"Sato, you've made a huge contribution this time. Is there anything you'd like? I can even try to get you a pseudo-legendary hatchling if you want."
On the screen, Haruka smiled warmly at Sato.
The data extracted from the base had now been fully analyzed, all of Team Rocket's Potential Enhancement Serums shared the same core formula.
The different bases were merely set up near areas rich in test subjects, allowing them to gradually refine their serum formulas.
For instance, their Bug-type base was located near National Park, ensuring easy access to a variety of Bug Pokémon.
Likewise, the Fire-type base was set in Johto's northwest, a region home to numerous Fire-type Pokémon, including Houndour packs and Ponyta herds.
"Thank you, aunt Haruka. If we're talking about pseudo-legendary hatchlings, I'd only be interested in Deino or Larvitar, nothing else."
Sato quickly suppressed any stray thoughts and casually responded at the mention of pseudo-legendary hatchlings.
"Focusing on Dark-types, huh? That's a solid choice, it's best to find your path early. But you already have a Larvitar, and Deino is all the way in Unova, that might be tricky."
"No need, no need! My team is already at full capacity. They all have great potential and still need a lot of training. I don't want to add more Pokémon for now."
Startled, Sato quickly stopped Haruka from pursuing the idea further. Deino was great, but right now, training his current Pokémon was the priority.
As for Deino... he would catch one himself!
"You don't want a pseudo-legendary hatchling? Then what do you need?" Haruka asked curiously.
"Help me keep an eye out for a few things: a Toxic Orb, methods to enhance a Poison-type Pokémon's toxin repertoire, and training techniques for Water Pokémon to sustain aerial movement."
In medicine and poison, curing and poisoning often went hand in hand, the more toxins one knew, the more one understood how to neutralize them.
As for the Toxic Orb, that was purely for experimentation.
And the aerial training methods, those were for Carvanha. Sato eagerly anticipated the day Carvanha could dominate land, sea, and air.
"No problem, but those things are nowhere near as valuable as your contribution. Since you can't think of anything now, I'll keep your reward on hold."
Understanding his situation, Haruka chose to "let him off the hook" for now before ending the call.
Not one to waste time, Sato continued training his Pokémon, occasionally staying at the Pokémon Center to find strong opponents for battles.
After all, why were Trainers called Pokémon Trainers rather than Pokémon Fighters or Pokémon Commanders?
Because, as the name suggested, training was always the key to making Pokémon stronger. For Sato, battling was merely a part of training, not the goal itself.
Three days later, Sato received a method for Poison-type Pokémon to adapt to multiple toxins from Kiki.
Five days later, the current Water-type Elite Four of Kanto, Lily of Cerulean City, personally sent him video instructions on how Water-type Pokémon could sustain aerial movement.
A week later, Spinarak, using Venoshock as a medium, successfully absorbed Arbok's venom and mastered its use.
At the same time, Haruka sent over a Toxic Orb, and Spinarak, having just mastered Arbok's venom, immediately started exploring the applications of the orb.
Half a month later, Carvanha still hadn't managed to stay airborne using Aqua Jet.
But, after prolonged exposure to ocean whirlpools, it unexpectedly learned Whirlpool, a move it should not have been able to learn naturally.
And using Whirlpool, Carvanha accidentally discovered a way to break free from terrain restrictions, allowing it to hover above water for extended periods.
However, its max altitude was barely three meters. That was more than enough for Sato.
Moreover, the Aqua Jet training wasn't a waste, combining Whirlpool and Aqua Jet, Carvanha could switch between the two freely.
This allowed it to maintain a state similar to Quick Attack, using only minimal stamina to stay continuously mobile.
Even better than expected!
With that, Sato's business in Olivine City was complete. Training had progressed significantly, and it was finally time to move on.
However, Just as Sato was about to say his goodbyes to Joy, he received some unwelcome news.
An assassination organization hired by Team Rocket was already waiting for him in the outskirts.
"Don't worry! Anyone who dares to target a member of the Joy family clearly has a death wish!"
Though Kiki had a bit of a scheming side, her personality was still mostly calm and gentle. Yet at this moment, she was glaring fiercely at Sato as she spoke.
On the other hand, Sato was lost in thought, considering the assassins coming after him.
What rank would they be? How many of them were there? And... would any of them be someone he knew?
"Hey! Are you so scared you've gone dumb?"
Rolling his eyes, Sato tightened his backpack straps, bypassed Kiki, and continued toward the exit.
"Stop right there! Aren't you going to listen to your big sis? Your protection is on the way!"
Kiki stood with her hands on her hips, raising her voice.
Beside her, Chansey mimicked her stance, as if saying, Yeah! I'm mad too!
Big sis? Sato turned his head, giving Kiki a strange look.
Kiki nearly exploded on the spot.
Her sharp glare turned into an outraged scowl, but she was so mad she couldn't even get the words out.
She might seem scheming, but cut her open, and her true nature was just an overreactive mess?
"Relax. I'll be fine." Sato said with a smile and continued.
"Can your people follow me forever? The ones after me are assassins, not some brute-force fighters. The more people with me, the more likely they expose their location, ruining the advantage."
"But they're assassins! Can't you just stay here safely? You can train anywhere, why does it have to be outside?"
Looking at Kiki, who was genuinely worried for him, Sato couldn't help but think of his nominal guardian, Joy Lilia, and Haruka, who had taken care of him so much.
At least for now, having them in charge of medical resources was a good thing.
"Enough talk. They're just some pathetic nobodies hiding in the shadows. I'm not scared of them!"
With that, Sato headed downstairs, left the Pokémon Center, and walked straight toward the outskirts.
From Sato's shadow, a purple figure with golden eyes slowly emerged, Gengar, grinning mischievously.
With a playful expression, it pressed its palms together like a monk, giving a mock prayer gesture that looked completely out of place.
A green spider crawled out from the hidden pocket of his backpack and settled onto Sato's shoulder, its tiny eyes brimming with excitement.
Sato had already traveled through all of western Johto.
So next, his destination was northeast, toward Cianwood Town and Blackthorn City.
As he entered the forest, Sato kept a close eye on his surroundings.
However, nothing seemed out of place. Still, Sato wasn't in a hurry. If it came down to patience, he had plenty.
Every hour, he deliberately stopped to rest, ensuring he remained in peak condition.
At the same time, these breaks were intentional, he was leaving traces behind, setting a trap to lure them out.
Yet, despite this slow, calculated pace, Sato found no sign of any movement throughout the entire day.
Kiki had no reason to lie to him, which meant his opponents' patience and resolve might exceed his expectations.