After reuniting with Wester, the last thing Sato had to worry about was food. Every day, they were treated to various gourmet meals, each one prepared with new flavors and techniques.
After eating, the two began pairing different Pokémon, working on their team synergy. The biggest difference between single battles and double battles was coordination.
A well-coordinated team could double their strength and unleash their full potential, but if they were out of sync, they could end up hindering each other, leading to disaster.
Everyone understood this concept, but actually achieving it was another matter entirely.
Especially since Sato and Wester only had one week to train together, simply avoiding interference with each other's fighting styles was already a challenge.
Fortunately, Sato had spent most of his time training in the wild, and both Ariados and Houndoom had extensive experience in group battles.
Ariados was a natural controller and support Pokémon due to its combat role, which was a huge advantage.
Meanwhile, Houndoom's intelligence allowed it to issue commands to allies and make the right tactical decisions.
However, there were still issues, Ariados' control and support techniques relied heavily on Sticky Web and Poison, which could accidentally affect its teammates.
And Houndoom, despite being highly independent, sometimes made decisions that conflicted with the trainer's commands, creating unnecessary complications.
Through multiple trials, only two combinations proved to be ideal for double battles:
Similarly, to ensure smooth performance in future matches, they also tested Zoroark + Breloom and Gengar + Wester's Houndoom as backup strategies.
Whenever he had spare time, Sato would go out and monitor the tournament, but his real goal was to track Ghost Ship's activities.
As a former "senior member (Gold-Rank assassin)" of Ghost Ship, Sato knew exactly how they communicated.
Even things that seemed normal to others carried hidden meanings, and he could decipher them effortlessly.
And the truth was clear, Ghost Ship was already in motion.
Their target had not changed. They were going to assassinate Elite Four Sen!
Sato felt troubled, even now, he hadn't found a solid solution. What was he supposed to do? Run up to Sen and tell him someone was going to assassinate him?
But with more and more coded signals appearing, he could feel it, Mahogany Town was about to be engulfed in chaos!
Colorful fireworks exploded in the sky, while the enthusiastic voice of the host echoed through the speakers, reaching every corner of the stadium.
After a series of formal speeches by important figures, Sen and Yanagi finally took the stage.
One of them wore a cold, expressionless look, completely unaffected by the audience's wild cheers.
The other had a gentle smile, waving at the crowd with his right hand, acknowledging their enthusiasm.
One icy and indifferent.
One warm and charismatic.
Their contrasting personalities only fueled the audience's excitement, making them cheer even louder.
Sato and Wester sat in the reserved section for competitors, watching the lively opening ceremony unfold.
Wester's eyes shone with excitement, as if he were already standing on stage, basking in the spotlight and applause.
Meanwhile, Sato sat there in silence, the overwhelming shouting and cheering making his ears ring, It was way too loud.
"I knew it... I hate these kinds of events."
Wester turned his head and shouted directly into Sato's ear.
Sato's ears went completely numb.
Annoyed, he scratched his ear, then casually shook a Poké Ball, signaling that it was time to start the battle.
The moment they entered the backstage area, the noisy chaos instantly disappeared.
Sato let out a deep breath and sat in the waiting room, patiently waiting for their match to begin.
Even though the preliminary rounds were split into eight different arenas, he and Wester had somehow drawn the first match, and it was on the main stage!
Since the opening ceremony had just ended, most spectators chose to stay in their seats, eager to watch the nearest battle.
And so, Sato and Wester stepped into the arena, taking the first match of the tournament.
"The original plan is canceled. Let's go with Houndoom and Xatu for this match."
Wester, though confused, obediently put Skarmory's Poké Ball away and took out Xatu's.
"To be honest, neither my Pokémon nor I have ever battled in front of this many people before. Ariados is still young, so I want it to get used to the atmosphere first. Come on out, Ariados!"
Ariados waved its front legs aggressively, full of battle intent, but quickly realized there was no opponent.
It turned to Sato, puzzled.
"Skarmory's not feeling well, so Houndoom will go first."
Wester silently took the blame, too lazy to argue with Sato.
Ariados blinked, then turned to look at Wester, noticing that his expression didn't seem great either.
In a rare moment of understanding, it nodded at him comfortingly.
Wester pressed his lips together, swallowing his frustration. He couldn't let himself get worked up over a bug, but he definitely wouldn't say that out loud.
"Just watch from the side for now. You'll go next."
Sato patted Ariados' head. Its hard exoskeleton wasn't cold, it actually had a strangely pleasant texture.
The battle format was a 2v2 double battle, with each trainer using one Pokémon at a time. The match would end when both Pokémon on one side were incapacitated.
Across the field, their opponents, two muscular cowboys, visibly relaxed when they saw Sato and Wester.
The Elite Four Battle Tournament had no age restrictions. Older trainers naturally had more experience, so rookies like Sato were often underestimated.
"Both sides, send out your Pokémon!"
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Four bursts of red light flashed, the towering figure of Houndoom and the rare sight of Xatu stood ready for battle!
Their opponents: a Tauros and Slowbro combo. A powerful attacker, paired with a tank and healer!
Sato glanced at Wester, then made the first move.
"Houndoom, Flamethrower!"
A roaring inferno erupted.
Having just evolved, Houndoom was fierce and dominant. The sheer heat distortion in the air blurred the light around it.
At the same time, Xatu ascended into the air, activating Calm Mind to build up power.
As the raging flames surged forward, Tauros didn't hesitate. It charged straight through, showing no fear!
Meanwhile, Slowbro's vacant expression didn't change, but a soft pink glow shot from the Shellder on its tail, enveloping Tauros.
Houndoom dodged Tauros' Zen Headbutt, then unleashed Dark Pulse, maintaining its distance while continuing to pressure its opponent.
"Slowbro, use Yawn on Xatu!"
The first cowboy shifted his focus, aiming for the building threat in the sky.
"Houndoom, take care of it!"
A pink bubble floated toward Xatu, carrying a hypnotic effect. Though it moved slowly, it was inescapable, persistently following its target.
The bubble burst. And Houndoom suddenly wavered, shaking its head drowsily.
After releasing another Flamethrower to block Tauros' charge, its legs buckled, and it began to collapse!
"Houndoom, Sleep Talk!"
Even with its eyes shut, Houndoom's ears twitched, then, suddenly, it lunged forward, jaws crackling with electricity, and bit down on Slowbro!