer the three Pokémon who could use the Energy Crystals. He didn't waste a single moment.