Just as Sato and Steven had settled on the time for their next battle, Norman, who had finished his outside tasks, rushed into the room.
"Time to eat, time to eat~ Everyone come sit over here, don't be shy!" With a grand wave of his hand, Norman signaled, and a group of waiters filed in, each carrying freshly made food.
Since there weren't too many people, one table was enough for everyone to squeeze in.
Nurse Joy, Officer Jenny, and the two mayors had already left due to work obligations, so the highest-ranked person here was Elite Four Drake.
Precisely because of this Dragon-type Elite Four with such a "fearsome reputation," even Phoebe sat more cautiously at the table, speaking far less than usual.
"Thank you all for showing up today. Next time any of you challenge my gym, I promise I'll go easy on you~"
That one line from Norman instantly lightened the serious atmosphere. A few of the Trainers who were close to Norman teased him back with laughter.
Drake didn't act superior either. He just smiled as he watched the younger crowd.
"Heh, but I'm still your superior!"
The room burst into playful banter again, and soon no one felt stiff anymore. A few brave Trainers who admired Drake even dared to ask him some questions.
Drake didn't show the slightest impatience. He kept answering with a smile and even threw in a few jokes from time to time, looking every bit the friendly old gentleman.
But Sato knew better. This so-called Dragon-type Elite Four, recognized by the Hoenn League, wasn't merely a high-ranking Trainer.
Drake was also the de facto ruler of Hoenn's ocean territories… a position he earned through fists and blood. The League only gave him the title of Elite Four as a way of taming him.
Fortunately, as Drake grew older, he began shifting his influence inland and laying down roots, finally giving the League a chance to draw him in.
So people feared him not just because of his title, but because he had once ruled the seas… and taken many lives, human and Pokémon alike.
As the conversations continued, the topic drifted further off course, until something Drake said made Sato's ears perk up.
"Elite Four Drake, did you just say you're heading to the Unova Region soon?" Sato didn't show much on his face, but inside he was already stirred.
"You know about the Unova Region?" Drake looked surprised. He hadn't expected anyone here to even be aware of its existence.
Drake knew who Sato was, the champion of this year's Gym Leader Qualification Tournament. His results had been outstanding.
"I know a bit," Sato nodded, not trying to oversell himself.
"That's already impressive. Unova is a whole new world, full of Pokémon no one here has ever seen… but not just anyone gets to go there."
"Drake~ How can you go without me? Take me too!" Phoebe suddenly chimed in, her face glowing with excitement.
"What, quitting your League Investigator job?" Drake teased her casually, but Phoebe nodded with absolute determination.
"If possible, I'd like to visit the Unova Region as well…" Sato spoke up, unusually serious.
Phoebe's request still seemed a bit playful, but there was no doubt Sato meant every word.
"...My ship isn't comfortable, and the round trip takes at least two months," Drake adjusted his posture slightly, his tone now serious, clearly hoping to discourage him.
"None of that matters. What I'm more worried about is whether you're willing to give me the chance." Sato's response was firm, and the atmosphere turned a bit tense.
Drake set down his chopsticks and crossed his arms. In an instant, the aura of a high-ranking figure erupted, bearing down on Sato.
But to everyone else, it only looked like Drake was hesitating, unsure whether to bring Sato along.
A bead of sweat silently formed on Sato's forehead, but outwardly, he remained completely composed, staring straight at Drake without flinching.
Phoebe, sensitive as ever, immediately noticed something was off between the two. Her eyes flashed with understanding. After all, no one could force a Trainer of Elite Four caliber to do anything he didn't want to.
Drake's silence cast a chill over the dining table once more.
Time slowly ticked past: one minute.
For everyone else, maybe it felt long. But for Sato, it truly felt like an eternity.
The pressure from a Trainer of Elite Four level was still a crushing force for Sato at this stage; an almost insurmountable wall.
Fortunately, Drake hadn't intended to humiliate him. His "aura" had been gradually intensifying, ready to pull back the moment Sato could no longer withstand it.
'Hmm?' Drake raised his head to look at Sato. He'd released pressure nearing Peak Pseudo-Elite level, yet this "prodigy" had endured it.
In the past, Drake would've taught such a person a harsh lesson, League favorite or not.
But now, having younger protégés himself, Drake had mellowed. Instead of annoyance, he found himself admiring Sato's resolve.
He withdrew his aura and no longer pressured him. In fact, he even gave Sato a nod. "Ten days from now, I depart from the southern pier of Littleroot Town. Be there on time. I won't wait for anyone."
"Thank you, Elite Four Drake!" Sato nodded excitedly. He had been right to persevere.
Drake truly had changed. In the future, he'd even be known for mentoring the younger generation.
"Drake, that's not fair~" Phoebe suddenly shouted, startling everyone before flashing a bright grin. "If you're letting Sato go, then you have to let me go too!"
"…" Sato raised an eyebrow. 'Have you ever experienced Drake's pressure like I just did? You just shamelessly begged to get on board (｀Δ´)ゞ'
Drake shook his head and told Phoebe to request leave herself and not to bother him if she couldn't get it.
As for the others, though they were clearly curious and longing to visit the Unova Region, for one reason or another -or lacking Sato's boldness- they ultimately didn't speak up.
Take Norman, for example. His eyes were clearly burning with desire, but he knew he couldn't leave the gym right now. So he stayed silent.
Maybe someday he'd have the chance…
As for why Sato was so desperate to join this trip to Unova… it was all because of that one Pokémon.
The only one that hadn't returned to his side…
In his previous life, due to his identity, Sato had only ever caught four Pokémon: Zoroark, Pupitar, and Umbreon were already back with him.
The last one, however, he'd only captured much later, during a mission that took him to the Unova Region.
Because inter-regional travel was extremely limited, Sato had believed he wouldn't be able to go to Unova for a long time.
Now that this opportunity had appeared right before him, how could he pass it up? He had even taken the most aggressive approach out of sheer excitement.
…But none of that mattered anymore.
The final partner… I'm coming!
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150 PW= Extra chap | Patr30n/Romeloff